RBB and DPR Construction completed the LEED Certified renovation of the Muir Biology Building laboratories. The scope includes complete renovation of 9,500 SF within a 1967 building. Upgrades to the research labs on the west wing of the third floor includes demolition of all partition walls, doors, flooring, casework and utilities. The space was reconfigured into an open lab divided into 5 units by partition walls and transom windows. Work included new fume hoods, casework, plumbing fixtures, electrical panel replacement, lighting and data upgrades and ADA compliance. The new labs support research in Cell and Developmental Biology; Ecology, Behavior and Evolution. It was incumbent upon the team to find meaningful ways in which to reduce the project’s energy usage. This need had to be balanced with the delicate needs of the University research needs. An energy model was recalibrated over multiple rounds of design to allow for the optimal interior lighting and thermal conditions required by the research users. We were able to optimize the conditions and reduce energy usage in selection of MEP equipment. Regarding materials selection to achieve LEED, interior renovation work faces a challenge in comparison to new construction. Prior to subcontractor selection, an analysis was run using average recycled material rates to identify the materials targeted to increase their recycled content. This pre-con analysis helped to ensure effective green material selection. RBB provided leadership in sustainable design measures to support UCSD’s campus-wide commitment to the LEED program.
UCSD Muir College Biology Labs LEED Silver Certified
