About the Lab
Who We Are
The Integrated Design Lab (IDL) is an extension of the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments, Department of Architecture. The work of the IDL in the Pacific Northwest is chiefly sponsored by BetterBricks of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). NEEA is primarily funded by our northwest electric utilities. The IDL’s mission is to provide regional design teams access to the best building-performance knowledge available, project-by-project support, and education & training on how to design, construct and operate the healthiest, most productive and energy efficient buildings in North America.
What We Are About
The Integrated Design Lab is the final link in the life-long learning chain of state-of-the-art professional education resources offered by the College to our regional professional constituencies, alumni and traditional students. The IDL is about increasing building value at no extra project cost to the owner. The goal of IDL research, design and education support is to produce buildings that synthesize a project’s context of climate, its patterns of use, the resulting building loads and systems to produce a building that is healthier, more comfortable, productive and 50% more energy efficient than today’s common best design practice. The University of Washington though the IDL is here to assist design teams in meeting those goals. Functionally, the IDL’s goals are to assist in decisions that support 50% reductions in a building’s loads and 50% increases in its system efficiencies, utilizing state-of-the art simulation and verification techniques.
How It Works
The IDL’s specific support of integrated daylighting, electric lighting, energy simulation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems is related to the funding of the Lab. We have the capability to assist in the design direction and the assessment of performance for integrated daylighting, electric lighting, thermal, energy and HVAC systems. The ability to provide these services is directly related to who is funding them, and for what scope of work those funds are available. Many of our services are available free of charge, or via a cost-share because of our funding from BetterBricks, to Pacific Northwest design teams or design teams doing projects in the Northwest. These free or cost-shared services are available to BetterBricks target markets of healthcare, grocery, office and the legacy target markets of K-12 schools. BetterBricks has also established a preferred provider-partner relationship with several architecture firms in the Northwest. These firms have a no- or low-cost relationship to the Lab’s services. Projects outside of these markets and partner firms can be serviced by the Lab, but they must be funded project by project, as would any consultancy. If you are interested in working with us on one of your projects, please contact us to see where and how our services are available to your project.