The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, the world’s largest independent nonprofit research institute focused on plant science, utilizes several intelligent building technologies in its flexible, new, state-of-the-art William H. Danforth Wing.

The 136,000-sf addition provides an optimum environment for the plants and the research and is designed to adapt to future changes in the way science is conducted. The building is also a high-performance facility, featuring a high-efficiency magnetic bearing chiller, larger AHUs and efficient duct layout to reduce fan horsepower, and heat recovery on the exhaust airstream to pre-treat outside air. The project is designed to perform 30% better than ASHRAE 90.1-2007.

Intelligent building strategies supporting the facility’s high performance include a robust sub-meter energy monitoring system that allows the owner to diagnose sub-par operation of key systems. For example, analysis of data from the lab exhaust energy recovery system identified higher-than-expected energy consumption, which building operators promptly addressed. Additional intelligent building strategies include controls to reduce ventilation rate during unoccupied periods; staged fume exhaust fan control with velocity determined by wind study to reduce energy use; and daylighting controls.

Facility spaces include three levels of flexible labs, an advanced plant growth facility with 34 controlled-environment chambers, a plant phenotyping facility, a biocomputing suite, a maker shop for the development of new instruments, a 95-seat theater with state-of-the-art audio, video and teleconferencing, open office suites, gathering spaces, and computational facilities for up to 100 scientists.

Key MEP design supporting flexibility includes a grid of outlets for electrical service, data and gases in the ceiling of each floor, allowing researchers to easily move benches and cabinets; infrastructure support for robotic equipment in various spaces; and separate equipment rooms where energy-intensive equipment – and the heat and noise it generates – is isolated from the research. RO and DI water systems, vacuum systems, a standby diesel generator and redundant chilled water system ensure experiment continuity.

With scientists from all over the world working at and visiting the center, the addition serves not only as a model for flexible, state-of-the-art research facilities, but also a showcase of the engineering that supports the research.