Design Team
Rutherford + Chekene, Peter Walker Associates, Gayner Engineering, Rudolph + Sletten
Photography
David Wakely
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Molecular Foundry
The 95,692 ft 2 Molecular Foundry was created to symbolize the advanced nature of nanoscience research and is a testament to modern technology. Built on a steep site between two existing buildings, the facility's energy consumption was reduced by over 27% relative to Title 24 energy standards. Although the building currently earns a LEED Silver rating, it is now on track to achieve Gold. This high performance was accomplished through water efficiency, energy performance, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.
Located on 2.5 acres, fifty percent of the site was restored with native grasses and wildflowers, requiring no irrigation system. The site also has good access to public transportation, encouraging its occupants to make the commute by alternative means. The laboratories are flexible modules, often with no fixed casework. This allows for reduced waste generation and resource expenditures in future renovations.
The energy efficiency measures used for the building include high-efficiency modulating and condensing boilers, lower air handler filter and coil air flow face velocities, and electronic filters for lower pressure drop. Spectrally selective window coatings and clerestory windows allow for the abundance of natural light in nonperimeter spaces.
The jurors mentioned the good usage of daylighting and the proper orientation of the building. They were also impressed by the ability of the designers to examine the loads of the building and reduce the chilled water capacity of the labs dramatically. To ensure that mechanical and electrical systems were the right size, the client measured the loads of three other campus laboratories to obtain a more accurate characterization of end-use loads.
- Energy consumption was reduced by over 27% relative to Title 24 energy standards.
Notable Accomplishments
Jurors
Charles Eley, FAIA, PE
Title: Vice-President
Company: Architectural Energy Corporation
Location: Boulder, CO
Mr. Eley is an architect and mechanical engineer with about 25 years experience in energy efficient and sustainable design. Mr. Eley has made significant contributions to the California energy standards, ASHRAE Standard 90.1, and energy codes in Hong Kong, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and Australia. Mr. Eley is now working with the California Energy Commission to update the state energy efficiency standards in response to the recent electricity crisis.
In addition to his energy codes and policy work, Mr. Eley has also developed a number of important publications including the Advanced Lighting Guidelines, the Lighting Fundamentals Handbook, and numerous other technical manuals on energy efficient and code compliance. Mr. Eley is the primary author and technical editor of the ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999 User's Manual. He is also the executive director of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools and is the technical editor of the CHPS Best Practices Manual.
Mr. Eley consults with other architects and engineers in the design of landmark energy efficient buildings. He also directs the software development team within Architectural Energy Corporation, which is responsible for VisualDOE, EnvStd, and a number of other computer programs for the energy efficient design of buildings.
Jack A. Paddon, AIA
Title:
Company: Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners, Inc.
Location: Roseville, CA
In 1981 Jack joined Jim Williams to establish Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners, Inc. Since that time, the firm has won the continued respect of clients and the communities they serve through many successfully completed projects.
Jack's leadership in Client Focused Design has guided almost two decades of value enhanced services for Williams + Paddon's many clients. Under his direction, the firm has become recognized as a leader in innovative design with an emphasis on regionally influenced sustainable projects for public and corporate clients.
Jack is a LEED Accredited Professional since 2002. Consistent with the firm's core values, he continues to volunteer his time to community and professional groups. Jack has served on the AIACC State Board of Directors, and served a term as president of the AIA Central Valley. He serves in multiple capacities in support of the California Board of Architectural Examiners.
Scott Shell, AIA, LEED® A.P.
Title: Principal
Company: EHDD Architecture
Location: San Francisco, CA
Mr. Shell is a nationally recognized expert on high-performance buildings and sustainable design and has written and lectured widely on these topics. He has designed a number of EHDD's most successful, sustainable design projects, including the award-winning Global Ecology Research Center for the Carnegie Institution of Washington on the Stanford University campus and the recently completed Chartwell School in Monterey, which is anticipating a LEED Platinum rating.
Mr. Shell emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to creating new models of sustainable design, focusing on low-energy and carbon-neutral buildings. He is currently working on the Lifecycle Building Challenge, using recovered building materials and Design for Deconstruction (DfD) to reduce building material impacts over the life of a building. Concurrently, he is working with his colleagues to make EHDD a model sustainable community and architectural practice.
Mr. Shell holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Auburn University and a Master of Arts in Humanities from Stanford University and studied Tamil language and culture at the University of Chicago and the American Institute of Indian Studies in Madurai.
Award Credit
Design Team
Rutherford + Chekene, Peter Walker Associates, Gayner Engineering, Rudolph + Sletten
Photography
David Wakely
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