The Life Science Building, University of Washington

 

The College of Arts and Sciences at University of Washington is getting ready to soon open a spectacular, modern research and instructional space called the Life Sciences Building (LSB), which will provide students with over 170,000 square foot of open and flexible lab space, to boost a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to research in the field of Biology.

 

Data:

• Total Area - 650 M²
• Electricity generated in 35 years - 496,885 kWh
• Total lighting points operating 4 hours per day in 35 years - 975 lighting points
• CO₂ emmisions avoided in 35 years - 333 Tons of CO₂
• Barrels of oil saved in 35 years - 292 barrels per m²

 

The building has been designed by architects Perkins + Will, and it is a seven-story construction – including two stories below ground, which has been envisioned as a benchmark project in terms of energy efficiency, innovation, and onsite renewable energy.

 

 

The design targets LEED-NC Platinum Certification, and the deployment and usage of clean energy sources were a primary objective of the University´s Climate Action Plan for Sustainability.

 

 

 

In this sense, the UW-Solar student group, which consists of an interdisciplinary team within the University’s Urban Infrastructure Laboratory – ranging students from undergraduate to Ph.D. level, worked with Perkins + Will to design and install a combined 100 kW solar system, featuring an innovative vertical photovoltaic fin system installed on the South-West elevation of the building.

 

These PV fins are the first of their kind in the USA and they are made of amorphous Silicon solar cells that capture sunlight and converts it into clean electricity. They are all-glass, semi-transparent, letting 20% visible light to pass thru the fin. Each fin consists of a three-ply laminated, tempered glass, and it offers 3.15 Watts per square foot. They are frameless and were installed vertically and perpendicularly (90-degree angle) to the curtain wall. Concealed junction boxes and wires do perfect the architectural design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both the fin´s depth and the horizontal distance from fin to fin was carefully analyzed by Perkins + Will and Onyx Solar, to optimize the performance of the system and help to prevent self-shading situations that could impact the output.

 

The PV fins were tested to UL standards and they are set to start generating power as soon as the electrical interconnection is completed. The lobby of the building will feature a dashboard that will let students and visitors learn from the system, and monitor the energy production in real-time. They will be able to compare the building’s energy demand against renewable energy sources onsite and explore the model. 

 

The photovoltaic fins are highly visible from Pacific Avenue, which will help to raise student and visitor awareness about sustainability and innovation. 

 

 

Awards & Recognitions:

• Winner: SUSTAINABILITY AWARD – CABE Built Environment Awards 2019.
• Winner: BEST BUILDING PHOTOVOLTAIC GLASS PROVIDER AWARD – Sustainable Building Awards 2018 of Build Magazine.
• Winner: BEST MULTI-FUNCTIONAL CURTAIN WALL PROJECT AWARD – Sustainable Building Awards 2018 of Build Magazine.
• Winner: BUILDING OF THE YEAR AWARD – Daily Journal of Commerce 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The team:

Client: the University of Washington, Department of Biology

Architect: Perkins + Will

General Contractor: Skanska

Electrical Designer: AEI

Electrical Contractor: VECA

Glazing Contractor: Mission Glass

Photovoltaic fins designer and manufacturer: Onyx Solar

Special mention to the UW-Solar Group, led by Alex Ratcliff.