The international industry accreditation program drives sustainable lab innovation and technology.
Skye Smith, Associate Partner & Director, Science and Technology Practice, has been recognized by the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) as a member of the inaugural class of Labs2Zero Champions.Labs2Zero is a global professional accreditation program focused on advancing energy efficiency and sustainability in laboratory buildings.
Developed by I2SL, the Labs2Zero program will help laboratory facilities reduce energy use, lower operating costs, and improve building performance through assessment and optimization tools guided by experienced Labs2Zero Champions. The program equips industry leaders with resources like the Lab Benchmarking Tool, Energy and Operational Emissions Scores, and the AIM Report for automated energy analysis in lab environments.
As one of the first Labs2Zero Champions worldwide, Skye joins a select group of representatives from I2SL chapters across the globe who will help advance sustainable laboratory design and operations through education, collaboration, and industry leadership.
“Despite their size, labs have an out-sized impact on sustainability because they’re one of the most energy-intensive building types,” Skye said. “I’m honored to be part of this inaugural group and to support efforts that help organizations create more efficient, resilient, and high-performing research environments across Texas.”
To earn the professional accreditation, Labs2Zero Champions completed specialized training and demonstrated expertise in laboratory energy performance strategies and tools. Champions will serve as ambassadors for the program, sharing updates and best practices through chapter events to further the development of Labs2Zero initiatives.
“Skye’s work with I2SL advances Kirksey’s mission to be an industry leader in sustainable design by helping clients create high-performance facilities that balance operational efficiency with environmental stewardship,” said Brian Richard, AIA, Partner & Managing Director, Science & Technology Practice.
With over 1,000 established life science and biotech firms in Houston alone, Skye's accreditation will support sustainable growth of the industry. Her leadership also elevates Kirksey's portfolio of innovative laboratory projects, which includes two projects for the U.S. Department of Energy at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the 138,000-sf Energy Sciences Center and the 95,000-sf Grid Storage Launchpad, along with the 950,000-sf, LEED Gold-certified Dow Chemical Texas Innovation Center. Skye's wide-ranging experience in laboratory projects, from Life Sciences to Petrochem, continues to position Kirksey as a leader in forward-thinking laboratory solutions designed to embrace future techbologies.