SABMag 72 - Fall 2021

ISSUE NUMBER 72 | FALL 2021 | PM40024961 | $6

PH-1 LONSDALE AVENUE Design collaboration and prefabrication solve small footprint site

Doig River Cultural Centre Community building brings superb energy performance to northern climate

Biophilic Design Advancing our physical and mental well-being

Multifaith Housing Initiative: Veterans’ House High standard building enclosure and materials raise healthy living, lower operating costs

The

PASSIVE

HOUSE

issue

SABMag - FALL 2021

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YORK UNIVERSITY SCHULICH SCHOOL, TORONTO One of the most environmentally sustainable and socially responsible academic buildings in North America.

Winner of the Institutional [Large] Award, 2020 Canadian Green Building Awards.

Architect: Baird Samson Neuert Architects. Contractor: Ellis Don.

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AWARDS

202 1

SPONSOR

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SABMag - FALL 2021

1.866.566.5656, ext. 226

MEMBER/MEMBRE

WWW.SABMAGAZINE.COM

This issue published in association with:

For more about the articles in this issue!

Industry News, Products, Events 12 Viewpoint

6

Exploring new architectural innovations to turn wasted energy into reusable electricity

14

The SABMag Passive House issue

By Chris Ballard, CEO of Passive House Canada

16

Doig River Cultural Centre

Community building brings superb energy performance to northern climate

23

Little Mountain Cohousing

10 16

Compact plan visually connects all building levels to shared outdoor space

28

Restaurant/office realized with design collaboration and prefabrication

32

FALL 2021

PH-1 Lonsdale Avenue

Multifaith Housing Initiative: Veterans’ House

16

Higher standard building enclosure and materials provide healthier living, lower operating costs

39

The Passive Narrowtive House

Infill project a model of gentle densification and adaptability to changing needs

45

The importance of Biophilic Design

54

Interview with

Advancing our physical and mental well-being Andrew Peel of Peel Passive House Consulting

32 28

23

ISSUE DON’T MISS NEXT WINTER 2021

Redesign of Montreal’s Biodome

Renovated museum immerses visitors in the intricacies of natural environments

Zibi apartment building

Net zero rental project rejuvenates former industrial site

The 2022 Directory of Products and Services for Sustainable High-Performance Building Our annual Special Supplement

… and more!

Cover: PH-1 Lonsdale Avenue. Hemsworth Architecture. Photo: Ema Peter.

SABMag - FALL 2021

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Architectural Rendering by Cornerstone Architecture

COMING SOON: THE PEAK IN VANCOUVER, BC Passive House Multi-Family Project by Cornerstone Architecture and BOLD Construction.

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SABMag - FALL 2021

Dedicated to high-performance building Member Canada Green Building Council

SCOTCH MISSED?

SABMag is a proud member and official media partner of the Canada Green Building Council.

This issue of SABMag came together in the weeks leading up to COP26 in Glasgow and, along with the previous awards issue, showcases work being done at the leading-edge of architectural practice in Canada. As such, it offers some real encouragement amid the potentially empty promises that have characterized previous COPs.

VISIT www.sabmagazine.com PUBLISHER Don Griffith 613-421-7588, dgriffith@sabmagazine.com EDITOR Jim Taggart, FRAIC 604-874-0195, architext@telus.net SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Patricia Abbas 416-438-7609, pabbas@sabmagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Carine De Pauw cdepauw@sabmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS/CHANGE OF ADDRESS Lyse Cadieux, lcadieux@sabmagazine.com

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ISSN 1911-4230 Copyright by Janam Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without written permission.

Views expressed are those of the authors exclusively.

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The projects featured here illustrate what is currently achievable in terms of operating energy and embodied carbon reductions relative to standard practice. They cover extremes of climate, from the temperate southwest of BC, to the subarctic northeast; and from brownfield sites in Vancouver and Ottawa to a remote and isolated First Nation. They include both public and private projects from the residential, commercial and institutional sectors and a range of sizes from the small to the substantial. photo: Roy Grogan

Having clearly demonstrated the technical and economic viability of such projects, there should be no more excuses. As ever, the challenge we face is not a technical one, but rather a social one: how to close the gap between what we know is achievable and what we actually achieve.

How much this gap can be closed by a new set of national emission reduction targets is open to debate given our past disappointments. It is not so much new targets that we need, but the commitment to meet them. This too may be a forlorn hope, unless we raise the stakes on accountability, stop conflating cost and value, choose integrity over expedience and transparency over opacity. I am not holding my breath on this!

The practical side of the COP challenge is that as much as 70% of the GHG emissions generated in Canada, come from our cities and the industrial, commercial, agricultural and transportation infrastructure that supports them. Perhaps this represents a ray of hope, with municipal councils more directly accountable to their constituents.

Return undelivered Canadian address mail to: Janam Publications Inc., 81 Leduc St., Gatineau, Qc J8X 3A7

Rather than focusing on what we may have missed in Scotland, we should spend our personal and collective energy ensuring that the progress being made by municipalities will ‘trickle up’ to the national level.

Printed on Domtar Husky Opaque text offset paper.

Jim Taggart, FRAIC Editor

SABMag - FALL 2021

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NEWS RAIC REPORT SUBMISSIONS INVITED FOR 2022 AWARDS

Architectural Practice Award (formerly the Architectural Firm

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) invites submissions

Award)

for its portfolio of annual awards for 2022. This year, the prospective

Honours a Canadian architectural practice that has consistently

awards include the Emerging Architectural Practice Award and the

produced distinguished architecture. The award recognizes the

Architectural Practice Award. Additionally, the RAIC Gold Medal—which

achievements of the practice, considering seven core areas: quality

is the highest honour the institute can bestow, is accepting submissions.

of architecture, quality of professional services, innovations in practice, contributions to the profession, exemplary approaches to envi-

The deadline for submissions to the 2022 awards is before 11:59 p.m.

ronmental sustainability, support and advancement of social justice,

EST, January 14, 2022. Applicants are able to submit their works for

and a commitment to the future generation of architects.

consideration towards any award through the RAIC Awards platform.

To be eligible for this award, an architectural practice must be estabEntrants are solely responsible for timely submissions. The listed date

lished for ten (10) or more years and must have its principal office

and time are firm for applications without exceptions. A brief descrip-

in Canada. The award may be given to an individual, or a group of

tion of each award is as follows:

individuals, making up a practice. raic.org/raic/architectural-practice-award-call-submissions

RAIC Gold Medal The Gold Medal is the highest honour that the Institute can bestow in

Emerging Architectural Practice Award (the Emerging Architect

recognition of a significant and lasting contribution to Canadian archi-

Award has been merged with this award)

tecture. The honour recognizes a significant body of work deemed to

Recognizes an emerging Canadian architectural practice that shows

have lasting influence as demonstrated through excellence in design;

exceptional promise for contributing significantly to the future

excellence in research; and/or excellence in education.

of Canadian architecture. The award recognizes the early career achievements of the practice, considering six core areas: quality of

It considers the individual’s breadth and scope of expertise; established

architecture, quality of professional services, innovations in practice,

presence within the public sphere; exemplary approaches to environ-

contributions to the profession, exemplary approaches to sustain-

mental sustainability; support and advancement of social justice; and

ability, and the support and advancement of social justice.

commitment to the future generation of architects.

To be eligible for this award, an architectural practice must have Any individual is eligible to be nominated to receive the Gold Medal, and

been together for fewer than ten (10) years (including the period of

it may be awarded to more than one individual.

time in which any predecessor firm(s) were active), and must have

raic.org/raic/gold-medal-call-submissions

its principal office located in Canada. raic.org/awards/emerging-architect-award-2021-recipient

CASE STUDY: LIVEROOF ONTARIO VEGETATED ROOF DELIVERS LONGTERM PERFORMANCE AT METROLINX KIPLING TRANSIT HUB

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SABMag - FALL 2021

INLINE FIBERGLASS LAUNCHES PH WINDOWS

Supplied by LiveRoof Ontario, the veg-

Toronto-based Inline Fiberglass

etated roof on the Kipling Bus Terminal

has launched two Passive House-

in Toronto covers over 75% of the station

certified window products to

roof area, and allows up to 150mm of rain-

meet the growing demand for

fall to be retained on the roof top through

domestically produced prod-

the use of RoofBlue Risers and controlled

ucts certified for Passive House

flow drains as part of the roof system. The

buildings. Inline is a pioneer of

vegetated roof also provides habitat for

high-performance

insects and pollinators as well as the birds

frame windows and doors, and

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Written by former editor of Canadian

in Toronto has been recertified for

Architect Magazine, Leslie Jen, this book is

BOMA BEST® at the Platinum level,

more of a curatorial exercise than a critical

achieving the highest score glob-

appraisal of contemporary architecture, but

ally at 99.2%. “Menkes’ near perfect

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score for 25 York reflects ongoing operational excellence, and the fact

The book opens with a brief introduction,

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in which Jen explains the rationale for a

est-ever recorded score for BOMA

regional, rather than national approach, when it comes to documenting

BEST speaks volumes,” said Benjamin

the architecture of a vast and diverse country like ours. What connects

L. Shinewald, President and Chief

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Executive Officer for BOMA Canada. “The commercial real estate

changes being experienced across the nation (most notably in our larger

industry is already deeply invested in BOMA BEST and in sustain-

cities) and the inescapable global imperatives of climate change.

ability, but the Menkes team is a leader among leaders. We salute Menkes on this remarkable accomplishment!”

Jen’s selection of the more than 30 architectural firms featured in the book is in part based on their commitment to the advancement of prac-

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a super-resilient blanket of micro-pockets.

As with any such approach, the choices are to a degree subjective and,

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while every one of the firms merits inclusion, many readers will question

fire performance with no chemical fire retardants added, has no

certain omissions. In my case, these include HCMA – arguably the firm

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that has placed the most emphasis on the social impact of their build-

site, and is Underwriter Laboratories (UL) GREENGUARD certified

ings; and MGA-Michael Green Architecture, without whose advocacy

for low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Available in several

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THE BUILDINGS SHOW The book is a guide for people wanting to build December 1 – 3, 2021

a house, leading them through the important

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slope, soil type, bedrock, and other issues that may have an effect on the cost of construction;

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choosing an architect or home designer and

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ing codes and regulations. It discusses details

Buildings Show has provided a unique platform for the industry to

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windows and doors, electrical and mechanical installations, and more. 102 pages with

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SABMag - FALL 2021

NEWS MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC REVEALS 2020 SUSTAINABLE BUILDER AWARD Sifton won the award for its long-standing commitment to green building practices and, more recently, the success of its West 5 community development in London, Ontario. The project features a central park and 2,000 modern townhomes, condos, apartments and retirement residences. And thanks in part to a collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada, the community project is 100 per cent powered by integrated solar technologies with heating and cooling supplied by heat pump technology.

West 5 isn’t the only eco-forward highlight in Sifton’s portfolio. Founded Clive Car, Residential Sales Manager MESCA, Dermot McMorrow VP MESCA, Terada Takeshi, President MESCA, Neil Carter, Director, Commercial Construction, Sifton Properties Limited, Dwight Reid, Mits Airconditioning.

in 1923, the firm built its first solar home in 1978 and has contributed

In 2019, Mitsubishi Electric Heating & Cooling launched its Sustainable

in 2010, the City’s first net-zero home in 2016, and Ontario’s first certi-

Builder of the Year Award program to spotlight the eco-forward

fied multi-family net-zero home shortly thereafter. "Through this award,

leaders and innovators within the Canadian building community.

we'll continue to promote and reward builders who are engaged in

In 2020, the honour was bestowed to Sifton Properties and, with

sustainable construction practices that are creating a stronger, healthier

restrictions easing, the award was finally presented. The Mitsubishi

environment that we can all enjoy well into the future," says Clive Carr,

Electric Sustainable Builder of the Year Award is part of the interna-

Residential Sales Manager, HVAC Product Sales, with Mitsubishi Electric

tional firm’s mission to “enable the transition towards widespread

Sales Canada Inc.

to a number of stand-out projects since. This includes London’s first Triple Labelled Home (LEED, ENERGY STAR, and Green Rated Home)

building electrification across Canada and in support of our corporate Environmental Vision 2050 goals.”

PRODUCTS

21

CANADIAN DIRECTORY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE, HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING

SABMag's 2021 Directory of Sustainable Products and Services for Sustainable, High-Performance Building is organized by Product Category and by LEED Category. The Directory also offers a quick view of the structure of LEED, and is a quick reference for finding products. Examples of featured listings include: Pollard Windows & Doors - Pollard has been producing quality windows and doors for over

Masonite

Architectural

-

Architectural

Door

Solutions, Impactful Experiences, Truly Custom looks.

Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors - One of the world’s largest solution providers to the building products industry and one of Canada’s most recognized Window and Door brands. We believe a home is more than just shelter, it’s your legacy. So we design and manufacture products that are innovative, energy efficient and of the highest quality to build lasting value for the homeowners and the professionals who use them.

70 years. We design, develop and manufacture

Teknion - Dedicated to innovative, sustainable

using our own R&D facility and 300,000+ sq

design, Teknion provides a diverse office furnishings

ft state-of-the-art plant. We provide ENERGY

portfolio. Long-term corporate responsibility efforts

STAR® products that are specified in many Net

empower us to invest in programs and processes

Zero and LEED® certified homes.

that raise the bar and further sustainability and well-

Dulux - Dulux Paints operates the largest

being.

network of company-owned paint stores

Daikin Applied - Daikin Applied designs and man-

across Canada. Our highly experienced team

ufactures technologically advanced commercial

of account representatives provides specifica-

HVAC systems for customers around the world. Our

tion and on-site support and we have the scale

goal is to deliver superior air quality and energy effi-

to deliver outstanding services to help you

ciency to every solution with innovation in advanced

meet any of your design challenges.

technology, IoT, and next generation compressors.

Forbo Flooring - Creating better environ-

Acuity Brands - A market-leading industrial technol-

ments… this statement reflects the mission and

ogy company, we design, manufacture, and bring to

values of Forbo Flooring. From the indoor envi-

market innovative products and services that make

ronment to the natural environment, Forbo’s

the world more brilliant, productive, and connected

products and services combine design and

including building management systems, lighting,

functionality in world-class flooring solutions.

lighting controls, and location-aware applications.

SABMag - FALL 2021

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G

C

AWARDS

N

G RE E N B N A UI DI LD A N 2021 I A

The annual program to recognize excellence in the design and execution of all types of sustainably-designed, high-performance Canadian residential and non-residential buildings and interiors, both new and renovated.

CONGRATULATIONS to the winning teams

BARRETT CENTRE FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION, HUMBER COLLEGE - Institutional (Large) Award. Andrew Frontini representing Perkins&Will.

80 ATLANTIC BUILDING Commercial Industrial (Large) Award. Brian Prinzen representing BDP Quadrangle.

10

SABMag - FALL 2021

BNP PARIBAS MONTREAL OFFICE - Interior Design Award Vincent Hauspy representing Provencher_Roy. NORTH END LANDING + JAMES NORTH BAPTIST CHURCH - Mixed Use Award. L to R: Conrado Tabunot, Kasia Wright, Sara Anderson (holding the award), Holly Young, Ted Boruta, Bryce Stonehouse, and Emma Cubitt of Invizij Architects Inc.

TSAWWASSEN FIRST NATION YOUTH CENTRE Institutional (Small) Award. L to R: Tim Lam P. Eng. Ennova Structural engineers Inc., Zhiwei Lu BCSLA, Daichi Yamashita architect AIBC (holding the office puppy, Bobo), Dr. Nancy Mackin Architect AIBC AIA LEED AP, Pearl YIP BCSLA CSLA, and Pengfei Du MLA of Mackin Tanaka Architecture.

SKEENA RESIDENCE, UBC OKANAGAN - Residential (Large) Award. Brian Wakelin FRAIC, LEED AP Principal, Architect AIBC representing PUBLIC: Architecture + Communication.

INDIGENOUS ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE: A BLANKET OF WARMTH - Technical Award. L to R: Wendell Starblanket of Star Blanket Cree Nation, and Murdoch MacPherson of MacPherson Engineering, Sonia Starblanket and Aura Lee MacPherson of MacPherson Engineering.

LE GRAND THÉÂTRE DE QUÉBEC - Existing Building Upgrade Award. L to R: Eric Pelletier representing Lemay; and from Atelier 21, Christian Bernard Associate Architect, Project Manager and Manager of Project Design, and Mathieu Turgeon Architect., P.A. LEED BD+C, Manager of Project Construction.

PROTOTYPE LANEWAY HOUSING, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO Residential (Small) Award. Jon Neuert, B.Arch., OAA, AIA, FRAIC, LEED Principal representing Baird Sampson Neuert.

UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA DISTRICT ENERGY PLANT - Commercial/Industrial (Small) Award. L to R: Esteban Matheus, Architect Associate and Martin Nielsen, Partner representing DIALOG.

Thanks to our sponsors and jury Ewa Bieniecka, OAQ, PP-FRAIC, LEED AP BD+C Project Manager, Decasult.

ARCHITECTURAL National Sponsors Drew Adams, BES (planning), MArch, OAA, RAIC LGA Architectural Partners.

Category Sponsors Sean Ruthen, AIBC, FRAIC, Senior Project Architect, James KM Cheng Architects, Vancouver.

SABMag - FALL 2021

11

Viewpoint

Exploring new architectural innovations to turn wasted energy into reusable electricity

Coincidentally, many components of a renewable energy system (such as batteries and solar PV) are also DC-based. But traditionally, we have used the AC grid in our buildings to integrate these DC sources and power DC loads.

This results in conversion losses of approximately 10-20% - and can lead to a variety of other complications at the energy grid level.

Exploring the concept of a DC-Microgrid community At WZMH Architects, we believe that we need to be investing the time, funding and talent to discover new insights about how we design buildings that drive towards net-zero energy use and are carbon neutral. One of our first initiatives included research into off-site construction (prefabrication and modular) and how to combine multiple building systems into one component thereby reducing materials, waste and expediting construction installation.

The result from this research was our invention of the Intelligent Structural Panel (ISP) - a modular structural floor slab that includes a DC (low-voltage) highway imbedded in the thickness of the panel. Since the development of the ISP, WZMH Architects formally launched our Innovation Lab several

By: Zenon Radewych,

years ago.

Principal, WZMH Architects One of our latest studies, conducted in partnership with Ryerson University, The earth is heating up at an

includes the use of a community-based DC microgrid, where multiple build-

unprecedented rate – in fact,

ings are all connected through the grid – including residential, commercial

according to NASA, 2016 and

(office), retail, data centres, etc. By combining different types of buildings

2020 are the warmest years

into the DC microgrid community, there are many benefits from the oppor-

on record to date. That’s why

tunities that relate to recycled energy, or harnessing energy losses.

now, more than ever, is the time to be creative and look

So, what exactly is a microgrid? A microgrid can be broadly defined as a

for opportunities to reduce greenhouse gasses. One of these

localized network of electric loads and power sources, with the ability to

creative opportunities lies in turning the ‘wasted’ energy in

function independently or in conjunction with a larger grid system. In our

our buildings into reusable electricity.

context, a DC microgrid represents an alternative power system in a building, where we can power our equipment with various 'Green Energy Producers'

It’s no secret that many of the buildings we live, work, and

(GEP), including solar, wind, and even innovative sources like exercise bikes,

play in are major polluters. Buildings and their associated

elevators and use of thermoelectric generators.

construction make up 36 percent of global energy use, and 39 percent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions

How we can harvest out-of-the-box and alternative energy sources

annually (The United Nations Environment Program). Here in

Our approach to harvesting these energy sources involves exploring innova-

Canada, our buildings account for nearly one-quarter of our

tive materials and technologies which are not typically considered in the

GHG emissions (Environment and Climate Change Canada).

building sector. For example, just like solar panels turn light into electricity, piezoelectric materials can convert vibrations and mechanical strain (i.e.:

But buildings, largely due to the volume of human and

from people walking) into electricity. Similarly, thermoelectric materials can

machine activity that goes on within them, also represent

convert heat flow into electric current.

a unique domain for energy harvesting from non-traditional sources. At the highest level, we consider three main energy

When riding an exercise bike for example, the average person will output

resources in our buildings: people, environmental, and recy-

100-150 watts of biomechanical power. In a typical exercise bike this is dis-

clable energy. The environment can of course provide wind,

sipated via friction and heat, which our air-conditioners need to compensate

solar and geothermal energy. People bring kinetic and ther-

for. By adding a simple DC motor onto the powertrain of an exercise bike,

mal energy, and recyclable sources include artificial lighting,

this mechanical energy can be converted into electrical energy which feeds

waste heat, machinery vibrations, elevator regeneration,

into the microgrid, to power our building.

among others.

For context, each bike can provide enough power to run the lighting in a 300 Our buildings also contain a vast number of components and

sq. ft office space. We believe that bikes could be placed on every office floor

systems that are DC (low-voltage) based. For example, most

or within office or residential units, so employees / residents could not only

of our modern electronics (including computers, phones,

participate in the creation of green energy (doing their part in creating a zero

lighting and fans) are inherently DC powered and most of

carbon future), but the bikes would also provide them with an opportunity to

the lights in buildings are LED (low-voltage).

reduce stress and improve overall physical and mental health.

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SABMag - FALL 2021

THE SABMAG PASSIVE HOUSE ISSUE

By Chris Ballard, CEO of Passive House Canada We at Passive House Canada are pleased to participate in the annual SABMag Passive House Issue which features examples of recent projects designed to Passive House principles.

With the recent federal election, Canadians made it abundantly clear that meaningful action on climate change is important to them. It is a message politicians across Canada, at all levels of government, should take seriously. Can you think of another election where climate change was so hotly debated? I can’t. Here at Passive House Canada, we will continue to push governments of all level to adopt building standards that promote better buildings, preferably Passive House, in order to meet GHG emissions reduction targets and make healthy, comfortable places in which to live and work.

Passive House Canada, in collaboration with Tower Renewal Partnership, recently presented the online Tower Retrofit Symposium to very positive feedback. A first of its kind event, the Symposium did more than focus on PHC technical expertise, which is substantial, it also brought together experts from finance and public policy to discuss how the approximately 10,000 Canadian towers in need of deep energy retrofits could proceed.

We know it is more than technical expertise needed to retrofit – the symposium also questioned how retrofits of private buildings are financed and what public policy is required to accelerate these deep energy retrofits.

The event proposed solutions for issues we in the building sector struggle with. No one sector has all the answers to address how these buildings are retrofitted, but together we do. There is a valuable role for Passive House Canada and its members to play in continuing to break down silos between sectors, bring all players to the table and finding common solutions. Thank you to the volunteers and to PHC staff for organizing the Symposium.

Passive House Canada continuously offers seminars and training, two of which are mentioned following here, to advance Passive House construction and the huge benefits it will bring. All that we offer can be found at www.passivehousecanada.com.

Photos: Right: Ken Soble Tower, Hamilton, ON. Image courtesy of ERA Architects.

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SABMag - FALL 2021

DOIG RIVER CULTURAL CENTRE Community building brings superb energy performance to northern climate

By Peter Hildebrand The Doig River Cultural Centre in Rose Prairie, BC is among Canada’s most northerly PHI-certified projects and the first certified First Nations community building completed. The main level comprises 250m2 of community-oriented space with an upper mezzanine for additional seating and a lower level comprising a daycare and an Elders lounge. The design, which allows for multiple uses within a single building, was intended to promote inter-generational interaction and fulfill the community’s desire for a safe and healthy space for all its members.

1

Entry

Vestibule

Nave

Storage Foyer

Open to above Open to above

Main floor plan

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SABMag - FALL 2021

Decarbonizing cement

By Jeff Ranson, Senior Associate, CaGBC As we move towards 2050 targets for green building, embodied carbon is increasingly important to staying under the emissions budget and limiting global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. What is embodied carbon? It’s the product of the materials and construction methods we choose. This value is often stretched over the life of the building to reflect durability, the idea that a building built to last is likely better than one that will need constant repairs. However, the reality is that those emissions are all fully released up front. Like netpresent value in the financial world, a ton of carbon emissions today is worth more than a ton of carbon emissions tomorrow.

Of all the opportunities to reduce embodied carbon, the most significant is in concrete. Concrete is the most widely used building material, cutting across both buildings and infrastructure. And despite strong and promising market growth of alternative low-carbon materials including wood and biomaterials, concrete will continue to be a critical material for construction.

POTENTIAL AS A CLIMATE SOLUTION Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from concrete is a national priority. Natural Resources Canada and the Cement Association of Canada have committed to develop a decarbonization roadmap for the industry. For the designing construction industry, there are a few significant ways to reduce emissions today, and some very promising opportunities emerging.

In the immediate term, there are two opportunities to reduce emissions from concrete. The first is simply to minimize the amount of concrete projects use. This involves looking at how much concrete is required for the project and optimizing its use. This requires designers be conscious of how design choices such as massing impact material requirements. In many cases, designers are evaluating alternative low-carbon materials like mass timber to replace concrete, but nothing is as effective as just using less material.

One area in relation to embodied carbon that has been overlooked is the impact of land use planning. Infrastructure like roads, sewers, and transit require concrete. There is no realistic substitution. Lowdensity suburban development oriented around the automobile results in huge amounts of embodied carbon, seldom considered in any municipal carbon strategies. CaGBC has been in discussions with researchers at the University of Toronto to better understand the relative carbon impacts of different development patterns, but at present there isn’t a well-established practice for evaluation. With more research we hope to understand the impact of embodied carbon from infrastructure and the importance what we build and where we build it.

The second way designers can have an impact is to specify concrete with lower embodied carbon.

This can be achieved by selecting concrete that uses alternatives to cement, such as fly-ash. However, cement companies are also innovating in their manufacturing process is to minimize the emissions related to fuel use. Specification of low-carbon concrete will be aided by transparency around manufacturing practices, including the publication of environmental product declarations (EPDs).

One of the most promising areas is the potential to use captured carbon in concrete. A number of emerging technologies are adding carbon dioxide into cementitious materials and aggregates. This could be a potential game changer because the sheer volume of concrete used is large enough to materially impact atmospheric CO2 with widespread adoption. It would not only reduce the net CO2 emissions from concrete but, unlike carbon sequestration, it creates an economic opportunity for carbon capture.

There are still issues to be clarified, particularly around calculating the life-cycle carbon impact of these new products. We need to understand how to benchmark them against traditional concrete and understand any impacts to durability and to natural carbonation in concrete. CaGBC continues to explore this area with industry partners. We are excited to how views of embodied carbon from concrete are shifting from overlooked, to a concern, to a promising climate solution.

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VETTA BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES

The evolution of windows, doors and ventilation products

Vetta Building Technologies is proud to be a supplier to the Narrowtive and Little Mountain Passive House projects.

Interested in custom-made triple-glaze wood windows for your next high performance or Passive House project?

Contact us: 416 938 4984, www.vettawindows.com Photo: Martin Knowles Photo / Media.

Specialists in roll forming metal roofing and siding since the 1970s with profiles that meet the construction, environmental and design needs of today’s building structures. Over 80 colours and wood grain patterns available to match aesthetic plans, both classic or contemporary. Supplier of the Doig River Community Centre. www.westform.com 604 858 7134 22

SABMag - FALL 2021

Little Mountain Cohousing Compact plan visually connects all building levels to shared outdoor space

By Simon Richards Little Mountain Cohousing (LMC) is the second cohousing project to be completed in Vancouver. The project applies the well-understood principles of cohousing to a compact, medium density urban building form. The design has been developed for 25-member households, all of whom participated in the design process.

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PH-1

LONSDALE AVENUE

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Restaurant/office realized with design collaboration and prefabrication

By John Hemsworth

Existing adjacent building

project in the Lower Lonsdale district of design and construction (VDC) and offsite prefabrication to meet challenges

Laneway

North Vancouver that employed virtual Patio

Restaurant

of access and constructability. VDC also made possible the installation of a

Patio

prefabricated Passive House-compliant building envelope, including a zero-lot line wall adjacent to an existing building.

Site plan

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N

Lonsdale Avenue

PH-1 is a small restaurant and office infill

We believe wood is the most natural and healthy product to build with.

We have 25 years experience in mass timber, having worked on development of DLT in Europe in the 1990’s. We are now proud to be pioneering both stacked and cross laminated DLT in Canada.

We design, engineer, manufacture and install Wood100® DLT, a 100% wood, no glue DLT. Architects, engineers and builders are realising the potential of Wood100® DLT as a healthy, sustainable and energy efficient building product.

Wood100® DLT is Truly Sustainable Our 100% wood DLT contains no glues or other chemicals, making it 100% recyclable. It can be disassembled and reused or composted at the end of its life. The energy consumption during manufacture is roughly 3.5 times lower than other mass timber products, significantly lowering product emissions.

Wood100® DLT is Energy Efficient Our cross laminated Wood100® DLT product holds records for heat insulation in structural material and therefore minimal operating costs. Tests of 3 wall systems with the same R-value showed the supremacy of cross laminated DLT. An average 100% wood DLT home needs 1/3 of the heating system compared to traditional framed homes with the same R-value.

It’s like having air conditioning and heating systems with zero energy consumption.

Wood100® DLT is Healthy WIth no off-gassing from glues or contamination from chemicals, Wood100® DLT offers a significantly healthier indoor environment, particularly for those with allergies and hypersensitivity. 100% wood DLT regulates the indoor climate much better because moisture can be transferred freely between the entire wall system.

Radium Community Centre and Library is a past winner of the Canadian Green Building Award. International Timberframes was excited to collaborate with Urban Arts Architecture and other building partners on this project, one of the first in Canada to use DLT. We prefabricated and installed the Wood100® DLT variegated roof panels, integrating the design with other wood elements in the building.

Collaborating with architects on detail solutions across the design process guarantees quality control from start to finish.

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(+1) 250 SABMag - FALL344-1067 2021 33

Multifaith Housing Initiative:

Veterans’ House Higher standard building enclosure and materials provide healthier living, lower operating costs

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Jessie Smith and Stephen Pope MHI Veterans' House: The Andy Carswell Building is Canada’s first community housing project specifically

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designed for veterans. Located on the former Rockcliffe 1

Air Base, this three-storey, 40-unit apartment building provides safe, healthy, and affordable housing for

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veterans. The project is part of a contemporary mixeduse community that is walkable, cycling-supportive, transit-oriented, and built at a human scale.

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Site plan 1. Veterans' House 2. Outdoor vegetable garden 3. Sunken healing garden

4. Dog play area 5. Play court 6. Parking

7. Outdoor kitchen area 8. Shed

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SABMAG DIGITAL CANADIAN MANUFACTURER VERY LARGE OPENING

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SABMag - FALL 2021

The importance of BIOPHILIC DESIGN Advancing our physical and mental well-being

By Heather Dubbeldam The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the

There has been no more critical time in modern

importance we place on healthy homes and workplaces,

history for architects and interior designers

at least from the perspective of infection control. While

to reflect on how their work can create

measures such as air filtration, sanitation and physical

environments that promote occupant health

barriers deal effectively with physical risks to health, much

and wellbeing.

less has been done to address the mental toll the pandemic continues to exact on individuals and society as a whole.

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

Biophilic design is often confused with biophilia or bio-

home and office. While we have long aspired to create healthy indoor spaces,

mimicry; although they are related, they are not the same:

the pandemic has highlighted how critically important it is. Over the past year

• Biomimicry is the design and production of materials,

we have seen a mini-exodus from cities as people seek healthier environments,

structures, and systems that are modelled on biological

more space and a reconnection with nature. City parks have confirmed their

entities and processes – the mimicking of nature in man-

importance for urban dwellers as oases of refuge that offer green spaces and

made things.

fresh air. Residential architects have been busy making homes more livable and

• Biophilia, meaning love of nature, focuses on human-

more conducive to remote working. The crisis has also laid bare the shortcom-

ity’s innate attraction to nature and natural processes.

ings of social housing that has largely ignored occupant wellbeing.

It proposes that we have a genetic connection to the natural world built up through millennia spent living close

While corporations have often looked at the office as a real estate transac-

to or immersed in nature. It explains why we feel more

tion, fitting as many people as possible into a space, they are now looking at

relaxed in a park, hiking in the woods or spending time

the workplace from a relationship perspective. With the upcoming return to the

at a lake.

office and with work practices upended, employers will need to create work-

• Biophilia also contributes positively to our health;

places that are seen as both safe and enjoyable. Businesses at the forefront of

research shows that regular exposure to green space and

workplace design are investing in biophilic design to improve employee well-

natural elements is associated with a multitude of posi-

being and productivity, and to attract and retain the best staff.

tive neurological and physiological outcomes, including a reduction in blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol and

So how can architects and designers create environments – whether resi-

improved quality of sleep.

dences, workspaces or institutions – that promote positive physical and mental well-being? One approach is through the incorporation of biophilic design.

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C

AWARDS

THE NATIONAL PROGRAM OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING MAGAZINE

G IN

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G RE E N B N A I UI D LD A N 2022

It's not too early to register to receive an Entry Kit

sabmagazine.com/awards/register The Awards recognize excellence in the design and execution of all types of sustainably-designed, high-performance Canadian residential and non-residential buildings and interiors, both new and renovated.

SCHEDULE • Deadline for submissions / date limite pour soumettre vos projets: March 4, 2022 / 4 mars 2022 • Judging date / délibération des juges: March 18, 2022 / 18 mars 2022 ENTRY CATEGORIES - ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED 1. Residential [small] 2. Residential [large] 3. Commercial/Industrial [small]

4. Commercial/industrial [large] 5. Institutional [small] 6. Institutional [large]

7. Mixed Use 8. Existing Building Upgrade 9. Interior Design

RECOGNITION

• Winning projects published in the Summer issue of SABMag, on the SABMag web site, www.sabmagazine.com • Winning projects also published in the SABMag monthly e-News and Facebook page

• All projects submitted will be considered for publishing in SABMag and the CaGBC FOCUS publications

Thanks to our sponsors

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SABMag - FALL 2021

51

Materials selection elevates buildings

By CaGBC A healthy building is made of healthy building blocks. Using sustainable materials that comply with building codes today – and those decades in the future – really help a project stand out.

Over the last decade the building sector has been redefined by innovations in building materials and an increased interest for materials transparency. Occupants are concerned about their exposure to the chemical components of the building materials; owners want to understand what materials are present in their building; and designers and architects are no longer content to simply specify a product without understanding the holistic attributes of that product.

Where design and budget constraints traditionally determined materials selection, now a growing awareness and interest in sustainability is driving new behaviours.

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Increasingly, manufacturers are offering more sustainable, durable, and resilient materials. By pursuing the highest sustainability standards, manufacturers are diversifying their products with greener alternatives to classic building materials. As a result, more project teams are able to earn credits towards certification for rating systems and standards such Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) or CaGBC’s Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Standard®.

Today, architects and project teams can access detailed information about building materials and products. This allows them to weigh their options against the building’s sustainability goals and keep LEED Building Product Disclosure and Optimization (BPDO) credits in sight. Information like that included in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) or Heath Product Declarations (HPDs) provides full disclosure of any potential areas of concern in a product, helping projects limit potential negative impacts on the environment and building occupant health.

Interview with Andrew Peel of Peel Passive House Consulting Founder & Managing Principal of Peel Passive House Consulting, a Passive House Certifier, and a Certified Passive House Consultant & Trainer, Andrew Peel is one of the foremost experts on Passive House design and construction in Canada.

1. How has Passive House grown in Canada in the past five years The growth has been exponential, especially in large affordable housing projects. The scale of projects (e.g. 40+ storey towers) was unimaginable five years ago and has eclipsed the scale of projects in Europe. Commercial Developers, including Private Equity firms, are committing to Passive House in response to changing market needs and drivers. It is thanks to the pioneers willing to take risks when others were not and the advocacy organizations that the Passive House Standard has experienced this growth.

2. What are the main obstacles to further growth?

3. What are the essential first steps to getting a Passive House project off the ground?

The first step is to build the right team. This includes the Passive House Certifier, whose input at the early stages can help set the project on the right (i.e. cost effective) path. The client must commit to Passive House Certification and all key project team members must be committed to this goal. Passive House experience is not crucial.

We’ve taken novice teams from start to finish to deliver Passive House buildings within budget. With the right attitude and proper training, anyone can succeed.

The second step is to optimize the high-level design consistent with Passive House principles. This seems like an obvious thing, yet it is overlooked on many projects. This often stems from not involving the Passive House Consultant from the beginning.

4. Is it realistic to apply Passive House construction to renovations?

Not only is it realistic, it is happening today. Two leading edge projects, the Raymond Desmarais Manor in Windsor, ON and the Ken Sobel Tower in Hamilton, ON are demonstrating that it can be done cost effectively on large towers. Both projects are committed to EnerPHit certification, the retrofit version of the Passive House Building standard.

5. Once a project has achieved Passive House certification is there anything the building owner must do to maintain the certification?

There is nothing required to maintain certification. However, to ensure the predicted performance is achieved perpetually, the occupants should be educated on how best to interact with the building and systems and regular maintenance per manufacturers’ instructions should be completed. Projects that fail to provide adequate occupant education have seen poorer building performance.

In my experience, these challenges are: • Eliminating the perceived risk (i.e. high additional cost) of building and certifying to the Passive House Standard.

• Developing more locally made Passive House Heat/Energy Recovery Ventilation systems and cold climate-rated fenestration products.

• Convincing appraisers to recognize the additional asset value that Passive House certification provides.

www.peelpassivehouse.ca

Courtesy of Kearns Mancini Architects Inc. Passive House Designer and Architect of the Putman Family YMCA Passive House MURB.

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SABMag - FALL 2021

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