ISSUE 8, FALL 2017, Alberta Chapter - CaGBC Regional Publication /
SUSTAINABILITY SURROUNDS STANTEC’S NEW HOME IN ICE DISTRICT Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences Atrium, University of Alberta How virtual reality can build a sustainable reality Ledcor reaches new heights with LEED A 1970s tower retrofitted while its tenants are still inside
FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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PRAIRIE WOOD SOLUTIONS FAIR
December 13th, 2017 Edmonton Expo Centre Discover the many reasons developers, architects, engineers and municipalities are choosing wood for their iconic structures. Earn up to 6 Structured Learning Units at our one-day educational event featuring international and local wood projects and products! The fair is an excellent opportunity to network, learn about innovation in building design and earn valuable structured education credits. For more information, visit http://woodworks.ca/alberta/wsf/
PRAIRIE WOOD DESIGN AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Online nominations will open soon Awards will take place in the new year. For more information, visit http://wood-works.ca/alberta/wda/
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FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
Message from the Alberta Chapter - CaGBC The verdict is in: Alberta’s green building professionals are in the right place at the right time to continue our impressive march toward greener, healthier buildings, homes and communities. The Chapter’s action plans such as our advocacy strategy ensure we keep abreast of the pulse of the province, from major cities to smaller, but equally enthusiastic, communities. It is heartening to discuss green building priorities in centres from Drayton Valley to Lloydminster, from Medicine Hat to Fort Mac. Events such as the 20th Alberta Sustainable Building Symposium and the 3rd Alberta Green Homes Summit speak to the Alberta Chapter’s stellar reputation for staging quality events, ensuring our green building professionals have the tools they need to get the job done with skill, ingenuity and dedication.
An increasingly well-respected organization, the CaGBC is cementing Canada’s place as a leader in sustainable building — supporting and complementing the regional work of Chapters across Canada. Thanks to every member of the Alberta Chapter, and every individual who works to transform our built environment, for your commitment to green building. May we continue to live in exciting times. Sincerely, Brandy Burdeniuk Chair, Alberta Chapter — CaGBC
As part of the larger Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) family, the Alberta Chapter is also fortunate to have a voice at the national level.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS 2017 SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS 3 Point Environmental Footprint Manasc Isaac Mission Green Buildings Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Qualico Commercial
FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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YOUR LEED V4 QUICK-REFERENCE
CANADIAN DIRECTORY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE, HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING
Visit our on-line Directory to see hundreds of listings of companies which supply products and services for sustainable, high-performance building. Listings are organized by Product Category and by LEED v4 Category. Our LEED v4 Directory is created with the help of our partner:
OUR 2017 PARTNERS SITE | LANDSCAPING | RAINWATER HARVESTING >Catec Rainwater Harvesting Systems >Langley Concrete Group >Molok® Deep Collection™ System >Unilock >Wishbone Industries Ltd. STRUCTURE & EXTERIOR ENVELOPE >Alumicor Building Excellence >Bailey Metal Products Ltd. >Dryvit Systems Canada >Euroshield® >Hydrotech >LiveRoof >StoneRox >Tremco THERMAL & WINDOWS >Cascadia Windows & Doors >Eco Insulating Glass Inc. >EuroLine Windows® >Inline Fiberglass Ltd. >LiteZone™ Insulating Glass >Pollard Windows Inc. >View Dynamic Glass INTERIOR FINISHES >Baillargeon Doors Inc. >CBR Products >Columbia Forest Products
>Forbo Flooring Systems >Interface >Nora Systems, Inc. >Shaw Contract Group >Tectum ELECTRICAL | PLUMBING | HVAC | RENEWABLES >Acuity Brands >Aqua-Tech >Duravit >Simple Solar >Sloan Valve >Taco Comfort Solutions >Tate Access Floors >Termobuild >Uponor >Ventacity Systems >Viessmann Manufacturing Company Inc. >Zehnder America Inc. GREEN DESIGN SUPPORT + PROFESSIONALS >Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute >Diamond Schmitt Architects >FABRIQ architecture >Pinwheel Building Supplies >RJC Engineers
http://sabmagazine.com/2017directoryv4.html
See a digital version of CaGBC Alberta Chapter FOCUS at www.sabmagazine.com/digital
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In this Issue FALL 2017
22 12 Professional 6 Upcoming Development Events Alberta Sustainable Energy Benchmarking: Agriculture, Life and Building Symposium 16 big buildings 26 Edmonton’s 8 Environmental Sciences lead the transition to a Atrium, University of Alberta A 1970s tower retrofitted low carbon future Open during innovation 18 virtual reality can Sustainability surrounds 10 How build a sustainable reality Edmonton Tower 28 Stantec’s new home 20 opens the door to in ICE District a greener core Winning the war against the invisible enemy radon
Ledcor reaches new heights with LEED
10 Environmental savings for this issue: Alberta FOCUS is printed on Rolland Environ100 Satin, a 100% post-consumer fiber that is certified FSC and EcoLogo. It is
12 trees
45,044 L water
682 kg waste
1,774 kg of CO2
processed chlorine-free, FSC-recycled and is manufactured using biogas energy.
Cover photo: The plaza surrounding Stantec Tower adds to the energy and enjoyment of the Ice District.
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A joint publishing project of the Alberta Chapter - CaGBC and SABMag. Address all inquiries to Don Griffith: dgriffith@sabmagazine.com Published by Janam Publications Inc. | www.sabmagazine.com | www.janam.net
UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS DATE
PD OPPORTUNITY
LOCATION
Oct. 3
LEED v4 Green Associate Exam Kick-Starter
Calgary
Oct. 5
LEED v4 Green Associate Exam Kick-Starter
Edmonton
Oct. 17
Introduction to the Changes in LEED v4
Edmonton
Oct. 31
Green Associate Exam Bootcamp
Calgary
Nov. 2
Green Associate Exam Bootcamp
Edmonton
Nov. 8-10
Greenbuild 2017
Boston
Nov. 13
Introduction to the WELL Building Standard
Calgary
Nov. 15
Introduction to the WELL Building Standard
Edmonton
Nov. 22 or 23
NECB 2011 Energy Code: How this new requirement in Alberta will affect your projects
Nov. 23
Health & Wellbeing in Buildings: Sales and letting of healthy green buildings
Calgary
Nov. 23
Health & Wellbeing in Buildings: Economics
Calgary
Nov. 24
Health & Wellbeing in Buildings: Sales and letting of healthy green buildings
Edmonton
Nov. 24
Health & Wellbeing in Buildings: Economics
Edmonton
Nov. 28
Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment
Calgary
Nov. 30
Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment
Edmonton
December
A Framework for Zero Carbon Buildings
Calgary/Edmonton
Dec. 4
Green Professional (GPro) Building Skills Training
Edmonton
Dec. 12
AGM & Networking Event
Calgary
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FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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Edmonton, AB
780.887.5163
duxtonwindows.com
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Photo: Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences Atrium, University of Alberta.
www.westernarchrib.com 1.888.463.2326 FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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Submitted by DIALOG
Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences Atrium, University of Alberta What better university faculty to show off sustainability and the versatility of wood than the Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (ALES)?
The University of Alberta ALES’s atrium has been a hidden gem on campus for over 30 years. It was originally a popular retreat for its indoor tropics, waterfall and resident birds. The space was closed due to moisture damage to structural elements from leaks and prolonged exposure to high humidity. The replacement was an exciting opportunity to showcase the faculty’s commitment to natural resources and sustainability.
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The new atrium is a two-tiered gathering space that sits adjacent to main corridors, but can be separated by a bi-folding glass wall system for private functions. Visitors sit underneath a vast “tree canopy” surrounded by specially selected plant life. A wall that used to have a waterfall was converted to an eclectic wooden mosaic commissioned specifically for the space with tiles representing the many study areas of the faculty.
1 - At night, the atrium is lit up with a customizable LED strip allowing the space to glow any colour desired to recognize special events and holidays. 2 - The squares look good — and contain a system of south-facing Building Integrated Photo Voltaics (BIPV) that store solar energy and help power the building.
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The geometric form of the shell is a reshaping of the previous greenhouse by triangulating the original shape and then selectively pushing and pulling new nodes to direct water and snow off the atrium. It is funneled into a large valley, lined with a downspout that empties into the surrounding dry pond to manage the storm water runoff. The eye-catching shell consists of three components: a glulam structure, a high performance curtain wall and a photovoltaic cell grid that mimics dappled light through a forest canopy. These come together to form a recognizable landmark on campus that is also highly sustainable:
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• The glulam structure and node connections were fabricated and designed by a local manufacturer. • The high performance curtain wall uses quadruple layer glazing units composed of low-E coated glass and suspended clear films, allowing natural daylight into the space while drastically decreasing heat loss and reducing UV degradation of the interior. • Building Integrated Photo Voltaics (BIPV) reduce the energy required to heat and cool the space, generate power and keep out unwanted noise. • All of the Douglas-fir lumber used in the beams was sourced from sawmills that are SFI, FSC or CSA certified. • All existing trees in the surrounding landscape were maintained with the exception of one rotting Schubert chokecherry tree, which was reused in the mosaic artwork.
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3 - Originally an energy-intensive greenhouse full of tropic vegetation, the atrium now acts as an extension of the adjacent public corridor. Bi-folding glass doors can separate the space for private events. 4 - With the use of 3D modelling, the glulam structure and node connections were fabricated and designed by a local manufacturer, Western Archrib. 5 - Materials in the atrium speak to the many facets of the faculty. For example, Douglas fir beams support the large panes of energyefficient glass. Terraces of polished concrete and terrazzo are a nod to soil studies.
Photos: Ian Grant
FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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Submitted by DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
How virtual reality can build a sustainable reality Construction projects are easier to tackle when stakeholders understand the design plans. Calgary is now home to a virtual reality experience that turns a design into everything needed for real-world construction. The resulting precision and certainty result in minimal construction waste and a lower carbon footprint. When clients fully understand the design of a space and how it fits into the bigger picture, the project’s carbon footprint is decreased in several ways. Less material waste is created during and after construction due to misunderstandings, and expectations are managed by offering a thorough understanding of a space before it’s built. The occupants are happy from the beginning and the space is kept intact for a longer lifecycle. This approach also lends itself to a shorter overall build schedule and less back-and-forth travel for design meetings in the planning stage.
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Projects created this way are built with prefab elements open to design flexibility, new technologies, demographics and changes in the economy, lengthening the space’s lifecycle. “It’s much easier for lay people to understand a space when they’re in virtual reality,” says Barrie Loberg, chief technology officer of DIRTT, a Calgary-based interior construction manufacturer. “We’ve had clients find issues while walking around their planned design that otherwise would have cost thousands of dollars to fix during construction.” Mixed reality, which acts like virtual reality but allows the user to see actual surroundings underneath the virtual world, also achieves this. Mixed reality can be an eye-opening experience for those looking at a raw space, as it lets them visualize how their design will fit into that exact space. It’s particularly useful for older buildings where it can be difficult to imagine how new interior construction will fit. DIRTT recently put its own software platform, ICE®, into virtual and mixed reality environments. The software tallies engineering and pricing data of prefab building components as professionals and clients create and modify design plans in a walk-around, virtual experience. They also created the ability for multiple people to meet in a VR space from separate physical locations — even across the country — to explore the space and interact with one another. Combining real-time costing and engineering while walking from room to room and engaging on a deeper, human level adds a whole new — and dare we say, fun — dimension to building sustainably. 1 - A common reaction to the life-like experience of ICE® Virtual Reality. 2 - Ice-cream cones make for the best avatars! Here’s how ICE® Virtual Reality participants view each other within the virtual world while exploring a space together. 3 - Inside perspective: a participant’s view from within a VR headset. 4 - VR participants compare the shift in perspectives between VR immersion and 3D. 5 - A group experiences ICE® Virtual Reality at DIRTT’s VR Lab in Calgary.
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Submitted by the Ledcor Group of Companies
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Ledcor reaches new heights with LEED In 2016, the Ledcor Group of Companies completed two new LEED buildings in the Edmonton downtown core: the new Royal Alberta Museum, targeting LEED Silver NC with a stretch target of LEED Gold, and Enbridge Centre (a.k.a. the Kelly Ramsey Building) LEED Gold CS Certified. Both projects were constructed on reclaimed building sites and featured architectural elements salvaged from the original structures. Take a stroll down Rice Howard Way, and at street level you’ll be convinced not much has changed, with the historic brick and limestone facades of the old Kelly Ramsey block meticulously restored to their original grandeur; then cast your gaze upward to gain a full appreciation of the modern, sustainable tower above. Likewise, when the new museum opens to the public in 2018, see if you can recognize architectural elements from the past such as the old Post Office clock and mosaic murals seamlessly integrated into the design. 12
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Ledcor’s practical, collaborative and forward-thinking approach to LEED was essential in helping both clients realize their vision of environmentally responsible, cost-effective and efficient buildings. With sustainability as a core value, Ledcor is committed to helping owners and consultants achieve objectives in this area. As a charter member and founding sponsor of the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), Ledcor is actively engaged in staying ahead of the trend where green building is concerned. Leading the charge is Ledcor’s Director, Sustainability, Marsha Gentile. She is considered a leader in this field and has presented at over 40 conferences and learning institutions. Last year Marsha was invited to join the LEED Canada Steering Committee (LCSC), which provides policy, technical and market oversight of all LEED products in Canada. “Now we can provide our on-site perspective directly to LEED’s senior committee,” says Marsha. Under Marsha’s direction, Ledcor is continually refining their understanding and implementation of contractor responsibilities and associated LEED requirements and is committed to the personal development of their employees with respect to LEED fundamentals. In preparation for LEED v4, Ledcor signed on to ‘pioneer’ the CaGBC Head Office project in Vancouver. Commencing one year ahead of the official launch, this project is the first certified commercial LEED v4 Platinum project in Canada. Lessons learned through the course of this project will prepare Ledcor for the next generation of green building where they will continue to support project partners in their sustainability initiatives.
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1 - Enbridge Centre achieved LEED Gold CS with its modern sustainable design. 2 - Canada’s first commercial LEED v4 Platinum project is home to the Canada Green Building Council headquarters in Vancouver. 3 - The Queens Avenue Entrance Plaza integrates and connects the Royal Alberta Museum with its surroundings. 4 - The old Kelly Ramsey block is restored to its original grandeur at the base of Enbridge Centre. 5 - The Royal Alberta Museum mosaics by artist Ernestine Tahedl were reclaimed from the old Canada Post building.
FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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The Alberta Chapter Canada Green Building Council is the voice for the green building community in Alberta
When you become an Alberta Chapter member, you can: • help influence the evolution of Alberta’s green building industry • • network and form partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations • • learn from professionals • • facilitate your career advancement, and develop leadership skills by promoting a better built environment • As well, you will: • receive regular updates about Chapter activities and industry news, and receive discounts for Chapter events – including the Alberta SBS •
Invest in your future Companies and organizations: Connect your company to Canada’s largest green
building network. All employees of member companies get a free Chapter membership.
Individual:
If you are an employee of a CaGBC member organization, your membership is complimentary.
$100 + GST if you are not an employee of a CaGBC member organization.
Emerging Green Professional*: $35 + GST (or Free if you are an employee of a CaGBC member organization)
*EGPs are: 30 years of age or younger, a full-time student or new to the green building
industry within five years.
Visit cagbc.org for details 14
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FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
SPRING 2016
| Alberta FOCUS
20TH ANNUAL
The Alberta Sustainable Building Symposium 2017 offers delegates the best green building professional development and networking opportunity of the year. If you are an architect, engineer, builder, building owner or operator, supplier, municipal planner or building policy maker, stay ahead of the green building curve — attend this premier event! With 60 speakers and more than 30 sessions, you have lots of choice for professional development.
Take a look at the program schedule
"
FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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20TH ANNUAL
ALBERTA SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM LEGEND
Stories of the Green Building Movement
The Way We Build
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Climate Change
Next 20
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast
8 a.m.
Thomas Mueller, President & CEO, Canada Green Building Council
8:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks
8:35 a.m.
Panel: Less is More - Sustainability in Alberta — Tanya Doran, Stephani Carter, Vivian Manasc & Monica Curtis
9:20 a.m.
Carbon as the New Metric: CaGBC’s Zero Carbon Building Standard
9:45 a.m
City of Edmonton - Remarks & 104th Avenue Tour Launch — Mike Mellross
10 a.m.
Coffee Break
.
CONTINUED NEXT PAGE """
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS GBCI - ASBS 2017 has been submitted to GBCI for credentialing maintenance. AAA - Qualifies for AAA structured learning hours in the topic area of Energy and the Environment (self-reported). The average participant will earn 6-7 hours.
Other professional organizations The Symposium also may be eligible for credits from selfreporting organizations including the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) and the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS).
Special thanks to the following additional sponsors supporting
ALBERTA SUSTAINABLE BUILDING SYMPOSIUM 2017 Platinum
Silver
DEEP GREEN ENGINEERING
Bronze
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FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
10:15 a.m.
Make the Local Global: I LEED, You Say Protect Mother Earth (30 min.) — Markous Gad, Heather Bretz & Zoë Rezac
say
10:45 a.m.
Living, Working and Playing in Downtown Edmonton (Tower E) (30 min.) — Matt Roper & Erica Baranik
Alberta Green Building Innovation Showcase - Home Grown Advanced Materials for Green Buildings (60 min.) — Lorie-Jo Graham, Brian Rozamhel, Tam Tekle, Terry Radford, Dennis Cuku & Melanie Ross
Reimagine (30 min.) — Vivian Manasc
Connecting School Infrastructure With Student Learning (30 min.) — Kathy Worobec, Aaron Dublenko & Tanya Doran
Coffee Break
11:15 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Three Successes & Three Challenges of the Canadian Charter LEED-ND TwinHills Calgary (30 min.) — Susan Nelson
Town of Devon’s Journey to Net Zero Future for 2050 (30 min.) — Andy Tchir
12 p.m.
Combining Sustainability With Musical Precision: Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre (30 min.) — Jeff Rent
A Sustainability Framework for Urban Density in Calgary (30 min.) — Dr. Azzeddine Oudjehane, Taylor Shoup & Shahab Moeini
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy: Green Building Tour (60 min.) — Sascha Jansz & Keith Hollands
Implementing Edmonton’s Community Energy Transition Strategy (60 min.) — Jenny Hong, Lisa Dockman & Mike Mellross
2 p.m.
Score! The Story Behind the First Canadian LEEDcertified NHL Arena
(Rogers Place) (30 min.) — Mike McFaul
3:30 p.m.
Net Zero, Net Zero Ready and Passive House: What Does it All Mean? (30 min.) — Sam Lane & Regan Moffatt
“Hey! I Learned About That at School!”: How NAIT’s New Centre for Applied Technology Acts as a Living Lab for Sustainable Design (30 min.) — Léo Lejeune, Joylyn Teskey & Adrienne Lynn
The Link Between Human Centric Lighting Design & Sustainable Building (30 min.) — Ellie Niakan
LEED ND: The Next Generation of Sustainable Communities (30 min.) — Greg MacKenzie
LEED for Existing Buildings Version 4 and the Arc Performance Score - Case Studies (30 min.) — Ben Campbell & Joseph Der
A Small Footprint with Big Steps: An evolution of Tiny Homes from a Fad to a Lasting Lifestyle (30 min.) — Thomas Grenier
Coffee Break
2:30 p.m. 3 p.m.
Alberta Green Innovation Showcase - Intelligent Innovations for the Construction Sector (60 min.) — Jeff Bell, Dale Beard, Chris Ohlmann, Jeff Taylor & Dan Doherty
Lunch & Alberta Green Building Awards
12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
Walking the Talk as Sustainability Professionals (60 min.) — Andrée Iffrig, Jen Hancock & Morgan McDonald
The Future of Buildings and Canada’s Role (30 min.) — Akua Schatz
Community Relience: TOD and The Power of Transit (60 min.) — Ryan Bragg
Integrative Design: The Story Behind Worthington Waterless WC (30 min.) — Mike Worthington
Material Considerations in LEED v4 (30 min.) — Marsha Gentile
4 p.m.
KEYNOTE: The 6000 Piece Puzzle that Creates the Larger Picture — Kellie Ballew & Celeste Thiesen
4:45 p.m.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION — Kevin Hydes
5:30 p.m.
Closing Reception
Building Renewable Energy Beyond Photovoltaics: Targets, Metrics and Trends (30 min.) — Sunny Ghataurah, Mo Khan & Trina Larsen Redefining ‘Sustainability’ (30 min.) — Melanie Ross
FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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Submitted by MANASC ISAAC
OPEN DURING INNOVATION
A 1970s tower retrofitted while its tenants are still inside
Every element of the building envelope has been optimized both in terms of performance and aesthetics.
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The Edmonton skyline is full of aging concrete towers that no longer offer the comfort, aesthetic appeal or the cachet desirable tenants demand, and these old towers will soon face one of two fates: receive a retrofit or be demolished.
One such building is the former Associated Engineering Plaza (now WSP Place). Scott McKeen, then a journalist at the Edmonton Journal and now a city councillor, wrote, “[the building] is so ugly, blind dogs cross the street.” But even old, blind dogs can learn new tricks, and the newly retrofitted building, renamed WSP Place, is likely to garner positive attention from humans and canines alike. Manasc Isaac has long insisted that the greenest building is the one that already exists. The vast amounts of embodied energy contained in materials such as concrete, as well as a strong desire to preserve the architectural legacy of its communities, has inspired the team to lead the charge toward innovative retrofits.
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In summer 2017, Manasc Isaac completed construction on a bright, bold and sustainable statement for the 1978 structure, which sits on a busy corner at Jasper Avenue and 109 Street in Edmonton.
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The most complex challenge was executing the retrofit on the building while fully occupied. In order to save Procura, the client, from lost revenue, the team moved tenants’ desks to make room for the false wall erected during the re-skinning process. The team did some of the work overnight. “It was a great opportunity to innovate,” says project leader Rita Melo, remembering that the tight constraints helped spur innovation on the retrofit. “We’re really glad no tenant had to move out. It takes some coordination to understand how the tenants operate, their different priorities and schedules, and it was paramount that we didn’t impact their businesses. We have to understand and approach the design through their eyes.”
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In the past, the idea of having to vacate a tower during construction has scared off building owners and managers. Stakeholders would love to recapitalize their investments but balk at the idea of a vacant building. Yet the processes and techniques refined during the WSP Place retrofits prove that retrofits don’t have to be painful or cost an operator’s bottom line. On to the next aging tower, please! 1 -Taken in May 2016, this photo shows how the former building provides a canvas for new design elements. 2 - A reimagined WSP Place turns a 1970s concrete bunker into a beautiful, healthy and sustainable landmark in downtown Edmonton. 3 - Central Social Hall is a restaurant and pub that occupies the ground floor and features an enlarged patio space.
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Submitted by PCL CONSTRUCTION
EDMONTON TOWER OPENS THE DOOR TO A GREENER CORE Designed with practicality and vitality in mind, Edmonton Tower is not only aesthetically pleasing and highly functional, but designed and built to LEED Gold standards. The 27-storey tower is sustainable and architecturally progressive with a contemporary design that reflects the activity and flow that energizes ICE District.
Public art displayed outside the building draws visitors inside where they are greeted by an impressive lobby that will soon be the gateway to 28,358 square feet of retail and dining space. Those who work within the tower take the elevators up to 602,669 square feet of human-centric, openfloor office space meant to facilitate wellness, internal communication and collaboration. Additional amenities include an exclusive City of Edmonton tenant area complete with common meeting, conference and training rooms on the second floor and a daycare on the fourth floor with an outdoor terrace and green roof. During construction, PCL incorporated the following measures to obtain construction-related LEED credits: • 25% of materials used in construction were recycled or contained recycled content, • 20% of material used for construction was from local sources, and • 91% of construction debris was diverted from landfills.
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1 - The escalators connect visitors to the tower’s second level which ties into the downtown pedway system. 2 - Edmonton Tower: the first tower in Edmonton’s ICE District. 3 - Edmonton Tower’s contemporary design reflects the activity and flow that energizes ICE District. 4 -An open-concept lobby greets Edmonton Tower guests.
The project team used high-volume fly ash, a waste by-product of the coal industry, as a replacement for carbon-emitting cement in concrete mixes and electronic plan rooms to reduce the environmental impact by encouraging a paperless project. The sustainable efforts did not end with construction as innovative strategies were incorporated into the tower’s design to ensure optimal sustainability during operation and maintenance. The strategies included: • reduction of energy cost for heating and cooling through advanced, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, high thermal insulation and passive design strategies, • reduction of process energy from lighting and equipment through daylight harvesting, occupancy sensors, lighting controls, refrigeration heat recovery system, etc., • an overall energy intensity target of 110 KwH/m2/yr. (one-third that of a typical Edmonton building) and, • halogen-free electrical equipment and low-mercury lighting. Edmonton Tower also qualified for LEED points based on its location in the downtown core for density and access to public transit as well as the redevelopment of a brownfield site. ICE District will promote green leasing initiatives with its tenants and operate all facilities in accordance with the ongoing initiatives of the BOMA Go Green – BOMA BEST (Building Environment Standards) program.
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CANADIAN
SHARING YOUR VISION. BUILDING SUCCESS.
2017 AWARDS
G
Category Sponsors
EN BUIL D I N RE
ARCHITECTURAL National Sponsors
G
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At PCL we are passionate about what we build and how we build it. As the first facility of this caliber in Canada, the EPCOR Gold Bar Sanitary Grit Residuals Treatment Facility in Edmonton will lead the way in improving sustainable practices in the water treatment industry for the entire country. Watch us build at PCL.com
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ENTER THE 2018 PROGRAM>>>
CANADIAN GREEN BUILDING AWARDS WINNERS RECOGNIZED AT CAGBC CONFERENCE The 2017 Canadian Green Building Awards winning projects were recognized during the Welcome Reception at the Canada Green Building Council [CaGBC] National Convention in Vancouver with the presentation of Awards certificates by our sponsors.
>>> WWW.SABMAGAZINE.COM Visit the Awards section of our website for complete details on the winning projects. For details on sponsoring the Canadian Green Building Awards contact dgriffith@sabmagazine.com
Radon Guard™ Insulation The key component for a radon gas mitigation system
[1] Lindsay Oster of Prairie Architects Inc. receives the Institutional [Large] Award for Amber Trails Community School from National Sponsor the Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute represented by Managing Director Brian Hall. [2] Koen de Waal of De Waal Developments Ltd. receives the Technical Award for the De Waal Net Zero House from National Sponsor Masonite Architectural represented by General Manager Canada Jennifer McGill. [3] Maxime Turgeon [centre left] and Marc Letellier [centre right] of Gagnon Letellier Cyr Ricard Mathieu & Associé Architectes receive the Institutional [Small] Award for the Gare fluviale [Ferry Station] de Lévis from Institutional Category Sponsor Altex represented by John Lowe, Architectural Sales Consultant [far left] and Mark Lim, Technical Representative [far right]. [4] Mark Thompson Brandt, MTBA Associates Inc. [left] and Glenn Burwell NORR Architects & Engineers receive the Existing Building Upgrade Award for the Sir John A. Macdonald Building from National Sponsor Masonite Architectural represented by General Manager Canada Jennifer McGill. [5] Ryan Bragg of Perkins+Will [left] receives the Mixed Use Award for the Marine Gateway Development from National Sponsor the Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute represented by Managing Director Brian Hall.
Healthy Home, Healthy Living... Radon is a radioactive gas. Keep your home safe, healthy, and Radon-Free with a Radon mitigation system using Radon Guard™ Insulation by Plasti-Fab®. By utilizing our sub-slab depressurization panel, you can eliminate Radon before it enters your home. Channels in the foam allow soil gas movement between the ground & the air barrier system to a vent pipe that can be connected to a mitigation system. • • •
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Easy to install CCMC approved Available in various thicknesses
www.plastifab.com (888) 446-5377 FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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Submitted by RADON ENVIRONMENTAL
Winning the war against the invisible enemy . . . mitigating the effects of radon
Heads up, green building professionals! Are your designs and construction methods contributing to tenant and resident health — or illness? According to a new study led by Dr. Aaron Goodarzi, Canada Research Chair for Genome Damage and Instability and with Calgary’s Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, one in eight homes — 12.4% — in a southern Alberta test area exceeded Health Canada’s acceptable radon level. Radon is an invisible, odourless gas created from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It can seep into buildings through foundation cracks and other openings. Long-term exposure to radon gas damages the body’s DNA, leading to lung cancer. It is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
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Surprisingly, the southern Calgary homes built in 1992 or later contained significantly higher radon levels than older homes. Following are some contributing factors.
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Energy-efficient home insulation practices often suppress air exchange, and air tightness can elevate radon concentrations by as much as 56.6%.
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Homes have become larger over time. Since concrete contracts as it cures in ratio with the size of the poured slab, larger floors are subject to greater shrinkage, resulting in more gaps in the foundation where radon can enter.
• More multi-storey homes also exacerbate the problem. Loftier homes can create thermal stack effects that draw radon into the indoor air. Mitigating the effects of radon “Radon is virtually everywhere. Outdoors, its levels don’t pose a health hazard. Indoors, the only way to gauge its concentration is to test,” says Alan Whitehead, President & CEO of Radon Environmental. “Radon Environmental is dedicated to providing solutions to mitigate the effects of radon.” The solutions include a range of testing protocols and mitigation measures. Radon Environmental also works with the construction industry across Canada and into the U.S. to share their knowledge about radon and its mitigation. “The industry’s drive toward tighter envelopes has created the perfect storm. Tight envelopes address energy efficiency but they create indoor air quality issues,” explains Alan. The problem is being addressed on several fronts. Some building codes in Eastern Canada now require a test for radon. Alan advocates for the same code upgrades across Canada. LEED now offers points for mitigating the radon risk. And the Alberta green building industry is on board with detection and mitigation. “Alberta’s green building community gets it. Together, we are working toward the best of both worlds — energy-efficient buildings that protect and enhance the health of tenants and residents.” 1 - Pathways for radon gas into a dwelling. Reproduced with the permission of Natural Resources Canada, courtesy of the Geological Survey of Canada. 2 - This is the first continental picture of radon potential in North America, merging the geoscience work of the U.S. Geological Survey with Radon Environmental’s Canada mapping project. 3 - PCL Construction installed a 15,000-square-foot installation of Radon Guard™ at Okanagan College in Kelowna. 4 - Radon Guard™ installation in Cranbrook, B.C. FALL 2017 Alberta FOCUS
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Submitted by THE CITY OF EDMONTON
ENERGY BENCHMARKING: Edmonton’s big buildings lead the transition to a low carbon future Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword in Edmonton. It means finding ways of living, developing and growing that support people, the planet and profits in perpetuity. To be truly sustainable, these ways must be economically feasible, respect the natural environment and support social well-being.
Energy consumption in buildings Commercial and residential buildings account for 42% of the energy consumed and 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions in our city. Addressing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Edmonton’s buildings is a critical component of our city’s transition to a low carbon, sustainable energy future. Building energy benchmarking programs is a proven approach that has led to improved energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in more than 20 North American cities. These programs provide building owners and managers with a measure of their building’s performance and allow for comparisons with other buildings. This informs changes to building operations and energy retrofits resulting in energy savings. Energy benchmarking programs provide annual, accurate building data allowing for a tailored approach to energy efficiency — further supporting climate and market transformation.
1 and 2 - Edmonton’s City Hall will be one of many City-owned building participants in the energy benchmarking pilot.
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Momentum is building across the country The federal government’s 2016 Pan Canadian Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change outlines strategies for achieving emissions reduction targets and economic benefits. It clearly signals the intention that energy reporting and disclosure for both commercial and residential buildings will be regulated nationwide as early as 2019 and provides an excellent opportunity to pilot programs to help Edmonton’s market prepare for and influence the direction of future government programs.
Edmonton’s Building Energy Benchmark Program Edmonton is the first Canadian municipality to launch a building energy benchmarking initiative. As part of its own leadership in greenhouse gas emissions reductions, the City is committing to have 20 City-owned buildings, including City Hall, participate in the pilot program in the first year.
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Edmonton large building owners and property managers are invited to sign up to participate in this voluntary pilot. Participants will benefit from technical support, customized building benchmarking reports, tenant education workshops and financial incentives of up to $1,500/building to offset energy audit costs. Visit edmonton.ca/energybenchmarking for more information or contact us at energystar@edmonton.ca or 1-855-999-8012.
3 - Bell Tower, an award-winning green building in downtown Edmonton, is participating in the City’s benchmarking program. 4 - The Royal Bank Building was one of the first buildings to sign up for the program.
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Submitted by STANTEC
SUSTAINABILITY SURROUNDS STANTEC’S NEW HOME IN ICE DISTRICT
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Standing tall in the centre of the ICE District is Stantec Tower, home to Stantec’s new global headquarters. Although the building is targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Core and Shell Gold certification, it may also house the next stage of LEED certification in Alberta. Floors three to 21 are additionally targeting LEED Interior Design and Construction version 4 Silver certification. Harnessing its global talent, Stantec design teams from Seattle, Boston, Montreal, Colorado and Calgary are working alongside their Edmonton colleagues to design this space in a truly collaborative fashion.
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The heart of downtown Edmonton is in the midst of revitalization — 104 Avenue is home to the next generation of sustainable buildings in ICE District, the core of the youngest urban city in Canada.
“Targeting LEED certification for our new office aligns with our corporate sustainability goals and, more importantly, provides a healthy, sustainable workplace for our employees,” says Keith Shillington, Senior Vice President of Stantec.
1 - Outdoor access and daylighting provide a flexible environment for employees and clients to connect. 2 - Stantec Tower will be the highest building west of Toronto when completed in 2018. 3 - The plaza surrounding Stantec Tower adds to the energy and enjoyment of the Ice District.
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Version 4 is the framework for the next generation of green buildings. With its focus on climate change, it drives reductions in greenhouse gas emissions associated with building construction and operation. It also puts a stronger emphasis on human health. “This is about us doing our part and being good corporate leaders and global citizens,” says Tanya Doran, Alberta Sustainability Lead for Stantec. While energy conservation is key, Tanya says, and the new Stantec office will utilize less energy, recent research has shown that buildings with LEED certifications have a positive impact on the workforce — making for happier, healthier and more productive employees. A LEED certification is an investment in people. Understanding that employee salaries can be up to 85 per cent of an organization’s operating costs, certification demonstrates an investment in employee happiness, health and well-being and has shown to improve productivity. Proven contributors to employee productivity include: • Active transportation commuting options • Thermal comfort • Access to diverse community resources and uses within the building • Access to daylight and views • Minimizing interior pollutants • Enhanced indoor air quality • Controllability of lighting and temperature At Stantec, we are striving to create buildings that house happier, productive and healthier employees. This is an exciting time for sustainable design in Edmonton and we’re glad to be a part of it.
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Just another case of window envy.
Great engineering starts with great engineers. We believe that our collective efforts and our passion for sustainable design can have a positive impact on the environment and the future of our communities.
With good looks and available state-of-the-art features like our leak-free V-Weld technology, it’s no wonder our windows attract attention. A variety of styles and price points ensures that we have the right fit for any project. Next time you’re building, choose our Canadianmade windows and doors to take full advantage of our commitment to ontime delivery and aftersales support. Just don’t be surprised if the job site attracts some attention.
Visit allweatherwindows.com or call 1-800-638-5709 www.williamsengineering.com 000511.09.06.17
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Join us for Canada’s premier green building event. June 5 – 7, 2018 | Beanfield Centre | Toronto, ON
Registration opens December 2017. » Industry education » Networking events » B2B meetings » Green building tours » Interactive Expo Floor
Visit cagbc.org/blc2018 for more details.
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Buildings That Live. Rooftop Rainwater Cisterns Reservoir for circulating recap-
Green Roof System
tured rainwater. Irrigates sur-
Reduces storm water run-off and
rounding green roof system. Can
urban heat-island effect. Cools and
reduce (& sometimes eliminate)
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Increases lifespan of roof. Provides thermal conservation & offers excellent habitat for pollinators.
Photovoltaic Solar Panels PV solar works symbiotically with living wall & green roof systems. PV Solar cells work 30% more efficiently when kept cool by plants, reducing the building’s
Living Facades
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Architek’s living wall systems cost
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less, use less water, and require far less maintenance. They provide beauty to the building’s exterior or interior and can utilize recaptured rainwater.
Water Management: Permeable Pavement Permeable pavements allow the
Water Management: Rainwater Harvesting
movement of stormwater through the surface. In addition to reducing runoff, this effectively filters
Captured rainwater can irrigate
pollutants from the water table.
landscapes, cool the building and provide an optional grey water source for flushing toilets etc.
Architek Sustainable Building Products provides solutions that breathe life and sustainability into the modern structures we live and work in.
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