Columbia University will soon begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the 80,700-sf building for the university’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons will provide eight floors of biomedical research and lab facilities as well as symposium and community engagement spaces.
With a design that uses significantly less energy than similar buildings, the Biomedical Research Building will outperform emission limits set by local law and is expected to perform 30% more efficiently than the commercial building benchmark. The facility also supports Columbia University’s plan to introduce no new fossil fuel infrastructure into campus buildings and to achieve campus-wide net-zero emissions by 2050.
Because laboratories have greater ventilation requirements than other buildings, they require more robust mechanical systems, which typically result in increased energy usage. The design team worked with sustainability consultant Atelier Ten to create an all-electric research lab building that could handle the facility’s high heating loads.
![Illustration: RGB, courtesy KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/11_Columbia%20Electric%20Lab_Section_Credit%20KPF_0.jpg)
The Biomedical Research Building is heated and cooled with electric air source heat pumps that allow for energy recovery between the heating and cooling fluids, providing periods of free tempering during the year. Air-side energy recovery systems use waste heat to reduce the total energy needed to condition the building.
The high-performance façade features a window-to-wall ratio below 50%. Exterior shading and a louver system reduce solar heat gain and glare while reflecting natural light into the labs.
The building’s design integrates biophilic elements such as green walls and natural and renewable materials in collaboration spaces. A large connecting stair encourages active circulation, and corner lounges foster collaboration among researchers.
On the Building Team:
Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)
MEP engineer: AKF Group
Structural engineer: Hatfield Group
Sustainability consultant: Atelier Ten
Lab planning consultant: Jacobs
Construction manager: LF Driscoll Healthcare
![Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building, designed by KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/02_Columbia%20Electric%20Lab_Entry_Credit%20RGB%20Courtesy%20KPF.jpg)
![Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building, designed by KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/03_ColumbiaElectric%20Lab_Street%20View_Credit%20KPF.jpg)
![Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building, designed by KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/04_Columbia%20Electric%20Lab_Lobby_Credit%20RGB%20Courtesy%20KPF.jpg)
![Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building, designed by KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/05_Columbia%20Electric%20Lab_Lab%20Space_Credit%20KPF.jpg)
![Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building, designed by KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/06_Columbia%20Electric%20Lab_Lab%20Space%20w%20Mural_Credit%20KPF.jpg)
![Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building, designed by KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/07_Columbia%20Electric%20Lab_Stair%20and%20Lounge_Credit%20KPF.jpg)
![Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building, designed by KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/08_Columbia%20Electric%20Lab_Symposium_Credit%20KPF.jpg)
![Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building, designed by KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/09_Columbia%20Electric%20Lab_Axo_Credit%20KPF.jpg)
![Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building, designed by KPF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/10_Columbia%20Electric%20Lab_Axo%20Stair_Credit%20KPF.jpg)
Related Stories
University Buildings | Nov 3, 2022
New College of Medicine debuts on University of Houston’s campus
It's part of a planned medical district.
University Buildings | Nov 2, 2022
New Univ. of Calif. Riverside business school building will support hybrid learning
A design-build partnership of Moore Ruble Yudell and McCarthy Building Companies will collaborate on a new business school building at the University of California at Riverside.
School Construction | Oct 31, 2022
Claremont McKenna College science center will foster integrated disciplinary research
The design of the Robert Day Sciences Center at Claremont McKenna College will support “a powerful, multi-disciplinary, computational approach to the grand socio-scientific challenges and opportunities of our time—gene, brain, and climate,” says Hiram E. Chodosh, college president.
University Buildings | Oct 27, 2022
The Collaboratory Building will expand the University of Florida’s School of Design, Construction, and Planning
Design firm Brooks + Scarpa recently broke ground on a new addition to the University of Florida’s School of Design, Construction, and Planning (DCP).
Higher Education | Oct 24, 2022
Wellesley College science complex modernizes facility while preserving architectural heritage
A recently completed expansion and renovation of Wellesley College’s science complex yielded a modernized structure for 21st century STEM education while preserving important historical features.
BAS and Security | Oct 19, 2022
The biggest cybersecurity threats in commercial real estate, and how to mitigate them
Coleman Wolf, Senior Security Systems Consultant with global engineering firm ESD, outlines the top-three cybersecurity threats to commercial and institutional building owners and property managers, and offers advice on how to deter and defend against hackers.
University Buildings | Oct 18, 2022
A carbon-neutral-ready university campus opens in Hong Kong
In early September, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) officially opened its new, KPF-designed campus in Nansha, Guangzhou (GZ).
University Buildings | Oct 7, 2022
Auburn’s new culinary center provides real-world education
The six-story building integrates academic and revenue-generating elements.
| Sep 14, 2022
Indian tribe’s new educational campus supports culturally appropriate education
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe recently opened the Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus (Kenai River People’s Learning Place), a new education center in Kenai, Alaska.
University Buildings | Sep 9, 2022
Alan Schlossberg, AIA, LEED AP, joins DesignGroup’s Pittsburgh studio as Regional Practice Leader
Alan Schlossberg, AIA, LEED AP, has joined DesignGroup as a principal of the firm and regional practice leader.