Upcoming Events
Sustainable Facility Tour & Happy Hour at Berkeley Commons
Join I2SL NorCal for a sustainable facility tour of the Addison Building at Berkeley Commons!
During the tour we will provide an overview of the facility's sustainable features, then we'll transition into a happy hour networking session with appetizers and drinks.
Facility Highlights
LEED Gold
Net Zero Core & Shell
Onsite Renewable Generation
One Acre of Green Roof
Integrating Sustainability Principles in Laboratory Design and Operations: The Smart Labs Advantage
Ever wondered why sustainability in laboratory building design and operations is crucial? Join the Emerging Professionals Committee of I2SL's Northern California Chapter for this virtual presentation to find out.
Labs are notorious energy consumers, using up to 5-10x more energy than typical commercial buildings. This webinar explores the critical role of sustainable design and operation principles in reducing labs’ environmental footprint. Wendell C. Brase of UC Irvine will share insights about the renowned Smart Labs program and the importance of implementing a structured program approach to manage energy-intensive laboratory operations.
This presentation is perfect for students and young professionals looking to understand the importance of sustainable labs and how Smart Labs principles can help large campuses achieve significant energy savings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a healthier and more sustainable research environment.
About the Speaker
Wendell Brase is the University of California, Irvine’s Associate Chancellor for Sustainability. For 27 years, he provided leadership for an award-winning sustainability program in his role as Vice Chancellor for Administrative and Business Services.
UC Irvine received California’s highest environmental award, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, in 2008 and again in 2013; has earned numerous accolades for sustainability, including a 2009 Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Leadership Achievement Award and their 2014 Climate Leadership Award. UC Irvine was first in the nation to attain President Obama’s Better Buildings Challenge, attaining the 2020 goal of improving energy efficiency of the entire UC Irvine campus seven years early, in 2013.
This was accomplished with the development of an integrated “Smart Labs” approach that combines a suite of occupancy and air quality sensors with variable air volume features and digital controls, dramatically reducing energy consumption and cutting maintenance costs. The campus currently has 23 LEED Platinum and 11 LEED Gold buildings, among the most of any campus in the U.S. In 2023, Brase received the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) Phil Wirdzek Leadership Award.