AZ Biomedical Collaborative
Project Details
Building Type:
- Laboratory
Location
- Phoenix, Arizona
Square Footage
- 85,000
Project Type
- LEED Energy Analysis
Project Team
Owner: Arizona Biomedical Collaborative
Architect: Smithgroup
Mechanical: Smithgroup
Electrical: Smithgroup
LEED Consultant: Smithgroup
Contractor: DPR Construction
CX Agent: TMCx Solutions
AZ Biomedical Collaborative
Arizona State University and University of Arizona joined together to construct the AZ Biomedical Collaborative from which they can conduct interdisciplinary bioscience research projects. This LEED-Gold building is University of Arizona’s first LEED-certified building. The four story building serves as a visual transition between the low historic buildings and the modern genomics research facilities nearby. Its labs and offices are dedicated to supporting biology, chemistry, proteomics and biomedical informatics.
All building windows utilize high performance spandrel glass (Viracon VE 2-2M). 4” rigid insulation is used on the roof to provide a minimum rating of R-26. Selected offices and lab space make use of occupancy sensor lighting contributing to the building’s rating of 22% below ASHRAE maximum allowable lighting.
Two air handlers, made more efficient by the use of VSD fans, are used to provide conditioned air to the labs and office spaces. Additionally, an energy recover loop is utilized to reduce energy requirements for heating and cooling associated with outside air ventilation. Heating is accomplished via hot water coils supplied by two high efficiency (85%) boilers.
Due to the energy intensive nature of the work conducted in the building, the design teams focused on minimizing the overall energy impact. Overall, energy usage was reduced by 30% in areas such as variable air volume, demand control ventilation, task lighting approach, and water saving fixtures, which means each year, this building is expected to save 239,461 lbs of CO2 emissions.