Building I at BioResearch & Development Growth Park (BRDG Park) at the Danforth Plant Science Center (in St. Louis County, Missouri) has become one of the only laboratory facilities available for lease to emerging plant and life science companies nationwide to earn a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

As a research laboratory that uses significantly more energy than an office building of comparable size, strict environmental stewardship is especially crucial. Building I at BRDG (pronounced “bridge”) Park complies with elite sustainability criteria for energy-efficiency and green technology in construction, design execution and site management.

Located on the campus of the Danforth Plant Science Center, the world’s largest plant science research facility, the 110,000 square foot, four-story, building which opened in June 2009, is the first of three buildings at BRDG Park, which will ultimately encompass 450,000 square feet.

Designed by Gaudreau, Inc., Baltimore, and constructed by St. Louis-based  Tarlton Corporation, Building I at BRDG Park was built in accordance with LEED Core & Shell requirements.  “This Gold designation surpassed the Silver status we had anticipated.  We are thrilled to set an environmental leadership standard for research park facilities available to emerging plant and life science companies,” said Sam Fiorello, president of BRDG Park. “Fledgling science companies want to be leaders on the environmental cutting edge, and we are providing them the kind of home that helps them do so.”

According to Craig Smith, Project Engineer for Tarlton, among the many energy efficient features that contribute to a 17.5% energy savings is the fully commissioned heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This process ensures that every piece of equipment is running at peak efficiency and provides an opportunity for the engineers to fine tune the building controls.

Several other special features include:  low flow systems that reduce water consumption by 30%; daylight views from over 97% of the building’s interior; 41% of all material extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of the construction site; retention ponds that contain and filter excess storm water, and many other energy-efficient strategies.

Compliance with standards for sustainability also was maintained throughout every phase of construction.  Pipes and ductwork were protected to prevent contamination from dust or other materials. Trucks were washed off onsite to keep local streets clean. Construction waste and trash were appropriately recycled with over 57% of all waste being diverted from landfills.

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Tags: Danforth Plant Science Center, energy efficiency, LEED

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