As the anchor project of Princeton University’s new natural sciences neighborhood, the new Frick Chemistry Laboratory had to replace one of the oldest chemistry labs at any US university with a state-of-the-art, highly sustainable structure with the flexible design necessary to continue Princeton’s highly regarded sciences program for years to come.

Consisting of two four-floor buildings connected by a full-height glazed atrium, from conception this huge laboratory was designed to meet stringent sustainability and efficiency targets.  

Arup’s scope included structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering, as well as façade, lighting and acoustic consulting. Our strategies achieved a 30% energy savings over code-compliant baseline; these included a highly insulated façade, high-efficiency glazing and optimized solar shading. The project was designed to lend transparency to science, with the building’s systems exposed and the central atrium offering views into the labs, to put chemistry on display.  

The Frick is the second-largest academic building on Princeton’s campus, and the first built to the University’s aspirational new sustainability guidance. One goal was for the new building to use no more energy than the old one it was replacing – despite the fact that the new building is many times larger and more technologically modern than its predecessor.  

Sustainable buildings design 

One challenge was meeting stringent energy efficiency goals while providing researchers with laboratory fume hoods. We used high-efficiency hoods equipped with occupancy sensors and automatic sash closers, plus a cascade system that captures air from the offices and atrium to replenish laboratory air. 

Additional sustainability measures include a highly insulated façade, high-efficiency glazing and optimised solar shading. A chilled-beam cooling system and a heat recovery system provide a comfortable environment while using fewer resources than standard temperature-control methods. 216 rooftop photovoltaic panels generate energy while providing shade for the atrium below. A rainwater collection system provides water for toilets and irrigation. There is also a building monitoring dashboard in the atrium that displays information about electricity and water use. 

Throughout, Arup conducted lifecycle cost assessments of six components of the building, covering energy (solar thermal heating, photovoltaics, atrium ventilation schemes, and fume hood types), water (rainwater collection and reuse) and façades (laboratory perimeter heating). The analyses considered the initial cost of implementing these technologies as well as the lifecycle costs over 50 years. 

Frick Chemistry Laboratory
4 Arup developed Frick Chemistry Laboratory’s structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems entirely using 3D modelling.
Interior of Frick Chemistry Laboratory
Daylight provides much of the building’s lighting needs
Stairwell at the Frick Chemistry Laboratory
A cascade system captures air from the offices and atrium to replenish laboratory air.