Atlantic focus fall 2022 by SAB Magazine

ATLANTIC Canada Green Building Council 2022 ISSUE, CaGBC Regional Publication /

REINHABITING

ISLEVILLE BUILDINGS Reno preserves buildings for a new century of life

TWO ROCKS HOUSE

Energy performance and sensory delight make a home for the long term

BIOPHILIC DESIGN

Advancing our physical and mental well-being

ZERO CARBON BUILDING

Over 200 projects aim to meet the standard FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

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FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

Terms and Conditions Apply Des conditions s'appliquent.

See a digital version of CaGBC Atlantic FOCUS https://www.cagbc.org/news-insights/regional-focus/#atlantic-focus

In this issue FALL 2022 14

7 8 14

Upcoming Events + Workshops

LEED and ZCB - Delivering on ESG ambitions through certification

Reinhabiting Isleville buildings - Reno preserves buildings for a new century of life

Zero Carbon Building Over 200 projects aim to meet the standard

Biophilic Design - Advancing our physical and mental well-being The Winning Teams - 2022 Canadian Green Building Awards

Two Rocks House - Energy performance and sensory delight make a home for the long term

A joint publishing project of the Atlantic Chapter CaGBC and SABMag. Address all inquiries to Don Griffith: dgriffith@sabmagazine.com Published by Janam Publications Inc. | www.sabmagazine.com | www.janam.net

Printed on EQUAL Offset paper.

Cover: Nova Centre and Halifax Convention Centre, Architect IBI Group, Photo: David Xu, IBI Group.

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

Over the course of three days, Building Lasting Change 2022 brought people together to help lead the transition to zero. With insights from the green building sector, we focused on Decarbonization, Materials, and Retrofit themes, while including new and diverse voices. A big thank you to those who attended, our sponsors, and everyone who helped make this such a success. We’re building our way forward, together.

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

Green building momentum Welcome to the 2022 Atlantic Focus, a joint partnership of Sustainable Architecture & Building Magazine with the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC). As we are nearing the end of the year, it is important to reflect on CAGBC’s progress in transforming the building sector. 2022 has been a year of significant milestones – it marks the 20th anniversary of CAGBC and the World Green Building Council – two organizations which have had incredible impact on the building industry domestically and globally. Also, a year where we’ve seen tremendous traction for zero carbon building. Our Zero Carbon Building standards have seen tremendous growth in just the last few months, with registrations more than doubling in just six months to 218 projects and 57 certified. Globally, LEED recently surpassed 100,000 building certifications with Canada’s industry leading the world in adoption. This year marked the first return to an in-person and well-attended Building Lasting Change conference which focused on decarbonization. We have also had significant success with our government advocacy work. In October, we met with ministers and policy-makers in Ottawa for a series of industry roundtables and meetings. Together, we discussed ways the building sector can support the government’s Green Building Strategy. It is only through collaboration that we can meet the 2030 and 2050 targets for carbon reduction, and CAGBC is well-positioned to help facilitate collaboration between the public and private sector.

The awareness of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria is rising as more owners recognize the increased value they can bring to their building portfolios. Adding ESG criteria, specifically climate risk, to investment decisions demonstrates a recognition of the potential for capital appreciation while mitigating carbon and making properties more resilient and attractive to occupants. In this issue you’ll read about how third-party certification can help portfolio owners navigate the ‘E’ in ESG and provide transparency and accountability for investors. Following the brutal devastation of Hurricane Fiona, the need for green and resilient building has never been more evident. While the region looks to rebuild, our sector must be thinking about how structures can be built to withstand the increasing incidents of extreme weather events. At CAGBC, we will be looking at ways we can support innovations and programs, and help pair resiliency with deep carbon retrofits, so communities are better able to withstand these all-too-frequent extreme weather events. In this issue, you can read about some of innovative projects in the Atlantic region, including renovations designed to preserve Isleville buildings, and Two Rocks House, a residence design to optimize energy performance. I hope you enjoy Atlantic Focus, and that you continue to support green building and CAGBC as we build our way forward to a more sustainable future. Sincerely, Thomas Mueller President & CEO, Canada Green Building Council

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

ATLANTIC

Canada Green Building Council

GET YOUR WORK PUBLISHED in the CaGBC/SABMag Atlantic FOCUS

Projects, programs, and ideas that highlight sustainable, high-performance building construction in Atlantic Canada. We’re looking for: - Recent new and renovated buildings of any type designed to sustainable principles, and preferably LEED certified (not mandatory). - Programs or research projects aimed at achieving energy-efficiency and higher performing buildings. - Ideas and opinions on what the design and building industry in Atlantic Canada is doing or could be doing to achieve better buildings for users and the environment. Let’s make Atlantic FOCUS a voice to inform and celebrate the state of higher performing building design and construction in Atlantic Canada. Please reply to publisher Don Griffith, dgriffith@sabmagazine.com.

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

Upcoming Events + Workshops CAGBC is the leading green building education provider in Canada, delivering courses to over 45,000 green building professionals since 2004. Our on-demand courses and in-person programs are developed and delivered by expert industry professionals to help further your professional development and increase the knowledge of Canada’s vibrant green building sector. Explore the opportunities at cagbc.org/Learn

LEED V4 GREEN ASSOCIATE EXAM KICKSTARTER DATE: November 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th DURATION: Four 2-hour sessions TIME: 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Eastern LOCATION: Online, via Zoom Meeting. Prepare to take your LEED® Green Associate exam and earn the internationally recognized LEED V4 Green Associate credential. CAGBC has developed this four-session course which will be delivered by a highlyqualified Canadian instructor with real-life local and regional experience. This course is intended to provide you with foundational information, which will then be followed up with a post-course study plan. As with most study courses, there is additional post-classroom studying that is needed. Included in this course: • Digital copy of the presentation slides • Participant book with course activities and additional notes for most slides • CAGBC LEED V4 Study Guide (PDF) • 101 Practice Questions and Answers (PDF) • 50 Practice Questions and Answers (PDF) • 400 online practice questions (90 day access)

SELF-PACED LEED GA EXAM PREP OPTION CAGBC also offers LEED exam kickstarters on-demand, to fit into any schedule. The Green Associate Exam Prep Course, you will gain access to CAGBC Central, our online learning platform, where you can take the course at your own pace while focusing on the information you need to prepare for the LEED v4 Green Associate Exam. The course is 8+ hours in duration and includes videos to review, downloadable content, and study guides. The course is delivered by William Marshall of Equilibrium Engineering. Learn more and register at www.cagbc.org/LEEDexamprep

By choosing CaGBC Education, you can be confident that you are receiving the best possible green building education in Canada. To learn more about any of these initiatives and to register for workshops + events, cagbc.org/education

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

1 1. The renovated Buildings A and B along Isleville Street. Open joint 2x10 hemlock planks, supplied by Highland Forest Products along with flooring, stairs and hemlock shiplap, on the commercial street façade provide warmth and texture where people interact with the building.

Reinhabiting Isleville buildings Reno preserves buildings for a new century of life By David Gallaugher The Isleville Reinhabitation project sets a precedent for mid-density, walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods in Halifax through the renovation of three buildings. Designed with the neighbourhood scale in mind, the project revives two 100-year-old derelict houses and a crumbling 50-year old commercial strip mall into a showcase for environmentally-sensitive architecture and renovation in a tight urban setting.

Livingstone Street

C Isleville Street

The owners had a clear wish to reinforce a strong connection with the neighbourhood. After exploring a tear-down and rebuild, they chose to reuse the existing three buildings on the block to maintain the character and density of the Hydrostone neighbourhood. B

The buildings comprise: - Building A: Three residential units including one new accessible unit. Total Area: 2,330 ft2 - Building B: Five commercial units with new accessible entrances and one residential unit. Total Area: 7,770 ft2 - Building C: Two residential units. Total Area: 2,050 ft2 Inspired by the idea of the ‘Missing Middle’, a term referring to the lack of housing options between single-family houses and apartment towers, the project retrofitted and expanded five existing long term rental apartment units (four two-bedroom units and one bachelor).

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Kane Street Site plan

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

S 0'

10'

20'

30'

40'

PROJECT CREDITS ARCHITECT Solterre Design STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Sherwood Engineering and Andrea Doncaster Engineering Ltd. (Building C) MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Equilibrium Engineering GENERAL CONTRACTOR Castone Construction PHOTOS Acorn Art & Photography

2 2. Building B before renovation.

The urban block before renovation

The urban block after renovation

The Solterre team applied the same logic to the commercial building, retrofitting a number of poorly lit suites with fire safety concerns into five, daylit commercial units that provide direct and accessible connection to the street.

This gentle density project modernizes the city with a lower community impact utilizing existing infrastructure (bike lanes, transit, local amenities) that would have otherwise been strained under a sudden increase in population had the decision been made to build a new larger infill project.

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

The new design creates a comfortable pedestrian experience along Isleville Street. All five of the new commercial spaces have a clear street presence with individual front doors. Realizing the importance of accessibility, the client decided to repave the entire sidewalk, raising it six inches to make the main floor commercial spaces accessible. Material Palette The grey corrugated steel that covers the majority of all three buildings provides consistency along with fire resistance, durability and a clean aesthetic. Countering the metal in texture, colour and sheen, white cement panels highlight entrances and more public spaces in the residential buildings.

Finally, locally-milled rough-sawn hemlock was used as a feature material across all three projects to provide warmth and texture where people interact with the building. Solid, open joint 2x10 hemlock planks clad the commercial street façade with a unique and durable finish. Low-Carbon Design Each building underwent an ambitious energy retrofit to reduce energy use dramatically. Two layers of continuous insulation were added around the exterior of the buildings along with an air-tight weather barrier. Like a warm and draft-free blanket, this insulation approach eliminates thermal bridging and greatly improves energy efficiency and comfort. Walls and roofs are 25% and 50% better in thermal performance, respectively, than required by code which prepare these buildings for another 100 years of service.

3./4. Building C before and after renovation. 5./6. Building A before and after renovation. The high-performance windows for both buildings were manufactured by Kohltech Window & Entrance Systems.

5. Caption

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

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Seal roofing membrane to weather barrier for continuous air seal and seal onto roof flashing EPS foam board, 6”

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Metal drip flashing to match metal siding Drywall to provide fire proterction for spray foam 3”

Section at wall and roof

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

Best in class heat pump heating and cooling systems make all three buildings fully electric to go with an electrical grid that is becoming increasingly renewable. The commercial block has a designated roof area for a photovoltaic system to be added in future. These strategies optimize energy savings and minimize ongoing operational costs and carbon emissions. Quantifying the embodied carbon of construction materials is an environmental concern that should be considered. Renovation typically reduces the quantity of building materials for disposal and the virgin materials that replace them. Rehabilitating these three buildings reused 39 tonnes of wood, 65 tonnes of concrete block and 560 tonnes of castin-place concrete. 9 8

By renovating, the project saved about 100 tonnes of associated carbon dioxide emissions that would have been associated with the construction of an equivalent new building. The wood retained on-site in the walls, floor and roof structure maintained the estimated 50 tonnes of carbon dioxide that had been sequestered during the growing period. These 150 tonnes are about equivalent to the amount of carbon sequestered by 200 acres of forest in a year. David Gallaugher is an architect with Solterre Design.

7. Grey corrugated steel cladding covering the majority of all three buildings was chosen for its fire resistance, durability and clean aesthetic. 8. The partially enclosed terrace of Building A. 9. Truefoam expanded polystyrene (EPS) exterior foam board insulation helps to improve the thermal performance of the envelope. The wood exterior was finished with LifeTime Wood treatment by Valhalla Wood Preservatives Ltd.

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

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FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

Two Rocks House Energy performance and sensory delight make a home for the long term

1 1. The highly energy efficient Two Rocks house has a modern aesthetic and is rooted to the land.

By Judyann Obersi and Lorrie Rand Two Rocks is a 4,500+ square-foot Net-Zero Passive House that stands at the edge of a forest, overlooking Nova Scotia’s Gaspereau Valley and the Minas Basin beyond. The homeowners wanted an exceptional home, built with environmental responsibility as a top priority. Aesthetically, the goal was to create a distinctive, modern home that felt warm, comfortable, and rooted to the land.

Interior finishes were selected to nurture the senses with textural shifts over time. Polished concrete and maple hardwood floors reflect the abundant natural light throughout the home, while hexagonal floor tiles with speckled aggregate simulate natural patterns. Maple is brought in again as the stair finish, and the stair walls are lined with maple veneer. Crafted built-in shelving and cupboards are also made of maple veneer plywood. Raw steel beams support the exposed loft floor structure and the loft railings are steel as well.

Inspired by the site’s richly textured meadow, Habit Studio followed a biophilic design approach to create a tactile materials palette for the interior and exterior. Finishes were chosen for longevity and ease of maintenance.

Habit Studio includes beauty and pleasure as fundamental aspects of sustainable design, with the idea that a building high in sensory comfort and delight will stand the test of time in meeting the expectations of owners without need for future renovation.

On the outside, the walls are clad in locally-milled pine planks treated with LifeTime wood treatment to weather to a silvery patina. Charred cedar accents and a standing seam metal roof complete the durable enclosure.

The technical objectives for the project were energy efficiency, healthy indoor air quality, and the use of long-lasting, environmentally responsible materials. As a Passive House, the home is 80% more energy efficient than a code compliant home before the addition of a 24kW solar photovoltaic array, which brings the house to an ERS rating of 0.

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

Biophilic design Connections to gardens and external views restorative impact of exposure to nature

24 kW Net Zero solar array Passive principles - Solar gains - Daylighting of interior spaces - Shading devices - Natural cooling from mature trees - Cross ventilation

LO FT

Living/dining room

Entry

Hall

Main bedroom

Efficient mechancial systems - Heat recovery ventilation - Air source heat pumps

Building section

Durable envelope - Superinsulation - High efficiency windows & doors - Airtightness - Thermal bridge free - Robust materials Natural interior elements and natural light

PROJECT CREDITS DESIGNER Habit Studio STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Sandy Dewar BUILDER Bentley Built Homes MILLWORK Decoste Kitchens PHOTOS Chris Dickson

2. Exterior finishes were chosen for longevity and low maintenance, with walls clad in locally-milled pine planks, charred cedar accents and a standing seam metal roof. The wood exterior was finished with LifeTime Wood treatment by Valhalla Wood Preservatives Ltd.

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

3 4

Basement

Floor plans N 1. Storage 2. Recreation room 3. Games room 4. Guest bathroom 5. Guest bedroom 6. Mechanical room 7. Mudroom 8. Kitchen

7 8 9

10 13

9. Powder room 10. Pantry 11. Great room 12. Entry 13. Family bathroom 14. Laundry 15. Main bedroom 16. Bedroom 1

17. Bedroom 2 18. Walk in closet 19. Ensuite 20. Screened-in porch 21. Yoga area 22. Library 23. Office

3. Obtaining a large north-facing view from the main living area without compromising comfort was realized with European wood-frame, aluminum clad, triplepane Passive House windows supplied by VETTA Building Technologies Inc.

Main floor

6 mil polyethylene vapour barrier - 2x4 studs 16” o.c. offset 6” from 2x6 studs - dense packed cellulose insulation - 2x6 studs 16” o.c. 1/2” OSB sheathing Water resistant membrane 3/4” rainscreen furring 21 22

Vertical shiplap

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FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

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The site features a stunning view of Cape Blomidon, an important Nova Scotia landmark located to the north of the house. Obtaining a large north-facing view from the main living area without compromising comfort was realized with European wood-frame, aluminum clad, triplepane Passive House windows sourced through Ontario-based VETTA Windows. The wall assembly consists of an R50 doublestud wall filled with dense packed cellulose insulation. This approach offers an affordable, low carbon footprint for the R value achieved, with minimal thermal bridging. A 2x4 service cavity inside of the vapour barrier ensures plumbing and electrical installations do not compromise the airtightness of the envelope. Added benefits of this assembly are exceptional sound proofing and improved structural stability which results in fewer screw pops and drywall cracks.

4. Crafted built-in shelving and cupboards made of maple veneer plywood contribute to the sensory delight of the interior. Mini-split heat pumps, consisting of the M Series 20K BTU mini-split heat pump by Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada, serving each wing of the house, help to reduce energy demand. 5. Raw steel beams support the exposed loft floor structure, and the loft railings are also steel. A low BTU wood-burning fireplace, with dedicated makeup air, creates a cozy counterpoint to the large windows in the living room.

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

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The superior building envelope extends to the foundation with Truefoam 10in. EPS type 2 sub slab (R34) under foundation floor slab, and 1in. of Truefoam EPS insulation board next to the concrete foundation wall. A 1.5in. space between the EPS board and the 2x4 stud at 24in.oc wall is insulated with 5in. of cellulose insulation. With an airtightness of 0.7 air changes per hour (ACH), Two Rocks performs just shy of the Passive House target of 0.6 ACH. It is more than twice as airtight as an R2000 home and more than five times a typical code compliant home in Canada. Although not usually tested for airtightness, an average codebuilt home is estimated to be above four ACH.

The high efficiency energy recovery ventilation units (ERVs) provide fresh air to the interior. With many acres of forest, the site offers an ample supply of site-sourced fuel to meet the low space heating loads on cold days. A low BTU wood fireplace by Stuv, with dedicated makeup air, creates a cozy counter point to the large windows in the living room. Energy efficient appliances round out the mechanical systems with mini-split heat pumps serving each wing and a heat pump hot water tank, 2.5-3 times more efficient than their conventional counterparts. JUDYANN OBERSI & LORRIE RAND ARE PRINCIPALS AT HABIT STUDIO.

6. Polished concrete and maple hardwood floors reflect the abundant natural light. Maple is also used as the stair finish, and the stair walls are lined with maple veneer. 7. The addition of a 24kW solar photovoltaic array brings the house to an EnerGuide ERS rating of 100. The steel roof by Premier Metals consists of 24-gauge steel, 1-1/2” mechanically seamed, standing seam 16” wide panels. 8 .The master bedroom provides a quiet space and overlooks the surrounding forest.

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

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Delivering on ESG ambitions through certification

1 2

By Mark Hutchinson, VP of Green Building & Innovation, Canada Green Building Council Over the last decade, awareness of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria and the added value they provide building portfolios has grown. Increasingly, building owners and managers incorporate ESG criteria into their investment decisions in recognition of the potential for capital appreciation. Beyond the investor’s viewpoint, a comprehensive sustainability strategy can also benefit occupants and the community by creating welcoming spaces that are healthier and minimize environmental impacts. The path to adopting ESG criteria is not always clear but guidance from established green building programs like Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) can pave the way to a successful ESG strategy. Importantly, these pathways offer thirdparty certification validating the performance achieved while providing transparency and accountability for investors and other stakeholders.

BUILDING ON THE PAST Carbon is a cornerstone of ESG. The ZCB standards offer a comprehensive and rigorous approach to reducing both operational carbon from energy use and embodied carbon from building materials. The ZCB standards provide ambitious but flexible requirements for both design (new construction or retrofit) and operations. Participation in the program is growing rapidly with over 218 projects to date, sending a clear market signal that ZCB aligns well with carbon reduction targets established in corporate ESG objectives. The latest LEED rating systems for design and operations also evaluate operational and embodied carbon, rewarding different levels of performance. LEED also considers other sources of carbon emissions such as transportation and waste, recognizing that the “E” in ESG doesn’t only cover carbon. A range of other environmental impacts, such as water efficiency and preservation of habitat, are also important. Because LEED addresses sustainability in a holistic manner, it makes a great guide for establishing ESG criteria. Real estate portfolio owners can use ZCB and LEED to manage and futureproof their assets and adapt to new realities. Combining the holistic nature of LEED with the targeted carbon focus of ZCB certification ensures that projects work toward the important goal of zero carbon while meeting other critical ESG commitments. The criteria and benchmarks these voluntary certifications establish, combined with the transparency and accountability of third-party validation, simplify and strengthen reporting on ESG objectives, making it easier for investors to evaluate asset value.

1. Local 144 – Plumbers’ Union Head Office and Training Facility. As the first LEED BD+C Platinum-certified industrial building in Canada, and winner of the CAGBC 2022 Award for New Construction, the Local 144 facility in Pointe-aux-Trembles, QC, showcases how sustainability and green building practices can provide healthy, comfortable and efficient work spaces. Photo: Claude Dagenais, twohumans. 2. The Roam Transit Operations and Training Centre in Banff, and winner of the CAGBC 2022 Award for Zero Carbon, integrates low-carbon technologies including ultra-efficient mechanical systems, a super-insulated building envelope, district heating, a biomass waste-to-energy operation, solar photovoltaics, and electric bus charging. Photo: PCL Construction

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

Over 200 projects aim for zero carbon Registered projects under the Zero Carbon Building standards doubles A zero-carbon building is highly energy-efficient and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions from building materials and operations. Until all emissions can be eliminated, high-quality carbon offsets can be used as a counterbalance. CAGBC’s ZCB standards include the Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard for new construction and major renovations, and the Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard, which is an annual certification ensuring zero-carbon operations. In June, CAGBC launched the third version of ZCB-Design, providing projects with increased flexibility to meet thermal energy demand intensity (TEDI) requirements, address embodied carbon, and limit onsite combustion. The ZCB-Design Standard is a requirement for new buildings under Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

Édifice Jacques Parizeau. Photo credit: Ivanhoé Cambridge.

Momentum is growing for net-zero buildings, as registrations for the Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) standards doubled in less than six months. Developed by the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC), the ZCB standards offer industry a credible framework to achieve zero-carbon buildings. Established in 2017, the ZCB program has certified over 57 buildings with over 218 registered under the standards – more than double the registered projects in June 2022. This trend shows that the industry is overcoming the challenges in achieving zero carbon for new and existing building projects across Canada. “For years, CAGBC has focused its efforts on advancing zero-carbon buildings through our standards, education, research, and advocacy. Now we are starting to see results, with more zero-carbon projects, more retrofit financing options, and more government programs and policies supporting a low-carbon building sector,” said Thomas Mueller, CAGBC’s President and CEO. “We can’t let the momentum slow in scaling the decarbonization of Canadian buildings by 2050 which will require a massive effort from across the building sector and all levels of government.”

“We continue to evolve the ZCB standards to provide a framework for all buildings seeking to eliminate carbon emissions and lower embodied carbon,” said Mark Hutchinson, Vice-President of Green Building Programs and Innovation at CAGBC. “While the standards balance rigour with flexibility, reaching zero requires effort and planning. To meet Canada’s climate targets, all building owners should be revisiting their asset plans with carbon reductions in mind.” In Decarbonizing Canada’s Large Buildings, CAGBC put the spotlight on existing buildings – the most significant challenge to decarbonize by 2050. The research team studied 50 building archetypes and found all have a path to zero through deep carbon retrofits. The most cost-effective approach involves aligning with regular building system life cycles. For example, a building might only execute improvements to the envelop once in its lifetime – so it is imperative that when that opportunity comes, carbon reductions are front and centre. The new ZCB-Design certification can be leveraged for deep carbon retrofits on existing buildings. It also requires transition planning to ensure there is a plan to address any systems reliant on combustion . CAGBC will be working on programming to help teams develop their own transition plans in the coming months. “For most existing buildings, you have one chance to do deep carbon retrofits right,” Hutchinson said. “Don’t miss that opportunity.”

FALL 2022 | ATLANTIC FOCUS

The importance of BIOPHILIC DESIGN Advancing our physical and mental well-being By Heather Dubbeldam The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the importance we place on healthy homes and workplaces, at least from the perspective of infection control. While measures such as air filtration, sanitation and physical barriers deal effectively with physical risks to health, much less has been done to address the mental toll the pandemic continues to exact on individuals and society as a whole.

There has been no more critical time in modern history for architects and interior designers to reflect on how their work can create environments that promote occupant health and wellbeing.

1 1. Biophilic design is a human-centred approach to design that utilizes natural materials and patterns to support the physiological well-being of building occupants.

On average, Canadians spend roughly 90% of their time indoors between home and office. While we have long aspired to create healthy indoor spaces, the pandemic has highlighted how critically important it is. Over the past year we have seen a mini-exodus from cities as people seek healthier environments, more space and a reconnection with nature. City parks have confirmed their importance for urban dwellers as oases of refuge that offer green spaces and fresh air. Residential architects have been busy making homes more livable and more conducive to remote working. The crisis has also laid bare the shortcomings of social housing that has largely ignored occupant wellbeing. While corporations have often looked at the office as a real estate transaction, fitting as many people as possible into a space, they are now looking at the workplace from a relationship perspective. With the upcoming return to the office and with work practices upended, employers will need to create workplaces that are seen as both safe and enjoyable. Businesses at the forefront of workplace design are investing in biophilic design to improve employee well-being and productivity, and to attract and retain the best staff. So how can architects and designers create environments – whether residences, workspaces or institutions – that promote positive physical and mental well-being? One approach is through the incorporation of biophilic design. 24

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Biophilic design is often confused with biophilia or biomimicry; although they are related, they are not the same: • Biomimicry is the design and production of materials, structures, and systems that are modelled on biological entities and processes – the mimicking of nature in manmade things. • Biophilia, meaning love of nature, focuses on humanity’s innate attraction to nature and natural processes. It proposes that we have a genetic connection to the natural world built up through millennia spent living close to or immersed in nature. It explains why we feel more relaxed in a park, hiking in the woods or spending time at a lake. • Biophilia also contributes positively to our health; research shows that regular exposure to green space and natural elements is associated with a multitude of positive neurological and physiological outcomes, including a reduction in blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol and improved quality of sleep.

2 2. The Garden Circle House. A fully integrated approach to biophilic design was adopted to ‘bring nature in’. 3. Connectivity to the outdoors or to natural elements is incorporated in every part of the home. Upon entry, a direct view to the backyard is provided through a tall, narrow window on axis.

These concepts are foundational to biophilic design, which utilizes natural materials, patterns, and sensory elements to maintain a connection to nature within the built environment. This is a human-centred approach to design, integrating natural principles to support the physiological wellbeing of building occupants. Incorporating ‘direct’ or ‘indirect’ elements of nature into the built environment has been demonstrated to reduce stress, while supporting cognitive function, increasing productivity, creativity and self-reported rates of well-being. 'Direct' elements of nature include views to the exterior, plant material, ample natural light, and access to fresh air; ‘indirect’ elements include a sensory experience of the natural world achieved through spatial strategies, forms, pattern or materials. Biophilic design is not simply about organic forms and green walls, it is a series of design techniques that are integrated into the built environment in a more subtle, but equally meaningful way. Successful biophilic designs are inspired by the qualities and features of natural settings without being exact duplicates. The means by which this is achieved varies from spatial strategies to visual cues to forms and materials used in the design. These strategies can be grouped into three categories: NATURE IN THE SPACE The presence of nature in a space, visual, sensory or auditory, in the form of plants, water, breezes, scents, light, shadows, and other natural elements.

NATURAL ANALOGUES The representational presence of nature using natural materials, colours, patterns, and shapes incorporated into building design, facade ornamentation, or decor, including images of nature, simulated natural light and air, organized complexity, and biomorphic forms and patterns. NATURE OF THE SPACE & PLACE The incorporation of spatial elements commonly found in nature including: Prospect: Unimpeded views. Refuge: Places for withdrawal in which the individual is protected from behind and overhead. Mystery: Partially obscured views or other sensory devices that entice the individual to travel deeper into the environment, or a mild sense of risk - like stepping stones over a shallow pond or a double height space. The following case studies illustrate these aspects of biophilic design using examples from three of our firm’s projects in different sectors – residential, institutional, and commercial – to demonstrate practical applications and interventions that are not elaborate or complicated, and are possible to integrate into almost any project.

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CASE STUDIES GARDEN CIRCLE HOUSE This is a two-storey new build, single-family dwelling located in midtown Toronto on a modest lot with limited outdoor space. The client requested a home that would ‘bring nature in’ so we adopted a fully integrated approach to biophilic design.

3 4

This included strategies from all three categories of biophilic design. Due to the scale of the home, ‘direct experience of nature’, with convenient access to the exterior, was easier to achieve than in a larger project. Connectivity to the outdoors or to natural elements is incorporated in every part of the home, and is emphasized through multiple physical, visual and multi-sensory means – sight, sound, smell, and touch. Upon entry, a direct view to the backyard is provided through a tall, narrow window on axis, while the whole of the kitchen and living area opens out onto the landscaped backyard through floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. A strategically located window in the dining room frames an existing pear tree, its foliage casting animated plays of light and shadow, while the scent of the pear blossoms in spring and the ripe fruit in autumn filter through the window when open. Multiple green roofs can be seen from all bedrooms providing sensory delight with lush grasses, sweet plant smells and the soothing sounds of buzzing bees collecting pollen. In addition, the lap pool and water features in the backyard work together to create a relaxing effect both audibly and visually while helping to support natural cooling from breezes when the backyard doors are open. ‘Indirect experience of nature’ is achieved through the character and texture of natural materials emphasized throughout, including warm wood flooring, wood cabinetry, natural stone countertops, fireplace and tiles, and clay brick. On the exterior, brick in buff and warm grey shades, natural stone, mahogany windows and cedar cladding reflect the natural surroundings. A focal point of the interior is a curved central wood staircase with open risers and a solid mahogany balustrade that emulates natural organic forms and invites the hand to run along its sculptural contours. Light pours down from a large operable skylight, providing illumination deep into the ulterior. In conjunction with the open riser stairs, the operable skylight functions as a highly effective means for passive ventilation, drawing the cooler air up and venting the warmer air out. Biomorphic forms and patterns were incorporated in the stair, light fixtures and wall coverings, which include natural imagery and symbols including billowing clouds, mountain peaks and the trunks of birch trees. 4. A focal point of the interior is a curved central wood staircase with open risers and a solid mahogany balustrade that emulates natural organic forms and invites the hand to run along its sculptural contours.

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CANADIAN CENTRE FOR RURAL CREATIVITY The CCRC is a project on the boards, an arts centre to be located in the town of Blyth, Ontario celebrating the rural tradition of the performing and textile arts. The 33,000 sq.ft centre will be the first of its kind in Canada and will accommodate many different creative programs including fashion and creative textiles, performing arts studios, a media centre and fabrication lab, a multipurpose theatre and event space, a commercial kitchen and café, a gallery, and integration with outdoor event spaces and a community garden.

King Street

The design of the CCRC reinforces the connection between inside and outside for transparency to the community and visibility of the natural surroundings. Located in a rural setting, the design emphasizes the appreciation of the natural environment and the rich rural building traditions of the region. Staggered in plan, the building maximizes daylight and access to views; setbacks and cutouts in the massing allow for views to the exterior from many angles.

1 5 3

The rich tradition of building with wood in this region extends back more than a century. The new building respects this with its own “barn-like” vernacular structure featuring exposed wood posts and beams, an NLT ceiling, and wood siding. On the interior, natural variation in wood slatted walls is expressed to mimic natural processes. The building volumes are comprised of wood, brick and one using reclaimed wood cladding; the creative textile program occupies this volume and in reference, the cladding is ‘woven’ into pattern on the façade, expressing the program within. The theatre volume features large glass doors that open up to community gardens at the rear, inviting theatre goers’ direct access to green space.

Mill Street

In addition, the building is organized around an interior central ‘road’ or ‘spine’ serving as a circulation zone that visually and physically connects the different areas and creative disciplines within the building. This central spine is a key element in the programming of the space and the integration of biophilic design principles. The double-height volume with a mezzanine is a conduit for natural light from above. The lofty space is also topped with operable clerestory windows that allow for ample natural ventilation using stack effect. Views from the mezzanine level both to the exterior and interior spaces allow for prospect. A tall green wall at one end provides lush greenery and a source of oxygen and cooling to the central space, distributed by the HVAC system to other spaces in the centre. The mezzanine also leads out to an expansive green roof area allowing occupants on the upper-level direct access to a natural outdoor setting with vegetation and vantage points.

Wellington Street Site plan 1 Entrance 2 Outdoor event area 3 Proposed new building

4 Back exit 5 Loading area

6 Garden 7 Parking

5. An interior central circulation ‘road’ or ‘spine’ in the CCRC serves as a key element in the programming of the space and the integration of biophilic design principles. 6. Staggered in plan, the building maximizes daylight and access to views; setbacks and cutouts in the massing allow for views to the exterior from many angles.

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DUBBELDAM BUILDING Occupying a corner site on St. Clair West at the edge of Corso Italia, an under-utilized threestorey building was in decline for more than a decade. With our studio occupying the top floor of the building, this project offered an opportunity to demonstrate how modest interventions can go a log way to creating a building that promotes health and creativity by employing sustainable and biophilic design elements. In addition to our studio, we also operate a coworking space for creatives on the second floor. To round out the program, the ground floor is occupied by a creative agency and an indie coffee shop, and a residential unit is located in the raised basement.

Suggestive of the creative inhabitants working within, the two public-facing elevations activate the streetscape with a bold and playful graphic presence; painted drop shadows surrounding the windows create a three-dimensional trompe l’oeil effect to passersby, giving the illusion of light and shadow cast by the sun. The ‘shadows’ are cast in different directions to represent the passing of the sun at different times of the day and year. Entering the building, occupants and visitors are welcomed by a DIY green wall on the first landing. The custom Baltic birch pegboard not only provides a directory for the businesses in the building, but doubles as a green wall populated with lush plants in fragrant cedar boxes, welcome therapy especially during the cold winter months. Staff and other building occupants have adopted various sections of the wall and “tend garden” collectively. In addition, the underside of the entry stair is painted in bold tropical colours of fuchsia pink, deep red and terra cotta to add colour and energy in the main circulation space.

7. The Dubbeldam Building demonstrates how modest interventions can improve the ability to promote occupant health. 8. New windows in enlarged openings yield a 60 percent increase in glass area giving views of the neighbourhood, and supporting creativity and productivity.

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9 9. Entering the building, one is welcomed by a Baltic birch pegboard wall which provides a directory for the businesses in the building, and doubles as a green wall populated with lush plants. 10. In the central stair a stepped Baltic birch stringer extends for a continuous run from basement to third floor, while curved Baltic birch slats rise from the second-floor stairwell to wrap the ceiling at the third-floor entry door.

A large part of the approach to wellness in this commercial project was natural daylighting and ventilation, and the use of wood of varying types and forms. The new windows in enlarged openings yield a 60 percent increase in glass area, bringing in plentiful natural daylighting and views of the neighbourhood tree canopy, supporting both creativity and productivity. An expansive corner window cut out of the north and east façades, surrounded by catalogues and material samples on wood shelves, allows for seemingly limitless views east down St. Clair Avenue, delivering the biophilic principles of both prospect and refuge. Ample natural ventilation is provided through strategically-placed operable windows and doors. Consistent throughout the building is its natural Scandinavianinspired material palette of light maple floors, warm textured Baltic birch and restored original Toronto brick, contrasting with darker accents such as charcoal-grey doors and furniture. Natural woods are used generously throughout the building in feature entry walls, signage, fixtures, millwork, furniture, and flooring. In the central stair, a stepped Baltic birch stringer extends to guard height for a continuous run from basement to third floor. Curved Baltic birch slats rise from the second-floor stairwell floor to frame a full height window before wrapping up the ceiling to the thirdfloor entry door.

While we all can understand and appreciate the innate need of humans to connect with nature, and perhaps even understand its benefits to well-being, incorporating biophilic design approaches has not been a focus in discussions about healthy buildings and sustainability. In light of the ongoing health crisis, we need to refocus our collective design energies in producing environments that promote overall well-being. What is important to take away from this article is that the interventions do not need to be elaborate or expensive so much as considered and applied. As professionals we have a responsibility to improve the lives of those who will inhabit or work in the buildings we design. If not us, who? If not now, when? Heather Dubbeldam, OAA, FRAIC, LEED AP is principal of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design AND FOUNDER OF THENEXTGREEN.CA.

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N GREEN BU ILD 202 2 I

to the winning teams

AWARDS

>> CONGRATULATIONS >>

IA AD

Mountain Equipment Coop Vancouver Store Mixed Use Award (l to r) Hugh Cochlin (Design Lead), Michelle Allard, Teague Shinkewski of PROSCENIUM Architecture + Interiors Inc.

Doig River Cultural Centre Institutional (Small) Award (l to r) Peter Hildebrand, Principal Architect AIBC, MRAIC, LEED AP, and Gregory Bernardini of Iredale Architects

Gastown Child Care Centre Institutional (Small) Award (l to r) : Mark Ostry, Russell Acton, Matt Wood and Sergei Vakhrameev of Acton Ostry Architects Inc.

Green Gables Visitor Centre Institutional (Small) Award (I to r) Dre Taylor, M.Arch Candidate, Sara Haroun, Intern Architect and Kendall Taylor, President, Root Architecture Inc.; far right Nicole Coolen, Manager of Architecture, PSPC, Atlantic Region

Fort St john 50-Unit Passive House Affordable Rental Housing Residential (Large) Award (l to r) Paul Hammond, Principal Architect, Jiefei Zhang and Kevin Lin of Low Hammond Rowe Architects Inc.

Red Deer Polytechnic Residence Residential (Large) Award (l to r) Dereje Eshete, Vedran Škopac, Marwa Alshara, Miguel Queponds, Rebecca Jacob, Alexis Mitchell, Nina Christianson, Ruben Rouw, Louissa Fetiza, Trish Bolen, Zsaridel Sagun, Richard Isaac, Kent McKay of Reimagine Architects Ltd.

Clayton Community Centre Institutional (Large) Award (l to r) Melissa Higgs, Principal in charge, and Aiden Callison, Project Architect of hcma.

Kitsilano EnerPHit Duplex Residential (Small) Award (l to r) Dominic Citarella, Lead Carpenter of Geography Contracting, Lucio Picciano, principal of DLP Architecture, and Paul Shepski, Owner/Project Manager of Geography Contracting

1 Lonsdale Avenue Commercial/Industrial (Small) Award (l to r) Dean Shwedyk, Associate Hemsworth Architecture, Project Architect; and Krystie and Tyke Babalos, Owners.

Local 144 Building Commercial/Industrial (Large) Award (l to r) Martin Roy, P. Eng, LEED Fellow, Martin Roy et Associés; Sylvain Morissette, Business Manager and Financial Secretary, Association Unie Local 144; Alexandre Blouin, Blouin Tardif Architectes; and Lianne Cockerton, P. Eng, Martin Roy et Associés.

Integral Group-Calgary Design Studio Interior Design Award (l to r) Rob Gairns, Architect, Director of Design; Erica Lowe, Principal Architect; Lindsey Harbord, Intern Architect; and Daniel Vera, Technical Lead of LOLA Architecture

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