At the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories conference, I2SL, PAYETTE’s Biosciences Research Building (BRB) at National University of Ireland, Galway received a Go Beyond Award in the Projects category. Only two projects received this award. The Go Beyond Awards recognize excellence in sustainability in laboratory and other high-technology facilities, such as hospitals, data centers, and cleanrooms.
The BRB represents a “minimum energy” approach that has been rarely applied in U.S.-based laboratories with the same rigor, due to perceptions of comfort and safety in a research environment regarding natural ventilation for offices zones, writing carrels and public spaces. This model provides an excellent energy paradigm and superior working environment with a radically lower energy profile than any other US-based laboratory of comparable programmatic intensity.
Currently pursuing BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) Certification of “Very Good” (equivalent to LEED Platinum), this project represents innovation in energy conservation and building performance through its “minimum energy” approach and provides a new paradigm for research labs and energy usage.
Related:
Energy Savings Update: Biosciences Research Building
Energy Savings: Biosciences Research Laboratory
The 2025 OpenLAB Boston studio work will be exhibited at Virginia Tech Monday, March 2nd through Wednesday, March 4th.
Please join us for the following events on Monday, March 2nd:
11:00am - Lecture with Parke MacDowell
1:00pm Lobby talk with Kevin Sullivan
This year’s studio identifies seven sites along the frayed edges of Boston’s Greenway. The Greenway is a one-mile-long linear park running through the heart of the city, reconnecting downtown Boston with its waterfront. Many of the parcels along its edges remain undeveloped and present mute, blank facades to the public realm. Addressing and repairing these edges through acts of infilling, layering, grafting, framing, and placemaking is the core focus of the studio—SUTURE.