Lessons from a Mass Timber, Zero-Carbon Lab Design
Kaiser Borsari Hall at Western Washington University, designed by Perkins&Will and built by Mortenson, is the first US higher education STEM building to pursue both Zero Energy and Zero Carbon certification, showcasing sustainable mass timber design and cutting-edge energy solutions. All images: Courtesy of Mortenson
Western Washington University’s Kaiser Borsari Hall is a groundbreaking achievement in sustainable academic design, marking the first US higher education STEM building to pursue both Zero Energy and Zero Carbon certification. Designed by Perkins&Will and constructed by Mortenson, the all-mass timber facility minimizes embodied carbon and integrates advanced energy-saving technologies, including solar power, to achieve a zero-energy footprint. The state-of-the-art building expands WWU’s electrical and computer engineering, energy science, and computer science programs while fostering experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Funded through public and private support—including the university’s largest philanthropic donation—the project exemplifies WWU’s leadership in sustainability and innovation, setting a new benchmark for environmentally responsible construction in higher education.
Lab Design News spoke to Perkins&Will about the challenges and innovations behind designing a zero-energy, carbon-neutral STEM building. The discussion covered how mass timber influenced structural and sustainability goals, the integration of renewable energy strategies, and the balance between flexibility, inclusivity, and high-performance lab design. Read about how this pioneering project aligns with Western Washington University’s broader sustainability strategy and its impact on future campus developments.
Q: What were the biggest challenges in designing and constructing a zero-energy, carbon-neutral STEM building, and how were they addressed?
A: As the first higher education STEM building to pursue both Zero Carbon and Zero Energy Certifications through the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), this pioneering project offered valuable lessons. Using a mass timber structure was essential for achieving Zero Carbon certification, but erecting it during the Pacific Northwest's wet season required additional weather protection. Measures included applying Siga Guard over cross-laminated timbers and replacing wood splices with metal to prevent water absorption.
Using mass timber in a lab environment is an innovative approach to sustainable design, offering comparable structural integrity to traditional steel and concrete while providing significant environmental benefits, such as reduced carbon emissions and long-term carbon storage. At Kaiser Borsari Hall, a dry computational lab with less stringent vibration requirements, the design team strategically placed sensitive equipment on the ground floor and developed tailored vibration criteria. By locating particularly sensitive areas on grade or in low-vibration zones, the majority of the framing could follow office-level vibration standards, ensuring user comfort, long spans, and cost-effective construction.
Q: How did the decision to use all-mass timber impact the structural design, construction process, and overall sustainability of the project?
Kaiser Borsari Hall pioneers mass timber in STEM education, achieving Zero Carbon and Zero Energy goals while balancing sustainability, structural integrity, and lab-specific design challenges.
A: The global warming potential (GWP) of mass timber was reduced by about 50 percent from a similar steel structure building and about 70 percent from a similar concrete structure. This decision also impacted the health and well-being of the occupants by creating a biophilic connection to nature, which research has proven to reduce blood pressure and heart rate and improve the immune system and productivity. While the speed of assembly is expedited with mass timber, the coordination with the mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations were critical to ensure overall schedule savings.
Additionally, the project used cross-laminated timber for structural diaphragms, which was not permitted under the 2018 International Building Code (IBC). To implement this, the team applied the Code Alternate provisions of IBC 104.11, receiving approval from the Authority Having Jurisdiction. The diaphragms were designed per the 2021 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic, which was available but not yet adopted. To maintain a clean, exposed ceiling, steel struts were installed atop the panels to transfer loads into the vertical frames.
The project features an all-electric, self-sufficient heating and cooling system, separate from the campus steam plant. With a high-performance envelope, exterior sunshades, a mass timber structure, and solar panels, it achieves an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 31—more than 80 percent lower than a standard lab.
Q: What specific technologies and design features were implemented to meet the Living Building Challenge Energy Petal Certification and ensure long-term operational efficiency?
A: The project operates as an all-electric, stand-alone heating and cooling system, independent of the campus steam plant. Key features such as a high-performance envelope, exterior sunshades, a mass timber structure and solar panels contribute to an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 31—over 80 percent lower than a typical lab.
Q: How was the balance between on-site solar generation and off-site energy sources determined, and what energy modeling techniques were used in the design phase?
A: To meet ILFI certification requirements, projects unable to generate all renewable energy on-site can use Exception #012 Off-Site Renewables. This requires at least 75 percent of the roof to be designed for solar panels, with the remainder sourced off-site, ensuring “additionality” by adding new solar to the energy grid. This project met the requirement with solar panels covering 75 percent of the roof and purchased the rest through the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Green Direct program. In-house energy modeling was used to optimize the tilt and orientation of the panels.
Addtionally, the project also required a 75 Total Solar Resource Fraction (TSRF) value. While initially specifying a 30-degree tilt, we opted for a standard 10-degree tilt, as the solar manufacturer could still meet the TSRF requirement while reducing costs. A key consideration was the arboretum’s shading impact on solar panel placement.
Image: Courtesy of Perkins&Will
Q: How was feedback from faculty, students, and researchers incorporated into the final design of the lab facilities, and what changes were made based on their input?
A: The design fosters inclusivity by supporting underrepresented students in STEM and accommodating diverse abilities and learning styles. Non-classroom spaces provide various environments that promote intellectual and academic growth for all students. Key features include a Multicultural Student Lounge, a Learning Commons for Neurodiversity and ground-floor gathering spaces, such as a student-centered lobby and an event space for industry collaboration. Breakout and study areas along circulation paths encourage interaction and learning beyond the classroom. Additionally, the project features the first multi-stall gender-neutral restrooms in a new building on campus, ensuring a welcoming environment for everyone.
By integrating a mass timber structure, Shou Sugi Ban wood cladding, and low-carbon materials, Kaiser Borsari Hall minimizes its footprint and environmental impact while repurposing part of WWU’s existing Communications Facility.
Q: How did the project team ensure that labs were designed to be flexible, inclusive, and conducive to interdisciplinary collaboration?
A: Expanding the emphasis on hands-on, authentic learning, the teaching laboratories are designed to meet the unique needs of each department. Featuring flexible instrumentation and adaptable furnishings, these spaces allow students to engage directly with cutting-edge materials and technology while ensuring the adaptability needed to support evolving pedagogies.
Q: What specific strategies were used to minimize embodied carbon?
A: By repurposing part of the existing Communications Facility, the project minimized the new building’s footprint. Sustainable materials, including a mass timber structure sourced from a regional supplier managing its own land and shou sugi ban wood cladding, were incorporated to reduce environmental impact. To strategically lower embodied carbon, the team used software tools such as Athena, Tally and EC3 (Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator) to select low-carbon, low-toxicity materials, optimizing floor, exterior wall and roof assemblies with solutions like mineral wool insulation.
Additionally, the continuous use of wood for the exterior, elimination of a concrete basement and exposed mass timber allowed for a reduction in interior finishes.
Kaiser Borsari Hall advances WWU’s carbon neutrality goal by 2035, achieving Zero Energy and Zero Carbon certification through mass timber construction and electrification, setting a precedent for future campus projects and state policy.
Q: How did the combination of public funding and private philanthropy influence the project’s vision, budget, and execution?
A: Thanks to the contribution of Fred Kaiser, Grace Borsari, and other generous donors, the project explored strategies to achieve net-zero energy and carbon reduction goals, which were successfully implemented.
Q: What role does technology play in monitoring and optimizing laboratory performance, occupant comfort, and sustainability goals?
A: The building’s sustainability goals were developed in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure engagement from students, faculty and facilities. To support its zero-energy mission, control receptacles were strategically placed in labs and offices through close coordination with researchers and faculty, promoting collective energy management.
Q: How does Kaiser Borsari Hall align with WWU’s broader sustainability strategy, and what lessons from this project will inform future campus developments?
A: WWU aims for campus-wide carbon neutrality by 2035. Achieving Zero Carbon and Zero Energy certifications through ILFI—by using mass timber and disconnecting from the central steam plant—was so successful that WWU is exploring options for achieving these results on future projects. It is always Western’s desire to improve upon minimum standards as set forth in state law RCWs. The intent is to do better than the minimum standards and to always consider options where the university can meet net zero carbon, net zero energy, or LEED gold standards. Western is also balancing aspirations with square footage needs and available funding. The institution must prioritize all building needs, including sustainability and carbon reduction goals, in order to make the most of available funding. The university is in early plans for a heating conversion project to eventually decommission the energy intensive steam plant. Beyond WWU, the project also influenced state policy, allowing zero carbon as an alternative to LEED for future funding requirements.
