Weathering the Storms: My Journey in Laboratory Design

Rives Taylor, FAIA, LEED Fellow, global design resilience co‑leader, principal with Gensler

Rives Taylor, FAIA, LEED Fellow, global design resilience co‑leader, principal with Gensler, offers a first-hand perspective of why the resilience-focused design of laboratory environments is essential for operational safety and efficiency, particularly in regions vulnerable to extreme weather.

The design of the resilience of laboratory environments plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and operational efficiency. My lab experience began in the 1980s while working for a planning firm in Boston that served clients like MIT, Boston College, Harvard, and Boston University. During that time, discussions about climatic challenges or uncertainties related to the physical environment and lab protocols were nonexistent. This perspective shifted dramatically when I returned to Houston to join a science center in the Texas Medical Center (TMC). In the mid-'90s, I took on the role of campus architect and university planner for a health science center situated on land that had historically been wetlands along the Bayou system south of downtown.

The university's anchor was its medical school, which housed over 500,000 square feet of laboratories dedicated to basic and applied sciences—using biological, chemical, radiological protocols. This facility also supported various vivarium-based research, including some involving toxic chemistry. Unfortunately, the medical school had a tumultuous start, inaugurated during a massive tropical storm that flooded the building's basement, where critical equipment not yet installed was stored. This event forced the operations team and executive leaders to confront the realities of heavy rainfall in Houston and the complexities of dealing with FEMA and insurers regarding damage claims for a lab-intensive building.

Upon joining the university in the mid-'90s, I encountered a series of nearly billion-dollar weather-related events over the next decade. Alongside retrofitting the medical school, public health school, and dental school following the 2001 storm, I contributed to the design of two new research buildings aimed at addressing 21st-century challenges and resource sustainability.

From the outset, we faced significant challenges stemming from inconsistent infrastructure and rising electricity costs. Even in stable conditions, the quality of power was problematic, along with the service throughout the building. The quality of potable water was another concern; biofilms and mineral uncertainties in city pipes meant we incurred additional costs to ensure clean water for research and patient care. Despite being designed according to the best practices of the 1970s, by the turn of the century, our air distribution and mechanical systems were substandard. The internal ductwork had become a breeding ground for mold and mildew due to energy-saving measures that included turning off adjacent office HVAC systems over weekends. This compromised air quality and adversely affected fume hood performance, with some hoods over 30 years old.

Additionally, the medical school’s design limited space, primarily accommodating faculty, which created ongoing challenges for lab staff. We realized that housing lab assistants in the labs—where they would eat and relax—was not a viable safety approach. Thus, the need for a quality workplace that fostered the resilience of students and staff became apparent.

The recovery efforts after 2001's Tropical Storm Allison highlighted two distinct strategies: rehabilitating existing lab spaces versus designing new facilities. Both approaches (recovery and new design) shared five common objectives:

1. Maintaining power: Ensuring a reliable power supply, including high-quality infrastructure and long-duration stand-by electricity generation systems.

2. Dehumidification: Prioritizing effective humidity control, standby generation supporting dehumidification, and selection of interior materiality that can withstand periods of conditioning downtime.

3. Infrastructure resilience: Ensuring dry conditions for all infrastructure.

4. Elevating facilities: Raising essential infrastructure as well laboratories and support spaces, including freezers, above flood levels.

5. Access during events: Facilitating continual and safe staff access, even during extreme weather events.

For new facilities, we elevated all critical equipment at least 15 to 20 feet above the floodplain from the adjoining Bayou and three feet above finish grade to mitigate risks from overland water flow. All electrical distribution systems, transformers, switchgear, and backup generators had to be placed at least on the first floor. Similarly, air distribution and dehumidification equipment were also elevated.

This approach meant that any valuable resources on the ground floor or basement required robust flood protection, including fortified dikes and hydrostatic or submarine doors. Our design embraced a combination of passive and active protection strategies, using flood gates and dikes as primary defenses, reinforced by secondary systems like hydrostatic doors and reinforced windows.

For essential facilities in basements or on the ground floor, we incorporated a tertiary internal structure to safeguard heavy components like switchgear. In newly constructed buildings, we enhanced structural integrity on upper floors to keep sensitive equipment, including vivarium, out of harm's way.

A significant challenge in the hot, humid coastal zone of Texas is the rapid increase in humidity during power outages. Even minimal power to keep freezers operational can lead to mold and mildew proliferation in lab spaces. This necessitated a rethink of building materials, especially in older structures.

We prioritized humidity-resistant materials, such as marine-grade drywall and light-based ceiling tiles, to combat moisture issues effectively. These design choices aimed to create laboratories that not only functioned well in terms of safety and performance but also provided a sustainable and resilient environment for research.

My experience in lab design has underscored the critical importance of resilience in research environments, especially in regions prone to extreme weather. By integrating thoughtful design strategies and innovative materials, we can create spaces that support both scientific inquiry and the well-being of researchers.