As nano-scale research becomes essential and almost commonplace to many science programs, we are seeing interdisciplinary facilities requiring sensitive equipment and strictly controlled environments. The recently completed Energy Sciences Building (ESB) at Argonne National Laboratory is one of the freshest examples of these new highly adaptable, flexible, and easily controlled interdisciplinary science facilities.
Argonne’s new ESB was designed specifically for interdisciplinary research addressing the complex issues associated with the transformation of global society through new sources of energy. Research at the ESB is expected to lead to significant advances in how the world consumes and conserves energy.
By virtue of its prominent and highly visible location, the ESB is like a “billboard” advertising a new, interdisciplinary approach to science; with labs from each of four energy-related programs on campus: Materials Science Division (MSD); Chemical Sciences and Engineering (CSE); Energy Systems Division (ES); and Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM).
This is the first step in bringing these groups together in one building, and organizing them by science program. There is a mix of groups on each floor of the ESB to create opportunities for interaction and enable collaboration.
The building houses the kind of research infrastructure necessary to conduct breakthrough science in materials discovery and creation for efficient and effective catalysts, designing and creating novel crystals, films, and polymers for solar photovoltaic, energy storage, and efficient electronics platforms—including nano-scale research. As with many lab buildings, vibration is a primary concern to protect experiments from outside influences. The ESB required spaces in its lowest level to meet requirements as strict as Vibration Criteria E (VCE) while the upper levels were built to meet Vibration Criteria A (VCA). The upper levels of the ESB are performing better than ground level spaces in existing buildings.
According to Vojislav Stamenkovic, Technical Lead, Material Science Division, “Initial testing of our UHV system has indicated that vibrational sensitive measurements such as STM/AFM are performing better in the ESB than in the 223 Bldg., even though we are positioned on the third floor.”
Sustainability
Energy is the single most important focus of the ESB. The building was conceived as a living-learning lab employing effective design to reduce energy demand and consumption. Through energy modeling using ASHRAE as the baseline, the building was designed to consume 34.5 percent less energy and reduce energy costs by 22.8 percent. Low-flow fixtures and landscaping not requiring irrigation is expected to reduce water consumption by 31 percent compared to the LEED baseline energy model. The ESB is tracking LEED Gold.
The facility is attenuated along the east-west axis for optimal solar orientation. Because consistent and controlled air pressure is critical to the function of laboratories, the exterior envelope of the building must operate as intended, without transfer spots inadvertently allowing air to flow in and out, while maintaining healthy air quality. The ESB hired a third-party commissioning agent to evaluate the building envelope, including building materials, curtain wall and roofing systems, and design details.
The ESB, out of necessity, requires a lot of air movement and much of the air passing through some of the labs is directly exhausted. The HVAC system recovers as much heat as possible from exhaust air and preheats incoming air to save on heating and cooling. For this, two heat recovery units are located in the mechanical penthouse. The units contain filters and heat fans, allowing heat to be recovered in the coils. Glycol water is circulated between the coils and in the outside air paths of the primary air handling units. This pre-treats the outside air and reduces the amount of heat required by the primary coils as well as the associated campus steam system. Limited to sensible energy only, the system avoids risks related to cross-contamination of exhaust air into supply air.
New face for science and campus
The new Energy Sciences Building ushers in the transformation of Argonne’s campus to an interdisciplinary and sustainable campus. The building’s prominent location provided the opportunity to create a new image for Argonne. The ESB now serves as an entrance to the north campus designated the new Energy Quad, comprised of ESB and other buildings.
The ESB and the new quad also help move toward a pedestrian-focused campus, with plans to close some roads to vehicles and create new links to connect buildings. A “sky-gate” at the west end of the building anchors the pedestrian path linking existing north and south campuses, and also provides a sheltered area with benches where scientists can congregate. Bicycles—already provided—are available, with bike racks conveniently located at various buildings and quads.
Breaking old working habits
In addition to transforming the campus, the building aims to change the way people work; moving from a departmental structure to a system that is project- and tool-based. Throughout the design process, the design team held open, town hall-style meetings and workshops for any scientists and staff members interested in attending; fostering connection among Argonne staff that historically worked in cellular, closed environments. The participatory, transparent approach helped to change the direction of the existing work culture, thought to be set in stone, to a more open, industry-competitive way of working: a tool in itself for attracting and retaining the best and the brightest. In addition, special care was given to the selection of finishes and furniture—a departure from a typical government facility.
This building is the first on campus to bring multiple groups together in one building, organized by science as opposed to department. There is a mix of departments on all four floors to create opportunities for sharing and collaboration. Everyone working here passes through
the atrium several times a day. Circulation to and through the labs also requires people to move through the atrium, with connecting stairs that allow daylight to penetrate the full three floors. Views through the atrium to the outdoors further orient visitors and employees
to the rest of the north campus. This transparency not only provides light and views, it allows researchers to see and be seen, an important feature in the new ESB culture.
Attract and retain
Similar to research facilities found in private industry and on academic campuses, the ESB offers modern, flexible labs with specialized state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation, as well as light-filled collaborative spaces, day-lit open and closed offices, and technology-rich areas to showcase the science. The ESB is intended to serve as a recruiting tool to aid in attracting and retaining the best and the brightest and to compete with private-sector organizations and academic institutions.
Ahmad Soueid, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, serves as HDR Architecture’s Director for the S+T Advanced Research program. With over two decades of focused experience on buildings, he is considered a leader in the planning, design, and construction of technically advanced facilities. Soueid is co-chair of nanoBUILDINGS.com Buildings for Advanced Technology Workshop series. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article appeared in the February 2014 issue of Controlled Environments.