Nils Rage, Head of ESG at Stanhope, explains how to build a sustainable lab without compromising quality.
In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, the scientific community faces a unique challenge: reconciling the high-energy demands of laboratory facilities with the urgent need for sustainability.
With around 30 million sq. ft. currently under development in Oxford, Cambridge and London alone (Savills, 2023), it is imperative to develop a new generation of sustainable labs.
Science and innovation buildings are among the most energy and carbon-intensive to construct and operate. Laboratories typically require robust structural specifications, such as heavy reinforced concrete frames, to support heavy loads and minimise vibrations. This results in higher embodied carbon compared to standard office buildings. Additionally, labs require constant ventilation, precise temperature control, and energy-intensive equipment, consuming three to ten times more energy than typical office spaces.
Reducing carbon emissions requires challenging traditional design briefs that often lead to overprovision. As owners and investors, we must challenge the tendency to over-specify and instead focus on optimising designs to balance efficiency with functionality. This means carefully considering structural loads, vibration criteria, air quantities, and power provision to meet most users’ needs while allowing for potential upgrades to accommodate specific requirements.
At our Oxford North science and innovation campus, we implemented this approach by designing a lean structure optimising material usage. Enhanced modelling and on-site testing allowed us to provide reinforcement only where required, resulting in a 5% reduction in the embodied carbon of the superstructure, the most carbon-intensive element. We achieved further reduction through strategic changes, including improved substructure design, adoption of prefabricated components, and enhancing material specifications for lower-carbon concrete. These efforts led to double-digit savings in upfront embodied emissions.
Refurbishing existing buildings, when feasible, is an effective strategy for minimising embodied carbon. For example, we successfully retrofitted laboratory space within an existing office building at our White City campus. Another approach involves delineating zones – one for scientific experiments and another for write-up spaces – allowing for relaxed specifications and the use of low-carbon materials like structural timber in appropriate areas. However, strict zoning must be balanced with the need for long-term flexibility to accommodate various occupier sizes and scientific fields.
Addressing operational energy efficiency is equally necessary. We prioritise façade performance, passive design solutions, and advanced HVAC systems to substantially reduce energy consumption without compromising safety or functionality. Demand-controlled ventilation, heat recovery systems and reduced air change rates, particularly in non-laboratory areas, can cut energy use while maintaining required air quality. Smart building technologies support operational efficiency by providing real-time data on energy usage, enabling better management and optimisation.
Once laboratories are operational, day-to-day practices become the focus of sustainability efforts. Occupier awareness and engagement play a vital role in reducing environmental impact. Energy-intensive lab equipment like centrifuges, autoclaves, and refrigeration systems are necessary for scientific work but can be shared between multiple occupiers to improve efficiency. Promoting awareness among lab personnel about the consumption of their equipment and encouraging practices like metering, switching off, and sharing equipment can help.
Effective waste management strategies are essential and should include proper segregation and disposal, as well as reducing waste at the source by opting for reusable or biodegradable materials where possible. Operational certification programmes can guide and reward science occupiers with best practices.
At White City Place, our thriving science hub, we host regular Sustainability Forums to inspire occupiers to actively improve workplace sustainability. We benchmark environmental performance, encourage recycling and energy conservation through friendly competitions and invite guest speakers from local charities and community groups. This approach facilitates feedback, aiding us to better support occupiers’ ESG goals. As we gather more data on real performance and needs through thorough Post-Occupancy Evaluation, we can achieve even better outcomes through a shared understanding with occupiers around sensible specifications.
Finally, sustainable lab management must consider the broader supply chain. By demanding transparency from suppliers and prioritising those with responsible practices, lab operators can reduce their indirect environmental impact. Landlords and building managers can assist smaller resource-constrained life science occupiers by providing information on more sustainable products and service options or facilitating consolidated deliveries.
In conclusion, creating sustainable laboratories requires a comprehensive approach that integrates intentional design, flexible operations, and fostering a culture of sustainability. It is an evolving approach, which we will refine as we continue to learn and gather data through POE. But it is necessary to helping the science and innovation sector move towards net-zero carbon while continuing to push the boundaries of scientific discovery.