Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) is designed and built to meet the environmental requirements and performance stated in both the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the BREEAM (British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Rating Systems.
GREEN FEATURES in the SUNUM
SUNUM is designed and built to comply with LEED® New Construction Rating System and BREEAM International Bespoke criteria. The architechture is a result of months of collaborotion and planning between contributing faculty, University Operations personnel and Cannon an established industrial architecture company. The compliance with LEED® and BREEAM is monitored by Altensis Inc. Some strategies performed in the building include:
Environmentally Friendly Site:
The building is built in a site with low ecological value. The building site is currently being used as a parking lot and with the new establishment, the site will house unique landscaping features that will enhance the ecological value of site and promote bio-diversity.
Attention is given to prevent construction activity pollution. An ESC (Erosion & Sedimentation Control) plan is developed and will be implemented during the construction for this purpose.
Additionally, several strategies such as provision of bicycle parking areas and preferred parking for low emitting vehicles will be implemented in order to reduce negative effects of personal car use further.
The building collects and reuses storm water for irrigation. Additionally, native and adapted plants, which consume less water, will be chosen for landscaping purposes.
A green roof (plantings) and roof materials with high reflectance will be used in order to reduce energy used for cooling by minimizing heat-island effect.
Several strategies will be followed in order to use water more efficient in the building. Water efficient fixtures and waterless urinals will be used in restrooms. Reuse of rainwater for irrigation and choice of less water consuming vegetation are also effective strategies for water conservation in the building.
Water Efficiency:
The building collects and reuses storm water for irrigation. Additionally, native and adapted plants, which consume less water, will be chosen for landscaping purposes.
Several strategies will be followed in order to use water more efficient in the building. Water efficient fixtures and waterless urinals will be used in restrooms. Reuse of rainwater for irrigation and choice of less water consuming vegetation are also effective strategies for water conservation in the building.
Additionally, the building is be equipped with major and small leak detection and shut-off systems to minimize wasted water.
Energy & Atmosphere:
SU-NAC’s building envelope, HVAC system, and lighting are being designed to maximize energy performance of the building. An energy simulation model of the proposed building is developed and energy performance of the building will be analyzed by running simulations on that model. The building is exceed the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Energy Efficiency standard which is beyond Turkish local standards.
Commissioning of building energy systems will completed as instructed. Proposed buildings systems shall be reviewed and performance of the system will be verified by Sabancı University commissioning team. This ensures that all of the energy efficiency and conservation strategies integrated into the building are operating as intended.
Rooftop solar water heating panels shall provide most of the domestic hot water needs of the building.
No CFC or HCFC based refrigerants will be used in the base building HVAC system. CFC’s have high ozone depleting potential. Refrigerant management minimizes the negative impact on ozone depletion and global warming. A combination of energy efficient design and use of refrigerants with low ozone depletion and global warming potentials are used to reduce this building’s negative impact on the atmosphere.
A measurement and verification plan is developed and implemented. According to the plan, results from the first year of occupancy will be used for establishing energy efficiency standards for the future. After the base year, a long-term plan to measure and verify the energy efficiency of the base building’s electrical systems will be implemented.
Materials & Resources
A main area is reserved for the collection of recyclable waste. Additionally smaller recyclable waste collection areas is determined on each floor. Recyclable waste generated on each floor will be collected and transported to the main area. A recycling waste company is contracted to collect these waste. This strategy will reduce the amount of waste disposed from the building into local landfills. Recyclable waste materials include: paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and metals.
A Construction Waste Management Plan shall be developed and implemented during construction stage. Contractor shall collect and document more than 80 % of construction waste from the local landfill through recycling and finding other uses for waste materials on site. Materials diverted include cardboard, metals, acoustical tile, plastic, wood, glass, gypsum board, and insulation.
Regional (extracted & manufactured within 800 km.) and responsibly sourced materials is preferred primarily for SUNUM. Provision of such regional materials reduced negative environmental impacts of transportation.
Indoor Environmental Quality
SUNUM’s HVAC design complies with and goes beyond ASHRAE 62.1-2007 ventilation requirements, which establishes minimum indoor air quality standards. The building exceeds minimum outdoor air limits as stated in the standard, which is very important for comfort and well-being of buildings occupants.
Smoking in the building is prohibited. Designated smoking areas are provided more than 25 feet from any building entrance or outdoor air intake. Required signage is provided to inform occupants of these areas.
Following best practice design guidelines and an occupant focused interior design, thermal and lighting comfort of the occupants is at utmost levels.
An IAQ management plan is developed and implemented during the construction period and prior to occupation phases. The plan includes policies regarding HVAC protection, source control, pathway interruption, housekeeping, and scheduling according to SMACNA standards. A flush-out procedure will be performed before occupancy in order to eliminate any contaminants in the air.
Acoustical considerations will be taken seriously to enhance the working and learning environment within the building.
Additionally, low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emitting construction chemicals such as paints, adhesives, sealants will be used in the building.
A high tech laboratory and office building furnished with infrastructure and high tech equipment to support nanotechnology R&D and provides technical independence to SU
High structural technologies used to establish a three-story, 7140 m2 new laboratory building with 800 m2 clean room, 1,300 m2 lab space and 2400 m2 office and general use space
An environmentally friendly, LEED ve BREEAM certifiable, laboratory building conforming to international – Green – approaches using minimum energy and creating minimum waste
A nationally pioneering and globally leading example
About LEED®
Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED®) is a rating system for assessing environmental performance of buildings. It is administered by the non-profit group, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). By establishing a common standard of measurement, LEED® provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals.
About BREEAM
British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a rating system for assessing environmental performance of buildings similar to USGBC’s LEED. It is administered by the British Research Establishment (BRE). Being used since 1990, BREEAM is the mother of all green building rating systems and has been used mainly in the United Kingdom. However within the last few years, BREEAM has become an internationally recognized green building standard.
