Housing an interdisciplinary research facility on the Stanford University campus, this 10,000 sf building is a model of sustainable strategies for laboratories and offices. A double-height lobby and gathering space on the south opens directly to the outside plaza in good weather with large glazed operable walls. Relying on natural daylighting and ventilation, the facil-
ity significantly reduces energy consumption over other campus offices and laboratories. Other sustainable strategies include radiant slab heating and cooling systems, use of high-volume fly ash concrete, reduced carbon emissions, salvaged and recycled materials, landscaping with drought-resistant native plants and low-flow bathroom fixtures.

L+U consulted with the architects to design the daylighting and shading. The upstairs office areas borrow light from the roof monitor that brings daylight in through the length of the circulation spine. Glazing on the roof monitor has integral horizontal blinds to control the direct sun penetration.
Open office areas are daylighted with both east windows and light from the roof monitor. Closed study and conference areas along the spine feature skylights and are connected to the well-lighted circulation space with glass walls. Private offices on the west side include shaded windows as well as borrowed light from the roof monitor. Windows in these offices are locat-
ed adjacent to the side walls to provide visual comfort. Scientists can work all day using only daylight in the offices, relying on indirect/direct pendant lighting in the evenings. In the laboratory areas on the ground floor, the thin floor plate and flexible lab stations allow all lab benches to be daylighted through the east windows and with borrowed light through the west closed lab areas. Interior light shelves and exterior shades control the daylight contrast and distribution for the closed lab spaces along the west wall. In both offices and laboratories, the interior finishes are light, including the ceilings and exposed structural elements in order to keep the daylighting distribution even and the visual field comfortable for the occupants.

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Savings By Design, Energy Efficiency Integration Award, 2005

Light-colored finishes, light shelves, and an optimized furniture layout allow the laboratory to be daylit most of the year.