The 148,000-sq-ft Energy Innovation Laboratory houses Idaho National Laboratory's research and development programs. The three-story EIL provides reconfigurable, open-floor lab space and state-of-the-art equipment to encourage collaboration among INL researchers, students and partners who are working to modernize America's nuclear-energy systems. It also provides a venue for visiting scientists to work with INL researchers and engineers on innovative solutions to challenges in advanced clean energy.
The EIL project team initially sought to achieve LEED Gold, but close collaboration with the owners helped the facility earn a LEED Platinum certification. The contractor recycled or repurposed 97% of construction waste, including 36 tons of steel, 36 tons of wood, 21 tons of cardboard, 90 tons of gypsum and 5 tons of miscellaneous materials. Diverted materials went to private and public recycling centers.