This session will present a case study of the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology at the University of Pennsylvania, a new facility dedicated to clean energy research by Behnisch Architekten. Transforming a former parking lot into a gateway for energy research, the project incorporates a multi-faceted approach to create an energy-efficient building that enhances the quality of life for its users and the surrounding community. The session will explore the urban and historic forces shaping the site strategy, which includes linking East and West Philadelphia through new transport modes and utilizing the Mid-Atlantic climate for natural ventilation. The session will also delve into the bespoke design of the building’s envelope which features a fixed sun-shading system made of tensioned ETFE foil, tailored for the site’s exposure and providing optimal daylit research environments. The presentation will cover the collaborative design process involving faculty, climate engineers, and lighting consultants, including analog lighting studies, climate software modelling, and LCA. Emphasizing passive, low-energy design strategies, the VLEST integrates technical innovations such as reduced laboratory air flow rates and high-efficiency heat recovery to support the university’s carbon neutrality goal by 2042.

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Friday, September 20, 2024 / 1PM EST

Photo credit: LF Driscoll/Michael Burlando