GB & SS Magazine Winter 2013 by Green Building and Sustainable Strategies Magazine

Green BuildinG BUILDING Green & SuStainable StrategieS

& SuStainable SUSTAINABLE StrategieS STRATEGIES WINTER 2013

ASYMPTOTE ARCHITECTURE Velo Towers

TD’s New Concept Branch

SustainableTO: Resilient House

Canada’s First Active House

Ledcor Renew: 77 Bloor St. W.

DELTA-RAE HOMES: LUXURY AND SUSTAINABILITY

HOW DOES YOUR EXISTING BUILDING COMPETE WITH A NEW ONE?

CONTENTS

WINTER 2013

LEDCOR RENEW

On the cover: ASYMPTOTE ARCHITECTURE - Velo Towers

DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION - Industrial backwater in Taiwan set to become destination/tourist health spa

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK - Co-op HQ - World’s most environmentally friendly building

URBANDALE’S PROUD FOUNDATIONS - How an Ottawa builder is using exterior foundation insulation to build better basements

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE - Velo Towers in Seoul offers a glimpse into new design and construction strategies

BACK TO NATURE - Thai project Amphibious Habitat borrows from existing ecological systems to tackle delta flooding problems

BANKING ON GREEN - New concept branch in Mississauga showcases TD Bank Group’s commitment to environmental leadership

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE - Retrofit of office tower in Toronto’s commercial district generates bonus paybacks

THE HORIZONTAL SKYSCRAPER - Designed by Steven Holl Architects, the Vanke Center in China is first of its kind

IS TORONTO READY FOR 2030 DISTRICT?

THREE IN A ROW - Third major passive house design award in as many years for architects at Sustainable.TO

GREEN GLOBES - The little green building rating system that could…

DEEP GREEN ‘UNDERWATER KITE’ TO HARNESS TIDAL ENERGY

LUXURY AND SUSTAINABILITY - Delta-Rae Homes maintains a delicate balance between industry standards, emerging ideas and green trends

SYNTHESIS DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE - Shanghai Wuzhou International Plaza

MIXING NATURE AND TECHNOLOGY - Animated Apertures: Biomimicry in Architecture

TOWER OF POWER - Dutch architects hold out hope that skyscraper project utilizing wind power will come to fruition

CANADA’S FIRST ACTIVE HOUSE

SUSTAINABLE SHAKEUP - The World Green Center in Chile improves quality of life for workers and provides business district makeover

GREEN PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS

T h e O n e - S t o p S o l u t i o n t o O p t i m i z e Yo u r B u i l d i n g s Building Assessment · Financial Modelling/ROI Analysis · Guaranteed Implementation · Monitoring

www.ledcor.com/renew

GreenBuildinG GreenBuildinG & SuStainable StrategieS

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE

& SuStainable StrategieS

Volume 2, Number 4 - Winter 2013 www.gbssmag.com

Velo Towers in Seoul offers a glimpse into new design and construction strategies

PUBLISHER: Giulio Marinescu 416-250-0664 publisher@gbssmag.com 2109-256 Doris Ave. Toronto, ON M2N 6X8 MANAGING EDITOR: Greg McMillan editor@gbssmag.com

CO-OP HQ - WORLD’S MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUILDING

he Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), an internationally acclaimed system of assessing buildings, gave One Angel Square - Co-operative Group’s new head office in Manchester - a score of 95.16% - the highest ever awarded. The unprecedented award comes as a result of the building’s many environmentally friendly features. It is powered by a biodiesel cogeneration plant using rapeseed oil to provide electricity and heat. The structure makes use of natural resources, maximizing passive solar gain for heat and using natural ventilation through its double-skin facade, adiabatic cooling, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling and waste heat recycling. One Angel Square will operate with at least an 80% reduction in carbon emissions, a 50% reduction in energy consumption and a £500,000 a year saving on utility bills compared to the

Co-operative’s current head office. This will lead to a reduction in operating costs of up to 30%. It is also an energy-plus building, producing surplus energy and zero carbon emissions. Designed by 3DReid Architects, the building has received numerous awards for its striking aesthetic and sustainability aims. Gavin Dunn, director of BREEAM, BRE Global, said: “This achievement of the highest score ever under BREEAM reflects an ambitious vision and commitment from The Co-operative Group and their project team. “They have created a highly sustainable, extremely low carbon space. An excellent working environment with deep green credentials.” One Angel Square was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen on November 14th, 2013. Until next time… Giulio Marinescu Publisher

hat do the automotive, aerospace and marine industries have in common with a new tower planned for Seoul, South Korea? In short – design strategies and techniques.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tony Lomuto Graphic Designs Unlimited LTONY@sympatico.ca Photo credits: Amanda Calabrese, Steven Hall Architects, Iwan Baan, Great Gulf, Boximage, Herwig Baumgartner, Scott Uriu, GG Imaging, The Co-operative Group, Minesto Contributors: Greg Mc Millan, Jiri Skopek, Jeff Ranson, Trish Montle, Matthew Sachs, Asymptote Architecture, B+U Architects, MAB Studio, BIG CPH, Synthesis Design + Architecture Submit articles, event, news to Giulio Marinescu publisher@gbssmag.com Canada Post Publication Mail Agreement number 42332013 Undeliverable mail return to: 2109-256 Doris Ave. Toronto, ON M2N 6X8 Printed in Canada by: CoFax Printing © 2013 Green Building & Sustainable Strategies. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means, in any form, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the respective authors and not necessarily those of this publication. Green Building & Sustainable Strategies does not specifically endorse the editorial, products or services presented in this magazine.

Subscription Rates Canada: 1 year $24, 2 years $40, single copy $6 United States: 1 year: $32 International: $36 Plus applicable taxes

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WINTER 2013

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

New York-based Asymptote Architecture, which has gained a reputation for pushing design boundaries, is responsible for this futuristic vision for Velo Towers. By merging technologies and new means of production and fabrication into the building’s design, the project offers a glimpse into the future of sustainable building. Part of a master plan for the Yongsan District in Seoul, the reconfiguration of the traditional vertical tower form will have a combination of new horizontal and vertical shapes. This hybrid allows for the formation of a socially engaging and dynamic environmental landmark for the city’s commercial district. 4

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

There are eight distinct residential components which have been positioned to take full advantage of the building’s location next to the Yongsan Park, which overlooks the Han River. The towers were designed by using a strategy of stacking cylindrical volumes, then utilizing rotation of each volume according to views, privacy and environment. The unique faceted façades of the Velo Towers consist of large prefabricated components made of glass (within custom-molded composite shells), finished in cyan-coloured automotive paint. The stacked clusters are complemented by roof gardens, shared amenities and internal

circulation around light-filled open atrium spaces. The goal – to achieve an alternative architectural and urbanity approach. There are three major components which make up the architectural ensemble. At the base, a plinth connects the towers and provides space for parkside condominiums and a covered dropoff area underneath. Then, a second stage has stacked volumes that provide gardens, open-air stacks through the cores, and a discreet sense of community within the larger complex. Finally, there’s a sky bridge, 30 storeys high, that not only structurally connects the two tower cores, but also provides public viewing WINTER 2013

access overlooking Seoul. In addition, at that level, there are fitness and recreation centres, lounges, pools, spas and cafes. Asymptote Architecture, with principals Lise Anne Couture and Hani Rashid, has been awarded the prestigious Frederick Kiesler Prize for Architecture and the Arts in recognition of exceptional contributions to the progress and merging of art and architecture. They have also been named by TIME magazine as Leaders in Innovation for the 21st Century. Web: www.asymptote.net

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Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

From the raised floor system, to the geoexchange heating and cooling, to solar panels to responsibly-sourced materials, attention to sustainable detail is everywhere. Integral Group’s team – which offers green engineering solutions – provided innovative mechanical and electrical system designs which champion TD’s sustainability goals for the project. To that end, striving to reach a net-zero energy facility standing, the integration of architecture, engineering and operations is a study of aligning art, science and human factors. Turner Construction Company and Green Reason, a sustainable building consulting and project management company, also participated in the project. A team from Brigholme Interiors Group focused on providing products and services that would allow the branch to be a net-zero energy building. “Using Haworth’s Integrated Palette of products, manufactured in a zero-waste-to- landfill facility, ensures that the products are sustainable,” says Joe Williams, president of Brigholme Interiors Group. Targeting LEED gold certification, the branch is an example of TD’s commitment to environmental leadership, Hite says. “We strive to incorporate sustainable practices into every aspect of our business,” Hite says. “This extends to the spaces we design for our employees, our customers and the community. We’re committed to continuously finding ways to be more sustainable, efficient and reduce our [environmental] footprint. This takes shape through large-scale innovations, all the way to retrofits throughout out network.”

BANKING ON GREEN New concept branch in Mississauga showcases TD Bank Group’s commitment to environmental leadership

D Bank Group customers could be in for a mild, yet pleasant, surprise next time they stop into the new Creditview Road branch in Mississauga. Bank employees there, in addition to their regular duties, just might go into teaching mode and offer information about the sustainable qualities of the concept branch. “Educating our customers on what makes this branch unique is very important and we achieve this is a number of ways,” says Scott Hite, head of architecture and design with TD Bank Group. “Employees working in the new branch have all gone through training to not only learn about their new environment, but to enable them to share the 6

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

story with our customers.” Customers, Hite says, can learn about the sustainable elements in many ways. Employees, while helping with their banking needs, can have conversations, or conduct tours. Scattered throughout the branch are “green leaves” containing sustainable facts. There are digital displays, including an interactive station providing details about all the green features. And customers would be well-advised to take advantage of the in-house resources as the sustainable elements are both varied and plentiful. The open concept and modular design will be immediately noticeable, but there are many more green features that have been incorporated. WINTER 2013

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Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

An integrated approach An integrated approach

People, People, Process and Process and Innovation • #1 Green Builder by Engineering • #1 Green Builder by Engineering News-Record With the Mississauga pilot concept, Hite says TD has leveraged its past experiences to raise the bar. “We’re taking this opportunity to test and learn from this prototype and really understand how this new design helps us deliver legendary customer service and provide a great workplace for our employees … all the while reducing our footprint.

“With this in mind we are already looking at how we can best utilize and incorporate features of this new concept into our renovation strategy to retrofit our existing network and future builds.” The new TD branch in Mississauga relies on natural lighting and uses solar power to generate electricity. Geothermal systems help

heat and cool the branch, while energy efficient LED bulbs and sensors reduce lighting energy. Recycled and recyclable materials have been used in the construction process wherever possible. The wood has been sourced responsibly. Throughout the building low flow fixtures have reduced water use, and low-energy technology has reduced paper use. Rainwater, as much as possible, will irrigate the community garden.

News-Record • Over $1 Billion of complex projects across • Over $1 Billion of complex projects across Canada Canada annually annually •• Best practices and industry leader in: Best practices and industry leader in: Lean LeanConstruction, Construction, BIM (Building Modeling), BIM (Building Information Information Modeling), and Delivery) andIPD IPD (Integrated (Integrated Project Project Delivery)

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THE HORIZONTAL SKYSCRAPER Designed by Steven Holl Architects, the Vanke Center in China is first of its kind Photo by Iwan Baan

By Greg McMillan

hat happens when talented architects are given a free rein; when they are unencumbered by creative restrictions? More often than not, especially in this day and age, when sustainable building is moving rapidly into mainstream development, those architectural freedoms result in a project such as the headquarters of Vanke Center in Shenzhen, China, also known as the Horizontal Skyscraper. “The project is both a building and a landscape,” says Steven Holl, Principal for Steven Holl Architects, who designed the structure, which is as long as New York’s Empire State Building is tall. “It’s a delicate intertwining of sophisticated engineering and natural environment.” The structure, which opened in 2009, bills itself as a large-scale, hybrid-use building, combining living cultural, working and commercial uses, augmented by a sprawling public tropical garden. And there are mounds containing a 500-seat auditorium and restaurants. It was also

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

Photo by Steven Holl Architects

one of the first LEED platinum-rated buildings in Southern China. Most noticeable, however, is the fact the build-

ing seems to actually ‘hover’ above the ground, which in turn allows for free public use and an aggressive eco-system restoration. WINTER 2013

Photo by Steven Holl Architects

The structure is suspended on eight cores, or ‘legs,’ about 50 metres part. The first of its kind, the Horizontal Skyscraper is a combination of WINTER 2013

cable-stay bridge technology and high-strength concrete framing, with tension cables carrying a load of 3,280 tons.

Additionally, a spa, conference centre and parking are located under the large public landscape. Above the 60,000-square metre site, there is a green roof on the main building, which takes up approximately 15,000-square feet. Several sustainable aspects are apparent. Fed by a greywater system, there is also rainwater harvesting and a micro-climate is created by cooling ponds. As mentioned, the building has a green roof, but there are also solar panels – supplying 12.5 per cent of the building’s total energy needs – and local materials, such as bamboo, are utilized throughout the Vanke headquarters. “Bamboo is highly renewable,” Holls tells Green Building & Sustainable Strategies magazine,“ and is easily available in China. We used it for doors, floors and furniture throughout the building, instead of using raw materials or exotic woods.” Holl also stressed that other renewable materials were incorporated, including a ‘green carpet’ containing recycled content, non-toxic paint, and GreenScreen solar shading fabrics, which do not “off-gas” during their lifetime and are easier to recycle and divert to landfills. Green Building & Sustainable Strategies 11

THREE IN A ROW

Photo by Iwan Baan

Third major passive house design award in as many years for architects at Sustainable.TO

GREEN ARCHITECTURE. HEALTHY ARCHITECTURE. RESILIENT ARCHITECTURE.

By Greg McMillan

Photo by Iwan Baan

RESILIENT HOUSE

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Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

“Interface FLOR carpet tiles are used throughout the open office area,” Holl explains. “This carpet is a cradle-to-cradle product, meaning that it is not only produced from recycled materials, but that the manufacturer agrees to collect any damaged carpet and to recycle it into other carpet or products. This carpet contains a GlasBac RE backing that has an average of 55 per cent total recycled content with a minimum of 18 per cent post-consumer recycled content. It uses recycled vinyl backing from reclaimed carpet tiles and manufacturing waste.” Seen as tsunami-proof, the

building has a glass façade which is protected against the wind and sun by porous, controlled operable louvers. “Also, by raising the building off the ground, “ Holl says, “an open, publicly-accessible park creates a new social space in an otherwise closed and privatized community. “And with sky gardens, sunken courtyards, balconies at the ends of each floor, and terraces throughout the building, we create microclimates that bring the landscape further indoors and create passively cooled tertiary zones.”

aul Dowsett is waxing poetic and his passion has a way of jumping out at you. The principal architect at Sustainable.TO Architecture + Building is discussing ‘green’ house design, the future, and human impact on the environment; topics dear to him and at the heart of his life and work. And he is linking them to his firm’s most recent, most high-profile; the project, the internationally-acclaimed Resilient House, which was designed specifically for the New York region ravaged by Superstorm Sandy. “The Resilient House is simple to build and even simpler to operate,” Dowsett tells Green Building and Sustainable

Strategies magazine. “It is grounded in building science; being passively heated and cooled, built of durable, environmentally-benign materials, and designed to have excellent indoor air quality without sacrificing energy-efficiency or thermal comfort. “It is [as the name suggests] resilient, and it is a pleasant space to inhabit – both before, and after, an extreme weather event. And most importantly, it is a space that families can adapt to suit their changing needs. In short, it is a home.” Sustainable.TO took top prize in a competition launched by the American Institute of Architects; a competition that solicited sustainable housing designs for disaster zones in New York, New Orleans and Joplin, Missouri. The third major sustainable house

design award in as many years for the Toronto-based firm, it follows others for their Low Cost /Low Energy Passive House for New Orleans, plus last year’s CMHC-recognized Willowdale Passive Solar House. “The intention in entering this [New York] competition was very much to see these houses built,” says Dowsett, noting that an event in October 2013 commemorated the first anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, and initiated the construction of the first Resilient House. “Sustainable.TO is working closely with St. Bernard Project - New York and their affiliate, Friends of Rockaway, to develop a working model for what Sustainable.TO hopes will become the template for how to construct these high quality homes while adhering to a modest budget.”

Web: www.stevenholl.com WINTER 2013

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Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

When Only the Highest Possible Standards Will Do

The Resilient House design, he says, orients living spaces towards the sun, and minimizes interior partitions. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) allow for a tightly sealed and highly insulated building enclosure.   It is designed to resist storm surges with a flood-proof foundation and to optimize use of the sun and wind for passive heating and ventilation, both greatly enhancing its everyday energy-efficiency and in the event of power loss – a common problem in post-disaster regions – the house would remain “livable” even without operating utilities. By using tried and true traditional construction materials and methods, Resilient House can be built for less than usual affordable-housing. “At the core of our philosophy and practice is

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

the belief that design and construction solutions should be simple, sensitive, and sustainable,” says Dowsett. “Green design has always been important to me. Where it has changed is how important it is to our clients.” “Awareness about our human impact on the environment is increasing, and people are taking pride in building responsible architecture.

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FEATURE STORY

LUXURY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Delta-Rae Homes maintains a delicate balance between industry standards, emerging ideas and green trends

armen Calabrese has been ahead of the curve for years – and the president and owner of Delta-Rae Homes constantly challenges himself to continue that

trend. He recognized the shift to green building before it became an industry status quo, and he makes sure Delta-Rae is providing options and standards to keep on the same evolutionary path. “We are always looking for innovative ways to make our future homes even more sustainable,” says Calabrese, with over 24 years in home building to his credit. “This is the way of the future. “We take great pride in the workmanship that goes into our homes and we have the finest tradespeople to thank for that. Their expertise and awareness in greener practices have brought our company to the next level.” Well known in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) for creating innovative singular homes with a custom approach, Delta-Rae has been recognized with the highest design award in the GTHBA (Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association).The company’s success has grown to include communities across the Region of Durham in Whitby and Oshawa, while making an impact, as well, in Cobourg, on Balsam Lake in Rosedale, Ontario, and Bowmanville. Historically, Delta-Rae has built awardwinning high-end custom homes, but over the

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

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past six years that same standard has been transitioned to include mid-sized homes and townhomes. With over 700 homes built in the Durham region, Calabrese continues to deliver a product with unparalleled attention to detail, coupled with high-quality finishings. And years before Energy Star regulations were put in place, he recognized that green packages would be a Delta-Rae standard. “What’s important to me, as a builder, is to

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find the balance between industry standards, emerging ideas and trends,” he says. “To focus, not only on quality and fine details, but on a more practical approach for the buyer. And greener materials have been a cost-effective alternative. “Greener materials have been an advantage for our purchasers, in that the long-term maintenance and operational costs will incur significant energy savings.”

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Proud to be part of your construction team! For inquires call: DANNY PETTIT Bus: 905-649-2151 • Cell: 905-706-1750 E-mail: danielpettit44@yahoo.ca “A People Company” Established 1970 Calabrese takes pride in saying that, in a Delta-Rae home, you will not only find stunning architectural nuances, outstanding interiors and impeccable craftsmanship, but

also a luxury dwelling high on efficiency and sustainability. Working closely with sustainability experts, Delta-Rae is now offering upgraded

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green options, as an efficient alternative for purchasers. They include indoor and outdoor LED lighting, quartz countertops and greener cabinetry.

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Already available with Delta-Rae homes were high-efficiency furnaces, state-of-theart (HRV) air exchangers, high R-value insulation materials, power-vented hot water tanks, Tyvek air barriers, fibreglass front doors, efficient lighting options, outstanding exterior finishes and upgraded low-e windows. Calabrese points out that Delta-Rae recognizes that these types of options are “a way of life today” and not simply novelties.

“More and more customers are concerned with much more than the interior finishes and space,” he says. “They are also attuned to what lies within the walls of their home and cost-measuring energy savings.” Helping Calabrese – in his quest to maintain progressive standards as newer technologies come along – are his daughter, Amanda, and son, Anthony, whose enthusiasm is taking the company “up a notch.” He

says they are extremely passionate about delivering a product of quality, efficiency and distinction. “Quality has been learned from an early age, and this newer generation aims to bring innovative designs and technologies to their homebuyers.” Calabrese says implementing sustainable values in Delta-Rae homes is extremely important for his company.

“The savings alone, in maintenance costs, supersedes the cost of implementing these newer technologies for our buyers,” he adds. “We also understand that the buyers today are now aware of these technologies and we strive to respond to this and still maintain the quality and caliber of our homes.” Web: www.delta-rae.com

It’s all in the family: Anthony, Carmen and Amanda Calabrese of Delta-Rae Homes

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B+U ARCHITECTS

PROJECT DETAILS Title: Animated Apertures Architect: Baumgartner+Uriu (B+U) Location: Lima, Peru Design Principals: Herwig Baumgartner, Scott Uriu Project Team: Nema Ashjaee (lead), Aaron Ryan, Jack Gaumer, Ricardo Lledo, Anthony Morey Type: Housing tower Size: 5,000 sqm Material: Advanced silicon composites, ETFE, concrete, glass Photo credits: B+U, LLP – Herwig Baumgartner, Scott Uriu

os Angeles based B+U Architects, a design office recognized internationally for its digital techniques and use of new technologies and material resources, is once again pushing the boundaries of architecture and urban design with its Animated Apertures Housing Tower project in Lima, Peru. The conceptual framework for the design arose from a “clear interest in emphasizing an architecture that can exist between nature and technology,” inspired by natural patterns, movements and colors with the overarching goal of creating an “interactive and intelligent building organism”. According to the architects,

its design aesthetic embraces incongruence, disruption and deformation rather than homogeneity and parametric smoothness – a common solution in many digital designs that the firm wished to avoid. What makes Animated Apertures so unique is its attempt to rethink and redesign the DNA of the window in terms of function, components, appearance and materiality and then its application to a 20-story tall housing typology. The apertures function as inhabitable spaces or thresholds between interior and exterior that respond to environmental forces such as sun and wind and exploit potential energetic exchanges between the natural and built environments. The exterior of the building is a direct result of the interior spaces and their relationships to specific points in the city, with linear extensions along the window frames that create a soft, blurred building edge that is always in flux rather than a traditionally sharp and rigid one. The building consists of underground parking for 90 cars, a ground floor entry with a cafe and L-shaped living units stacked on top of each other with a North-South orientation. Each unit occupies three levels, giving it a double height living room that is oriented to the San Isidro Golf Club with access to two gardens.

MIXING NATURE AND TECHNOLOGY Animated Apertures: Biomimicry in Architecture 22

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Both living room and dining room areas have large foldable glass walls that can be opened to create a continuous indoor-outdoor living experience with plenty of crossventilation. The Housing Tower also has a penthouse unit and a rooftop with large pool and garden. The overall structure is a cast in place concrete slab and core structure with most of the exterior enclosure made of cast in place concrete. The rough textured concrete shell contrasts sharply with the highly articulated fiberglass composite apertures that are translucent and illuminated with LED’s from within, giving the tower a distinguished colorful glow at night. These apertures will be made out of advanced silicon composites that mix material properties on a molecular level, are able to move without mechanical parts and ultimately mimic systems found in nature.

In addition, the new window frames will be coated with thin solar film that produce significant solar energy for the building. B+U’s hope is that with these special technological components, Animated Apertures will help revolutionize and redefine the built environment so that buildings become less invasive and instead become closer to functioning as adaptable organisms. Web: www.bplusu.com

Biomimicry or biomimetics is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. Wilkipedia

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Photos Great Gulf

CANADA’S FIRST ACTIVE HOUSE

oronto based architects superkül designed Canada’s first Active House in ontario’s Niagara region. Great Gulf, one of Canada’s largest home builders, selected superkül, a firm with a breadth of experience designing sustainable homes, to design Canada’s first residence that meets the construction metrics outlined by the Danish Active House program. The Active House program was initiated by a european consortium of academics, scientists, architects, engineers, and building manufacturers to promote a holistic approach to home design that marries environmental responsibility and energy efficiency

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with the need to design spaces that contribute positively to the health and well being of its residents. “We’ve designed several green homes, but this project presented the exciting opportunity to collaborate with Great Gulf and the Active House alliance to create a new paradigm for the sustainably-minded and healthconscious homebuyer,” said Andre D’Elia, a Principal at superkül and the lead architect for Great Gulf Active House. superkül’s design strategy considered the environmental impact of the entire lifecycle of the home from concept to performance as well as its impact on its users. The house is oriented

with the long roof slope and major glazing facing south to maximize the efficiency of the solar hot-water system and passive solar gain. The multitude of skylights and windows create naturally light-filled spaces and minimize the need for artificial light. Two intersecting axes guide the open plan of the interior to maximize cross breezes. By removing visual barriers between living spaces, the open plan also creates the impression of a larger home. To promote the comfort of the residents, superkül ensured that each room featured exterior views without compromising privacy. Green Building & Sustainable Strategies 25

The patio that aligns with the width of the living room reinforces the visually seamless extension of the interior spaces. Great Gulf Active House boasts fully integrated systems designed to optimize natural lighting and air quality while reducing its dependency on nonrenewable energy sources. Natural ventilation is encouraged by a dual-zone HVAC system connected to a Somfy Tahoma Smart House system that

uses sensors to automate the windows, blinds and 14 skylights to open and close in response to the interior temperature and air quality while two heat recovery ventilation (HRV) units supply the house with fresh air. The use of low Voc paints and low emitting interior finishes improve indoor air quality. A grey water heat recovery unit captures heat from showers and baths and preheats incoming cold water to reduce the energy demand for domestic

hot water. A cistern and rainwater collection system reduces the need for municipal water up to an estimated 35% while lessening the loads on the municipal waste water system. superkül ensured the house is supplied by 100% renewable energy by installing solar thermal panels and providing renewable gas from Bullfrog Power. The electricity, also provided by Bullfrog Power, comes from 100% renewable sources.

The exterior walls, roof and floor systems were prefabricated in Toronto at Brockport Home Systems’ factory, expediting the house to be erected in only one week. This innovative construction method not only reduces material waste, energy usage, and risks of onsite accidents during the construction process but also improves the accuracy and quality of construction. The wood frame panels are a more sustainable alternative to the typical steel structure. Great Gulf Active House will be studied and measured by architects, product manufacturer and construction teams to define the next generation of Great Gulf homes.

“

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DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION Industrial backwater in Taiwan set to become destination/tourist health spa

definitely has a picturesque, and prominent, location. A low-energy master plan has been devised to block low-angle/high-glare morning and evening sun. And the resort will have green landscape stripes incorporated to create a mountain terrain of commercial and residential development that mirrors the natural mountains off in the distance. These stripes are positioned in an east-to-west direction to frame the most dramatic views, while providing for the best shading system to offset Taiwanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot and humid tropical climate. With the primary harshness of the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rays blocked out, more favourable north-south light will be allowed to flow into the units. Further discouraging heat

nce upon a time, not that long ago, a prominent section of land in Taipei, Taiwan, was home to a dreary, rundown industrial and factory region. But through a top-to-bottom green game plan conceived by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), architects based in Copehagen, all that grime and grit will soon be a distant memory. BIG, working with the Taiwan Land Development Corporation (TLDC), will be creating a worldclass beach resort with a lengthy checklist of sustainable features. Located on the northern coast of Taiwan, fronting the East China Sea, near the confluence of two rivers, the Hualien Beach Resort

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

WINTER 2013

gain will be a tangle of green roofs. Upon completion, the resort will be promoted as a residential, commercial destination/ tourist health spa. Three programmatic rings will intersect onsite to create three courtyards, with a shared community area at the intersection. With a network of pedestrian/bike paths weaving through the ground-level commercial space, car traffic on the site will be virtually eliminated. The BIG design pays careful attention to green living and its benefits. The green roofs will provide shade and help to remove heat from the air through evapotranspiration. Through photosynthesis, the plants will help manufacture a healthy, oxygen-enhanced air. Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

The inner courtyard will be surrounded by inclining green walls as the roof meets the ground. Indoors, residents will be living next door to nature as the sloping roof gardens sweep past windows and balconies, bringing lush vegetation within reach of apartment inte-

riors. These types of features were attained by utilizing various forms of engineering analysis conducted. Extensive wire mesh planting and rainwater collection systems were also incorporated. All in all, BIG believes the seamless combi-

nation of architecture and nature will provide a quintessential environment for communal facilities and sustainable living … leading to a healthy and happy lifestyle. Web: www.big.dk

Urbandale model home with exterior insulation.

How an Ottawa builder is using exterior foundation insulation to build better basements

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

WINTER 2013

URBANDALE’S PROUD FOUNDATIONS

rive through a new Urbandale community in Ottawa, and you may notice something different about the houses. With most houses built in Canada, the brick overhangs the foundation by a couple of inches. In new homes built by Urbandale, the foundation actually extends past the brick, hence their name for this new approach, Proud Foundations. “What we’ve done is moved the insulation from the interior of the foundation to the exterior” says Matthew Sachs, General Manager of Urbandale Construction. “This keeps the concrete foundation from freezing, which has a number of benefits, including eliminating the chance of moisture problems due to condensation, and reducing the chance of foundation cracks.”

Exterior foundation insulation has been standard practice in commercial construction for years, but is rarely used in residential construction due to the higher cost and attention to detail needed to install it correctly. Urbandale has come up with an innovative way to install exterior insulation that’s cost effective and easy to replicate. In order to ensure that condensation doesn’t occur on the inside face of the foundation, you need to have the correct ratio of internal and exterior insulation. Urbandale studied the design criteria for building in Ottawa’s climate and determined that if two thirds of the insulation is placed on the exterior, then the inner face of the foundation wall will never be cold enough to experience condensation. Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

All houses in Canada experience some condensation in the wall assembly throughout the year. In most cases the condensation will evaporate without causing problems, but in some cases, and especially in new homes with large amounts of moisture in the concrete, the condensation can build up which can easily lead to mould. “A poured concrete foundation holds literally thousands of liters of water and can take up to a year to fully dry out”, explains Sachs. “During the first year it’s critical to ensure that condensation doesn’t build up inside the wall assembly, and with our Proud Foundations the conditions are never there for condensation to occur.” Urbandale’s approach also makes basements more comfortable. A concrete foundation that is allowed to freeze in the winter will make the basement feel clammy and damp. If the concrete is never allowed to freeze, then it’s easier to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature in the basement. Urbandale also installs insulation underneath the slab, so that heat can’t escape through the floors and the floors are more comfortable to walk on. Cracks can occur in concrete foundations when the foundation is subject to repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Concrete is porous which means that the foundation can soak up water like a sponge. When the concrete freezes the water turns to ice and expands, putting extra internal pressures on the concrete. This process of freezing and thawing can make a small crack expand as the pressure literally rips the concrete from the inside out. If the concrete is never allowed to freeze, then this process cannot occur, which reduces the chance of foundation cracks. Urbandale’s

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

BACK TO NATURE Thai project Amphibious Habitat borrows from existing ecological systems to tackle delta flooding problems

ight now, it’s in the experimental design stage, but an ambitious concept put forth by Bangkok’s MAB Studio takes aim at the flooding problem in Thailand in a back-to-the-future way.

It could be called Sustainable Living 101. As it stands, though, the apt name for the project is Amphibious Habitat; and it has lofty goals – patterning residential buildings after the complex natural workings of coastal mangrove forests.

As MAB’s Achawin Laohavichairat explains to Green Living and Sustainable Strategies magazine, Thailand’s history has much in common with water communities such as Venice, Italy.

Close-up of Urbandale’s Proud Foundations

approach to exterior insulation also includes a waterproof elastomeric coating on the outside of the insulation, further reducing the chance of moisture getting into the house through foundation cracks. Urbandale is clearly proud of their new approach, and with good reason. With land prices rising, houses are being built on a smaller footprint, and homeowners are trying to get more out of their home. A more comfortable basement, thanks to Urbandale’s Proud Foundations and under-slab insulation, increases the amount of usable space. Says Sachs, “We feel that the basement shouldn’t be just the space underneath your home, it should be more of your home.”

Urbandale’s Basement Wall Assembly (Described from the inside-out) - Drywall - Batt insulation in stud cavity - Poured concrete foundation - Spray-on waterproof membrane/vapour barrier - Rigid glass fibre insulation - Elastomeric coating

WINTER 2013

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

“Our climate and our typography teaches us to live with water,” he says. “Whether it is a Thai house, a floating market, transportation by water – it’s part of our past.” Laohavichairat believes Thailand has gotten away from its sustainable watery roots – citing the unstable delta flood tide situations and coastal erosion originating from industrial

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

destruction – and the Amphibious Habitat idea offers a way out of the current dilemma. “This concept is just an idea to create space that supports living with water,” he says. “If we can’t survive with water like our ancestors did, then we should look at nature and perhaps we can learn how to do that.” By studying the mangroves, MAB found

that the trees were able to adapt to surrounding environment and weather changes. One example: mangrove roots protect small fish when water levels change. “We tried to design buildings that can exist within such a changing environment, when water moves up and down (such as flooding conditions),” Laohavichairat says.

WINTER 2013

He also says MAB looked at biological mimicry, how people living in this type of residential project could draw inspiration from the natural ebb and flow. In a perfect world, the Amphibious Habitat design would become part of a new community, the architect says, that could adapt and support an unstable delta by utilizing the

WINTER 2013

natural ecological system. “The architecture would adjust to the changing environment and would provide infrastructure, urban facilities, energy management and living space to encourage the life process.” For now, the MAB team is buoyed by the selection of the concept for the finals of a Thai design competition – the ASA (As-

sociation of Siamese Architects) Exposition in 2012. As for future aspirations? “As a society, we don’t need to escape from these kinds of [survival] problems, we need to face them and learn how to live with nature.” Web: mabstudiodesign.wordpress.com

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

Discovered when Ledcor Renew did its initial building optimization studies, says Jonathan Westeinde, Ledcor Renew’s Vice President, the found floor serves as an example of “the reality that no building is the same”. “The proper analysis is only accurate when focusing on building-specific data and determining the appropriate individual building optimization metrics.” He says energy, water and general operational efficiencies are the top-line items most clients gravitate to when considering a retrofit, but “generally we end up with at least 50 per cent of our business consisting of savings and 50 per cent from new revenues realized from space optimization.” At 77 Bloor Street West, there were special challenges – none more obvious than the fact that all the renovations had to be done while the building was fully occupied. Herlihey says Ledcor Renew met with the client, discussed methodologies and integrated some of the restraints needed regarding tenants and floor availabilities. “We listened to the client’s wishes,” he explains. “Our program intent was to take a 1969 mechanical system and fully modify it from a constant volume, perimeter-induction and interior system to a VAV (variable air volume)

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

he retrofit of an existing office building in the heart of Toronto’s downtown business district uncovered a treasure trove of savings and new revenue streams. Much more than a vintage Sixties’ building with a few energy upgrades, the 77 Bloor Street West project is testament to the kinds of bonus 36 Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

paybacks that can often be nurtured with such renewal projects. Ledcor Renew, which specializes in retrofitting existing structures, started the ball rolling at 77 Bloor Street West, demonstrating to property manager Morguard Realty Holdings that a business case could be made showing how the 21-storey site would be rejuvenated for another 25-plus years.

There was more of an upside, as it turns out – much, much more. Most noticeably, Ledcor Renew was able to create an entirely new level of leasable office space by converting a mechanical plenum floor. “We were able to show that the mechanical room was redundant and could be modified to become office space,” said Ledcor Renew’s Project Director David Herlihey. WINTER 2013

night – open ceiling tiles and remove existing ductwork and install replacements, for example,” says Herlihey. “The mechanical system change was done in sections over eight nights per floor. We staggered the switch over from one area to the next so that at any time, part of the old and new systems were being utilized to maintain temperature. This methodology also had to be adjusted since some floors were completed in winter and others in summer, through the 11-month renovation.” Ultimately, operating costs were reduced through energy conservation and the project, completed in September 2013, is now targeting LEED® Gold status. The mechanical and electrical system upgrades and window retrofit improve energy performance and increase tenant comfort. Aesthetic upgrades to the ground floor, including a new canopy, upgraded entrance and dramatic lighting, added architectural interest. “Morguard was an excellent client to work with,” says Westeinde. “They understood the value of a holistic integrated building retrofit that would deliver the best short, and long-term returns for their investors.” This innovative project at 77 Bloor Street West included the renovation and optimization of a 21-storey office building with ground floor retail at the corner of Bay and Bloor Streets, one of Canada’s most prominent retail shopping districts. Amenities included are shopping, entertainment, banking, professional suites, high-end fashion design studios and two levels of underground parking. The goal was to reposition the building as Class A calibre, improving the overall long-term returns as well as tenant comfort and retention. Ledcor Renew, a Ledcor Group business division that specializes in retrofitting existing structures, was chosen as a partner to help measure, examine, analyze and implement a building retrofit to achieve those goals.

Retrofit of office tower in Toronto’s commercial district generates bonus paybacks By Greg McMillan

controlled system with new DDC (direct digital controls), and perimeter radiators complete with new punch windows. The retrofitters circumvented many of the inconveniences associated with working in an occupied office building by following a nighttime regimen. “We had to work above occupants’ desks at

Web: www.ledcor.com/renew WINTER 2013

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

TODAY

2015

2020

2025

2030

Energy, Water, and CO2 from Transportation Reduction Energy, Water, and CO2 from Transportation Consumption

IS TORONTO READY FOR A 2030 DISTRICT? By Jeff Ranson Executive Director, Toronto 2030 District

ontinent-wide, an ambitious urban building conservation initiative is seeks to address the environmental impacts of buildings. “2030 Districts” have been established in Seattle, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles, with over twenty other cities in the exploratory phase. Here in Toronto, a team lead by BOMA Toronto, the Ontario Association of Architects and Sustainable Buildings Canada expects to launch the Toronto 2030 District in December 2013. The Toronto 2030 District aims to leverage local programs, district-wide benchmarking and economies of scale to accelerate the pace of innovation in building performance. First established in Seattle, 2030 Districts are in the leading edge of the national effort to

Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

create long-term partnerships, coalitions, and collaboration around achievable and measurable conservation goals. The provides a framework for mobilizing the renovation of hundreds of millions of square feet of existing urban and suburban buildings and infrastructure, the advancement of high performance building management practices, and adoption of new green building design. 2030 Districts are unique private/public partnerships that bring property owners and managers together with local governments, businesses, and community stakeholders to provide a business model for urban sustainability through collaboration, leveraged financing, and shared resources. Together they benchmark, develop and implement creative strategies, best practices and verification methods for measuring progress towards a common goal for the building sector. The basis for this program is laid out by Architecture 2030 in the 2030 Challenge for Planning. The targets are ambitious, but recent changes to Energy Requirements in the Ontario Building Code, a highly skilled professional class, and huge increase in building management improvements in the commercial sector goes a long way to getting us there. By focusing

The partners plan to expand on local successes, drive participation in conservation programs and engage building market segments that have been traditionally less active or well served. One of the most critical activities will be to serve the local conservation market. Toronto has a number of utility programs, NGOs and government agencies working on common issues related to urban sustainability, but coordination between those groups is largely ad hoc. The 2030 District provides an opportunity to convene different groups and market sectors that share the downtown area to discuss oppor-

CARBON NEUTRAL*

2015 2020 2025 2030

TODAY Energy

Water

Energy

Water

CO2 from Transportation Reduction

CO2 from Transportation Consumption

The 2030 Challenge for Planning: New Buildings & Major Renovations

tunities for reaching district-wide targets. That may means making people aware of an existing program and directing more projects their way, or maybe its transferring knowledge from one market segment to another (i.e. BOMA’s commercial building success to condominium managers). The backbone of the 2030 District is building performance data. The collection of this districtwide data will let building owners benchmark their performance at the local level instead of using National data limited to their own portfolio, or proxy US National data through the EPA’s Target Finder.

In addition, this data will help to quantify sector specific impacts and opportunities like never before. Best of all, the work being done to set the baselines for building types and protocols for data collection in Canada will establish a framework through which other Canadian Cities can follow suit. 2030 represents sixteen years or roughly three generations of construction. It also represents a common deadline for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, set by groups around the world. Significant change is needed and possible in that timeframe and a 2030 District can provide the focus and support to get us there.

TORONTO

2030

on these targets within a specified “District” the program benefits from shared resources, and common issues, local design and approaches and services, as well as community cohesiveness to mobilize change. The proposed Toronto 2030 District would make it the largest area to date, with boundaries from Bathurst St. to the Don Valley, and Dupont to Lake Ontario. The market here will make it unique in several other ways. First and foremost, the pace of construction in the downtown area is far greater than what other Districts are seeing as they recover from the slowdown in 2008. Secondly, the commercial sector is very active through programs like BOMA BESt, Race to Reduce and LEED EB: O&M. Whereas other cities have experienced reluctance from local chapters of BOMA, the leadership and momentum established here in Toronto makes them an important and willing partner. Alongside BOMA, the OAA, who is developing a OAA+2030 Professional Education Series focused on capacity building in the design community and SBC, which has an extensive history of delivering building design and conservation programs alongside utilities such as Enbridge, comprise the founding members. WINTER 2013

90%

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Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

GREEN GLOBES THE LITTLE GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM THAT COULD…

Conceptual illustration of Deep Green ocean current array

By Jiri Skopek AA Dip., OAA, MCIP, RIBA

DEEP GREEN ‘UNDERWATER KITE’ TO HARNESS TIDAL ENERGY

reen certifications help to ensure that buildings are energy and resource efficient, achieve operational efficiencies and savings, and are healthier to work or live in. Whereas LEED has been the platform for “leadership” in green buildings, another lesser-known system, called Green Globes, has, since its inception a decade ago, aimed to bring green buildings into the mainstream by offering an affordable, user-friendly system. Now that green buildings are no longer just limited to “leaders” but are generally considered mainstream, the need for an affordable approach, transparency and benchmarking is greater than ever. And while Green Globes may not be as well-known as LEED, it has demonstrated that it is “the little green building rating system that could”. December 2013 marks the launch of the updated Green Globes for New Construction, which is largely based on the ANSI/GBI 01-2010 standard. Improved energy modelling, life cycle assessments and product environmental performance declarations (EPDs) are just a few of the tools that are available to the building industry. With these advances, Green Globes for New Construction Version 2 puts greater emphasis on quantifiable criteria. Version 2 also includes innovation criteria, which, similarly to the Living Building Challenge, focus on positive contributions of the building to the environment rather than just reduction of its environmental impact. And yet, notwithstanding the updates, Green Globes is still as user-friendly and affordable as ever. 40 Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

Green Globes differs from other systems primarily with respect to its streamlined format and submission requirements. The assessment is in the format of an online questionnaire that produces automated reporting. Submission requirements consist of actual working documents, most of which are normally produced in the course of doing any green project. For example, the required documentation for a new construction project would include the actual drawings and specifications, modelling studies, records of integrated design sessions and evidence of required studies and plans such an Acoustic Plan, an Erosion Control Plan, a Commissioning Plans and so forth. Because there are no additional requirements other than documents which should normally be produced anyway, this greatly reduces the time and cost of producing a submission. Green Globes for New Construction and Significant Renovation, in addition to being a rating and certification tool also helps design teams address integrated green design principles. This is done through (optional) plain-language questionnaires, which are designed to facilitate discussion at the goal setting and concept design stages. Since ninety percent of design decisions are typically made during the first ten percent

of the design process, using this integrated approach can help to ensure that sustainability goals are established before design decisions have been made, and that these are monitored throughout each stage of the project. Today, the Green Globes system is used by large developers and property management companies, including, the Canadian federal government, which has adopted the program for its entire real estate portfolio. In Canada, the version for existing buildings is operated by BOMA Canada under the brand name ‘BOMA BESt’. All other Green Globes products in Canada are owned and operated by ECD Energy and Environment Canada Ltd. A large part of the Green Globes success is its simplicity. Because it provides an all-in-one self-assessment, reporting tool and integrated design guide, this makes it possible to develop and assess sustainable designs in-house at a fraction of the time and cost of other assessment methodologies. Jiri Skopek, Managing Director, Sustainability with ECD Jones Lang LaSalle, is an architect and planner with over 30 years of experience in sustainable development. He is best known for developing the suite of Green Globes environmental assessment tools. WINTER 2013

wedish company Minesto, a spin-off from automaker Saab, recently unveiled an underwater kite, called “Deep Green”, which can produce energy from the movement of ocean currents. Minesto is a marine energy technology company with a patented technology for cost effective electricity production from tidal and ocean currents. For the first time ever a marine power plant designed for low velocity currents produces electricity at sea, anywhere in the world, and the ocean trials verify the ability to unlock ocean currents as a renewable energy source. “This is a breakthrough for the entire renewable energy industry. We will produce renewable electricity with high reliability at a cost that will compete, or even be lower, than conventional energy sources.” said Minesto’s CEO Anders Jansson. Deep Green resembles an underwater kite with a wing and a 3-foot-long turbine attached to a rudder and a 39-foot wingspan, WINTER 2013

Kite power: the tide creates a lift increasing the flow of water into the turbines by 10 times

GreenBuildinG GreenBuildinG GreenBuildinG & SuStainable StrategieS

& SuStainable StrategieS

which is tethered to the floor with a 330-foot cable. As water flows over device, it lifts up the wing and rotates the turbine to generate electricity. The force-bearing tether attached to Deep Green also holds power cables that will transfer the generated energy back to the control system. Minesto’s award winning product, Deep Green, is the only marine power plant that operates cost effectively in areas with low velocity currents The company hopes a full-scale Deep Green generator will be commercially available within the next four years, adding to the available options for renewable energy sources. Tidal energy generation is usually more expensive than wind or solar power, but the predictability of the tides compensates for the extra initial cost, because unlike solar and wind energy, the tides operate every day of the year. Read more about Minesto at www.minesto.com

& SuStainable StrategieS

The

HVAC and RENEWABLE ENERGY Issue

The Spring issue of Green Building & Sustainable Strategies magazine will focus on green challenges for HVAC and renewable energy. This is a great opportunity to showcase your green offerings to the industry. To place an ad or have your company featured, please contact Giulio Marinescu - Publisher at 416-250-0664 or publisher@gbssmag.com Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

SYNTHESIS DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE

SHANGHAI WUZHOU INTERNATIONAL PLAZA Status: Invited Competition (first place) Client: Hong Kong Wuzhou International Group Co., Ltd. Location: Shanghai, China Program: Mixed-use office, hotel, retail, entertainment & lifestyle development Area: 180,000 square metres Project Budget: $250,000,000 U.S. Design Team: Synthesis Design + Architecture (design architect) Web: www.synthesis-dna.com DESIGN STATEMENT

ocated along Huatai Road in the third ring of the urban metropolis of Shanghai, the Shanghai Wuzhou International plaza embodies the energy and vibrancy of the city’s distinct urban environment. Inspired by traditional Chinese concepts of Yin and Yang, the “Urban Canyon” is organized as two-nested rock-like volumes which have been broken apart to reveal a flowing canyon condition which connects the project to the urban fabric of the city. The northern block features an enclosed four-story luxury retail shopping podium anchored by the corporate headquarters of developer Hong Kong Wuzhou International Group and a five-star hotel tower. The southern 42

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block is composed of a four-level retail, lifestyle and entertainment complex anchored by two office towers. The fluid canyon condition connects the two entry plazas of the site with a “river” of freestanding detached retail units with a network of connective sky bridges, while simultaneously curating a series of framed views within the

site. A series of green space “islands” are distributed within the river to provide natural shading and to soften the urban condition. At the mouth of each canyon is a landscaped entry plaza framed by the portal created by its respective towers. Integrated landscaping, furnishings, and lighting within the plaza hardWINTER 2013

scape are arranged in pulse like formations which stimulate and encourage visual and pedestrian activity. The dynamic patterning of the plaza is further expressed in the striated articulations that define the pattern of the cladding. This pattern embodies the pulses of activity and urban energy of the city to merge facade with roof and WINTER 2013

podium with tower, which is conceptualized as the river that has carved the canyon. The facade is to be clad with RHEINZINK standing-seam titanium zinc panels, while the roof system utilizes RHEINZINK double standing-seam titanium zinc panels. The roof area is equipped with interior gutters at its lowest points and is covered with perforated

standing-seam profiles to protect it from soiling. The building material needs no maintenance because of the material’s patina, which develops during the course of natural weathering and protects it from corrosion. The patina is a layer of zinc carbonate, which regenerates itself. Web: www.synthesis-dna.com Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

The gaps between the mesh would provide the space needed for the installation of the 600 wind turbines. The turbines, says NL Architects, would be quiet and sculptural, as opposed to larger, noisier alternatives. In its brief to the Taiwan competition, NL stated: “Tower of Power is not just a symbol of good intentions; it actually produces green energy. Instead of being yet another ‘empty’ icon, it actually is a usable object. “Next to its required functionality as sightseeing tower and telecommunication base, it is an environmentallyfriendly power plant. And Tower of Power is also an attempt to investigate how power plants of the future can be turned into objects of beauty.”

TOWER OF POWER

Web: www.nlarchitects.nl

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Dutch architects hold out hope that skyscraper project utilizing wind power will come to fruition By Greg McMillan

ith an eye trained directly on a sustainable future, Amsterdam-based NL Architects has come up with plans for an energy-generating skyscraper that would harness the power of 600 wind turbines. The project first came to light recently when NL Architects entered the concept – dubbed Tower of Power – in the Taiwan Conceptual Tower International Competition. While its bid did not win, a spokesperson for NL Architects says that there is definite interest in this innovative idea, and they are confident an energy company will 44

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help see it through to fruition. The project would utilize 600 wind turbines to produce six megawatts of electricity. In addition to its renewable energy-generating capabilities, NL’s spokesperson said the landmark tower would provide an observation deck, meeting space, office space, museum, and parking. The lace-like skyscraper, then, would combine mixed-use space with a productive clean energy source for a city. “The idea,” the NL spokesperson tells Green Building and Sustainable Strategies magazine,“ is to combine a type of observation tower with wind energy generation, creating a new type of sustainable landmark. To get that, we would deploy

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vertical access wind turbines and place them in the intricate ‘lace’ of the structure. Think Eiffel Tower plus wind energy equals landmark of the future.” Inspiration for the Tower of Power design came from a “bamboo basket” concept. There would be a meshed exterior encasing all the of building’s elements. The way the design of the structure weaves in and out would create an intricate pattern and series of spaces that would offer city views. The mesh-like tower would have small vertical axis turbines installed into the façade, all of which would produce the projected amount of clean energy power. WINTER 2013

166 Freemont St. concord, oN L4K 5H6 Tel: 416-738-0472 • Fax: 905-553-1144 Email: trinkler@hotmail.com

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Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

SUSTAINABLE SHAKEUP The World Green Center in Chile improves quality of life for workers and provides business district makeover By Greg McMillan

ecisions, decisions, decisions – cCe Architects of Santiago, Chile, had one after another to make when they were planning the LEED-pending World Green Center.

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“But every decision we made in the project,” says Cristobal Correa Ehlers, Partner and Founder of cCe, “aimed to improve the quality of life of the people who work there.” Those sustainable goals – a human impact, if you will – were first and foremost, and the results can be seen everywhere at

the building, located in the business district of Huechuraba in Santiago, the capital city of the South American country. Let’s start at the beginning. Besides its location, architects looked at the site’s relation to the city, connecting roads, sunlight, prevailing winds, people flow, existing infrastructure, WINTER 2013

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green spaces and public areas. Then consideration was given to occupation strategy, the difference in levels on the building, the inclined façades and the roof slope – in a nutshell: the overall design. With an expansive, landscaped roof and more than 72 per cent of the ground surface WINTER 2013

“green,” the World Green Center also has a passive design that reduces solar radiation and substantially cuts back the energy used for air conditioning. The green roof, by the way, is covered with terraces and gardens that also serve as a buffer for the tropical heat.

With any extra space found, the architects incorporated public areas, or an infrastructure that connects commuters and draws them toward such features as convention centres, art galleries, or theatres. All in all, the development creates a link with the street and the rest of the city’s business district. Green Building & Sustainable Strategies

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Correa Ehlers is proud of the human impact and sustainable features, saying “we intend for this office building to become a reference for a new way to design buildings in Chile.” Sustainable features, he tells Green Building and Sustainable Strategies magazine, include natural cross ventilation in 100 per cent of the offices, natural light in 100 per cent of the vertical cores and lobbies, natural light in 100 per cent of the office spaces and collection and reuse of air conditioning waste water and graywater. He says human impact considerations include: • Green roof terraces: Nine hundred people from top-floor offices have a direct relationship with nature. “That relationship with nature increases mind health of every worker and helps in having a healthy work environment.” • Public green park covering 70 per cent of the site: “For the people who don’t have green in their immediate office area, there is a public

park at the street level, allowing everyone access to green space.” • Natural light in 100 per cent of the office spaces: “To work with natural light, instead of artificial, increases the quality of life at work, leading to a better working performance.” (Artificial light is used only by night.) “This type of building not only takes energy

efficiency into consideration,” Correa Ehlers adds, “but it also embodies the final user experience, providing quality public spaces and interior areas with the best environmental conditions. Those elements, combined, make this a truly sustainable building.” Web: www.ccearquitectos.com

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40 UNDER 40

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