U.S. General Services Administration
GSA delivers new Measurement Systems Laboratory at NASA’s Langley Research Center
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. General Services Administration’s Mid-Atlantic Region has completed construction of a new, state-of-the-art Measurement Systems Laboratory at NASA’s Langley Research Center campus in Hampton, Virginia. This 5-story, 175,000-gross-square-foot facility is a cutting-edge and sustainable lab designed to perform research and development in direct support of NASA’s mission in space exploration, science and aeronautics.
“GSA has a great partnership with NASA, and this laboratory represents our latest collaboration to bring cutting-edge facilities to Langley,” said Joanna Rosato, acting regional administrator for GSA’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “The research that will take place in this new facility will help Langley deliver on its core mission to make revolutionary improvements to aviation, expand understanding of Earth’s atmosphere and develop technology for space exploration.”
The NASA Langley Research Center and GSA Mid-Atlantic Region have been collaborating, implementing and co-managing a 20-year revitalization program. The program is fundamental to ensuring Langley remains a critical research and development center for NASA well into the 21st century. The goals are accomplished through reducing the center’s footprint; incorporating a healthy, pedestrian-friendly environment; and transforming the remaining infrastructure to be energy efficient, sustainable and adaptable to changing mission and societal needs.
“NASA’s partnership with GSA has enabled us to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars through reduced maintenance costs and good stewards of our environment through energy efficient facilities. Most importantly, this state of the art laboratory will enable us to make great strides toward our quest to reach for new heights to reveal the unknown for the benefit of all humankind,” said Clayton Turner, Langley’s center director.
On January 11, 2022, the U.S. Green Building Council designated the new Measurement Systems Laboratory with LEED New-Construction Gold certification. The MSL project’s sustainable highlights include:
- Reducing water usage by over 31% through low-flow and flush fixtures; additionally no irrigation was necessary for the native landscaping.
- Reducing stormwater runoff through urban bioretention planters.
- Saving two on-site mature London plane trees through conservation efforts.
- Executing increased ventilation through enhanced commissioning, measurement and verification to achieve outstanding mechanical system performance and 28% energy cost savings.
- Diverting 94% of on-site construction waste from landfills.
- Sourcing 63% of regional materials within 500 miles of the project site.
- Utilizing 34% of building materials manufactured from recycled materials.
- Maximizing natural daylight and low workstation heights to filter daylight into core open work areas.
- Designating 5% of parking spaces for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.
- Establishing a purchase agreement for green/renewable power.
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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet and overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities.
For more information, visit www.gsa.gov or join the conversation on social media @US_GSAR3 and other platforms.