New Haven Firm Completes Second Lab Renovation At Yale

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A laboratory renovation at Yale University was awarded LEED Gold certification for commercial interiors, marking the second LEED-certified renovation designed by Svigals + Partners at the university.

The New Haven-based architectural firm designed the $6.8 million project in 2004. It was completed in 2006, but did not receive certification until this year.

The renovations, completed on the first floor of Sterling Hall at the I Wing, forced the firm to work in the confines of a historic medical research building from the 1920s, while attempting to update it with 21st century equipment and amenities.

“The 19,816-square-foot space, now used by Yale’s genetics department, was initially characterized by 12-foot floor-to-floor spaces, single-glazed windows, minimal HVAC systems, and antiquated and/or nonexistent plumbing, fire protection, telephone, data and electrical systems,” says Robert Skolozdra, project architect and partner at Svigals + Partners.

The renovated area contains four large, open-design wet-bench laboratories, along with offices and common facilities for faculty, staff, visitors, fellows and students. The number of workspaces was increased, and the building was reconfigured to provide views of the outside and access to daylight.

“Certain work carrels were separated from benches and aligned with the building’s window walls,” Skolozdra says. “A large number of glass partitions were used to maximize views and the design took advantage of the building’s large 1920s-era windows, which opened to an exterior courtyard.”

Break and conference rooms were placed near the courtyard to provide access to the outdoors.

Daylight sensors in the facility allow energy to be conserved, and several environmentally friendly furnishings, flooring, fabrics, insulation and adhesives were used.

Prior to the I-Wing renovation, Svigal + Partners completed a project at C Wing on the third floor of the building. That project was the first lab renovation to receive LEED certification for commercial interiors, according to the firm.