Project Data:

Completion Date:     8/1/2022

Square Footage:      469000

Building Use:           Corporate Headquarters Campus Expansion (Reception, Office, Lab, Dining Center, Conference)

Project Description:

Located in Irvine, California, Edwards Lifesciences’ (ELS) existing 32-acre campus is set within the Irvine Business Complex which consists of low-rise office, warehouse and industrial properties that were mostly constructed in the 1970’s. ELS acquired an adjacent 10-acre parcel to accommodate their rapid growth. The program for their campus expansion includes 469,000 SF which is divided between a 14,000 SF 2-story entry pavilion (Building A), a 233,000 SF 3-story office/lab building (Building B), a 62,000 SF 2-story full-service dining facility and conference center (Building C), and a second 160,000 SF 4-story office/lab building (Building D). The design team was charged with the construction of the core and shell for all four buildings and the interior fit out of the entry pavilion (Building A) and the conference center (2nd floor of Building C). The design solution collects the four buildings around a central courtyard. To take full advantage of the mild Southern California climate the circulation system was pulled to the exterior. Bridges, covered walkways, and roof decks shaded with photovoltaic canopies connect the buildings and provide the campus community with daily access to the outdoors.

As a company that develops innovative medical technologies that save and extend people’s lives, including sustainability into the design of their campus expansion was an obvious extension of the ELS mission. At 469,000 SF the campus expansion also serves as a development model that demonstrates that sustainability can be achieved at scale. The project’s level of environmental responsiveness was third-party verified by the U.S. Green Building Council and their LEED green building rating system. Buildings B and C were awarded Gold level certification for Core and Shell, Building A was awarded Platinum level certification for New Construction, LEED’s highest level of achievement. Building D is currently completing its Core and Shell Gold level certification. All buildings also met the American Institute of Architect’s 2030 Commitment threshold by exceeding a 70% predicted energy use reduction when compared to a similar baseline facility. Building A went on to surpass this milestone and is listed with the New Building Institute as a Net Zero energy consumer.

The campus expansion was designed to support a total campus community that exceeds 4,000 employees. The spaces are also intended to welcome and honor the numerous patients and medical professionals who visit the campus every year. The primary focus of the project was to improve the quality of life and the overall campus experience for these important groups. The campus expansion also consolidates a number of off-site buildings, both owned and leased, into a single facility that will reinforce Edwards’ culture of life-saving collaboration and innovation. Early in the design process clearly defined targets were co-authored by the client and design team to support ELS’ commitment to their corporate-wide environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. The result of these efforts is a sustainable corporate campus that reinforces their mission, strengthens their brand, and improves their ability to attract, retain and develop industry-leading talent.

Firm Name:              LPA Design Studios

Completion Date:     8/1/2022

Square Footage:      469000

Building Use:           Corporate Headquarters Campus Expansion (Reception, Office, Lab, Dining Center, Conference)

Location:                 Irvine, CA

Project Description:
To provide a holistic approach to sustainability the design team utilized the Framework for Design Excellence as a tool to help guide the development of the project. All ten measures of the framework are represented in the final design of the campus expansion.

Design for Integration
With a unifying concept that sustainability was an extension of the ELS mission and should be put on display, an integrated team including designers, engineers, and the client co-authored aggressive sustainability goals. Progress was tracked throughout the course of the project to help make informed decisions and adjustments as needed.

Design for Equitable Communities
The design of the campus expansion looks to mitigate its impact on the surrounding community by managing 100% of stormwater on site, limiting the need for offsite travel throughout the workday and supporting alternative means of transportation.

Design For Ecosystems
The campus expansion fully supports the local climate and its natural ecosystems by offering a plant biodiversity that contributes to water quality, heat island mitigation and supports native and migratory animals. Dark sky lighting compliance was a focus of exterior fixture selection.

Design for Water
When compared to similar baseline facilities a native and drought tolerant plant palette and high efficiency irrigation systems contribute to a 70% reduction in potable water usage. Sensored faucets and low flow plumbing fixtures help the project realize a 40% reduction in the interior use of potable water.

Design for Economy
The four buildings connected by exterior walkways and bridges create efficiencies by allowing for the shared use of restroom cores, vertical circulation and building support spaces. Shop fabricated building systems were selected to expedite construction durations, mitigate labor costs, reduce waste, and improve quality.

Design for Energy
The initial energy demand for the campus expansion was reduced through the use of passive shading strategies and the optimization of building systems. Remaining loads were further offset by photovoltaic panels that were roof mounted and integrated into shade canopies. As a result, all four buildings met the AIA’s 2030 commitment by achieving a 70% reduction in predicted energy use intensity. The entry pavilion is a net zero energy consumer.

Design for Well-being
Taking advantage of a mild Southern California climate, building circulation, including corridors, stairs and connecting walkways, were pulled to the exterior to promote active design and a strong connection to the outdoors. Interior spaces are designed with natural daylight, views to the exterior and healthy materials to enhance indoor environmental quality.

Design for Resources
Preference was given to materials and products that were third party verified to have either improved environmental life cycle impacts or that were extracted or sourced in a responsible manner. 75% of all construction waste was diverted from landfills to recycling centers. Site utilities and infrastructure as well as a back up power generator were reused.

Design for Change
Each building’s structural design was increased to a safety factor that was 50% above building code minimums for improved seismic performance and increased resiliency. A flexible structural grid was designed for the office and lab buildings to support both uses providing programmatic flexibility for the life of the project.

Design for Discovery
Each building of the campus expansion monitors its own energy and water consumption, as well as its renewable energy output, to ensure these systems run at optimal performance levels. Post occupancy evaluations were delayed due to reduced occupancy in response to the global pandemic but will be conducted later this year.

Design Architect:
LPA Design Studios

Associate Architect or Firm:
N/A

Landscape Architect:
LPA Design Studios

Owner / Developer:
Edwards Lifesciences

Engineer:
LPA Design Studios

General Contractor:
DPR Construction

Consultant:
Geotechnical: MTGL
Irrigation: Glasir Design
Acoustical: Acentech
Waterproofing: LZI
Specifications: Architectural Resources, Co.
Traffic: LSA

Photographer:
Costea Photography, Cris Costea
Jun Tang Drone Photography, Jun Tang
LPA Design Studios