Ontario Focus spring 2021

ONTARIO Canada Green Building Council

FOCUS

ISSUE 21, SPRING 2021, CaGBC Regional Publication /

Canoe Landing Community Centre and Schools Complex A model for vertical communities

ZERO CARBON BUILDING Reaching new heights with first ZCB-Performance v2 certification 80 ATLANTIC Commercial mass timber delivers high performance WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN Unlocking the potential of retrofits

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Project: Downtown Toronto Landmark High Rise Project. Photo: Martin Nowacki.

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Moving forward together A message from Canada Green Building Council president and CEO, Thomas Mueller

This year’s spring Ontario Focus issue is an excellent reminder that we are slowly moving toward better weather and hopefully closer to a new normal. While vaccines bring new hope, there are still many miles to go before we can put the pandemic behind us. Like so many others, our sector continues to reassess and adjust as we navigate these unprecedented times.

On a positive note, construction continues unabated in most regions, and climate change remains at the forefront for Canadian policy-makers and, increasingly, business.

Many commercial owners are now looking at how they can transform their portfolios to zero carbon, including Kingsett, which was recently awarded ZCB Standard certification for 40 King St. W. in Toronto.

Over the past year, CaGBC has used the pandemic slow-down to make significant changes. Among other things, we re-invented how we deliver services to our members. We adapted our structure to provide greater market support and more opportunities for engagement across the country.

RAMPING UP BUILDING RETROFIT Last year the Canada Infrastructure Bank announced $2B to finance large-scale retrofits. Financing through CIB has long been a CaGBC recommendation to spark the retrofit economy and put Canada on a decarbonization path. GBCI Canada helps remove investment risks for financing for energy efficiency retrofits through its Investor Confidence Project. With two Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certifications now complete – including Efficiency Capital’s Woodgreen Community Housing projects in Toronto – it is clear that interest will grow in the Arc performance platform and IREE certification.

Recent successes have us feeling optimistic for 2021 and beyond. Over the last few months, many federal announcements have recognized the work we are doing to move the needle forward. Among our focus areas: positioning green buildings as the carbon solution that will help reignite Canada’s economy, create skilled jobs for a low carbon future, and transform Canada’s building sector to provide solutions to the challenges caused by climate change.

Now that momentum is turning toward green building as a catalyst for positive change, 2021 will see us double down on three areas critical to Ontario’s recovery.

ZERO CARBON AS THE NEW BASELINE Our Zero Carbon Building Standard is gaining momentum with new registrations and certifications.

The federal government has bet big on zero carbon in its Greening Government Strategy.

Many municipalities are also moving toward zero carbon buildings. The Toronto Green Standard will include zero carbon as a tool to help the city reach its carbon targets, and cities like Guelph are committing to reach zero carbon by 2050. Zero carbon performance can be achieved with readily available knowledge, skills and technology; however, a proposed increase in carbon pricing will make the argument for zero carbon even more compelling.

WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION Last year we joined with stakeholders in Ontario to launch Workforce 2030, a broad coalition of organizations representing employers, educators, and workers to help the building sector adopt the skills needed in a low carbon economy. Recent announcements indicate that the federal government is earmarking investment for workforce development. Such moves highlight how critical it is to ensure the workforce has the low-carbon skill sets needed to deliver zero carbon retrofits and new buildings at scale.

I believe this issue of Ontario Focus showcases the growing momentum for green, low-carbon building innovation, and that each story demonstrates how together we are making “every building greener.” I hope you will enjoy this issue – I know I have.

Yours, Thomas Mueller

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Savings by Design | Affordable Housing

Strategize for sustainability — Evolve your design with FREE building science consulting

The Savings by Design program will help you build in energy efficiency at the early stages of design. You will collaborate with sustainable building experts to: • Optimize energy performance.

• Build better than code.

• Earn financial incentives.* Success Story

Youth Services Bureau, Ottawa

23.0%

projected annual energy savings

30.8%

projected annual natural gas savings

27.9%

projected GHG reduction

“We had a great experience working with the experts from Enbridge Gas and would recommend Savings by Design to anyone looking to improve the energy efficiency of their affordable housing project.”

– Wes Richardson, Director of Finance

Visit savingsbydesign.ca to get the most out of your next project. * HST is not applicable and will not be added to incentive payments. Terms and conditions apply. Visit savingsbydesign.ca for details. To be eligible for the Savings by Design Affordable Housing program, projects must be located in the former Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. service area. © 2021 Enbridge Gas Inc. All rights reserved. ENB 444 2021

See the digital version at 10

http://www.cagbctoronto.org/communications/chapter-publications

In this Issue Spring 2021

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Professional Development & Events

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Zero carbon building reaches new heights with first ZCB-Performance v2 certification

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Garden Circle House - Passive and active systems integrate with biophilic design

80 Atlantic - Commercial mass timber delivers high performance

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How Caledon built a high-performance community centre

Canoe Landing Community Centre and Schools Complex A model for vertical communities

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Unlocking the potential of retrofits

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A joint publishing project of the 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 Domtar Husky Opaque text offset paper.

Cover: Canoe Landing Community Centre and Schools Complex Photo: Michael Muraz.

Upcoming Events + Workshops CAGBC is the leading green building education provider in Canada, delivering education to over 45,000 green building professionals since 2004. Our online and in-person programs and courses are developed and delivered by expert industry professionals that can help further your career, professional development and knowledge of Canada’s vibrant green building industry.

Using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for Ontario’s EWRB CaGBC, through generous funding by The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), will in the spring of 2021 be hosting a series of free participation-focused online workshops on how to report to Ontario’s Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking regulation using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Please note that each workshop will cover the same information.

• • • • • •

Thursday, April 15: 1-4pm Wednesday, April 28: 9am-12pm Tuesday, May 11: 1-4pm Friday, May 28: 9am-12pm Tuesday, June 8: 2-5pm Thursday, June 17: 9am-12pm

The Drilldown: Masterclass in Geothermal Energy Tuesday, April 20: 12-1:30pm The Canadian building sector is being called upon to step up its efforts to decrease carbon emissions. Cities such as Vancouver and Toronto have established green building frameworks which aim to reach zero emission buildings by 2030. To meet these goals, renewable heating and cooling solutions like geothermal will need to be implemented. In this Masterclass you will: • Hear from key stakeholders in the construction ecosystem who are readily adopting & managing geothermal systems within their portfolios;

• Learn how to optimize implementation and integration of geothermal energy systems; • Hear about success factors/lessons learned and how working with a geothermal system differs from a business-as-usual HVAC solution; and, • Take home an action plan designed to help with the implementation of your future geothermal energy projects.

The WELL Building Standard Workshop Thursday, April 22: 1-4:30pm WELL is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind. This half-day introductory workshop will introduce broad audiences to the WELL Building Standard, including its key processes. The organization and development of the WELL Building Standard is presented in the context of the healthy buildings movement.

The Zero Carbon Building Standard Workshop Tuesday, May 18: 12-3:30pm This live half-day workshop will review important foundational knowledge for low-carbon buildings, with an emphasis on the latest version of CaGBC’s Zero Carbon Building Standard. The requirements for both new and existing buildings will be addressed.

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 6

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Zero carbon building reaches new heights with first ZCB-Performance v2 certification

By CaGBC Staff Scotia Plaza’s 40 King Street West is a commercial high-rise located in the heart of Toronto’s financial district.

In June 2020, it became the largest zero carbon building in Canada, and the first to certify under Zero Carbon Building - Performance v2.

Designed by WZMH Architects and completed in 1988, Scotia Plaza’s 40 King Street West features 68 storeys of above-grade AAA Class commercial office space, and below-grade, one level of retail and four levels of parking. The building is a concrete frame, clad with distinctive granite claddings and punched window openings with double-glazed, aluminumframed windows that make the building stand out in the Toronto skyline.

Accelerating to zero in Toronto’s financial core Scotia Plaza’s 40 King St. W. is recognized as one of the first major office towers in Canada to achieve LEED Platinum certification. As a premium location in the heart of the financial district, it was important to the building owners, KingSett Capital, Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), and James Richardson & Sons Limited (JSRL), that the building maintain the highest operating standards.

“The path to becoming a zero carbon building started by making the necessary building and operational enhancements to achieve LEED Platinum, which was an integral step in being able to achieve the Zero Carbon Building certification,” said Bill Logar, EVP of Asset Management at KingSett Capital. “This achievement makes 40 King St. W. a healthier, more sustainable, and all-around more environmentally sound workplace.”

KingSett invests in sustainable and innovative solutions that go beyond the building to enhance communities, mitigate risk, and reduce environmental impact – including reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Scotia Plaza’s 40 King Street West in Toronto, Ontario was certified LEED Platinum and Zero Carbon BuildingPerformance v2. Photo this page and next page: KingSett.

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KingSett is committed to developing asset-specific carbon neutrality roadmaps for its assets. Having achieved LEED Platinum, Fitwel, and WiredScore certification at 40 King St. W., tackling GHG emissions using the Zero Carbon Building Standard was a natural next step. Achieving and maintaining these high standards is critical for the overall environmental, social, governance and resilience performance of the building.

Prioritizing carbon reductions The pursuit of the ZCB Standard meant taking a close look at energy requirements. Both grid electricity and utility-supplied natural gas are consumed at 40 King Street West. The building benefits from the fact that central heating is electric, not typical of large towers.

Property management team, BentallGreenOak, leverages 40 King St. W.’s robust metering and energy monitoring system to record and drive decision making from real-time interval consumption data. This level of detail allows for a comparison of current energy consumption against energy budget estimates, real-time variations in energy use and fast detection of anomalies.

“A sophisticated metering system enables the tracking of energy consumption and early identification of potential anomalies at the property,” said David Matarasso, Principal, Property Management at BentallGreenOak. “Together, these serve as a system of internal controls which support the operations teams and drives performance at the building.”

Consideration was also given to the HVAC equipment containing refrigerants, in keeping with the updates to ZCB Standard v2. The LEED certification at the building already required proper refrigerant management, including detailed maintenance and record-keeping procedures. ZCB-Performance certification required that the owners take a step further, reporting and offsetting all refrigerant leakage.

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Always looking ahead As part of the ZCB Standard certification, a carbon transition plan was established to help move the building away from the limited number of systems using fuel combustion. Four systems historically used combustion-based technology: main building humidification, parking garage heating, loading dock heating, and concourse restaurants.

Working with a team of consultants at Purpose Building Inc., the owners are rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuel combustion for all base building systems. The remaining fossil fuel combustion will be limited to the restaurant tenants and their cooking equipment.

Thanks to the building’s original design, reliance on limited combustion-based systems, and diligent ongoing performance monitoring, this 68 storey building had a total carbon footprint of only 1,561 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Going above and beyond, KingSett chose to assess and offset emissions associated with the waste from the building, which contributed a further 1,194 metric tonnes. Carbon offsets were purchased against the emissions and to drive climate change mitigation measures through worthy projects. KingSett chose to invest in Gold Standard carbon offsets, widely regarded as among the highest-quality carbon offsets in the world. Gold Standard offsets fund emissions reduction projects and sustainable development around the world.

As one of the most prestigious addresses in Toronto’s financial district, KingSett is proud to add Zero Carbon Building Standard certification to 40 King St. W.’s accolades.

“The transition to a carbon-neutral portfolio requires thoughtful long-term planning. We are making investments today that will have a positive impact on climate change now and in the future, such as pursing the Zero Carbon Building Standard,” said Logar.

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Garden Circle House Passive and active systems integrate with biophilic design

By Heather Dubbeldam This two-storey 3,200 sq. ft. residence for a family of four in a midtown Toronto neighbourhood is a response to the client’s desire for a sustainable home inspired by nature, connected to the outdoors and awash in daylight. The homeowners were seeking an environmentally sustainable home with increased comfort and well-being, along with the long-term savings of lower energy usage.

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The approach to the design of the house was to integrate passive sustainable strategies with the mechanical and electrical systems to achieve the most efficient methods of heating, cooling and lighting while minimizing operating costs. The passive systems employed in the design include natural ventilation, passive cooling, daylighting, solar gain, and green roofs. Integrated with these are highly-efficient M&E systems, namely in-floor radiant heating, high-velocity cooling, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and high-efficiency LED lighting. Rough-ins were made for photovoltaic panels combined with a Tesla Powerwall to be added later.

Through siting, the house’s glazing was optimized for passive solar gain during the heating season and solar exclusion during the cooling season. East- and west-facing windows on the lower level, sheltered by a tree on the west side of the property and four large overhangs each topped with a green roof, bring in cool air that is circulated throughout the house.

1. All landscaping, including the vegetated roofs on the overhang and the cabana roof, was designed and installed

by Oriole Landscaping. The vegetated roofs increase green space, mitigate heat island effect, and reduce storm water run-off. The backyard deck allows rainwater to return to the soil below. Rainwater for garden irrigation collects in a cistern.

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To avoid unnecessary heat gain, there are no windows on the south elevation, but with ample windows elsewhere the entirety of the occupied floor area is within 7 metres of an operable window. The open plan is organized around a central, openriser staircase topped with operable skylights. Combined with operable windows on all levels this creates a powerful stack effect for significant natural ventilation and passive cooling in the summer, lessening the demand for air-conditioning.

The stair also functions as a lightwell, drawing natural light deep into the centre of the house. The horseshoe-shaped corridor configuration on the second storey terminates in an overlook down to the ground floor, creating a double-height condition that channels additional daylight from above into the entry vestibule. This produces an interior that is awash in natural light, reflecting off the white walls, significantly reducing the need for artificial lighting.

In the winter, the in-floor radiant heating system, connected to a high-efficiency boiler, is a low-energy method of heating.

Warm air that rises is circulated through high-wall return air grilles and the HRV contributes to energy efficiency. The areas of tile flooring over cement base retain the heat from the low sun, complementing the in-floor radiant heating system, and the well-insulated envelope reduces heat loss and gain through the building envelope.

A cool roof of light-coloured standing seam metal helps to keep the cooling load down on the second floor. High efficiency LED lighting is used throughout, with the actual energy consumption (lighting, heating and cooling) being 5,895 kWh per annum, compared to the average annual electricity consumption for a residential utility customer in Toronto of 9,500 kWh (taken from Toronto Hydro’s website).

Domestic hot water is supplied ‘on demand’ from the radiant heating system boiler, reducing potable water wastage due to wait times for hot water. In addition, the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures and an outdoor rainwater cistern for garden irrigation reduces potable water consumption to about 161 L of water/day/occupant compared to the average Ontario household consumption of 219 L of water/day/occupant.

Complementary to the sustainable strategies, biophilic design approaches are incorporated for health and wellbeing. Biophilic design incorporates natural materials, natural light, vegetation, and views of nature into interior spaces. The intent is for the occupants of the house to enter into a much more fruitful and engaging dialogue with their natural surroundings.

2. The design team drew upon passive sustainable approaches and biophilic design which incorporates natural materials, natural light, vegetation, and views of nature to promote health and well-being.

The exterior uses clay brick and a combination of Western red cedar cladding with Massaranduba. Hard surfaces use a permeable-paver system.

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Floor plans

1. Rec room 2. Gym 3. Storage room 4. Utility / storage room 5. Bathroom 6. Sauna 7. Cold storage

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8. Study / pantry 9. Garage 10. Family room 11. Entry foyer 12. Kitchen 13. Mudroom 14. Dining room

15. Bedroom 16. Walk-in closet 17. Laundry room 18. Hallway 19. Open to below 20. Green roof

PROJECT CREDITS ARCHITECT Dubbeldam Architecture + Design

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STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Blackwell Structural Engineers PHOTOS SCOTT NORSWORTHY

Second floor

BUILDING GROSS FLOOR AREA 297 m2 ENERGY INTENSITY 115 KWhr/m2/year REDUCTION IN ENERGY INTENSITY 38% POTABLE WATER CONSUMPTION 161 Litres/Day/Occupant 9

REDUCTION IN WATER CONSUMPTION: 26% 13 3. A stair topped with operable skylights, coupled with strategically placed operable windows, creates a stack effect in the cooling season and brings natural light to the core of the house.

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The biophilic design strategies for this project included a palette of natural materials, lush landscaping and water features that offer both visual and auditory effects to enhance a sense of calmness. Spatial strategies are also utilized to maximize natural light and to visually connect to the outdoors through ample fenestration and elevated vantage points. Upon entry into the house, a direct view to the backyard pool and landscaping is visible through a tall, narrow window on axis. Looking back toward the front entry, the double-height space dramatically showcases the home’s dynamic spatial qualities, enhanced by the light that pours in from the tall windows above.

Views are primarily oriented to the rear yard, with access through wall-to-wall sliding doors in the kitchen. A hot tub built into the hard-wearing Cumaru outdoor decking and firepit on the small patio, transforms the backyard into a relaxing oasis for three out of four seasons.

Garden Circle House is a demonstration of how architectural design can provide a sense of well-being while employing sustainable building technologies and systems.

Heather Dubbeldam is principal of DUBBELDAM Inc. Architecture + Design.

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4. View to the double-height space next to the entry foyer flooded with natural light.

5. The kitchen and family room look out to the backyard.

Active infloor radiant heating works with passive solar gain and thermal mass to heat the home in winter. A NTI TFT Series boiler serves a radiant floor heating system.

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ginkgosustainability.com DESIGN | I NSTALL | MAI NTAIN

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80 Atlantic Commercial mass timber delivers high performance

By Richard Witt Hullmark and BentallGreenOak on behalf of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada commissioned BDP Quadrangle to establish a premium office building at 80 Atlantic in the Liberty Village area of Toronto. The objective was to expand on the creative class community and culture that they had already established with the loft-and-beam conversion of 60 Atlantic, leveraging innovative design to attract quality tenants.

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1. 80 Atlantic complements Liberty Village’s wealth of converted factory and warehouse buildings while also providing a blueprint for sustainable and economically competitive new developments.

2. and 3. (next page) The transparency of the south-facing elevation enlivens the streetscape. The buff Ceramitex rainscreen and the scale of the punched windows honour the industrial brick vernacular of the area. The thin sintered ceramic slab is manufactured with fiberglassreinforced mesh backing that is adhered to the Elemex Unity® attachment technology.

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Changes to the 2015 Ontario Building Code allowing for commercial wood buildings up to six storeys prompted the opportunity to create Ontario’s first mass timber commercial building in over a century. The project transformed a former parking lot and expanded the sustainable framework established at 60 Atlantic to create a high-quality community hub at the heart of the neighbourhood.

We recognized our unique position to showcase mass timber as a viable commercial asset to future designers and developers, while also introducing the environmental benefits of the material to the general public. Wood is a renewable and sustainable local resource that enables faster, quieter and safer construction, and a beautiful, adaptable and healthy environment.

Whereas concrete and steel generate high levels of emissions, wood sequesters carbon and avoids the emissions produced by standard structural materials. To show that this wood building was worth the long-term investment, we engaged RWDI engineering consultants to perform a life-cycle analysis to measure 80 Atlantic’s embodied carbon footprint. The analysis showed that the wood structure’s reduced carbon impact was equal to 21 years of operational energy, compared to 43 years for its concrete counterpart. Put another way, a similar concrete building would result in 410 kg CO2, a steel building in 8,200 kg CO2, while 80 Atlantic produces -1000 kg CO2.

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2. Courtyard

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Making Mass Timber Buildings even better At Global IFS we manufacture, distribute, and install Raised Access Floor, Under Floor Air Distribution and Modular Plug and Play Power systems. Our solution eliminates unsightly duct work and overhead wires so that the beautiful wood structure remains the main focal point. Other benefits include:

Enhance Biophilia promoting better health & wellness Provide better thermal comfort with UFAD Systems Increase Energy Efficiency Create Floor to Floor Noise Isolation Barrier Provide Mass Damping of Slab

With the use of our systems, you are creating a space that is highly flexible now and in the future. This enables you and your tenants to:

Easily reconfigure the space with Modular Plug & Play Power Quickly change custom floor finishes Relocate or rezone diffusers for optimal comfort

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THE PROCESS At the outset of the project there were only two engineered mass timber manufacturers in Canada which created scheduling risks in securing sufficient material on time, and which led us to consider sourcing wood from international suppliers. Additionally, mass timber is manufactured to tight tolerances and each manufacturer has different specifications. To overcome this, we engaged the wood supplier in the design development process so that details were resolved before construction.

Wood construction and assembly methods are different from conventional buildings, and so we had to develop many new details that would have otherwise been standard. For the trade professionals on site, there was significant learning and experimentation with the material; for example: providing smoke seals around the timber column bases within the raised access floor, or detailing the connections to support the curtain wall on the wood slabs.

East west section showing engineered plenum

From its inception, the project drew the attention of the local architecture community, and we felt that it was important to be as transparent as possible about our process and findings to help encourage sustainable architecture in the province.

We built a full-scale mock-up at the Carpenter’s Union for the benefit of students and other interested parties. We also hosted multiple open houses during the construction phase for Ontario Wood WORKS!, architects, school groups and the media. We also performed air tightness testing to ensure that the building was performing as designed.

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Engineered plenum details 1. Glulam column, 641mm x 654mm 2. TecCrete Raised Access Floor 3. and 4. Service lines in underfloor air plenum

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5. Concrete top, 100mm 6. Cross laminated timber, 300mm 7. Glulam beam, 641mm x 654mm 8. Joint 9. Column base with 50mm reveal

POST AND BEAM 2.0 80 Atlantic comprises four storeys of mass timber offices above a one-storey concrete retail podium. It integrates the feeling of a post and beam warehouse conversion, with integrated design, form and technology to ensure a healthy and sustainable workplace environment.

Air tightness testing verified that the building exceeded the Washington State target infiltration rate, achieving a rate of 0.32cfm/ft2 @75 Pa. The HVAC system is tucked into the TecCrete raised floor air plenum to keep the air moving and temperatures comfortable.

Operable windows also give users control over their fresh air. The Camino modular electrical power distribution systems are also in the raised floor air plenum, resulting in a highly adaptable and uncluttered space.

Annual energy consumption is 150 KWhr/m2, with 104KWh/m2 for the base load and 46KWh/m2 for the process loads. The building’s energy savings stem from an energy recovery ventilator with 88% sensible recovery serving the RTUs, and condensing boilers with a thermal seasonal efficiency of 90%. High performance LED lighting and occupancy sensors reduce the energy required to light the space from the code reference of 8.07W/m2 to 3.87 W/m2.

4. An open, contemporary interior optimizes layout flexibility.

5. Camino mechanical and modular electrical and telecommunications systems are tucked away from view in the TecCrete raised floor air plenum.

The HVAC system under the raised floor keeps the air moving and temperatures comfortable. Wiring runs from floor to ceiling in concealed channels.

According to Mike Hinton, Sales Manager of Camino/Global IFS, such advantages deliver improved aesthetics, increased energy efficiencies, cleaner air and future flexibility.

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PROJECT CREDITS Owner Hullmark Developments Ltd and BentallGreenOak Architect BDP Quadrangle General Contractor Eastern Construction Landscape Architect Vertechs Design Inc Civil Engineer R V Anderson Associates Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Smith + Andersen Structural Engineer RJC Engineers Commissioning Agent RWDI Building Envelope Consultant RDH Building Science Heritage Envelope Consultant Philip Goldsmith Architect Ceramitex® Facade Installer Ontario Panelization (manufactured by Elemex Architectural Facade Systems) Raised Access Floor, Under Floor Air Distribution, Modular Plug & Play Electrical Power Distribution, and Specialty finishes Camino, a Global IFS Company Photos Doublespace Photography and Bob Gundu

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PROJECT PERFORMANCE Building gross floor area: 12,950 m2 Energy Intensity: 150 KWhr/m2/year - Energy Intensity, base building:

104 KWhr/m2/year

- Energy Intensity, process energy:

46 KWhr/m2/year

Reduction in energy intensity: 32%, based on ASHRAE 90.1-2010 modified by SB-10 Water consumption from municipal source: 4,712 litres/occupant/year Reduction in water consumption: 23% 6. The glazed facade displays the wood interior and indoor activity. Carey Glass supplied all the IGUs for this project. The requirement for the highest quality glass was imperative to showcase the beautiful timber structure within the building.

7. The vegetated roof system provides pollinator habitat with the inclusion of nine different species of native perennials, one grass and seven species of Sedums. Prevegetated modular green roof system by LiveRoof Ontario.

Installed and maintained by Ginkgo Sustainability.

Kilmer Environmental Inc. supplied four 50 ton AAON rooftop units with modulating cooling and airflow for underfloor air distribution, as well as two AAON indoor water source heat pumps.

8. Integration with the neighbouring 60 Atlantic occurs through a shared courtyard.

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Punched windows echo the architecture of surrounding heritage buildings and maintain a favourable window-to-wall ratio of 40%. One curtain wall bathes the biophilic interiors in natural daylight, offering tenants spectacular lake views while showcasing the wood interiors to passersby. This gesture also mitigates the building’s mass and increases street animation.

80 Atlantic features the first green roof on a mass timber commercial building in Toronto, which we hope informs future projects. The green roof is a combination of intensive and semiintensive species, with taller grasses around the edges. The site’s landscaping is composed of 100% native tree species, planted in Silva Cells, and at least 50% native and drought-tolerant plants. Rainwater is retained and reused for landscaping.

In five years, shade will cover 75% of the hardscape with 50% of the shading achieved from high albedo landscape materials.

In addition to native plantings, 80 Atlantic’s potable water consumption was reduced by 23% compared to the LEED v2009 baseline through strategies including low flow fixtures (1.9 LPM lavatories and 5.7 LPM for showers). 80 Atlantic is now part of the city’s heritage – a refined, Class A, mass timber office building that stands as the prototype for a new, economically competitive and environmentally sustainable design.

Richard Witt is a principal with BDP Quadrangle.

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Canoe Landing Community Centre and Schools Complex A model for community amenities in the city core

By Peter Duckworth-Pilkington, ZAS Architects Inc. + Interiors Building vertical higher-density communities can be a key approach to a more sustainable built environment. Having less area per person can reduce both embodied and operational energy use, and higher density supports walking, cycling and public transit.

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The Canoe Landing Community Campus provides a critical place of social infrastructure to make the vertical CityPlace neighbourhood in downtown Toronto livable and attractive to a wide demographic of residents.

Canoe Landing combines a city park, community centre, two elementary schools, a childcare and Toronto’s first rooftop park all on one site to create a dynamic nexus of activity. Bringing all these programs under one roof created space and program synergies that resulted in a more efficient building footprint and envelope that reduces cost and preserves open space.

Site/Level 1 plan

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1. Turf/Grass Field 2. School Playground 3. Children’s Play Area 4. Public Plaza 5. Parking 6. Gymnasium 7. Change Rooms 8. Kindergarten Classroom 9. Childcare Playroom

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Realising this building would serve a unique community of vertical living pioneers, the program was developed in close collaboration with residents, where unique program elements like an indoor playground, community kitchen, rooftop allotment gardens and indoor/ outdoor farmers market were added to the building program - all elements suggested by the community for the community.

The project’s sustainable approach was holistic and inherent in the design from the start. Every decision was evaluated against the project’s sustainability goals. The goals sought to reduce building energy and water use but also to encourage active transportation to the site; create native habitat; provide spaces of high indoor environmental quality; and provide spaces for community interaction and resilience in the community by inspiring individuals to take stewardship of their own sustainable actions.

1. Along the streetscape, a transparent façade reveals a multi-purpose community room. Canoe Landing fulfills the need for a social and educational nexus in Toronto’s booming downtown core.

2. Sloping vegetated roofs sculpturally address both aesthetics and functionality, creating a “fifth elevation” rather than a typical roof. Photovoltaic panels to generate 5% renewable energy. Mural Design by Anishinaabe Artist Que Rock and Alexander Bacon.

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Sustainability diagram

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PROJECT CREDITS Owner City of Toronto & Children’s Services, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board Architect ZAS Architects Inc. + Interiors General Contractor Buttcon/Atlas Landscape Architect The Planning Partnership Civil Engineer WSP Electrical and Mechanical Engineers WSP Structural Engineer WSP Commissioning Agent CFMS Building Envelope Consultant ZEC Consulting Photos Michael Muraz Mural Design Anishinaabe Artist Que Rock and Alexander Bacon Cupolex Vapour Mitigation and Soil Cell Pavement Design Pontarolo Engineering Inc.

3. The school play area. Pontarolo Engineering converted impervious spaces at Canoe Landing into Resilient assets by integrating Cupolex Soil Cell pavements. Pontarolo designed Cupolex slab soil gas venting system to mitigate potential safety risk associated with soil vapor intrusion.

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cupolex.ca

FORWARD THINKING

Resilience & Sustainable Construction LEADING THE WAY Pontarolo Engineering and CUPOLEX is a global manufacturer, engineering, consulting, and construction services firm driven to understand and meet the distinct needs of every client. By blending insight with our proprietary technological innovation CUPOLEX , we help clients elevate their efficiency, sustainability, and impact on climate change adaptive strategies. The cement and concrete industry view the CUPOLEX Engineering methodology as helping the industry be more sustainable and resilient to climate change.

URBAN RESILIENCE Converting Risk-Driving Impervious Spaces into Resilient Assets VAPOUR INTRUSION Delivering value engineered and cost-effective Vapor Intrusion Mitigation design solutions with world-class VI Experts.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Leading global manufacturer of engineered concrete cast-in-place solutions for stormwater management systems.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION Offering value engineering and cost-effective structural design solutions supporting sustainable & green construction.

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East-West Section through the Community Centre & Multipurpose Community space Energy and water use reduction started with passive approaches. Simple and effective moves decrease the reliance on mechanical and electrical systems. The building’s area was reduced by 15% by co-locating the main program elements through efficiencies realised in a shared mechanical plant, circulation space and stacking.

While this type of area efficiency is not recorded in the energy model, it does represent real area that will not need to be heated, cooled, or lit.

Sharing and timetabling of use allow the reduction of parking spaces to just 72 which were located underground. Even the topography of the site was utilised to semi-earth shelter lower levels of the building, reducing the exposed building envelope. Infrared sensors and flow control pluming fixtures delivered water savings of over 30%. A high-performance envelope consists of effective Rsi 3.5 walls and Rsi 5.3 roof, and a windowto-wall ratio of 40:60. All work together to minimize use of an efficient mechanical and electrical system which includes: energy recovery, occupancy sensors, variable speed drives, modulating condensing boilers, LED lighting and daylight harvesting.

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4. Bisected by a pedestrian corridor, the building connects through an elevated bridge forming an east-west gateway.

All exterior cladding is by Alpolic Metal Composite Materials.

5. The lobby.

6. An overhead view showing the vegetated roofs, PV arrays, and the rooftop basketball court.

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SPRING 2021 Ontario FOCUS

METAL COMPOSITE MATERIALS

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A BETTER WORLD

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ALPOLIC ® materials are manufactured with sustainability in mind and come with one of the strongest warranties in the industry. Whether you are designing a green building or bringing an older building up to current energy-code standards, wrapping the building with ALPOLIC ® materials is a smart choice. Order samples of our finishes and see the possibilities for your design.

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The planning of a safe route to the schools and community centre, while also discouraging private auto use, were key parts of the sustainability plan. The infrastructure was put in place to support walking and riding to the school and community centre, including wide, shaded walking paths.

Secure, under cover bike parking and bike lanes were installed along the main access road. “Walking school bus” routes were established along with traditional bussing for children who needed it.

Indoor spaces are provided with ample glare-controlled natural light, low-VOC durable materials, and effective ventilation with MERV 13 outdoor intake filters.

Designing for community resilience was also a key goal.

This includes emergency back-up facilities so that the centre can act as a place of refuge in the event of extreme climatic events, and providing opportunities for neighbour to meet neighbour to build a web of interdependence that makes communities socially connected and resilient.

Demonstrating sustainability can be a building’s greatest impact and it was important to make the sustainability visible.

Double-sided solar panels, visible from a main skylight, are used to both generate power and shade the atrium. The building’s automation systems provide visible downloadable data to track energy use, and often acts as a subject of study for student projects.

The project has been certified as Toronto Green Standard Tier 2 compliant and a modelled energy performance of 30% below a ASHRAE 90.1-2010 + OBC SB-10 Reference Case, with an energy intensity of 190 ekWh/m2.

In addition, rooftop-mounted solar photovoltaic panels produce renewable generation equivalent to 5% of the annual energy use of the building. Due to COVID 19 restrictions the building has not been fully occupied, however, the measured energy use to date appears very positive.

Peter Duckworth-Pilkington is principal at ZAS Architects Inc. + Interiors.

7. The three-storey area of the building has classrooms for younger students on the lower level, and the older grades on the upper two levels.

The Ontario Science Centre designed and provided the indoor play structure to further develop play as learning objectives based on the OSC pedagogy. Play elements are themed around urban food production, construction, the natural environment and scientific principles.

8. The angular main roof of the complex cantilevers out toward the street and above the main entrance to provide shelter.

9. A two-storey gymnasium occupies a prominent corner, the active programming on full display along Fort York Boulevard.

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SPRING 2021 Ontario FOCUS

UNLOCKING the potential of retrofits

By Akua Schatz, VP of Advocacy and Market Engagement, CAGBC Canada’s green building sector is on the rise, and that’s great news for the country’s embattled economy. According to recently released numbers from the Canada Green Building Council, Canada’s green building sector saw 55 per cent more jobs in 2018 over 2014. But that impressive growth will pale in comparison should federal and provincial governments invest in recovery spending that prioritizes green building improvements and innovation.

The building sector has always been a pillar of any economic recovery, and now – faced with looming carbon reduction targets – green building provides Canada with a path out of this economic downswing, and into a new low-carbon economy.

CaGBC predicts that a green recovery and proactive policy could result in 1.5 million direct green building jobs and $150 billion in GDP by 2030. Such numbers would go a long way in the federal government’s strategy to add a million jobs, as well as meet its carbon reduction targets. However, we can’t build our way out of a climate or economic crisis. We really have to focus on engineering a better future for all Canadians.

One way to help achieve Canada’s goals is by positioning existing building retrofits at same level as new low-carbon construction activity. Canada can cut building sector GHG emissions 17 per cent below 2005 levels by constructing all new large buildings to zero carbon standards, but Canada could slash carbon emissions by a further 51 per cent through completing deep retrofits of existing buildings.

Win-win-win-win Retrofitting existing buildings to zero carbon is a win-winwin-win scenario. It creates jobs, cuts carbon emissions, will drive sector innovation, and better protects investments from the rising costs of carbon.

Despite all these benefits, retrofits have traditionally been a hard sell. While it’s relatively simple to access funding for a flashy new building with all the bells and whistles a new tenant might want, getting funding for an HVAC upgrade just doesn’t have the same allure.

CaGBC’s 2020 pre-budget recommendations suggested the federal government leverage the Canada Infrastructure Bank to build confidence in retrofits. The idea was that if the CIB could normalize retrofit financing, its influence would help build market infrastructure and attract private investment. Late last year, that call was answered with a $2 billion fund designed to kickstart Canada’s retrofit economy.

But that’s just the first step. To build the confidence of lenders to invest in retrofits, private sector lenders need to incorporate energy efficiency and GHG reductions into their underwriting criteria.

To help mitigate risks for investors, CaGBC introduced the Investor Confidence Project (ICP) to Canada. The ICP protocols help to de-risk investments in retrofits by bringing together existing standards and practices into a consistent and verifiable process for underwriting, developing, and measuring energy efficiency retrofit projects.

These protocols help verify that core elements are in place to ensure project success right from the start. By assembling existing standards and practices into a transparent process, investors and owners gain the confidence that a project will achieve its stated energy efficiency or carbon reduction targets, all the while reducing transaction costs and facilitating a more efficient market.

Already the ICP protocol is being used on retrofit projects here in Canada. Efficiency Capital used the funding model to finance energy retrofits at six community housing sites in Toronto, and EDESCO and Vancity Community Investment Bank funded a retrofit at a strata-owned condominium building, also in Toronto. Both case studies demonstrate how validated energy costs savings can help secure financing for much needed retrofits.

The model works and can help encourage a significant increase in retrofit investment. The resulting job creation – and carbon reductions – will be welcome news for our sector, and for Canada as a whole.

Photo above: The Phenix in Montreal received the first ZCB-performance v2 certification for a retrofit – Photo: Lemay. Photo right: University of Calgary’s MacKimmie Complex Redevelopment in Calgary received the Zero Carbon Building-Design v1 certification – Photo: Dialog.

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Savings by Design Success Story | Southfields Community Centre

How Caledon built a high-performance community centre To keep its rapidly growing population active and healthy, the Town of Caledon invested in a new, energy-efficient, 65,000-square-foot community centre.

The project team participated in Savings by Design’s full-day, no-cost, integrated design process workshop to explore alternative designs and technologies to improve the building’s energy and environmental performance.

“It provided a valuable learning opportunity for town staff and the project consulting team,” says Katelyn McFadyen, Manager, Energy and Environment, Corporate Strategy and Innovation. “All the parties came together to share information about construction best practices and energy-efficient technologies.”

Providing both recreation and opportunities to meet the broader social needs of residents, the centre offers many amenities, including a two-tank swimming pool, community hub spaces, an EarlyON Centre, a public library, fitness facilities and an OPP community policing office.

Key project enhancements > Energy recovery ventilators and heat recovery ventilators > High-efficiency fans and motors > Enhanced glazing and shading > Optimized window-to-wall ratio > High-performance windows > Pool drain water heat recovery By the numbers > Projected annual energy cost savings: $22,656/year > Projected GHG reduction*: 63,000 kg CO2e > Projected better energy performance than Ontario Building Code: 13%

“The program presented a strong alignment with our Council-approved corporate green building standard.”

Katelyn McFadyen, Manager, Energy and Environment, Corporate Strategy and Innovation, Town of Caledon.

* Projected savings based on energy modelling simulations from the Savings by Design Integrated Design Process workshop. To qualify for the program, your project must be located in the Enbridge Gas Inc. service area. If a participant doesn’t complete construction of a new commercial property in the Enbridge Gas service area that exceeds 15 percent of the OBC’s energy performance requirement within five years of completing the integrated design process workshop, they’re ineligible for performance incentives. During that time, builders are expected to design and construct at least one new construction building based on resulting recommendations. In order to receive incentive payments, you must agree to all program terms and conditions, fully participate in all stages of the program and meet all program requirements. Visit savingsbydesign.ca for details. © 2021 Enbridge Gas Inc. All rights reserved.

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Start early: use energy modelling to maximize savings

Oleksandra Onisko

Live energy modelling provided by the Savings by Design program helped the Southfields Community Centre optimize design choices early on. Here, Pratus Group’s Oleksandra Onisko answers frequently asked energy modelling questions.

Q: Energy modelling typically costs thousands of dollars. Do we really need it?

Q: Don’t only big firms and high-rise projects need energy modelling?

A: Yes! With the Savings by Design program, the cost of preliminary energy modelling services is covered by Enbridge Gas. There’s tremendous financial benefit, in terms of cost avoidance, in evaluating design options early. We’ve seen projects that have foregone energy modelling only to realize at the building permit stage or later that mandatory targets are not being met. Using energy modelling at the conceptual and schematic phases helps avoid these costly redesign scenarios.

A: Any new construction project can benefit from simulations and collaborative design from the early stages. For many projects, it’s rare to have everyone who influences energy consumption in the same room. The workshop provides a really unique level of collaboration.

Q: Energy modelling is complex and detailed. How can I get what I need from it?

A: During the workshop, we break down in simple terms the energy, greenhouse gas emissions and utility cost impact of different energy conservation measures (ECM). Examples of ECMs include improved windows, increased insulation and thermally broken balconies.

Free expertise and incentives Savings by Design offers free access to industry experts, technical tools and financial incentives to help you build high-performance, resilient and sustainable buildings.

To get the most out of your next project, contact Mary Sye, Energy Solutions Advisor. mary.sye@enbridge.com, 416-420-9281 savingsbydesign.ca

By analyzing and testing ECM options with real-time energy modelling, we provide data that project teams can use to make informed decisions.

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