IDEXX Synergy Center

Photos

credits: Siri Blanchette, Blind Dog Photography Associates: images 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12; Richardson and Associates, Landscape Architect: image 7; Lavallee Brensinger Architects: Site Plan (image 2), Floor Plans (Image 3,) Building Sections (Image 9)

Project Name

IDEXX Synergy Center

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of instruments for veterinary medicine. It is a young, vibrant, growing company, whose culture is founded upon teamwork, innovation, employee wellness, and environmental sustainability. The expression of these values inspired the design of the new IDEXX Synergy Center; a 108,000 square foot corporate headquarters, including welcome center, healthy food court, fitness center, health services, conference/training, collaborative workplaces, and outdoor gathering.

The IDEXX campus is a 50 plus acre parcel located in a suburban industrial park. Existing building includes 750,000 square feet of office, laboratory, and manufacturing space supported by parking. The southeast quadrant of the site includes outdoor employee recreational spaces and features a natural wooded preserve with brook, enabling employees to engage in their outdoor environment. IDEXX management stipulated that the new Center be physically linked to the existing building, promoting accessibility and keeping the entire complex “all under one roof.”

The Synergy Center has been awarded LEED Gold Certification and features sustainable materials and systems throughout. It has become a dynamic tool for learning and a symbol of IDEXX’s commitment to the vitality of its employees, their community, and the State.

 

Architecture or A/E Firm Name

Lavallee Brensinger Architects

Architect

Project Architect: John E. Adams III, LEED AP

Team

Principal-in-Charge: Barry Brensinger, AIA; Project Manager: John Harper, AIA; Project Architect: John E. Adams III, LEED AP

Consultants

Civil Engineer: Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, Inc.; Structural Engineer: Souza True & Partners, Inc.; Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineer: AHA Consulting Engineers; Landscape Architect: Richardson & Associates; Interior Design: Stibler Associates LLC; Acoustic: Cavanaugh Tocci Associates; Food Service Consultant: Ricca/Newmark; Lighting Design: J&M Lighting Design, Inc.

Location

One IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092

Client

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

General Contractor

PC Construction – Construction Manager

MEASURE 1: DESIGN & INNOVATION

  • All aspects of design, both indoors and outdoors, focused on the creation of opportunities for employee interaction, and the inspiration and sharing of ideas
  • Clear demonstration of IDEXX’s commitment to employee wellness through fitness, healthy food, on-site health care for employees and families, and work places filled with clean air, light, and views
  • Powerful linkages between indoor and outdoor spaces, offering a variety of flexible and supportive work spaces, surrounded and inspired by nature

MEASURE 2: REGIONAL COMMUNITY DESIGN

  • IDEXX Synergy Center is intentionally symbolic of the community’s progressive spirit and economic vitality, coupled with a profound commitment to a healthy planet
  • IDEXX employees, families, and extended community are welcomed by indoor and outdoor spaces that support all manner of gatherings, from individual and group wellness education to festivals and farmers’ markets
  • Building and site are featured in frequent “Educational Outreach and Building Tours,” providing opportunities for community to learn about practical applications of sustainable design (LEED Innovation Credit)

MEASURE 3: LAND USE & SITE ECOLOGY

  • The naturally wooded landscape with brook has been thoughtfully preserved and featured as the focal point of the outdoor campus
  • Plant materials have been carefully selected, using native species or naturalized species to match the natural character of the campus and its surroundings
  • Many chosen plants are fruit bearing, allowing employees to take an active role in the landscape by collecting berries and donating them to the local food bank

MEASURE 4: BIOCLIMATIC DESIGN

  • Building configuration and orientation are optimized for solar efficiency
  • Building exterior elevations are individually responsive to solar orientation, providing shading devices tuned to specific seasonal conditions
  • Communal patio and green space are embraced by the sun-filled south side of the building, allowing for comfortable outdoor gatherings throughout most of the year; careful placement of trees and shrubs buffer wind and further enhance micro-climate

MEASURE 5: LIGHT & AIR

  • Building sections configured for optimum daylighting, enhanced by continuous light shelves on south side; light shelves provide shade at building perimeter and reflect daylight deep into interior spaces; automated sunshades strategically provide sunlight and glare control on south side
  • Core support spaces on upper floors were minimized and configured to enable direct views to the outdoors from more than 90% of all work spaces; glass partitions preserve views and openness, while providing acoustical privacy when needed
  • Central air handling with airside economizer maximizes ventilation, provides fresh air 30% in excess of ASHRAE 62 requirements, and incorporates demand controlled ventilation in response to indoor CO2 concentration measurements; raised floor system with adjustable floor diffusers allow for individual ventilation and temperature control at each work space

MEASURE 6: WATER CYCLE

  • Use of low flow and low flush plumbing fixtures results in more than 35% reduction in potable water usage throughout building
  • Landscape plant materials were selected for drought resistance and adaptation to local site conditions, eliminating need for permanent irrigation and avoiding use of potable water
  • Storm water channels pre-treat runoff and manage infiltration and erosion to protect natural water flows; Green roof mitigates runoff and provides desirable outdoor meeting space

MEASURE 7: ENERGY FLOWS & ENERGY FUTURE

  • Whole building energy simulation estimated 46.5% usage reduction and 40.2% annual energy cost reduction below ASHRAE 90.1, 2007, baseline case
  • Energy savings achieved by use of: high efficiency evaporative rooftop units; 95% efficient condensing boilers; variable volume kitchen exhaust; energy recovery; raised floor distribution; and, LED lighting and automated controls with daylight harvesting; savings equate to 750 metric ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
  • IDEXX entered into two year renewable contract for the purchase of Green Power for 35% of the company’s annual electricity usage

MEASURE 8: MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION

  • Materials and construction thoughtfully assessed and selected for enduring performance, ease of environmentally friendly cleaning, recycled content, and indoor air quality
  • More than 20% of construction materials derived from recycled materials, including structural steel, ductwork, carpet tiles (cradle-to-cradle certified for closed loop recycling), and ceiling tiles; more than 20% of materials used were extracted, harvested, or manufactured regionally; more than 75% of construction waste was redirected to the recycling stream
  • Low emitting materials used throughout to improve indoor air quality and maximize occupant health

MEASURE 9: LONG TERM FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY

  • Office floors proportioned and support cores configured to optimize openness and flexibility; modular meeting room walls and fluid systems furniture allow for unlimited variety of workplace settings
  • Holistic design approach taken to enable ease of future workplace reconfiguration; raised floor air distribution with manually adjustable floor diffusers allows for redistribution by simply relocating floor tile rather than reconfiguring ductwork; “plug and play” underfloor modular electrical distribution system enables addition and/or relocation of power without re-circuiting or opening walls; addressable lighting controls also eliminate re-circuiting and re-switching; wireless technologies used to minimize cabling; and, sprinkler system includes flexible heads to allow for relocation without costly drain-downs and re-piping
  • Building and site planned to accommodate expected future expansions without compromising site amenities, building performance, or aesthetics

MEASURE 10: COLLECTIVE WISDOM & FEEDBACK LOOPS

  • Design Phase “Pilot” program constructed and assembled three operational departmental workplaces to test configurations, ergonomics, and flexibility of HVAC, lighting, fire protection, and data systems; feedback informed design and process continues for ongoing refinement
  • Thermal Comfort Survey was developed by the project team and performed post-occupancy to ensure overall thermal satisfaction with regard to temperature, air-flow, relative humidity, and lighting
  • Building tours and sustainable design education programs are ongoing as IDEXX welcomes community to learn more about its new Synergy Center, sustainability, and corporate values

MEASURE 11 (EXTRA CREDIT): BUILDING FUNCTIONS AS WELL OR BETTER THAN INTENDED

Lavallee Brensinger Architects_2015_AIA_Measure 11 Support docs