Oberlanders going global with I2SL

Oberlanders’ work with I2SL – the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories – has seen lots of activity in recent weeks, marked by contributions at major events including the ‘S+B Sustainable Lab Design Conference’ earlier in September and this week’s ‘I2SL Annual Conference and Technology Fair: The Gateway to Efficient Labs’ being held in St Louis, Missouri.

The mission of the Institute is one that is firmly embedded in our work in the science and technology sector – to advance the safety and sustainability of laboratories and other high-tech facilities globally. So much so, that the team are working with colleagues across the built environment to establish a UK Chapter of the Institute to extend the impact of their work closer to home. 

At September’s Sustainable Lab Design Conference, Phil Macdonald and Nick Jones led a panel discussion focusing on the emerging UK Chapter. The benefits that are set to hit the sector include greater knowledge exchange, data gathering and benchmarking on the operational requirements and energy performance of our UK research laboratories and innovation environments. The session was lively and interactive, with questions from the audience on a range of issues including how sustainable design can impact maintenance and whole life costs.

Fast forward to this week’s I2SL Annual Conference and Technology Fair, where Phil, alongside Malcolm Tait of KJ Tait Engineers, will be sharing how the UK Chapter is evolving and delivering a presentation on the adaptive re-use of existing buildings for science in UK urban locations. This is part of wider panel discussion on the optimisation of space for science.

The conference is the world leading event focused on energy efficiency, decarbonisation and sustainability in laboratories and other high-tech facilities, with nearly 500 lab owners, operators, designers, engineers, managers, builders and developers attending. 

To round off his visit, Phil will be moderating a panel session on sustainable material selection, embodied carbon and mass timber in science buildings with his US colleagues.