This new Science & Technology Building at Peninsula College, now under construction, will bring state of the art science laboratories for the Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences, Biology, and Fisheries programs as well as new laboratory and testing facilities for the Computer Technology programs.  Sited on the southwest corner of campus, it will replace existing dormitories, temporary portable labs, and the existing fisheries complex.  By reinforcing the secondary entry points into the campus the new building will create a new open quadrangle located in the center of the academic cluster and terminate the main north-south pedestrian corridor.  The new building is also oriented to maximize access to natural light and provide enhanced views looking north to the Straits of San Juan de Fuca and south to the Olympic Mountain range.  By using modular programming techniques, the building and its systems will be designed to accommodate future flexibility, allowing the College to adapt to the needs of the local community. 

COLLABORATION
In addition to close collaboration with the Washington State Project Manager and Peninsula College, we have incorporated special consultants for: lab planning, acoustical design, lighting, landscaping, civil, commissioning, geo thermal testing, and geotechnical analysis. Each consultant has contributed directly to the design and sustainable concepts for the building. Our collaboration with Notkin Engineering (mechanical engineers) is of special importance as they have been instrumental in designing the sustainable mechanical systems.

SITE OR BUILDING SELECTION
Our site was chosen for a number of reasons directly related to the master planning and future development of the Peninsula College campus. Primary to the site selection was the need to abate and remove three existing structures which were no longer serviceable or energy compliant. By reusing the existing building site we were able to conserve the number of appropriate future building sites and avoid developing large areas of wooded land. We also replaced large areas of asphalt and hardscape with vegetated areas incorporating drought tolerant planting material to further reduce water consumption by our project. This will increase both the permeability of the landscape and create a much needed soft space in the center of campus. All additional storm water created by the construction of the new building will be treated through a system of bioswales and detention ponds.

ENERGY
This project is a hybrid of three distinct heating and cooling systems which are intended to provide energy efficiency for each programmatic need.   The Science Wing will use standard air cooled direct expansion units to serve the 25,000 SF of lab and research space. Due to the 100% outside air requirements, the energy savings in this area are the smallest. Variable air volume controls and phoenix valves will be used within the lab spaces and on the chemical fume hoods to help reduce fan usage.  We will also be using thermally improved glazing to help reduce the cooling load.  The 16,000 SF Technology Wing, 2,000 SF Lecture Hall, and 700 SF of Conference Space, will employ individual heat pumps which will be tied into a ground source geo-thermal well field.  Sixty tons of cooling and heating will be handled by the ground source heat pumps. This system was designed as an alternative to the standard electrical power source for the heating and cooling units. The system will also contain a heat recovery loop for heating conservation. We will also be using thermally improved glazing to help reduce the cooling load.  The 8,000 SF of public circulation and lounge space along with 4,200 SF of faculty offices will be heated by fin tube radiant heating tied into the science wing boiler and will be cooled by pressure assisted natural ventilation. We will also be using thermally improved glazing to help reduce the cooling load.

WASTE
The project has a goal to recycle or salvage at least 50% of the construction, demolition, and land clearing waste. In addition, once the building is open for use, the College Standard for collection, separation, and storage of recycled materials will be implemented.

MATERIALS
We are specifying FSC wood throughout the project along with a host of other sustainable certified and recycled materials such as structural steel, quartz tile, acoustic ceiling materials made from recycled products, concrete containing a high fly ash content, and exterior cladding material manufactured from rapidly renewable resources.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY
To ensure a high level of indoor air quality we are utilizing displacement ventilation throughout the technology wing and natural ventilation in the public lounges and faculty offices.  Carbon dioxide monitors will be installed throughout the project to measure for the buildup of these contaminants and operable windows will be provided in all spaces except the Science Wing. The building’s mechanical systems will be protected during construction and a system flush out at startup and prior to occupancy will be implemented along with the specification of low emitting materials.  Exterior walk off mats with both scrubbing and absorbing devices will be installed at all building entries to reduce the amount of airborne contaminants that will be brought into the building.

CONNECTION
The New Science and Technology building at Peninsula College is recognized by the College Leadership, the City of Port Angeles, and Port Angeles City Light as a model for future projects wishing to establish sustainable and energy conscious strategies on the Olympic Peninsula.