CIRM-funded building at UC Irvine receives LEED Platinum certification

Michelle Kim / University Communications

In May 2010 University of California Irvine opened their new stem cell building funded in part by CIRM. In addition to its state-of-the art research facilities designed to speed the development of stem cell therapies, the Sue & Bill Gross Hall also recently received LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

According to a press release from UCI:

Gross Hall scored points for such features as dimmable and occupancy-controlled lighting, use of energy-saving building materials, and mechanical systems that are 50 percent more efficient than required by California’s Title 24 energy code. The operable windows are tied into the heating and air-conditioning controls so that when a window is opened, mechanical ventilation of that room shuts off.

An $80 million, 100,000-square-foot structure, Gross Hall was designed to facilitate contact between patients in the first-floor clinic and rehabilitation center and stem cell researchers on the first, second and third floors. Labs are equipped with Aircuity technology that monitors indoor air quality and adjusts air-change rates based on contaminant levels.

UCI received $27 million from CIRM for the building and a $10 million from Sue & Bill Gross. The remaining funds came from donations and institutional commitments leveraged by CIRM's investment. This is one of the 12 buildings supported through CIRM's Major Facilities programs. The complete list of those buildings is available here. The 12 major facilities received $272 million from CIRM, with private donations and institutional investments bringing the project totals to more than $1 billion. An independent review of the impact of this investment for the state economy suggested that the projects would create 13,000 job years of employment and $100 million in tax revenue.

A.A.