4b Studio - Technical Report by Natalia Semenova

Project Title A Children’s Library and Discovery Centre for the Galt City Centre of Cambridge, Ontario

Arch 691 Comprehensive Building Design Technical Report Submission Professor Terri Boake Due Date: December 18, 2015

Student: Natalia Semenova ID#: 20619401

Context Project Drawings

Introduction

Structure

Skin and Envelope Design and Strategies

Efficient Design Strategies

Environmental Systems and Services

Life Safety

Barrier Free Design

Environmental Site Strategies

Environmental Design: LEED Criteria and My Building

Concluding Comments

Bibliography

Melville St. N

Rear St.

3000 7200

Grand Ave Blair Rd.

4500

11 000

20 m

Blair Rd.

3000

TODDLER ZONE

3000

H MULTIPURPOSE AREA PLAY ZONE / BOARD GAMES

T.W/R

STOR.

3000

STORY TELLING

T.W/R

02 G

3000

MECH. & ELECTRICAL ROOM

W/R

3000

STORAGE 02

TEACHING KITCHEN

3000

STAFF OFFICES BOOK STOCK

30 000

C.T.

CIRCULATION DESK

3000

STAFF ROOM

CLOAK ROOM

3000

LUNCH AREA / CAFFE

ARTS & CRAFTS STUDIO

3000

9000

Grand Ave

3000

6000

3000

6400

3600

31 000 1

10 m

Blair Rd.

3000

K 03

3000

QUIET STUDY

3000

02 G J.C.

3000

ROOFTOP GARDEN

30 000

3000

STORAGE

3000

CYBER ZONE

3000

GREENHOUSE

3000

LEARN TO READ

3000

9000

Grand Ave

3000

6000

3000

6400

3600

31 000 1

10 m

Section 1 - 1

+ 11 000

+ 9 800

+ 8 500

D4 + 6 200

+ 3 900 + 3 250

+ 0. 000

- 1 300

9000

3000

6000

3000

6400

3600

31 000 1

10 m

Section 2 - 2

+ 11 700 + 11 000

+ 9 800 D2 + 8 200 + 7 200

+ 5 000 + 3 900 + 3 250

+ 0. 000

- 1 300

9000

3000

6000

3000

6400

3600

31 000 1

10 m

Section 3 - 3

+ 11 000

+ 8 200

D1 + 3 250

+ 0. 000

- 1 300 - 2 000

3000

24 000 B

10 m

East Elevation

Grand Ave.

10 m

South Elevation

10 m

West Elevation

10 m

North Elevation

Blair Road

10 m

River-Washed Stone Woven Polyolefin Filter Fabric 2 Layer Extruded Polystyrene Insulation, 150 mm Drainage Mat, 10 Mm 1-Ply Tremco Tra Elastomeric Sheeting (Air, Water And Vapour Control Layer) 2 Layer Plywood Wood Decking, 64 mm Wood Purlins, 120

Section 3 - Detail 01

Earth Fill _80mm Filter Cloth Gravel Aggregate_80mm Drainage Mat _40mm Corian Panel White, 14 mm Air Gap Keil Mechanical fixing system Xps Rigid Board Insulation W/ Ship Lapped Seams, 130 mm Water, Air and Vapour Control Membrane (Blueskin Sa) Exterior Gypsum Sheathing, 12mm Metal Studs/ Srvice Space, 100 mm Interior Gypsum Board, 12mm Wall Finish / Stucco, White Paint Gluelam Column, 300x200 mm

Section 3 - Detail 01 Keil Mechanical Fixing System for Ventilated Facades

Triple Glazing Window, 7550 Kawneer, Spectrally Selective Glass Corian Panel White, 14 mm Air Gap Keil Mechanical fixing system Xps Rigid Board Insulation W/ Ship Lapped Seams, 130 mm Water, Air and Vapour Control Membrane (Blueskin Sa) Exterior Gypsum Sheathing, 12mm Metal Studs/ Srvice Space, 100 mm Interior Gypsum Board, 12mm Wall Finish / Stucco, White Paint Gluelam Column, 300x200 mm

Section 3 - Detail 01

Kawneer AA™250/425 Thermal Entrance Door Extruded Aluminium Threshold Concrete Sidewalk, 125 mm

Floor Finish, Rubber Tile Floor, 10 mm Concrete Slab on Grade w/ Radiant Heating, 120 mm Rigid Insulation, 60 mm Air/ Water/ Vapour Barrier Gravel Aggregate, 80 mm

Waterproofing Membrane 2 Layer Rigid Insulation, 100 mm Air/ Water/ Vapour Barrier Cast-in-Place Concrete Foundation, 300 mm

Section 2 - Detail 02

Planted Layer, 150mm Irrigation Tubes, 200mm Loose Soil, 600mm Gravel, 400mm Weeping Tile Root Inhibitor Membrane, 2 Layer Ridged Insulation, 150 mm Filter Cloth Dimple Board Vapour Barrier Concrete Slab, 250 mm Interior Gypsum Board, 12mm Ceiling Paint

Concrete Paving, 40 mm 2ply SBS Bitumen Roofing Membrane 2 Layer Extruded Polystyrene Insulation, 150 mm Drainage Mat, 10 Mm 1-Ply Tremco Tra Elastomeric Sheeting (Air, Water And Vapour Control Layer) 2 Layer Plywood Wood Decking, 64 mm Wood Purlins, 120

White Paint Interior Gypsum Board, 12mm Air Gap/ Service Space, 60 mm Concrete Block, 250 mm Air Gap/ Service Space, 60 mm Interior Gypsum Board, 12mm White Paint

Section 2 - Detail 03 Section 1 - Detail 04

Watts RD-100-CJ Stainless Steel Roof Drain 2 Ply SBS Bitumen Roofing Membrane Rigid Insulation, 80 mm Drainage Mat, 10 Mm 1-Ply Tremco Tra Elastomeric Sheeting (Air, Water And Vapour Control Layer) 1 Layer Plywood Wood Decking, 64 mm Wood Purlins, 120 Glulam Beam , 450 mm

Section 2 - Detail 03 Section 1 - Detail 04

Wall Plants Wall Vine Screen Horizontal Steel Member, 18 mm Wall Container, 150 mm Metal Stud Wall, 60mm Interior Gypsum Board, 12mm White Paint

Wall Plants Wall Drip Line Growth Media Filter Fabric Insulation Heating Wire Drainage Pipe

Introduction The proposed project is situated on the on intersection of Grand Avenue and Blair Street in the historical Galt town centre of Cambridge. An existing Main Library is 140 m away in the same block, and at the moment housing adults and kids activities as well as community spaces. The proposed Children’s Library intent is to accommodate kids at the age from 0 to 12 years old, and provide them with all necessary leaning activates spaces. Only essential book shelving and storage space are provided, taking in account the close location of the Main Library, which housing all the resources, bigger storage spaces and larger staff body. Also, the proposed project intent is to integrate public spaces which are absent at the Main Library, such as a Café (70 people capacity), Multipurpose Space (up to 90 people capacity depending on use), Leaning Kitchen ( 24 people capacity). The proposed design is 2 story, 1597 sq.m. public building with 832 sq.m. footprint (61% site coverage), no basement, with roof elevator service space.

Program First Floor

832 sq.m.

Lobby, Circulation Desk, Storytelling Cafe /Lunch Area Arts & Crafts Studio Teaching Kitchen + Staff Rm Toddler Zone Multipurpose Area / Play Zone Staff Offices Book Stock Airlock / Stroller Storage Cloak Room Washrooms Storage Spaces Mech. & Electrical Stairs

246.3 82.3 55.7 41.6. 86.5 84.6 53.4 6.6 15.6 7.1 22.6 7.1 9.4 31.5

Second Floor 765 sq.m. Reading, Atrium Sitting, Book Shelving Space Learn To Read Area Cyber Zone Quiet Study Rooftop Garden Greenhouse Washrooms, Janitor Closet Storage Spaces

211.3 73 72.6 84.6 133.8 74.7 7.8 13.7

Site The site is 1350 sq.m square lot in mostly residential area with a scattering of businesses occupying some of the houses. The site is across from a small park square a city block from the main city square, and also near several churches and a large downtown senior’s residential complex. The West and South sides of the site are facing private backyards with series of trees on the West side. The Climate zone 6. Cold dry climate with hot-humid summer weather. The average temperature of the warmest month is greater than 50°F (10°C), while the coldest month is less than -22°F (-30°C). Winters are severe with snowstorms, strong winds, and bitter cold from Continental Polar or Arctic air masses. Annual average precipitation is 831 mm (32.72 in). Expected direct sunlight from South and West with 32% Window to Wall Ratio. Moderate (20 - 40 in) exposure to rain and moisture. Exposure to noise from busy street on the West side of the building. Moderated interior climate classes. Greenhouse and Rooftop Garden do not require special control conditions. The Galt area is mostly bedrock. Technical Aspects The proposed project is 2 story, 1500sq.m. Glulam Post-and-Beam load bearing structure, on 3000mx9000m structural grid with Light-gauge Steel Framing as building enclosure and Corian Panels as a rainscreen cladding. Design intent is to create a high performance enclosure by reducing operational energy consumption of the building (heating, cooling, ventilation), and control water, air, vapour and heat penetration. Provide strength and rigidity to the structure, as well as durability and low maintenance. Create resistance to solar heating, UV radiation, temperature swings, wind load. Use sustainable and local materials. Provide noise and fire control.

Children's Library Idea Exchange

Parking Bla

e St. N

ir S

Georg

e d Av

Gran

een

in S

Bla

ir S

Bla

ir S

Gra

Bla

ir S

Ave nd

Gra

Ave

Gra

Ave

Gra

ve dA

n Gra

Ave

E N Bla

ir S

Bla

ir S

Bla

ir S

ve dA

W Gr

Ave and

n Gra

Gra

Ave nd

Gra

Ave

Structure A courtyard is chosen as a building typology in order to create unifying central gathering space in the heart of the library. For that purpose a building mass horizontally was divided into three semi-equal parts (spans 9m – 12m – 10m), where a middle part is an atrium space. A combination of open spaces is required in order to accommodate building program and provide flexibility. Also the program has stepping up profile in the section (2 levels on the North side and one level on the South) and at the same time includes an accessible roof top garden. Considering a potential books load and children’s active behavior, the Post-and-Beam structural system seams the most appropriate, allowing an equal distribution of loads and a flexible floorplan. Taking into an account an idea of creating a Leaning Space which also will be teaching an environmental values, wood was chosen as a locally available ecological material. Having such an aesthetic qualities as natural warmth, texture, color and smell, a decision was made to create an exposed wooden structure space. The glulam wood structure is required in order to run 9m, 12m and 10m spans. 200mmx300mm glulam columns were placed on 3000mx9000m structural grid with 200mmx450mm glulam beams. Instead of diagonal bracing, the same 200mx450m glulam beams were used in combination with adjacent loadbearing structural walls of staircases, for rigidity and thrust between columns. Following a tectonics of chosen structure, wooden trusses (2m hight, and 11.7mlong) are used to support a roof over the atrium space. In this case monotrusses are beneficial in order to open up atrium space to South sunlight and reflect light into the reading spaces. 60mmx120mm exposed Wood Purlins are used to create structural rhythm in the exposed ceiling and support floor and roof structure. Concreate strip footings 1 300mm deep are placed below the frost line potentially on a bedrock, in order to equally distribute structural load to the ground and to control the settlement. 120mm concreate slab on grade with radiant heating over concreate foundation is used for the floor system of a ground level. 38mm Wood Deck with 70mm concreate slab with radiant heating over is used for the second level. 64 mm Wood Deck with 2-layer of plywood is used as the base for the roof structure. Radiant heating floor was proposed as a most appropriate heating system, taking into consideration a diversity of children’s activities. Keeping in mind a desire to have cohesion of exposed wood ceiling and wood heat transfer properties,

70mm concreate slab with radiant heating has to be placed on top of the wood deck. Simpson Hidden Steel Connectors are used in order to form non distractible illusion for wooden connections, and to create an atmosphere of simplicity and continuousness. All the partitions are not loadbearing, as well as a building enclosure. Only staircases’ core are self-load bearing CMU walls, placed in between 3mx9m space created by wooden post and beam structure. CMU is proposed as a not expensive, durable, fire and sound resistible material.

Wood Decking, 64 mm Wood Purlins, 120 mm

Glulam Columns, 200x300 mm Glulam Beams, 300x450 mm Wood Truss, h=2000 mm

Concrete Floor Slab with Radiant Heating, 70 mm Wood Decking, 38 mm

Wood Purlins, 120 mm

Glulam Columns, 200x300 mm Glulam Beams, 300x450 mm Concrete Floor Slab with Radiant Heating, 110 mm

Concrete Foundation, 300 mm

Skin and Envelope Design and Strategies Original design intention was to separate structure (support) and enclosure (control), what simplifies maintenance as well as replacement and repair as needed through building lifecycle. Having Glulam Post-and-Beam structure as a support system allows to create self-loadbearing enclosure. Taking into a consideration initial design proposal with long spans of curtainwall or storefront windows, a lightweight system was required. Light-gauge Steel Framing creates self-sufficient enclosure system and connects vertically to the glulam column system by steel framing clips connectors. Which accommodates building movements and construction tolerances, as well as allows for vertical and horizontal movement. Also the use of glue-laminated timber to undergo less drying shrinkage and placing Light-gauge Steel Framing outside of gluelaminated structure instead of “in-between the floor slabs” creates flexibility in thermal movements, construction tolerances, makes the construction process and designing control much easier. The next step was to apply principals of Ventilated Façade system to the building enclosure, in order to control heat, cold, moisture, and noise. Exterior insulation layer is proposed to be placed outside the steel studs (not in between) for two reasons. First of all, this approach allows to combine water, air and vapor control layers into one (Blueskin SA) and simplifies connections at the joints, windows, foundation and roof, what ultimately leads to more energy and performance sufficient enclosure. Secondly, exterior insulated wall creates free space for services between steel studs in the wall. Control layers are placed between insulation and the wall to protect enclosure against UV, heat, water, and air. Light-gauge Steel Framing is protected by gypsum board layer against fire, and Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood is used in combination with sprinklers. Having a rainscreen, an air gap (drainage surface), thermal mass and then wall structural steel-studs system creates a wall mass and provides building with thermal and acoustic insulation. Created air cavity between the building shell and the façade dries out the structure and allows the building to “breathe” what is essential for cold-dry winter and hot-humid summer conditions.

A light weight cladding material was required due to use of Light-gauge Steel Framing as building enclosure. Corian Exterior Cladding panels is a solution to light weight, thermal control, and weather resistance. The material itself is known for being green, having lower maintenance cost, long lasting and energy saving. Apart from that, a desire to create a Facade which is a Blank Canvas for Creative Expression helped to decide on applying Corian panels as cladding material. For the same reason, white panels were selected, as a potential surface for engraving and drawing, projection surface, up-lighting and eliminated translucency. A special attention is paid to the heat control, apart from moisture control, air control, vapor control, accommodation of building movements and construction tolerances. The following steps have been taken: - Exterior insulated wall with Xps Rigid Board Insulation 130mm with ship lapped seams (wall) or double layer of insulation lapped (roof); - Thermal break control; - Triple glassed Kawneer Spectrally Selective Glass high performance windows with 7mm thermal break, R-value = 5; - Reflective glazing; - Window to Wall Ratio: East elevation 36.7%, West elevation 32%, South elevation 38%, North elevation 23.5%; - Exterior shading devices and roof overhang on the South elevation; - Reflective properties of Corian panel; - White colored exterior Corian cladding (80% solar radiation reflected) and light colored river washed stone as a roof paving (55% solar radiation reflected) in combination with a green roof system; - Air gap created by ventilated façade system.

Du Pont Corian® Exterior Cladding

Made-To-Measure Fabrication Thing Light Weight

invisible Joints Insignificant Thermal Expansion UV Resistance

Easy Fitting The fixing method is designed to allow movement due to thermal expansion and to accommodate deflection due to wind loads and other horizontal loads that can produce rotational forces.

Easy Installation The window surroundings can also be fabricated in the same material, ensuring a perfect match between the window surroundings and the cladding.

Cold Weather Resistance and Easy to Maintain in terms of cleaning, graffiti removal, repair and replacement. Moisture resistant, excellent resistance to freeze /thaw conditions.

Shapes Flexible Can be fabricated into a variety of shapes by different forming, shaping and machining techniques to create unique designs and finishes.

A Facade as a Blank Canvas for Creative Expression

- Engraving friendly surface (text and images, textures) - Draw Surface – easy to clean - Perfect screen for diffused projection of colored Uplighting - Animated – projection surface - Translucency - interactive and unique experience by reflecting light and shadows

Efficient Design Strategies Sustainable design The project seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of the building by efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and space development. Making an accent on a conscious approach to energy and ecological conservation in the design, the fallowing components were considered: - Sustainable Energy Use through heating, ventilation and cooling system efficiency and heat pumps system; - Sustainable building materials, application of recycled materials as appropriate. Lower volatile organic compounds in applied materials as a priority, and utilisation of materials known as sustainable (for instance wood and Corian cladding); - Waste management program through the construction process, as well as through building lifecycle; - Building placement; - Minimizing light pollution (average window to wall ratio 32.5%). Passive design Through the design development a particular attention is paid to daylighting, natural ventilation, and solar energy, as well as building mass and orientation. The proposed design has a close to square plan. Such spaces as rooftop garden and greenhouse are required direct sunlight and orientated to face South. The spaces orientated to North have minimal openings (Window to Wall Ratio 23.5%). Proposed courtyard garden with playground is located on the West side of the building, which is shield from the sun by existing tries. 10 meter buffer zone is provided between the building and the surrounding vegetation. The spaces, which designed to be quiet, allocated on the west part of the site, distant from busy and noisy Grand Avenue. Public and active spaces, such as café, lobby and learn to read area, are concentrated on the east of the site along Grand Avenue. The building massing is closely linked with the building's program. The spaces with activity or equipment, which generate relatively little heat from internal loads, have a compact floor plans to avoid losing heat to the outside. This minimizes the ratio of surface area to volume, lowering heat loss to wind and radiant cooling. The densely populated spaces with high kid’s activities (such as play area or lobby/circulation desk area) generate a great deal of heat, causing high internal cooling loads. Thus, design as an advantageous for such spaces to have thinner floor plans, to get free cooling or bigger window to wall ratio. The

spaces which radiate the most heat, such as the cyber zone, offices and the mechanical & electrical room are located by the north wall of the building.

Interior buffer zones are placed in a building's west side to protect working areas from the hot afternoon sun, such as the atrium space, stairs, restrooms and service/storage spaces. Roof over the atrium is angled for optimal solar heating. In order to receive daylight instead of direct sunlight, the reading spaces are separated from the south opening by the atrium space. Roof overhangs, shading devises and light shelves are adopted on the south elevation in order to create shadow and redirect light from atrium to reading and play spaces. In combination with operable windows, the open floor plan creates natural cross ventilation and stack effect through the atrium double space. Also in the winter the atrium space creates circulation of heated air by solar heat gain from large south windows. Butterfly Pinched Roof designed to collect rain water from the roof, which is pumped to landscape, garden and toilet use. Geothermal Heat Pump is proposed for supplementary cooling in the summer and heating in the winter. Green Roof provides Cooling Effect in the summer and Waste Diversion, prolonging the service life of heating, ventilation, and HVAC systems through decreased use. Also offers stormwater management, such as reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and also moderate the temperature of the water and act as natural filters for any of the water that happens to run off. Other benefits are: moderation of urban heat island effect and improved air quality, improves energy efficiency, increases roofing membrane durability, reduction of electromagnetic radiation, noise reduction, increased biodiversity. In combination with rooftop garden and greenhouse, the green roof becomes a part of urban agriculture and provides educational opportunities, which are the main accents of this project.

summer sun 70˚

South - Green Roof. Cooling Effect. - Butterfly Pinched Roof. Rain water collection from roof. Pumped to landscape, garden and toilet use. - Geothermal Heat Pump for supplementary cooling. - Overhangs and Light Shelving create shadow and reflect direct light into the atrium. - Open Floor Plan creates cross ventilation and stack effect.

winter sun 30˚

South

- Butterfly Pinched Roof. Rain water collection from roof. Pumped to landscape, garden and toilet use. - High Celling Space. Circulation of heated air by solar heat gain from large south windows. - Geothermal Heat Pump for supplementary heating.

Environmental Systems and Services HVAC system Radian floor heating is responsible for building heating. Ventilating, cooling and air-conditioning are performed by HVAC system. All-Air a dual-duct system is used in order to separate ducks to deliver warm air and cool air to mixing boxes, which contain thermostatically controlled dampers for more energy efficiency. Combo systems is used as a water heater to provide space heating as well as hot water. Mechanical space is located on the first floor, placing the core along the north edge of the building. Air-conditioning condensing units are moved to the roof space in order to operate more efficiently when not blocked by vegetation or structures. HVAC system distribution is exposed and routed along corridors, above service and washroom spaces where possible. Building is cooling dominated in the summer and heating dominated in the winter, due to dry-cold winter and humidhot summer climate. During fall and spring, when climate is mild, the building can be operated passively. Condensation control is not an issue if the air and vapor barriers are property installed and maintained. Acoustics To reduce noise inside the building, exterior walls were detailed the way to exclude outdoor noise. Also particular attention is paid to detailing potentially noisy components of the building. Airtightness control is performed. 24” resilient channels in partitions are used to reach STC 43 where applicable. Sound-absorbent materials, such as sound attenuation blanket in partitions, are used to achieve STC 52 within rooms to reduce noise from conversations, kids play and machinery. In order to achieve great acoustic qualities (STC 60 to 64) multiple layers of interior gypsum board are used as required. Interior doors, glass partitions, floors and ductwork have sound absorbent qualities, as well as acoustical gasket in order to achieve acoustic privacy,. To avoid sound travel through ductwork, the sound-absorbing material is lined where applicable. The same design principal applies to above-ceiling plenums and below-floor service chases. Resilient matting is proposed to install between the top of the structural floor and the bottom of the finish floor to cushion floor effectively and to reduce transition of impact noise.

Suspended acoustic panels are used to provide additional acoustic comfort in high sound impact spaces, such as the café and the play room/ multipurpose space. Artificial lighting strategy Having a maximising of daylighting as a priority, environmentally friendly lighting strategies are applied towards artificial lighting for occupants’ health and wellbeing as well as energy saving. Energy Star Advanced Lighting Package is installed in combination with energy efficient light fixtures, such as 32-watt Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL). Data transmission, communication Electrical services, plumbing and other communications are run in between steel studs in partitions or in enclosure walls. Double partition system is installed as required (for example for washrooms’ plumbing). Electrical trays are used to run electrical services where applicable in the exposed ceiling.

Transportation 1300mmx1600mm wheelchair accessible elevator is installed. Elevator Service space is located above the elevator shaft with the ceiling high 2100mm and accessible from the west stair.

Radiant Heating Fresh Supply Air Exhaust Air Exit Air Outside Air Supply

HVAC Distribution

QUIET STUDY

TODDLER ZONE

MULTIPURPOSE AREA PLAY ZONE / BOARD GAMES

STOR.

STORY TELLING

T.W/R

MECH. & ELECTRICAL ROOM

STORAGE

J.C.

ROOFTOP GARDEN

C.T. W/R STORAGE

TEACHING KITCHEN

STAFF OFFICES BOOK STOCK

CYBER ZONE

CIRCULATION DESK

STAFF ROOM

GREENHOUSE

CLOAK ROOM ARTS & CRAFTS STUDIO

1st Floor

LEARN TO READ

LUNCH AREA / CAFFE

2nd Floor

Fresh Supply Air Exhaust Air

Life Safety Health and safety issues addressed in the building design detailing are following: - Safe footings. Accessible flooring transitions, acceptable gratings with attention too doors opening directions. - Fall protection. Stair handrails and acceptable profiles; guardrail where applicable (such as atrium balcony and rooftop garden); age appropriate library equipment and furnishing. - Safe edges, rounded corners, no sharp edges, no rough surfaces, non-pinching doors, no exposed electrical outlets in the child areas. - Safety glazing; etched glass for glass wall partitions; use of laminated glass in the curtain wall, cafe store window and the playground facing windows. - Use of non-toxic materials and monitoring of interior air quality system. - Use of fire-safe or fire- treated materials and providing fire-resistant assemblies for the structure. There are two emergency stairs in the building which have a direct exit to the streets – one to the Grand Avenue and the other to the Blair Street. The distance between the stairs is less than a half of the diagonal of the building perimeter, and equal 16.5 m. Egress width are design in compliance with occupancy capacity, and no dead end corridors are occur in the project. Egress doors and exit doors operated by the panic hardware. Mechanical and Service spaces have a restricted access lock.

Barrier Free Design Easy access from the ground level into the building with the clear route through the building with accessible ramp exiting to the playground is provided as a barrier free design. Nearby parking includs designated accessible parking spots. All the doors leading to the public spaces are barrier free accessible. Accessible doors and entrances are assured by regulations that relate to signage, clear widths, types of floor surfaces, wheelchair maneuvering clearance, vestibule and airlock size and configuration, door hardware, door closures, door opening force, and automatic doors with push-up bottoms. Barrier free stair-raiser profile is applied. Accessibility regulations furnish minimum dimensions and details for wheelchair maneuverability in interior doorways, vestibules, corridors, and washrooms. All the washrooms are barrier free with one wheelchair accessible unit on the first floor, as by OBC requirements for designed occupancy capacity. Circulation desk and the café counter is designed with lower sections for the use of wheelchair users as well as smaller kids. Drinking fountains are design to meet accessibility requirements. In order to aid persons with visual disabilities, surface materials and colors of important building features are designed to differentiate from their surroundings using contract, as required.

Environmental Site Strategies At the initial design party stage a relationship between the proposed corner situated site and adjacent neighbor sites was established. A shared green space zone is created among sites by connecting existing vegetated areas at their backyards. This later influenced a decision to allocate building along Grand Avenue and Blair Street and leave intact green area at the south west corner of the site. A courtyard garden with kid’s playground is proposed in this area. As plant materials provide aesthetic and functional benefits in conserving energy, framing or screening views, moderating noise, and retarding erosion. Existing vegetation at the west edge of the site is proposed to be preserved. New trees will be planted where required. The free of pavements area on the site is proposed to be planted with grass, as a way to aid in stabilizing soil embankments and preventing erosion. Rigid pavements are used by the front entrance and the café area, in order to distribute loads internally and transfer them to the subgrade over a broad area. Reinforcement and extension of the base material is required. Flexible pavements are used in the back garden with the playground area, as big loads are not expected. Stone is used as a pavements material with steel edging to resist horizontal movements of pavements. Handling of water and drainage strategy is to limit disruption of site’s natural water hydrology and promoting infiltration by such means as pervious paving. Also controlling site drainage in order to prevent erosion and collecting of excess surface water or groundwater resulting from new construction. Subsurface drainage system is proposed, as an underground network of piping for conveying groundwater to a point of disposal. Foundation drain system is used to collect water by the foundation wall. Finished grades are sloped 5% to drain surface to guide water away from the building.

Environmental Design: LEED Criteria and My Building See LEED for Building Design and Construction Checklist attached.

Concluding Comments Every design solution has to be design with the broad time frame in mind, focused to the future rather than to the present day. To achieve timeless quality, the selected materials and details of the building designed the way to respond to the life expectancy of the building and, at the same time, to be flexible for unpredictable future modifications. The passive design strategies incorporated in the project design as part of the timeless quality of the building.

Bibliography Alexander, Christopher. The Timeless Way of Building. New York: Oxford University Press, 1979. Allen, Edward and Rand, Patrick. Architectural Detailing. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007. Ching, Francis D.K. Building Construction Illustrated. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008. Ching, Francis D.K. and Shapiro, Ian M. Green Building Illustrated. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2014. Ching, Francis D.K. and Winkel, Steven R. Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2009 International Building Code. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009. Mazria, Edward. The Passive solar Energy Book. Emmaus: Rodale Press, 1979. Ruske, Wolfgang. Timber Construction for Trade, Industry, Administration: Basics and Projects. Basel: Birkhäuser – Publishers for Architecture, 2004. Straube, John. High Performance Enclosures: Design Guide for Institutional, Commercial and Industrial Buildings in Cold Climates. Somerville: Building Science Press, 2012. Autodesk Sustainability Workshop website. Passive Design Strategies. http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/passive-design-strategies Green Building Adviser website. Choosing HVAC Equipment for an EnergyEfficient Home. http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/choosing-hvacequipment-energy-efficient-home Inhabitat website. GREEN BUILDING 101: Environmentally Friendly Lighting for Health and Well-Being. http://inhabitat.com/green-building-101environmentally-friendly-lighting/