Dartmouth’s Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center was built for graduate-level teaching and research in the fields of biology, chemistry, neuroscience, medicine, and bioengineering.

Cornerstone Commissioning was hired to help ensure the performance of the systems serving this important building, including for computer and project labs, a 6,000-square foot greenhouse, 30 wet labs and 200-seat auditorium.

Challenges included:

• Fine‐tuning complex systems: laboratory controls, demand controlled ventilation and greenhouse systems
• Compressed commissioning schedule due to contractor delays
• High demands on the environmental control system’s performance requirements
• Obtaining low energy usage
• Several different control systems (BMS, lab controls, lighting controls, greenhouse controls)

Cornerstone’s team adapted to the challenges, and adjusted plans and schedules as necessary to get the work completed on-time. Cornerstone’s collaborative problem-solving approach made it possible to verify that all systems worked together as intended.

The facility energy usage achieved the levels modeled during the design phase; a result that is actually rather unusual. The model predicted 99,000 btu/sqft-yr, including the greenhouse, making it one of the most energy efficient laboratories in North America