The patented TcLip™ is a key component of the holistic SYSTEM2 approach. Used alone, or together with our SYSTEM2 approach, the TcLip™ helps achieve the thermal performance required by various building codes in North America. NEW: Passive House Certified.
Translucent Insulated Glazing Units
Introducing KALWALL® 175CW
Zero Carbon Building Standard and LEED
Building-in-Review
A record of projects certified under ZCB Standards and LEED in 2023
The 6th Annual Passive House
Canada Conference
The Narrows
Understanding of details gained from experience
Enclosures for High Performance and Passive House Buildings
Design, installation, long-term benefits
Windows for High-Performance Enclosures
An industry up to the challenge
Exterior details for High-Performance Enclosures
Rear-Ventilated Rainscreen and Cladding Types
Cheko’nien House
Energy efficiency, resilience, and emission reductions on a grand scale
Embassy Commons
Barren site revitalized for supportive housing and community service
Cold Air Distribution
A novel approach to meeting Passive House cooling loads?
To be most productive, one needs to be comfortable first. Add superior light quality and views to the outdoors along with natural ventilation to enhance indoor environmental quality and people thrive. Daylighting done right has been proven to increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and improve mood. Kalwall works hard so employees can work smart.
Only Kalwall offers the power of beautifully balanced daylighting. Unlike other glazing products on the market, Kalwall provides predictable, glare-free daylight that blocks harmful UV-A and UV-B rays while transmitting the full spectrum of visible light for perfect color rendition within interiors.
Translucent Kalwall panels provide perfectly diffuse daylighting that evenly bathes spaces in natural light, meaning fewer lights on during the day. Our high recyclability and low embodied carbon ratings are planet-friendly. Even better, our best-in-class thermal performance means you get superb daylight without any solar heat gain. That means savings for electrical and cooling costs, which is good for both your bottom line and the environment.
Member Canada Green Building Council
SABMag is a proud member and official media partner of the Canada Green Building Council.
VISIT www.sabmagazine.com
Publisher Don Griffith
613-890-9634, dgriffith@sabmagazine.com
Editor Jim Taggart, FRAIC 604-874-0195, architext@telus.net
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Graphic Design Carine De Pauw cdepauw@sabmagazine.com
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Back in 2008, we published an article on CSA Z782, ‘Guideline for Design for Disassembly and Adaptability in Buildings (DFDA). Like McDonough and Braumgart’s’ recently published Cradle 2 Cradle, DFDA appeared to offer a compelling strategy for reducing construction waste and ultimately decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources.
However, the complex parameters that determine circularity have proven difficult to implement fully, without either the ‘carrots’ of incentives, or the ‘sticks’ of regulation. In Vancouver, new bylaws were required to enforce the disassembly (rather than demolition) of older homes, the value coming in the character or quality of materials (specifically old growth wood) found in these structures. Across Canada, the recent focus on embodied carbon has increased the number of buildings (most particularly large concrete structures) being retained and upgraded to contemporary standards, so extending their service life. In many cases, these projects come with the risk of exposure to toxic materials such as lead and asbestos.
The lessons learned about the imperative of using high quality, healthy materials; comprehensive and transparent specifications; the benefits of simplicity and flexibility of structures; the reversibility of connections - now form the basis of a design strategy for new buildings. Without reducing our focus on preserving the past, we must also turn our attention to the future in much the same way as the European Union has done.
While maintaining its emphasis on local materials to minimize the inherent carbon footprint of global supply chains, the EU has focused on the idea of Buildings as Material Banks for future generations to draw upon. One such material bank is Modaster, an online database for building materials and products. It includes environmental and healthy material declarations, ease of disassembly and reuse, as well as many other specifications.
The database is now used in five European countries, including Germany which recently registered the first ever whole building in which every material and product has been certified by Modaster. EDGE Sudkreuz is a 30,000 sq.m office and retail complex constructed using the CREE system, a modular mass timber and concrete hybrid structural system that reduced the embodied carbon by 50% relative to traditional high-rise construction.
Now it’s our turn!
Jim Taggart, FRAIC EditorSABMAG EDITOR JIM TAGGART RECEIVES 2024 RAIC ARCHITECTURAL JOURNALISM AND MEDIA AWARD
SABMag editor Jim Taggart has received the 2024 RAIC Architectural Journalism and Media Award. Over a span of 25 years, he has written more than 20 books, 50 building case studies and 100 articles. He has also been the editor of Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine (SABMag) since its inception in 2006.
Jim has been an advocate for wood in contemporary architecture through his award-winning 2012 book, Toward a Culture of Wood Architecture, and his co-authorship of Tall Wood Buildings: Design, Construction and Performance (2020). Jim’s work has also broadened the national conversation on sustainability, expanding its early focus on the ‘hardware’ of high efficiency building systems, to embrace the ‘software’ of societal values and priorities.
He has incorporated these values into the criteria for the annual Canadian Green Building (SABMag) Awards, for which he is the professional advisor. Jim’s award winning 2019 book, The Architecture of Engagement, drew on his years of work at SABMag to argue for a more humancentred approach to sustainability. Jim will be presented his award at the RAIC Conference in Vancouver, May 14-18.
2050
Decarbonization has become a top priority for the concrete industry in Canada. Over the next thirty years, the precast concrete industry in Canada is expected to grow significantly as the demand for new prefabricated infrastructure, commercial and residential structures continue to increase. If no action is taken now, carbon emissions will continue to increase with industry growth.
CPCI has developed a Roadmap which presents a path forward for the Canadian precast concrete industry toward netzero emissions by 2050. The Roadmap, which aligns with the net-zero roadmaps developed by the Cement Association of Canada (CAC) and the Global Concrete and Cement Association (GCCA), has a multipronged approach to reducing carbon emissions.
The roadmap focuses on four key areas for carbon reduction:
• Optimize Precast Concrete Production
• Optimize Design & Construction of precast structures
• Quantify and Account for Carbonation, the natural uptake of atmospheric CO2 by concrete
• Implementation of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Technology
KALWALL CASE STUDY INTRODUCES NEW TRANSLUCENT INSULATED GLAZING UNITS
KALWALL® 175CW is the first in a series of new translucent insulated glazing units (TIGUs) which allows you to mix and match Kalwall with other infill glazings and claddings for limitless façade design possibilities – without sacrificing performance. See the case study in this issue of SABMag, or at https://sabmagazine. com/case-studies/.
Calgary-based Bode Plans is offering a selection of 25 plan sets of affordable energy-efficient, net zero ready, environmentally friendly modern homes that incorporate the latest in building materials technology. Termed “HDU” or Hybrid Dwelling Units, the designs represent 576 sq.ft to 1,119 sq.ft stand-alone “real” homes. Available in single and two-storey versions, most of the homes fit on a 24’ x 24’ site, similar in size to that of a two-car garage. Some design elements are shared among models to expedite build times for home builders and developers alike. All have full-size kitchens and the focus is on the efficient use of all available space in an affordable, attractive, design-focused package. www.bodeplans.com
Proposed changes to B.C.’s building code—part of the B.C. Building Code and B.C. Fire Code 2024—aim to accelerate construction for the more rapid development of schools, shopping centres, and housing.
Under the proposed changes, the height limit for mass timber buildings would increase to as many as 18 storeys for residential and office buildings, which is currently at a 12-storey limit. In addition, the changes would allow for more exposed mass timber or fewer layers of encapsulation in some buildings, depending on building height.
The proposed changes are open for public comment on the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) website. Following the commenting period, the B.C. government will decide on the readiness of the changes, with key changes expected to be adopted as soon as spring 2024. Jointly spearheaded by B.C. and Quebec, the proposed code changes have been reviewed by an expert technical advisory group made up of fire safety experts, regulators, engineering, and building code experts.
Feedspot has included SABMag in its list of the top 15 green building magazines on the web which have been chosen for their contribution to the advancement of improved building design and performance. The list can be seen at https://blog.feedspot.com/green_building_magazines/.
A new Isokorb® structural thermal break for concrete parapets from Schöck North America employs Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars to further reduce thermal conductivity between external and heated internal concrete structures, while simplifying installation. The Isokorb® GFRP parapet thermal break is a load-bearing element comprised of GFRP rebar that penetrates a high-performance insulation block installed at the building envelope between the roof slab and parapet, creating a streamlined and effective assembly.
Details: Tracy.Dacko@schoeck.com
Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc. has launched its Hybrid Heating and Central Cooling System for residential applications. It connects with any thermostatically controlled furnace and is available in capacities from 18,000 to 42,000 Btu. The Hybrid System includes an energy-efficient electric heat pump when outdoor temperatures permit, switching over to the furnace automatically when the temperature outside drops below a specified point. The reduced operation of the gas or propane furnace results in 30% less GHG emissions. The Hybrid System comes in standard heat pump or Hyper Heat, Mitsubishi Electric’s Cold Climate heat pumps. MitsubishiElectricHybrid.ca
Figure 1 Publishing has just released the 240-page book, Reside: Contemporary West Coast Houses, which explores the enduring and evolving influence of the West Coast Modern architectural style in B.C. through projects by over two dozen architecture firms. Photography is by Ema Peters along with short essays by curator and critic Michael Prokopow.
240 pages, 300 illustrations, hardcover. $55 ISBN 978-1-77327-160-6
Order: https://www.figure1publishing.com/book/reside/ The building industry is wrestling with the issue of “embodied carbon,” but Lloyd Alter says everyone should be, it’s not just about buildings. And it’s not embodied; it’s in the air already, emitted upfront when anything, from a brick to an iPhone to a hamburger is made. The more stuff you make, the more upfront carbon is emitted, so Alter calls for using less stuff. Instead of focusing so much on efficiency, we also need to consider sufficiency- how much do we really need? Can we make everything simpler, smaller, and better? Can we just say, “enough already!”
Published by newsociety.com/ books. $24.99: ISBN: 9780865719927; Paperback 6" x 9" ; 192 pages.
May 14-18, 2024, VancouverRAIC Conference 2024
For information and registration raic.org/conference
May 22 to 24, 2024, Niagara Falls – OAA Conference with the theme of Housing: Pushing the Envelope.
For information and registration https:// oaa.on.ca/whats-on/conference
June 5-6, Toronto – CAGBC Building Lasting Change
For information and registration https:// www.cagbc.org/learn/attend-an-event/ building-lasting-change/
17 TO 19, 2024, UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA - PASSIVE HOUSE CANADA CONFERENCE 2024
Focusing on innovation, market acceleration, and ecological regeneration, the conference will feature case studies, policy discussions, and workshops on the integration of Passive House standards with ecological and health-centered design principles, setting a new benchmark for the future of the built environment. Also available online. For information and registration https://conference.passivehousecanada.com/
The Amexon Development Corporation is a finalist in the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) 2024 Green Builder of the Year Award which recognizes the builder who best demonstrates outstanding leadership in green building practices.
The Green Builder of the Year Award finalist nomination follows on the heels of Amexon's The Residences at Central Park project winning the Ontario Home Builders' Association Project of the Year (People's Choice Award) in 2023.
The 12-acre mixed-use community project, adjoining the East Don Parkland in Toronto, incorporates a range of industryleading green features and building practices, including EV charging stations in all parking areas for residents, visitors and retail venues.
Visit SABMag's Directory of Sustainable Products and Services for Sustainable, High-Performance Building [sabmagazine. com/product-directory/ ] where products are organized by Product Category and by LEED Category. Examples of featured listings include:
ACO SystemsIncreasingly extreme weather must be counteracted by more complex and sophisticated drainage concepts. ACO achieves this with intelligent system solutions which have a dual purpose: protecting people from water, and water from people. Every ACO product safely controls the water as it passes along the chain to ensure that it can be ecologically and economically reused in a viable way.
Molok® Deep Collection™ system
- An award-winning semi-underground waste containment system. Twenty years in North America and emptied by crane, Molok® containers are space saving, efficient and odour free.
Airfoam Industries
- Airfoam Industries is a proud North American manufacturer of high-performance building envelope products. With insulation solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
Arriscraft - Using only natural materials, Arriscraft manufactures superior stone that delivers the aesthetic and performance qualities of quarried stone. Arriscraft offers full-bed stone, thin-clad solutions and brick products, plus natural limestone quarried in Ontario.
CFP Woods, Cayaki Charred WoodCAYAKI specializes in interior & exterior charred siding. Raw material is sourced and made in Canada utilizing Red & White Cedar which are two widely renowned wood species for their rot-proof, as well as insect and weather-resistant properties. The market leader in knowing how to properly char and apply a wide range of eye-catching colours and textures.
475 High Performance Building Supply - 475.Supply is a trusted source for building envelope knowledge and materials: Pro Clima airsealing, Gutex wood fiber board insulation, Lamilux skylights, Brink heat recovery ventilation, and more. Plus, download free Smart Enclosure guides today!
Canada BrickLocated in Ontario, Canada Brick manufactures an impressive selection of residential and architectural brick, including modern and traditional colour ranges and several premium finishes. Canada Brick has manufactured brick locally for 70 years and is a smart option to buy Canadian.
CBC Metals and Processing/ VM Zinc - Muntz Metal, Architectural Bronze, Silicon Bronze, Coppers, Brasses, Aluminum; Stainless Steels: Satin, Hairline & Mirror; Coloured Stainless Sheet: Black, Bronze, Brass & various others. Anodized Aluminum; and CBC EZ Metal (matte finish Stainless for Roofing & Cladding). Technical service available in English et en Français.
The Langley Group/Filterra - The Langley Concrete Group of Companies is the largest independent precast operation in Western Canada. Product lines dedicated to Stormwater Treatment include Oil Interceptors, Stormceptors, Jellyfish Filters, and Filterra.
Furnishings - A recognized leader in the development and manufacture of municipal grade outdoor furniture. Using recycled plastics and metals, Wishbone products speak innovation through design that is aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Assemblies - EA imports and supplies world-class lightweight façade materials and substructure assemblies including our patented, Canadian-made TcLip™. Experts in rearventilated rainscreen (RVRS), EA provides design assistance with the SYSTEM2-v2 Design Guide available for download on our website.
FABRIQ architecture - FABRIQ architecture is a Montreal based firm that delivers innovative and sustainable design solutions for clients in the public and private sectors. Currently have eight major LEED projects certified or underway.
Get your product or service listed in the SABMag Directory for national print, web, digital and newsletter visibility.
Ask for details ... dgriffith@sabmagazine.com.
Live Roof - LiveRoof is the premier pre-vegetated modular green roof system available across Canada. Regionally grown modules with vegetation specifically selected and tested for your climate by the horticultural professionals at LiveRoof. Wind uplift tested according to CSA A123.24-15. Contact us for specific rooftop stormwater management solutions.
- Premier TANK. Premier WARRANTY. Premier SYSTEM. Roth North America provides water cisterns, rainwater harvesting tanks, septic tanks, and more, consisting of an inner layer of FDA approved virgin HDPE, two inside layers of PE for improved stability, plus one outer layer of black and UV-stabilized PE. Low profile, 100% watertight, and Lifetime corrosion protection.
KALWALL® 175CW is the first in a series of new translucent insulated glazing units (TIGUs) which allows you to mix and match Kalwall with other infill glazings and claddings for limitless façade design possibilities - without sacrificing performance.
KALWALL 175CW TIGUs are nominally 1-3/4" (44mm) and fully thermally broken. Daylight your building with Kalwall installed in the curtain wall system of your choosing and enjoy unparalleled versatility, durability and performance that outperforms conventional vision glazing in almost every way.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE GLAZING LIKE NO OTHER KALWALL® 175CW was specifically developed for seamless compatibility with third-party curtain wall systems. While all Kalwall panels offer best-in-industry thermal performance and solar heat gain control, KALWALL 175CW offers high-performance glazing unlike anything in the industry. It allows you to:
• Create perfectly bright, comfortable spaces without sacrificing daylight autonomy.
• Mix and match Kalwall 175CW with double- or triple-glazed units, spandrels and other claddings for the best of both worlds. Plug and play wherever you need to daylight with confidence.
• TIGUs offer privacy/modesty and are bird-friendly.
• Eliminate the need for secondary control systems.
• Low maintenance panels are graffiti and vandal resistant.
Kalwall 175CW panels are available in both 1-way and 2-way grid patterns, orthogonal (90 degree) only (no diagonal mullions or muntins internal to the panel). Trapped panels are still possible. All 175CW grid-cores use a thermally-broken I-beam (TBI). The thermal break is approximately 3/4" (19mm) wide and utilizes our low conductive FRP as the web material.
Our 3D simulation software uses daylight modelling to customize a solution for your unique needs. You’ll receive the museumquality daylighting™ you expect—whether your project is a retrofit or you’re thinking ahead to a future-fit solution.
KALWALL TRANSLUCENT GLAZING UNIT (TIGU)
The Shoji-reverse grid pattern, one of the various patterns available.
KALWALL 175CW TIGUs are lightweight at less than 1½ lbs/ft2 (7.3 kg/m2), strong and highly impact resistant ensuring you receive the exceptional quality for which Kalwall is renowned.
• TIGUs for façade applications are available up to 5x15 ft (1500mmx 4500mm).
• Three U-factors are available: 1.59, 0.91 and 0.79 W/m2K options.
• Standard grid patterns include Shoji-reverse and Ladder. Shoji, VertiKal™, Tuckerman and other orthogonal grid patterns are also available.
• NFRC 100, 201 and 202 values available for all CrystalWhite exterior/interior facesheet combinations and all four exterior cloud series Kal-tints™ (Cumulus, Cirrus, Nimbus, Stratus) with Crystal-White interior faces.
• Up to ten-year warranty on abnormal colour change, fiberbloom and KWS coating.
Photos top: Kalwall 175CW was specifically developed for seamless compatibility with third-party curtain wall systems. (Fermilab SBN Near & Far Detectors | Batavia, IL | Holabird & Root. Photos: James Steinkamp).
Photos bottom: Mix and match Kalwall 175CW with double- or triple-glazed units, spandrels and other claddings to create bright, comfortable spaces without sacrificing daylight autonomy. (Bottom left: Structura UK, Ltd.
Photo: Behind the Lens Media Ltd. Bottom right: Walthamstow Mall.
Photo: Alex Upton.)
ADVANTAGES OF KALWALL VS. GLASS: (TIGU VS IGU)
• Daylight quality / glare-free / no secondary sun control requirements
• Higher glazing performance (U-factors and SHGC)
• Mixed glazing ease (spec’ing translucent above & below the ‘vision zone’)
• A fraction of the weight compared to double and, especially, triple-pane IGU
• Cost advantage against triple-pane (material $/m2 and labour requirements/time)
• Privacy, safety & security, shatterproof, vandal-resistant, low maintenance
• Bird-friendly glazing (best rating possible) by the American Bird Conservancy
• Lower embodied carbon (GWP) – EPD for ‘panel only’ in process now
• No light pollution contribution – Dark Skies compliant glazing
Third-party curtain wall integration. High-performance glazing. The ability to mix and match translucency and vision glazing within the same framing system for the perfect balance of privacy and vision wherever you need it. Promoting humancentred design has never been easier. KALWALL 175CW, your versatile daylighting solution. Always a perfect fit.
Find out more: https://www.kalwall.com/products/ facades/175cw-translucent-glazing/
First company in Canada to build a LEED Gold-certified commercial building, MONTONI has over 4.2 million sq. ft. of LEED-certified buildings today, and is aiming to achieve nearly 7 million sq. ft. of additional LEED certification, as well as 2 million sq. ft. of BCZ certification for its current projects.
Our ambition: To build a sustainable legacy that will make future generations proud.
A real estate corporation dedicated to sustainable development
Ì 587 Avonhead Rd - Building A Mississauga, ON, Carttera Management Inc.
Ì Agrandissement Rayside Labossière, Montreal, QC, Rayside Labossière
Ì BC Government NetZero Carbon
Neutral Conversion, Williams Lake, BC, Real Property Division
Ì CT REIT - Dufferin Distribution Centre, Calgary, AB, Neoteric Architecture Inc
Ì École secondaire Sainte-Anne, Lachine, QC, College Ste-Anne
Ì FortWhyte Alive Buffalo Crossing Visitor Centre, Winnipeg, MB, FortWhyte Alive
Ì Louis-B Mayer, Laval, QC, Triovest
Ì Maple Meadows Phase 4/5, Maple Ridge, BC, Nicola Wealth
Real Estate
Ì Market Lands Mixed Use Building Winnipeg, MB, UWCRC 2.0 Inc
Ì MIFO, Orléans, ON, Mouvement
D'Implication Francophone
D'Orléans
Ì Neil Campbell Rowing Centre, St. Catherines, ON, Niagara 2022 Games
Ì Northeast Scarborough Community & Childcare Centre Scarborough, ON, City of Toronto
Ì RF Candiac société en commandite, Candiac, QC, Rosefellow
Ì Ronald McDonald House, Halifax, NS, Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic
Ì Royal Roads University - Rose Garden Cottage, Victoria, BC, Royal Roads University
Ì Tamperguard Head Office, Dorval, QC, Tamperguard / GroupDC
Ì Thunder Bay Art Gallery Waterfront, Thunder Bay, ON, Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Ì Township Wide Recreation Centre King City, ON, The Township of King
Ì UAP, Siège social, Montreal Montreal, QC, UAPRO Inc
Ì UBC Gateway, Vancouver, BC, UBC Properties Trust
Ì Vortex International Office Building Addition, Pointe-Claire, QC, Vortex international
Ì Westboro Beach Pavilions and Park, Ottawa, ON, National Capital Commission
Ì 531 Wellington St. N., Kitchener, ON, AET
Ì 100 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, KingSett Capital
Ì 1090 Homer Street, Vancouver BC, GWL Realty Advisors Inc.
Ì 1177 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC
Ì 2011 Joly, Montreal, QC, Forum Asset Management
Ì 240 Markland Drive, Etobicoke, ON,Carttera Management Inc.
Ì 2655 Bristol Circle Oakville, ON, Fiera Real Estate
Ì 3500 Steeles Ave. East Markham, ON, Fiera Real Estate
Ì 355 Wilkinson, Dartmouth, NS, East Port Properties Limited
Ì 395 Southgate Drive - Alectra Utilities, Guelph, ON
Ì 4087 Harvester, Burlington, ON, Fiera Real Estate
Ì 450 March Road, Kanata, ON, Fiera Real Estate
Ì 455 Abbott, Vancouver, BC, Forum Asset Management
Ì 483 Bay Street - Recert., Toronto, ON, Northam Realty Advisors
Ì 483 Bay Street - Recert., Toronto ON, Northam Realty Advisors
Ì 495 Wilkinson, Dartmouth, NS, East Port Properties Limited
Ì 495 Wilkinson, Dartmouth, NS, East Port Properties Ltd. Nova Scotia
Ì 531 Wellington St. N. Kitchener, ON
Ì 609 Granville Zero Carbon Building- Performance, Vancouver BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 700 West Georgia Zero Carbon Building-Performance, Vancouver BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 700 West Pender, Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 701 W Georgia, Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 725 Granville, Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 750 West Pender, Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 777 Dunsmuir Zero Carbon Building-Performance Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 87 Mann (The Spire), Ottawa, ON, Forum Asset Management
Ì 885 West Georgia Zero Carbon Building-Performance, Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 980 Howe Zero Carbon Transition, Vancouver, BC, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company
Ì Amped Sports Lab, Gloucester ON, Modern Niagara Group
Ì Arthur Erickson Place, Vancouver BC
Ì Collège Sainte-Anne, Dorval, QC
Ì Complexe Canal Lachine
Montreal, QC, Gestion immobilière Quo Vadis
Ì Complexe Dompark, Montreal, QC, Gestion Immobiliere Quo Vadis
Ì Édifice Jacques Parizeau, Montreal, QC, SociétéImmobiliere-Camont-Inc
Ì Granville Square, Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited Le Faro Montréal, Montreal, QC, BentallGreenOak
Ì Le Phénix - 2021-2022, Montreal, Quebec
Ì Lemay - Quebec 2021-2022 Quebec, QC
Ì Maison Manuvie, Montreal, QC, Jones Lang LaSalle Real Estate Services
Ì Mohawk College - Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation Hamilton, ON
Ì OrthoCanada Siège Social Gatineau, QC, OrthoCanada
Ì 11 Industrial St. - Building B, Toronto, ON, First Capital Asset Management LP
Ì 121 Bloor Street East - Recert., Toronto, ON, Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc.
Ì 18 York @Southcore Financial Centre - Recert., Toronto, ON, QuadReal Property Group
Ì 180 Queen Street West-Recert., Toronto, ON, GWL Realty Advisors Inc.
Ì 20-029 Le Stage, Saint-Hippolyte, QC, Belvedair - Bureau principal
Ì 2120 et 2180 Rue SainteCatherine Est (Esplanade Cartier Condos) Montreal, QC, Groupe Prével
Ì 280 King St. East - Recert., Toronto, ON, SAS Institute Canada Inc
Ì 33 Yonge Street - Recert., Toronto ON, GWL Realty Advisors Inc
Ì 3316 & 3314 Adanac St., Vancouver, BC, Blue Vision Homes
Ì 400 Cumberland St. - Recert., Ottawa, ON, True North Commercial Limited Partnership
Ì 1 City Centre, Mississauga, ON, GWL Realty Advisors
Ì 1 Hotel Toronto, Toronto, ON, Mohari Canada Inc. dba 1 Hotel Toronto
Ì 1 Toronto Street - Recert., Toronto, ON, GWL Realty Advisors Inc.
Ì 100 Adelaide - Richmond-Adelaide Centre- Recert., Toronto, ON, Oxford Properties Group
Ì 100 Yonge Street - Recert., Toronto, ON, BentallGreenOak
Ì 4711 Yonge Street-Recert., Toronto, ON, Menkes Property Management Services Ltd.
Ì 477 Kindersley Mont-Royal, Mont-Royal, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì 545 Superior Street, Victoria BC, Jawl Properties Ltd.
Ì 6985 Financial Drive - Recert., Mississauga, ON, QuadReal Property Group
Ì 7025 Langer Dr. - Recert., Mississauga, ON, GWL Realty Advisors Inc.
Ì 720 King West - Recert., Toronto, ON, Triovest Realty Advisors Inc.
Ì 745 Thurlow Street - Recert., Vancouver, BC, QuadReal Property Group
Ì 81 Bay at CIBC SQUARE Toronto, ON, Hines, acting as Development Manager for the Owner
Ì 99 Gerrard St. West, Toronto, ON, KingSett Capital
Ì AEdifica - Siège social, Montreal QC, AEdifica
Ì Aquabella at Bayside, Toronto ON, Tridel
Ì Parkside A, Calgary, AB
Ì PwC Place, Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì Quad 1 - C1 and C2, North York ON, Forum Asset Management
Ì Quarry Park West, Calgary, AB
Ì Renfrew Business Centre, Vancouver, BC
Ì Bentall Centre Tower IV - Recert., Vancouver, BC, Hudson Pacific Properties
Ì Bremner Tower - Recert., Toronto ON, QuadReal Property Group
Ì Broadway Tech Centre - Bldg 1, 4, 5, 6,7 - Recert., Vancouver, BC, QuadReal Property Group
Ì CIBC Square Fit-up Floors 1-4 (Retail Space), 5 (Workplace), 6-34, & 49, Toronto, ON, CIBC
Ì Commerce Court West - Recert., Toronto, ON, QuadReal Property Group Limited Partnership
Ì La Coulée douce, Saint-Come, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì Laurel, Vancouver, BC, Domus Homes
Ì LinkedIn Toronto Office, Toronto, ON, LinkedIn
Ì Meadowvale Corporate CentrePlaza 4 - Recert., Mississauga ON, QuadReal Property Group
Ì Park Place - Recert., Vancouver BC, QuadReal Property Group Limited Partnership
Ì Résidence Pruche en bec Sud, Sainte-Julienne, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì Royal Centre, Vancouver, BC, Royal Centre (KREC) Inc.
Ì Royal Centre - Recert, Vancouver, BC
Ì The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, ON
Ì Waterfront Centre, Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì Résidence Raymond-Ryter, Potton, QC, UrbanÉco
Ì Royal Bank Plaza - Recert., Toronto, ON, Colliers
Ì Scotiabank North Tower at Bay Adelaide Centre, Toronto, ON, Brookfield Office Properties
Ì Shaw Tower - Recert., Vancouver, BC, Burrard Landing Lot 2 Holdings Ltd., c/o Westbank Projects
Ì The Emera IDEA & Richard Murray Design Buildings, Halifax, NS, Dalhousie University
Ì The Steve & Sally Stavro Family YMCA, Toronto, ON, YMCA of GTA
Ì The YMCA at The David Braley Vaughan Centre, Vaughan, ON, YMCA of GTA
Ì Waterfront Innovation Centre Toronto, ON, Menkes Waterfront Holdings Inc.
Ì 1080 Grande-Allee Ouest, Quebec, QC, Industrielle Alliance
Ì 111 Richmond - RichmondAdelaide Centre-Recert., Toronto, ON, Oxford Properties
Ì 114-120 Victoria St. Office Building Kitchener, ON, Zehr Group (120 Victoria St LP)
Ì 120 and 130 Adelaide West, Richmond-Adelaide Centre-Recert., Toronto, ON, Oxford Properties Group
Ì 130 Bloor St. WestRecert.,Toronto, ON, BentallGreenOak
Ì 155 Gordon Baker Rd. - Recert., North York, ON, Manulife
Investment Management
Ì 155 Water Street, Vancouver, BC, Low Tide Properties Ltd.
Ì 188 E 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Catalyst Community Developments Society
Ì 1950 Meadowvale - Recertification Mississauga, ON, QuadReal Property Group
Ì 2 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON, Brookfield Properties
Ì 20 Queen St. West Recert.,Toronto, ON, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 2100 Derry Road West - Recert., Mississauga, ON, GWL Realty Advisors Inc.
Ì 22 Terrace, Vancouver, BC, Hanbu Enterprises Ltd.
Ì 2425 Matheson Blvd. - Recert., Mississauga, ON, Crown Property Management
Ì 250 Yonge Street-Recert., Toronto, ON, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì 2630 Skymark Avenue - Recert., Mississauga, ON,Crown Property Management
Ì 2680 Skymark Avenue - Recert., Mississauga, ON, Crown Property Management
Ì 3160 Derry Road East, Mississauga, ON, Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd.
Ì 320 Granville, Vancouver, BC, Bosa Developments
Ì 34 Golf Avenue, Pointe Claire, QC, Holly Simpson Interior Design
Ì 345 King West, Kitchener, ON, Perimeter Development Corporation & Fiera Properties
Ì 360 Oakville Place, Oakville, ON, Hood Development Corporation
Ì 3650 Victoria Park Avenue, North York, ON, Colliers International
Ì 400 Third - Recert., Calgary, AB, Oxford Properies Group
Ì 405 Terminal, Ottawa, ON, Controlex (on behalf of 1301986 Ontario Inc.)
Ì 45 St. Clair Ave West - Recert., Toronto, ON, Manulife Real Estate
Ì 50 Minthorn - Recert., Markham, ON, Epic Investment Services
Ì 500 Consumers Road, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc.
Ì 5035 South Service Rd - Recert., Burlington, ON, Manulife Investment Management
Ì 55 Standish Court - Recert., Mississauga, ON, Crown Property Management
Ì 60 Bloor St. West, Toronto, ON, Morguard Investments Limited
Ì 601 West Hastings, Vancouver , BC, CI Developments
Ì 65 King Street East, Toronto, ON, Carterra
Ì 655 Bay St. DREAM Office, Toronto, ON, Dream Office Management Corp.
Ì 6551, rue Alma, Montreal, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì 6755 Mississauga Rd. North - Recert., Mississauga, ON, Manulife Investment Management
Ì 70 Cremazie - Place MontcalmRecert., Gatineau, QC, Multivesco Inc.
Ì 70 University Avenue- Recert., Toronto, ON, Avison Young Real Estate Management Services LP.
Ì 736 6th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, Manulife Financial
Ì 85 Hanna - Recert., Toronto, ON, FCR Management Services LP
Ì 85 Richmond Street West-Recert., Toronto, ON, Oxford Properties Group
Ì Adelaide Place, Toronto, ON, Dream Office Management Corp.
Ì Airport Square - Recert., Vancouver, BC, Gold Colliers International
Ì Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain (AECRP), Montreal, QC, McGill University
Ì Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness, Victoria, BC, Camosun College
Ì Amber Trails School Addition, Winnipeg, MB, Seven Oaks School Division
Ì Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB, PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
Ì Atria II & III - Recert., North York, ON, Epic Investment Services
Ì Bâtiment administratif et ateliers de l'Usine Atwater Montreal, QC, Ville de Montréal
Ì Bentall Centre Towers I,II,IIIRecert., Vancouver BC, Hudson Pacific Properties
Ì Bloomington GO Station, Aurora, ON, Metrolinx
Ì Bona Office - Recert., Ottawa, ON, Bona Building & Management Company Limited
Ì Broadway Tech Centre - Bldg 2, 3, 8 - Recert., Vancouver, BC, QuadReal Property Group
Ì Burberry Yorkdale, Toronto, ON, Burberry, London
Ì Bureaux du Ministère de la Justice du Québec aux niveaux
1 à 9 de l'Édifice Louis-PhilippePigeon, Québec, QC
Ì Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station, Twillingate, NFL, Real Property, Safety and Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Government of Canada
Ì Canary Commons, Toronto, ON, Dundee Kilmer Developments LP
Ì Caserne de pompier no. 6, Laval QC, Ville de Laval
Ì Centre for Physical Training, Saint-Jean Garrison, St-Jean-surRichelieu, QC, Défense nationale du Canada
Ì Centre de commerce mondial de Montréal-Récert., Montreal, QC, Allied Properties REIT
Ì Centre de Recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM) pavillons R et S Montreal, QC, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Ì CEP - Container Operations Facility, Vancouver, BC, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Ì Chalets Oxygen Modele Le Refuge (Batchelor), Saint-Côme, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì Chalets Oxygen Saint-Côme
Modele Le Chic, Saint-Côme, QC, Investissements Lyscor Inc.
Ì Chalets Oxygen Saint-Côme
Modele Le Refuge , Saint-Côme, QC, Investissements Lyscor Inc.
Ì Chalets Oxygen Saint-CômeModele Le Boréal, Saint-Côme QC, Investissements Lyscor Inc.
Ì CHANEL CA Holt Renfrew, Toronto, ON, Chanel Canada ULC
Ì Chelsea - Building A and B, Vancouver, BC, Cressey (Cambie 31) Development LLP c/o Cressy Development Corp.
Ì CIBAF - cosmodome, Laval, QC, Ville de Laval
Ì Complexe Place Ville MarieRecert., Montreal, QC, Ivanhoé Cambridge
Ì Concert Properties OfficesLevels 6, 8, 9 & 12, Vancouver, BC, Concert Properties Ltd.
Ì Constitution Square - Recert., Ottawa, ON, Canderel Management Inc.
Ì Coopérative des Prés : Bâtiment 1, 2, 3, 4, Waterville, Quebec, Cooperative Les Pres (La Fédération des coopératives d’habitation de l’Estrie)
Ì Copperhaven School (K-9), Spruce Grove, AB, Parkland School Division No. 70
Ì Covenant House Vancouver Phase 2, Vancouver, BC, Covenant House Vancouver
Ì CPP Investments Offices at 1 Queen Street East,Toronto, ON, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
Ì Curve on South Park, Halifax, NS, Southwest Properties Ltd.
Ì Dawson Creek Trades Training Centre, Dawson Creek, BC, Northern Lights College
Ì Delia School, Delia , AB, Prairie Land Regional Division No.25
Ì Dr. Anne Anderson High School, Edmonton, AB, Edmonton Public School Board
Ì Écohabitations Boréales - Quatre-Vents, SainteMarguerite-du-Lac-Masson, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Écohabitations boréalesAchigan Saint-Hippolyte, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Écohabitations boréalesDes Sommets, Val d'or, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Écohabitations Boréales - Laval, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Écohabitations boréalesPresqu'île, Saint-Faustin-LacCarré, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Écohabitations Boréales - SainteSophie, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Écohabitations BoréalesTremblant, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Écohabitations Boréales - ValMorin, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Écohabitations boréalesWheeler, Mont-Tremblant, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Édifice Crémazie, Montreal, QC, Société de transport de Montréal - Bureau de projets Infrastructures Surface
Ì Endress+Hauser Customer Centre Burlington, ON, Endress+Hauser Canada Ltd
Ì Ennisclare - 1075 North Service Road - Recert., Oakville, ON, Crown Property Management
Ì Evergreen Building - Recert., Vancouver, BC, QuadReal Property Group
Ì Exchange Tower - Recert., Toronto, ON, Brookfield Office Properties
Ì Fifth Avenue Place - Recert., Calgary, AB, Brookfield Office Properties
Ì First Tower Calgary - Recert., Calgary, AB, Hines Ltd - HOC First Tower HT LP
Ì Gateway Place, Surrey, BC, Industrical Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. c/o Epic Investment Services (BC) Inc.
Ì GFW Long-Term Care Facility, Grand Falls - Windsor, NFL, Gold NL Healthcare Partners
Ì Glenora Park (Clifton Place), Edmonton, AB, ONE Properties (Revera ONE Clifton GP Inc. as Partner)
Ì Green Gables Visitor Centre Cavendish, PEI, Parks Canada
Ì HSBC Building - 885 West Georgia-Recert., Vancouver, BC, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Ì IKEA Toronto Downtown - Aura, Toronto, ON, KEA Group
Ì Insectarium de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Ville de Montréal
Ì KAÏA Maison de ville, Candiac, QC, Neoteric Architecture Inc
Ì KAÏA Maison de ville, Candiac, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì King George Hub, Surrey, BC, PCI Developments Corporation
Ì Kipling Bus Terminal, Etobicoke ON, Metrolinx
Ì l'École le Ruisseau de Brooks, AB, Southern Francophone Education Region No. 4 (Conseil scolaire FrancoSud)
Ì Lake City Centre, Burnaby, BC, Epic Investment Services
Ì Lark City Centre 3, Surrey, BC, Lark Group
Ì Le Colibri, Saint-Hippolyte, QC, Belvedair Constructions Inc.
Ì Le Vita 2 Montréal, QC, Vertex Construction
Ì Lee Residence, Vancouver, BC, Natural Balance Home Builders
Ì Leora Condos (2125 Ward), SaintLaurent, QC, Ward Investments LP c/o Mondev Construction
Ì Mahogany K-4 School, Calgary, AB, Calgary Board of Education
Ì Maison du Loisir et du Sport, Montreal, QC, Groupe Mach Inc
Ì Maison L'Estuaire, Les Escoumins, QC, Solutions Résidentielles
Ì Maison modèle du Mont LoupGarou, Sainte-Adele, QC, Les Constructions Raymond et fils
Ì McKinsey Offices, Montreal, QC, McKinsey & Co.
Ì Meadowvale Corporate CentrePlaza 5 - Recert., Mississauga, ON, QuadReal Property Group
Ì Nasdaq Office, Toronto, ON, Nasdaq, Inc.
Ì Nechako Housing Commons, Kelowna, BC, UBC Properties Trust
Ì Noria Condos - Bâtiment 1 and 2, Saint-Laurent, QC, Groupe Kevlar Inc.
Ì Ottawa VIA Station - Recert., Ottawa, ON, VIA Rail Canada
Ì Oxygen Saint-Côme Modele Le Nordik, Saint-Côme, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì PCL Edmonton Business Park Building One, Edmonton, AB, PCL Constructors, Inc.
Ì Pearson Corporate Centre, Toronto, ON, Crown Property Management Inc.
Ì Place du Lac - Bâtiment 1, LacMégantic, QC, Constuctions Morin inc.
Ì Pruchenbec Nord, SainteJuliene QC, GNC Habitation
Ì QuadReal Headquarters, Vancouver, BC, QuadReal Property Group
Ì Quarry Park Professional Bldg. - Recert., Calgary, AB, BentallGreenOak
Ì Queens Quay Terminal - Offices and Retail, Toronto, ON, Northam CCPF TenCo (BTS) Ltd c/o Northam Realty Advisors Ltd.
Ì R.E. Mountain Secondary School, Langley, BC, School District #35
Ì Résidence Belley Collard, Val-desLacs, QC, Construction Larix Inc.
Ì Résidence Desaulniers Marcotte, Orford, QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Résidence Felteau-Provost, Orford QC, Écohabitations boréales inc.
Ì Résidence Garant-Lacerte, Arundel QC, Belvedair Constructions Inc.
Ì Résidence Hamilton-Piche, Val-desLacs, QC, Construction Larix Inc.
Ì Résidence Jarry et Geoffrion, Nominingue, QC, Les Constructions Raymond et fils
Ì Résidence Josée Legris et Francis Brousseau, Saint-AdolpheD'Howard, QC, Belvedair - Bureau principal
Ì Résidence Lacroix-Busilacchi, Val David, QC, Construction Larix inc.
Ì Résidence Ogilvie et Beauchamp, Bolton, QC, Habitat-Fix
Ì Roam Transit Operations & Training Centre, Banff, AB, Town of Banff
Ì Robson Court - Recert., Vancouver BC, GWL Realty Advisors
Ì Royal Bank Plaza - RBC Branch, Toronto, ON, WZMH Architects
Ì Royal Inland Hospital - Gaglardi Tower, Kamloops, BC, Interior Health Authority
Ì RWDI Headquarters, Guelph, ON, RWDI
Ì Savoy - Cambie and 26th, Vancouver, BC, Aria Pacific Development Inc.
Ì Savoy - Cambie and 26th Townhouse 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Vancouver, BC, Aria Pacific Development Inc.
Ì Scala Residences, Toronto, ON, Tridel
Ì SECOND + MAIN, Vancouver BC, SPERA Properties
Ì SFU Burnaby Residence - Dining Commons, Burnaby BC, Simon Fraser University
Ì Simon Fraser University Student Union Building, Burnaby, BC, Simon Fraser University
Ì St. Urbain 6666-O MILE-EX LP e6285, Montreal, QC, Colliers International
Ì St.Urbain 6650-O MILE-EX, Montreal, QC, Colliers International
Ì Suncor Energy Centre - Recert., Calgary, AB, Brookfield Office Properties
Ì TAK Condos - Phase 2, Montreal QC, S.E.C. TAK ROSEMONT c/o Cogir Management
Ì TELUS World of Science - Aurora Expansion, Edmonton, AB, ELUS World of Science Edmonton
Ì The Houses of the Ones Belonging to the Saltwater, Vancouver, BC, UBC Properties Trust
Ì The Pacific, Vancouver, BC, Grosvenor - Property Americas
Ì The Winona, Vancouver, BC, Raichu Cambie developments ltd
Ì UBC MacLeod Building, Vancouver, BC, UBC Infrastructure Development
Ì UBC Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, Vancouver, BC, UBC PROPERTIES TRUST
Ì Valley Park Library, Hamilton, ON, City of Hamilton
Ì Virox Office Building - Recert., Oakville, ON, Virox Technologies
Ì Wolff Residence, Lac Supérieur, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì 100 Chisholm Drive & 95 Market
Dr. - Phase2, Milton, ON, Pure Industrial
Ì 100 East Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill, ON, Dream Unlimited Corp.
Ì 100 East Beaver Creek Expansion, Richmond Hill, ON, Dream Unlimited Corp.
Ì 1330 Martin Grove Road, Toronto ON, Carttera Private Equities Inc.
Ì 203 Abbotside Way Caledon, ON, Dream Unlimited Corp.
Ì 2425 & 2475 Meadowpine Blvd, Mississauga, ON, Carterra Management Inc
Ì 2445 Surveyor Road, Mississauga ON, Carttera Private Equities Inc.
Ì 401 rue Marie Curie, VaudreuilDorion, QC, Dream Properties
Ì 54 Phelan Court, Guelph, ON, Dream Office Management Corp.
Ì 675 Cochrane Drive Markham, ON, True North Commercial Partnership Ltd. (Crown Realty Partners)
Ì 91 Broadway, Toronto, ON, 91 Broadway Fitzrovia Inc.
Ì Air Traffic Control Tower 14 Wing, Greenwood, NS, Department of National Defence
Ì Aire de service du Point-du-Jour, Lavaltrie, QC, Ministère des Transports (Quebec)
Ì Aréna Rodrigue-Gilbert, Montreal, QC, Ville de Montréal
Ì Atelier de travail pour 5e Régiment du génie de combat, Shannon QC, Ministère de la Défense Nationale
Ì Atria 1 - Recert., North York, ON, Epic Investment Services
Ì AUPE Headquarters, Edmonton AB, Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
Ì Bâtiment administratif de la Cour Dickson, Montreal, QC, Ville de Montréal
Ì Bay Roberts Primary School, NL, Department of Transportation and Works
Ì Blackie School, Blackie, AB, Foothills School Division No. 38
Ì BLVD Beltline, Calgary, AB, One Properties
Ì Brampton Courthouse Addition, Brampton, ON, Infrastructure Ontario
Ì Bureaux Élections Québec, QC, Société Immobilière GP
Ì Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Cambridge Bay, NU, Public Works and Government Services Canada
Ì Cartier Boutique Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, Cartier
Ì Centre de soins de santéGarnison St-Jean, Richelain, QC, Dept of National Defence Canada
Ì Condor K-6 School Condor, AB, Wild Rose School Division
Ì Dartmouth General HospitalExpansion 2019, Dartmouth, NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Ì DCC Office Fit-up (RE1712), Ottawa, ON, Communications
Security Establishment
Ì École Arc-en-ciel, Oromocto NB, DTI Buildings, Province of New Brunswick
Ì École des Jolis-Prés, Laterrière, QC, Commission scolaire des Rives-du-Saguenay
Ì École Joseph - Moreau, Edmonton AB, Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord
Ì Edenshaw TANU Condominiums, Mississauga, ON, Langara Build Ltd.
Ì Édifice LG2, Montreal, QC, Société de développement Angus
Ì Eglinton Maintenance and Storage Facility, Toronto, ON, Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Capital Project Group, Metrolinx
Ì ErinoakKids, Brampton, ON, ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development
Ì ErinoakKids, Mississauga, ON, ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development
Ì ErinoakKids, Oakville, ON, ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development
Ì Finch West Light Rail Transit and Maintenance & Storage Facility, Toronto, ON, Mosaic Transit Group c/o Metrolinx
Ì Fire Station 7-3 and EMS Station 31, Vaughan, ON, Corporation of the City of Vaughan
Ì Gander Long-Term Care Facility, Gander, NL, Healthcare Partners
Ì Grand River Transit Northfield Bus Facility, Waterloo, ON, Region of Waterloo, Corporate Services, Facilities Project Management
Ì Halifax South Peninsula Elementary School, Halifax, NS, Dept of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Ì Health Care Centre, CFB North Bay, ON, Department National Defence
Ì Heathview South Tower, Toronto, ON, Morgaurd Investments Limited
Ì Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto, ON, Holy Blossom Temple
Ì Homer Watson Kitchener Building 2, Kitchener, ON, Perimeter Development Corporation
Ì Humaniti, Montreal, QC, Humaniti
Ì IKEA, Beauharnois, QC, IKEA Burlington
Ì Institute for Advanced Medical Isotopes, Vancouver, BC, TRIUMF
Ì Island View High School, Eastern passage, NS, Nova Scotia Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal
Ì KAÏA Maison de ville, Candiac, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì L'aréna Raymond-Bourque, Montreal, QC, Ville de Montréal
Ì Lakehead University CASES, Thunder Bay, ON, Lakehead University
Ì Lakeshore School, Calgary, AB, Calgary Board of Education
Ì Maple Leaf Foods - Heritage Facility, Hannon, ON, Maple Leaf Foods, Inc.
Ì Mitchell Elementary School Addition, Mitchell, MB, Hanover School Division
Ì Monarc Condominiums - Phase 1, Saint-Laurent, QC, Groupe Jadco
Ì NFS(A) Consolidated Training and Support Facility, Halifax, NS, Department of National Defence Canada
Ì Niagara Regional Police Service 2 District/Headquarters, Niagara Falls, ON, Niagara Region
Ì Norseman - Maison en Ville NOR, 02-62, Montréal, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì Octagon Pond Elementary, Paradise, NL, NF Dept. of Transportation and Works
Ì Palais de justice, Rimouski, QC, Société immobilière du Québec
Ì PAX Habitat, Joliette, QC, Soeurs des Saints Coeurs de Jesus et de Marie
Ì Peaks to Pines Seniors Lodge, Coleman, AB, Alberta Seniors & Housing
Ì Port aux Basques MCTS Centre, Port aux Basques, NL, Government of Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Ì Prince Albert Provincial Correctional Centre Food Services Facility, Prince Albert, SK, Saskatchewan Ministry of Central Services
Ì Résidence Gael et Nicolas, Orford, QC, Évaluations EcoHabitation
Ì Riverbend Business Park, Burnaby, BC, Oxford Properties Group
Ì The Scenic Grande, Calgary, AB, Revera Inc.
Ì Toronto Metropolitan University Centre for Urban Innovation, Toronto, ON, Toronto Metropolitain University
Ì Usine de traitement des eaux souterrains PEPSC, Montreal, QC, Ville de Montréal
Ì Utopia Condominiums, Beamsville, ON, New Horizon Development Group
Ì Waterton Lakes National Park Visitor's Reception Centre, Waterton, AB, Parks Canada / Government of Canada
Ì Yarmouth Elementary School, Yarmouth, NS, Nova Scotia, Dept of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Ì Yorath House, Edmonton, AB, City of Edmonton
Ì YRP 1 District 429 Harry Walker Pky S., Newmarket, ON, The Regional Municipality of York
Ì 11 Bramalea Building A, B, C, Brampton, ON, ADMNS Brampton Investment Corp c/o Carttera
Ì 2750 Morningside Drive, Toronto, ON, Oxford Properties Group
Ì 40 Norelco Drive, Toronto, ON, Triovest Realty Advisors Inc.
Ì 45 Tyler, Cambridge, ON, Gateway Business Campus Limited Partners c/o Bentall Kennedy
Ì 675 Harwood Buildings A & B, Ajax, ON, 675 Harwood Holdings Inc. c/o Triovest Realty Advisors Inc.
Ì 8205 Parkhill Drive, Milton, ON, Menkes Parkhill Holdings Inc.
Ì Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator Facility Expansion, Leduc, AB, Alberta Infrastructure
Ì ALRE- Laval - Nouveau bâtiment BMO, Laval, QC, ALRE Properties inc
Ì Aréna Francis Bouillon, Montreal QC, Service de la gestion et de la planification immobilière
Ì Aréna Mont-Royal, Montreal, QC, Ville de Montréal
Ì B1C1a, Brossard, QC, Devimco
Immobilier
Ì Bible Hill P-4 School, Bible Hill, NS, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Ì C5B6, Brossard, QC, Devimco Immobilier
Ì Centre d’innovation adMare, Montreal, QC, Neomed Institute
Ì Daiya Foods Building - Phase 1 & 2, Burnaby, BC, Daiya Foods
Ì DIALOG Toronto Office Fit Up, Toronto, ON, Dialog Design
Ì DMH Hamilton Gateway Facility Hamilton, ON, Dhl Express (usa), Inc.
Ì École primaire Saint-Émile, QC, Commission scolaire de la Capitale
Ì EWBP Phase 2 and 3, Milton, ON, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada c/o BentallGreenOak
Ì Grifols Canada Therapeutics
Albumin and Fractionation
Building (Zone A, B, C), Montreal QC, Grifols Engineering – Grifols Canada Therapeutics Inc.
Ì Halton Hills Buildings B1 & B2, Halton Hills, ON, Halton Hills Industrial Devel. GP I c/o Triovest
Ì Iport Caledon Buildings B, C, D, E, Bolton, ON, Triovest Realty Advisors Inc.
Ì Loto-QC, 500 Sherbrooke O. SAAQ MAMH, Montreal, QC, Loto-Quebec
Ì Maison Terra, Sainte-Annede-Bellevue, QC, Broccolini Construction Inc.
Ì North Retail District
Buildings 3 -10, Calgary, AB, Certified Brookfield Properties Developement
Ì Société en commandite Solar Condo Tour 2 et 3, Brossard, QC, dyfic Construction
Ì VIU 2, Gatineau, QC, Groupe Heafey
The LEED Platinum certified Amber Trails Community School, designed by Prairie Architects Inc. for the Seven Oaks School Division, opened in 2015. Just a few short years later, an eight-classroom addition was constructed to accommodate the growing population in the area. The addition received LEED Gold certification in 2023.
The addition is modelled after the original school design where groupings of classrooms are clustered around shared, open multi-purpose areas. The eight-classroom addition increased the capacity of the school from 800 to 1,000 students and complements the existing school’s attributes, incorporating key principles of sustainability such as enhanced building commissioning and exceptional energy performance.
Some noteworthy elements include: hydronic radiant floors controlled from the building automation system (BAS), using hot water supplied from the existing school’s central ground source heat pump (GSHP); constant volume air distribution via active chilled beams in the classrooms; and both hot and chilled water supplied from the existing GSHP system with a 20-ton upgrade to the heat pump module to provide the incremental plant capacity required for the addition.
OWNER Seven Oaks School Division
LOCATION Winnipeg, Manitoba
AREA 11,324 sf (addition)
COST $3.3 Million (addition)
YEAR COMPLETED 2019 (addition)
CONTRACTOR Three-Way Builders
CONSULTANTS Architect: Prairie Architects Inc. / Structural Engineering: Wolfrom Engineering Ltd. / Mechanical & Electrical Engineering: WSP / Landscape Architect: HTFC Planning & Design / Interior Design: Prairie Architects Inc. / Sustainable Project Management: Prairie Architects Inc. / Commissioning: Integrated Designs Inc. (now Crosier Kilgour)
The LEED Gold certified Visitor Centre situated on 16 acres of rural land in Cavendish, PEI, is the setting for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel ‘Anne of Green Gables’. Parks Canada wanted to improve the tourist experience with a structure that would be respectful of the historic house and would reinterpret the wood building tradition of PEI through the use of exposed engineered mass timber, a more sustainable choice than traditional post and beam.
In order to accommodate the growing communities of Mitchell, Manitoba and surrounding area, the Hanover School Division required significant expansion of the Mitchell Elementary School. The 11,142 square-foot addition includes five new classrooms; a learning commons, which opens into a large multi-purpose room; an entrance vestibule; and washrooms and service space. Additionally, outside of the LEED project boundary, a subsequent renovation to the existing school was undertaken in order to expand and renovate the kindergarten classrooms; renovate the administration and staff areas; and provide much-needed consolidation of the educational support and resource areas.
The project team worked in close collaboration with the Hanover School Division to prioritize the school’s need and determine the scope of work that would best serve the school and meet the project’s sustainability goals within the project budget.
www.rootarchitecture.ca
A narrow plan and large windows on the east side provides ample daylight and enables south-facing glazing to be shaded. Artificial lighting, although rarely needed, is controlled by daylight sensors. Large doors in the lobby can be opened to allow cooling breezes in summer. De-stratification fans used to control temperatures within the high-volume spaces are powered by the PV panels. The building averages 1 air change per hour. Recovery ventilation units are designed at 30% more than required by ASHRAE 62.1. Energy intensity reduction is about 23%.
PROJECT FACTS
OWNER Hanover School Division
LOCATION Mitchell, Manitoba
AREA 11,142 sf (new) / 8,697 sf (reno)
COST $4.5 Million
YEAR COMPLETED 2020
CONTRACTOR Gateway Construction
CONSULTANTS Architect: Prairie Architects Inc. / Structural
Engineering: Wolfrom Engineering Ltd. / Mechanical & Electrical
Engineering: KGS Group / Civil Engineering: J.R. Cousin
Consultants Ltd. / Interior Design: Prairie Architects Inc. / Sustainable Project Management: Prairie Architects Inc. / Commissioning: Integrated Designs Inc. (now Crosier Kilgour)
Modern Niagara’s transformation of the AMPED Sports Lab and Ice Complex into North America’s first arena to achieve a Zero Carbon Building Performance Standard certification proves decarbonization is achievable – even in the most challenging spaces.
Canada’s aggressive carbon reduction objectives need to be met by 2030 and 2050. As building emissions represent a significant percentage of the country’s total emissions, Modern Niagara – Canada’s leading national mechanical and electrical, building services, and integrated building technology contractor –has responded to the urgent call for a decarbonized built environment.
Ice rinks symbolize Canada’s national identity. Whether the place for hockey, exhibiting our collective values of teamwork, dedication, and resilience, or the shared space for belonging, connection, and unity, the arena represents the heart of Canadian communities. They are also among the highest energy-consuming facilities in a municipality. As such, Modern Niagara developed the position that if an arena can be decarbonized, any building in any community can be decarbonized, making arenas the ideal starting point for municipalities looking to begin their net zero journeys.
Through the AMPED project, Modern Niagara has successfully demonstrated that a community ice rink can be a new source of national pride – comprised of environmental responsibility, and a catalyst for societal transformation to help meet reduction targets.
At the core of Modern Niagara’s decarbonization efforts lies a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, including investing in the development of innovative technologies tailored to facilities with complex needs. For AMPED, this included the real-time development of the Liquid Desiccant Dehumidifier (LDD) –a technology that Modern Niagara continues to advance for enhanced efficiency and performance.
As an emerging leader in sustainability solutions, Modern Niagara also collaborates with cutting-edge clean tech partners such as OX2, Airwise, Blue Frontier, Distech Controls, and Guest Automation to explore new solutions for building equipment, ensuring not only decarbonization but also energy efficiency.
Leveraging their expertise, partnerships, and relationships with industry leaders and the AMPED Sports Lab and Ice Complex owners, Modern Niagara assembled a team of subject matter experts to tackle the unique challenges posed by decarbonizing ice arenas – setting a precedent and roadmap for municipalities across Canada to follow.
This decarbonization project exemplifies how visionary leadership and collective action can drive change. Modern Niagara’s cutting-edge initiative to reduce carbon emissions in Canada’s ice arenas proves that net zero is not just a goal, but an achievable reality. And, the lessons learned from decarbonizing arenas can be applied toward other buildings, accelerating Canada’s transition toward a more sustainable future.
Modern Niagara welcomes all stakeholders to join this decarbonization journey. From municipal decision-makers to facility owners, a sustainable future is achievable when we meet together at the rink.
Contact Modern Niagara’s Energy Solutions team today: esolutions@modernniagara.com
The Trades Training Centre in Dawson Creek, Canada provides workshops for the instruction of carpentry, welding, plumbing, millwright, and wind turbine technology, as well as student commons, classrooms, and offices. Tailored to the northern climate, the project inverts trades building typology to suit collaborative, multi-disciplinary trades education. Mass timber construction is used for efficiency and is exposed within the building to create practical spaces humanized by wood materials, colour and natural light. The project recently achieved LEED ‘Gold’ certification.
Dawson Creek is a remote resource town of 13,000 residents in northeast BC, dependent upon the oil and gas industry. It is very cold, with long nights and temperatures that regularly dip to -40˚C during the winter.
The project is an addition to Northern Lights College. The new building provides a clear identity for the campus, by fronting the haphazard former military base with a single long façade and addressing the town’s main road with a large coloured clerestorey along its full length - animated by LED lights that harken to the aurora borealis. Sheltered courtyards around the new building counter the sprawling pattern of a town that lacks pedestrian amenity.
Demand for heat and shelter is extreme in this northern climate. The design responds by providing a renewable campus energy system centered around a large-scale biomass boiler fueled by waste wood from the region’s forest industry. The south-facing elevation of the building was designed as a solar wall to utilise the strong winter sunlight to pre-heat intake air for the building’s mechanical ventilation system. Where conventional trade training facilities use large outdoor ‘boneyards’ for storage and training activities, this space was enclosed at Northern Lights, and the exhaust air from other fully conditioned spaces used to temper the space during cold periods.
This project provides a model for trades college design in a cold climate, working from first principles and using mass timber to create a sustainable, practical, people-oriented environment – and handling the technical requirements of extensive workshop equipment.
Mass timber construction created opportunities for integrating architecture and systems:
• Constructability was enhanced by prefabrication of roof panels and CLT wall panels
• Wood structure reduces the size of the piling foundations required for frost heave
• Exposed mass timber provides a ready surface for fastening equipment and building systems, which must remain exposed to allow flexibility in the workshops
• Wood columns provide lateral support for the clerestorey and mitigate glare
• The wood interior, integrated with acoustic surface treatments, provides exceptional acoustic performance to temper the noise of workshop tools
Reflective of trades work, the design is practical and efficient in its orthogonal form: a carefully calibrated box that responds to functional needs and the human desire for warmth, natural light, and social interaction.
CREDITS:
CLIENT Northern Lights College
ARCHITECT McFarland Marceau Architects
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Equilibrium Consulting
MECHANICAL ENGINEER Rocky Point Engineering
ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Jarvis Engineering
PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Elkan
www.mmal.ca
Virox Technologies Inc., a leading chemical engineering innovator of safe, effective and sustainable disinfectants, was the first chemical manufacturer in Canada capable of developing Ecologo® and Green Seal Certified products in a state-of-the-art 68,500+ square foot LEED-certified facility, headquartered in Oakville, Ontario. Our environmental commitment goes beyond our ground-breaking disinfectant technologies and products and is reflected in our operations and building technologies.
Virox has invested in its operational sustainability with building upgrades including expansions, retrofits, and technological advancements that deliver a multitude of benefits to its occupants and the surrounding environment:
• Installing JADE™ HEPA-RX air filters remove >99.99% of airborne pathogens,
• Retrofitting all building lights to LED’s improves energy efficiency,
• Installing electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle racks, and shuttles to connect staff to city transit services encourages alternative modes of transportation,
• Enhancing our recycling program has achieved a 90% waste diversion rate. These are just a few sustainability initiatives undertaken to improve building performance, reduce operating costs, and provide a more healthful and productive environment for occupants.
As a disruptor in disinfectant technology and infection prevention, our focus on health and environmental sustainability is a legacy that we will pass on to future generations.
Discover more about our commitment to a sustainable future: virox.com
near net zero carbon and LEED Silver Certified
In a seamless collaboration between client and consultant groups, the York Regional Police, #1 District Headquarters in Newmarket, Ontario transcended initial regional objectives, aiming beyond LEED Silver to align with the York Region 2031 carbon neutral mandate. Emphasizing passive technologies like geothermal energy and enhanced envelope performance, the project retained its commitment to security, functionality, and design efficiency.
To augment expertise, the team pursued additional training in Passive House principles, enriching their existing skill set. Parkin spearheaded a culture of excellence, instituting rigorous quality tests throughout construction, including multiple blower door tests, ensuring superior building performance. While achieving zero carbon status for the building, the project remains mindful of the carbon footprint of its emergency generator required to guarantee 24/7 operation. Although not Passive House certified, the project meticulously adheres to Passive House principles, confirming the commitment to a sustainable ethos.
Located in Winnipeg’s burgeoning southwest, north of a primary motorway into the city, Buffalo Crossing is situated on Muir Lake’s south shore, the largest of five lakes formed in reclaimed clay and gravel pits abandoned by the Canada Cement Company.
The 18,000 sf two-story mass timber Visitor Centre consists of a gift shop, café, lobby, gender neutral washrooms, learning, pre-function and indigenous spaces, prep kitchen, and event space.
The marquee gateway to FortWhyte Alive’s 660 acre nature campus, offering environmental education and recreation programs, Buffalo Crossing will be a living exhibit of climate resilience, reconciliation, and stewardship, facilitating expanded programming and revenue.
Amidst wispy aspens, perched between and over granite gabion walls concealing the ‘natural garden’ beyond, Buffalo Crossing frames views towards visitors’ experience. Transparent, welcoming, Buffalo Crossing is designed to draw people in connecting them with nature.
Triangular in form with a minimal north facade with limited solar exposure, the northwest façade opens up to picturesque views, while the south façade addresses the motorway providing a strong physical presence. The upper volume shading the lower volume, stepping up at the event space. Rounded corners soften its presence within the aspen forest. Two ends of the upper volume are carved out to form balconies.
Interior features supporting indigenous culture were carefully curated including language, interpretive elements, and the Star Blanket pattern celebrating indigenous history and knowledge. The bison (buffalo) make an appearance in the Donor Wall.
Special consideration was given to south central Canada’s extreme climate with conditions ranging from -40° C and 0% relative humidity to +40° C and 100% relative humidity and future projected climate data to inform the design of Buffalo Crossing achieving CaGBC’s Zero Carbon Building Design Standard and targeting Passive House Certification - the first such projects in Manitoba to achieve these standards.
Large bird-friendly insulating glass units passively harvest solar heat during the heating season, while the overhang and operable screens, theatrically opening and closing in response to the sun, passively shade the interiors during the cooling season. Paired with a highperformance building enclosure, the heating energy demand is lowered by ~90%.
The building’s HVAC system consists of a ground source heat pump, energy recovery ventilator, and in-floor heating/cooling.
Buffalo Crossing demonstrates FortWhyte Alive’s commitment to climate action through the built environment, promoting an understanding of the natural world, inspiring actions towards sustainable living and a better future for all.
The transformation of a 16,000 sq. ft. retail space in Williams Lake into a sustainable office building represents a significant achievement. Situated on the traditional lands of the Secwepemc, T'exelcemc, and Xat'súll First Nations, this project stands as a testament to Canada's commitment to emission reduction goals.
Originally housing Sears and Fabricland stores, the building now serves as the Ministry for Children and Families' headquarters, showcasing pioneering sustainability efforts. PassivHaus design techniques were implemented, such as high-efficiency windows, enhanced thermal insulation, and thermal bridging avoidance. The project foresees a net positive energy return to the system’s grid through highly efficient systems and geothermal heating and cooling capabilities. Up to an 80% reduction in energy consumption compared to the baseline building's energy consumption was achieved.
Photovoltaic panels covering the roof offset the remaining 20% energy consumption, contributing to carbon neutrality and net-zero energy status. Notable upgrades include improved insulation and exterior cladding, ensuring both energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal. The building's interiors, inspired by LEED and WELL criteria, prioritize occupants' health and inclusivity. This project stands as a beacon of sustainability, inclusivity, and respect for Indigenous cultures and the environment, serving as a model for future developments striving towards similar goals.
www.gotad.ca
The 2024 Conference is coming to the University of Victoria, June 17-19th
By Design!
Transform the Built Environment.
Join us this June in beautiful Victoria, BC and online, to network with industry professionals from across Canada exploring how we can transform the built environment together through innovation, growth and regeneration.
For the first time ever, the entire Passive House Canada Conference will be held inside a Passive House building, and conference attendees can stay on-site to experience campus life in Passive House comfort. This year’s annual conference is a true Passive House immersion.
We are pleased to announce our keynote speaker this year is Bill Reed of Regenesis Group. A trailblazer his entire life, and a co-developer of the LEED, he is now at the forefront of the regenerative development movement. Regeneration moves beyond sustainability and restoration, examining the integrated systems of a place as an evolving whole.
Attend in-person or virtually.
Member discounts available!
Located in the Hastings Sunrise neighbourhood of Vancouver, The Narrows is a six-storey mixed-use building with 48 residential rental suites in conventional wood frame construction over 225 sq. m of commercial uses in a concrete podium. It is located just one block east of The Heights, another mixed-use building which in 2018 became the first Passive House certified project to be completed by Cornerstone Architecture. The Narrows has been recognized by the Province as a Clean BC Net-Zero Energy-Ready Challenge Winner.
Unlike The Heights, which is located on a corner, The Narrows has zero lot line setbacks on both the east and west sides, with its south façade on busy Hastings Street, and its north façade facing a commercial lane. From a Passive House perspective, the site is a challenging one, as the lane is almost two storeys higher than the street. As well as planning complexity, this creates issues around thermal bridging, the extent and detailing of the airtight envelope, and the transition between the parkade and the occupied portion of the building.
Additional massing complexity was generated by setback steps in the building section, in part responding to City zoning guidelines (of note, the City is recognizing this issue and is moving to allow simpler massing forms). The Narrows achieves a form factor of 0.47; higher than that for The Heights (which was 0.42) but still within the range that can meet Passive House energy standards. The zero lot line condition on the two sides necessitated an innovative solution to achieve the required levels of air tightness, insulation, minimized thermal bridging, as well as providing required fire ratings.
On the ground floor, which is at basement level relative to the lane, there are two retail units. The transition from the parking area includes a vestibule with doors at either end. The vestibule prevents the infiltration of carbon monoxide from the parking garage to the occupied spaces of the building. With the low air change rates required in Passive House buildings, ensuring the quality of incoming air is critical.
Elevators connect a cold parkade to a warm building. At The Heights, the inside of the elevator shaft was lined with insulation; at The Narrows the outside of the shaft was insulated. Where the concrete podium extends beyond the upper floors, thermal bridging is again an issue. At The Heights, the solution was to create a double slab with insulation between the layers; at The Narrows, the insulation was simply extended out beyond the building enclosure. Even with well-considered and conscientious detailing, it is impossible to eliminate thermal bridging entirely. In large buildings, these deficiencies are manageable, as their impact can be minimal when considering the performance of the whole building.
The wall framing is generally conventional; the front and rear assembly comprises a 2x8 load-bearing external section with an internal 2x3 framed service layer – both with insulated cavities. The intelligent combined air/vapour barrier is installed in a protected position between the two. This membrane needs to be construction-sequenced around the outside of the floor perimeter for continuity.
For the zero lot line walls, the design team did not want to use concrete block, both because of the resulting overall assembly thickness, and because the weight would attract significant seismic loads and leave a moisture barrier issue. Instead, it was conceived as a wood-frame shaft wall, fabricated on site in 9m long panels by the contractor, and lowered into place by crane. The panel joints are located above the floor line to allow access for sealing. The thermal barrier is addressed with cavity insulation; intumescent sealed gypsum board and steel cladding provides fire protection and the moisture barrier.
Other sources of thermal bridging that require detailed consideration include commercial kitchen vents, plumbing and drainage pipes. At The Narrows, a kitchen vent had to be run vertically through the building from the commercial podium to the roof, in anticipation of a possible future restaurant at ground level.
Drainage and plumbing pipes are also potential sources of thermal bridging and condensation, so they must also be insulated throughout the building, and in The Narrows, this source of heat loss is further reduced with the installation of air-admittance valves at the roof level.
For The Heights a semi-central ventilation system was used with several HRVs located along the upper-level corridor, each serving a stack of four or five units. For The Narrows a fully central system is used with the building ventilation supplied from two large roof-mounted HRVs – one serving the south-facing units, the other the north-facing. Lateral supply and return duct distribution is accommodated through a special assembly over the upper-level corridor, and vertical distribution is provided through shafts between units. The ducts must be airtight, insulated, and at the same time accessible to fire dampers on every floor of the building to comply with the fire code.
Within units, fresh air is supplied to the bedrooms and exhaust air extracted from the bathrooms. The pressure difference between intake and exhaust promotes ‘cascade’ ventilation throughout the suite. The ducts must be carefully sealed and balanced to ensure even distribution at the low air change rates required. New regulations requiring at least one room to be designed to prevent overheating can be met by increasing the HRV ventilation rate, and/or by using the connected heat-pump cooling capacity.
Moisture barrier membrane system
Air/smart vapour barrier membrane continuous around exterior of floor framing
OWNER/DEVELOPER Steiner Properties
ARCHITECT Cornerstone Architecture
PROJECT MANAGER ADM Management
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Scott
Construction Group
CP/CODE CONSULTANT Camphora
Engineering
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Weiler Smith
Bowers
MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Smith + Andersen
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER Terrane Group
CIVIL ENGINEER Webster Engineering
BUILDING ENVELOPE ENGINEER
Aqua-Coast Engineering
INTERIOR DESIGN Port + Quarter
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Forma Design td.
PHOTOS Luke Han Architect AIBC
Conclusion
On the south façade, the large triple-glazed tilt and turn windows are to be fitted with operable solar shading. The shades are designed to lower automatically when the intensity of the sun reaches a preset level. However, when the sun is intermittently obscured by clouds, the blinds may lower and retract repeatedly, thereby requiring a manual over-ride. Manual systems, on the other hand, are not ideal either, as occupants may choose not to lower the shades, or alternatively keep them closed, that ends up affecting thermal performance.
As for the tilt and turn windows, Cornerstone’s experience is that they often require adjustment so, whether they are imported or manufactured in Canada, it is preferable to have them installed by a registered local supplier. On The Narrows, the windows are quite large to reduce the number of mullions and the associated thermal bridging; consequently, they are heavy. It is important to have a protocol for access and maintenance, and to ensure that residents understand how to operate these non-traditional windows.
Cornerstone’s experience confirms designing and constructing a Passive House building requires extensive collaboration between the design and construction teams and a high degree of expertise among those in leadership positions. The firm typically requires the project manager and site superintendent to have Passive House training and often organizes air tightness testing demonstrations to familiarize the construction crews with the attention to detail required of all trades.
The partners at Cornerstone consider themselves very fortunate to be working in Vancouver, a forward thinking city that is willing to adopt policies such as a density bonus to reduce risk and encourage developers and architects to explore efficient technologies. Carrots (subsidies and bonuses) and sticks (targets and regulations) are both needed as policy to support energy efficient construction.
SCOTT KENNEDY P.ENG AND SIMON RICHARDS ARCHITECT, AIBC ARE WITH CORNERSTONE ARCHITECTURE.
Established in 2006, Varsa Windows and Doors, has been dedicated to crafting and delivering exceptional products. Specializing in manufacturing a wide range of Aluminum and UPVC systems including Windows, Doors, Lift and Slides, Sliders, Bifolds and more, we are proud to present products lines that are LEED and Passive Certified
What began as a manufacturing and wholesale operation has grown into a comprehensive service, encompassing sales and professional installation since 2012. Our business is built by Residential, Multi-Unit and Commercial Projects backed by top level architects and recognized builders within the industry.
Our production materials are sourced by European suppliers with renowned experience in the window and door industry. Our production plant, residing in Greece, has been in existence for two generations We take immense pride in providing outstanding customer service while delivering high-end quality products.
Our Greek heritage inspires us to infuse our craftsmanship with elegance, durability, and a touch of Mediterranean charm. Join us on this journey as we combine tradition with innovation to transform your spaces.
When designing low energy, high performance buildings, the role of enclosure design is critically important: including maximizing thermal performance through super-insulation, air tightness and the mitigation of thermal bridging; control of solar heat gain through shading and glass selection to minimize overheating risk; and natural ventilation through operable windows.
While these strategies are designed to optimize the management of heat, air and thermal performance, from an architect’s or structural engineer’s perspective, the enclosure is also crucial to the structural support and overall aesthetic of the building.
In the last quarter of the 20th century, the energy performance of buildings did not change as much as one might expect with technological innovation. With the introduction of higher performing materials, components, and systems, building forms simultaneously became more complex, with a multitude of corners and balconies. Together with the growing aesthetic demand for large areas of glazing, this negated many of the advances in performance that might otherwise have been made.
To add to this challenge, the comparative energy performance targets included in many current energy Codes and standards, where designs are modelled to achieve a percentage improvement over a prescribed reference building, have historically demonstrated little to no correlation between inservice building energy use and the percentage improvement over the baseline building that was modelled. There has been a growing realization that the modelled energy consumption during design may differ by more than 100% from the measured energy use after the building is occupied.
RDH focuses on the building science of enclosure design and believes that to move forward, we must commit to measurable targets for modelling energy use. While there will still be discrepancies between the modelled and actual energy use with this approach, the absolute performance metrics will drive design decisions which will tend to result in more consistent reductions in building energy use.
Over the past 10 years in Canada, the Passive House Standard has gained in popularity, particularly for large buildings. Passive House has absolute energy targets for space heating and cooling; airtightness is always measured empirically at regular intervals throughout the construction process; primary energy use now factors in renewables, as well as the transmission losses between the point of energy generation and the building to which energy is being supplied.
In recent years, a consensus has developed that the comparative energy performance targets are not getting us where we need to go if the goal is Net Zero Energy. British Columbia legislation through the BC Energy Step Code now relies on absolute energy use intensity targets; for which the Passive House Standard deserves some credit.
1.The exterior walls of the Clayton Community Centre, the first Community Centre in North America to achieve Passive House certification, were site built with the installation of membranes, clips, insulation and exterior finishes.
Heating demand is critical; with enclosure design determining the losses and gains that will be experienced through the glazed assemblies and solid elements, and by air leakage losses. These may be offset by solar heat gain; or by interior heat generation from occupants, electronics and other equipment.
This ‘absolute target’ approach is being taken up across the country, and will soon be part of national energy codes. The Passive House standard reduces demands to the point where mechanical systems can be scaled back substantially.
Enclosure design is critical to achieving low energy intensity. The areas of focus are:
• Minimizing thermal bridging
• Achieving high levels of air tightness
• Specifying high levels of insulation
• Specifying high-performance fenestration.
In British Columbia, performance of the first generation of Passive House buildings has indicated that overheating can be a concern. With high performance enclosure design, we must also manage incident solar radiation and related heat gain. Comfort is the key goal. One important factor is the solar heat coefficient of the glass. Careful specification can ensure the glass on each elevation has the appropriate shading coefficient. South and west elevations can also benefit from fixed or operable shades, on the exterior, rather than interior of the building.
First, the building must be pressurized, then filled with smoke, leakage monitored and then remedied. Remediation is most cost effective during construction while the surfaces and joints are accessible. Commissioning is not a final step, it is an ongoing process throughout the construction stage.
As part of that process, individual building enclosure system mock ups can often be individually tested before the entire building is sealed to provide valuable feedback to the project team.
High performance building enclosures can be very different in appearance. Whatever the system, cladding attachments are often key; as their material, design and spacing can all potentially impact thermal bridging and overall enclosure performance either positively or negatively.
Site built enclosures are generally favoured for non-highrise buildings. If the walls are site built, site installation of membranes, clips, insulation and exterior finishes occur sequentially and should be carefully inspected at every phase. For example, this approach was used successfully on the Clayton Community Centre, which became the first Community Centre in North America to achieve Passive House certification.
Site built enclosures can also be used on larger buildings but this is dependent on the local construction market and other considerations. This will require exterior access (scaffolding, mast climbers, etc.) which can be expensive, and can also result in poorer quality control and additional safety concerns. Speed of installation and limited room for staging on site are also considerations that drive prefabrication.
For high-rise residential buildings in many construction markets, panelized window wall is often the default choice. However, this approach generally provides insufficient thermal performance for buildings targeting aggressive energy performance targets such as Passive House. However, window wall can be combined with higher performance opaque panel systems such as precast concrete sandwich panels to overcome this challenge. Window wall systems are generally cost-effective, but have limited energy performance, when compared with precast concrete sandwich panels where insulation is sandwiched between two layers of concrete connected with low conductivity ties.
One example that combines window wall and precast sandwich panels, is Coal Harbour Phase 2 by Henriquez Partners, currently under construction in Vancouver and targeting Passive House certification. Having thermal mass on the inside of the prefabricated panels can also help to temper interior temperature fluctuations and reduce overheating risk.
Another attractive option may be a ‘mega panel’ curtain wall system with sufficient levels of exterior insulation and high-performance triple-glazed punched windows, typically spanning floor-to-floor. The large panel size, increases the speed of erection, and also reduces the number of mullions and transoms that are possible sources of thermal bridging.
PH level mega panels are generally exterior insulated with punched windows for vision glazing – mitigating thermal bridging of the panel back-up structure. Mega panel systems do not necessarily rely on aluminum extrusions for structure. Cold formed steel and wood structure are also possible.
Using floor to floor panels enabled the enclosure to be installed at a rate of one floor per day at UBC Brock Commons/ Tallwood House, Acton Ostry Architects’ 18-storey mass timber student residence completed in 2017. This solution was cost-effective and allowed for more rapid protection of the moisture sensitive timber structure.
The CURV building, soon to be constructed in Vancouver, is slated to be the tallest PH building in the world. This building will exercise a similar façade concept to Brock Commons utilizing a mega panel design with Passive House levels of exterior insulation and triple-glazed punched windows. The CURV will also integrate balconies – which adds further complexity and challenges to the project.
Traditionally, balconies have been one of the most significant sources of thermal bridging and heat loss in apartment buildings, often contributing more than all other sources combined. The tiers of balconies common in many older apartment buildings, resemble the fins used for cooling a motorbike engine – an efficient strategy for shedding heat. In fact, thermal bridging at balconies can reduce the overall effective R-value of opaque areas by more than half!
To mitigate these thermal bridges, structural thermal breaks are often required to improve thermal performance and are essential in projects aspiring to Passive House or other ultra low energy standards. This relatively new solution for balconies represents a significant step forward in energy performance. The CURV building utilizes this strategy to mitigate thermal bridging at its inset balconies.
Fenestration selection is also key for Passive House projects. Triple glazing is almost always required on PH projects regardless of window to wall area. Detailing is also important, as fenestration installation details are often one of the most significant areas of concern for thermal bridging as conductive metal flashings can potentially bridge the insulated enclosure. The panes of glass are ideally lined up with the exterior insulation to minimize thermal bridging at these details.
Detailing must therefore minimize and mitigate thermal bridging. Over insulation of window frames is also desirable where possible.
There is now a wide variety of high performance fenestration products available in the Canadian market, some European and some north American. When using European products, designers must be aware of the differences between European and North American testing standards to ensure that performance requirements (air/water/thermal) in the local jurisdiction are achieved. Some projects require European products as North American products that meet performance requirements are not always available.
At present, performance of the vision area of the building envelope is generally limited to ~R-7 with the best systems available unless using insulated vacuum glass. Window wall and curtain wall spandrels are also limited in performance. The best spandrels that we’ve come across (fiberglass window wall) are ~R-16. This level of opaque performance is typically insufficient for PH buildings and as a result traditional window wall and curtain wall systems cannot be used in isolation to achieve Passive House standards. Instead, higher performance, opaque wall/panels are required or must be combined with these glazing systems to achieve PH performance.
In general, it will be necessary to increase the area of the opaque part of the enclosure, that is to reduce the window to wall ratio, optimizing the trade off between the increased insulation value of solid panels and the potential solar heat gain from glazed ones. One exception is the RHW.2) office tower in Vienna, Austria, designed by Atlier Hayde Architekten, and completed in 2013, that utilizes a unique glazing system (double-skin façade) that has achieved PH certification. However, the expense of this approach generally limits its application.
Currently in Canada, no window wall system is Passive House certified, although fiberglass window wall is being used on one current Vancouver PH project. With large areas of glazing, overheating may be a risk, and mechanical cooling is generally required to address this. Manipulation of solar heat coefficients, which may be different on each elevation according to orientation, can be used to optimize both light transmission and heat transmission and minimize cooling demand.
Building to the Passive House standard has a higher initial capital cost, although the percentage premium can vary according to location, building type, materials, labour and the experience of the project team. However, the premium that goes into a higher performance building enclosure can be offset over time by the reduction in cost of the mechanical system and through lower operating costs.
The performance goals must be set and agreed upon at the beginning of the project. These goals and their associated costs may vary widely according to the client (banks and other high end organizations typically set higher goals and spend more) and the nature of the ownership (owner/operator public organizations tend to accept longer payback periods).
Some prestigious European office buildings, such as the RHW 2 tower mentioned above, specified high performance double-skin façade systems, with automated blinds in the interstitial space between the two skins. This type of glazing system may be four or five times as expensive as the more familiar glazed curtain wall systems typically used in Canada. However, in the case of RHW 2, it reduced the standard energy consumption for High rise offices by more than 80%.
The most iconic example of a double-skin façade being used in Canada is Manitoba Hydro Place in Winnipeg. The two layers of glazing are set 600mm apart, making the void an integral part of the ventilation system in the building. Here, the payback period to offset the initial cost, came in part from the increased performance and fewer sick days taken by employees who were happier and healthier in the new building.
Recently, there has been a new level of emphasis placed on reducing building embodied carbon to minimize this important part of building emissions, which in turn encourages a move a way from well proven traditional materials. As a result, there is now a drive to replace materials with high embodied carbon with lower emitting materials e.g. mass timber is replacing concrete; biogenic insulation is replacing mineral and plastic-foam based products, and there is a renewed interest in maximizing the recycled content of building materials including glass.
We should take a measured and risk-managed approach to all these changes as new building materials and assemblies may result in both expected and unforeseen project risks. For example, biogenic materials are susceptible to moisture and impurities in recycled glass and other materials may result in early failure and/or reduced service life. These changes may not only raise prices but potentially result in systemic failures as occurred with the leaky condo crisis in the 1990s. The future is bright, but we should walk into it with our eyes open and recalibrate building design and construction approaches accordingly.
BRIAN HUBBS IS PRINCIPAL AND SENIOR BUILDING SCIENCE SPECIALIST, AND MICHAEL WILKINSON IS ASSOCIATE AND BUILDING SCIENCE ENGINEER, BOTH AT RDH BUILDING SCIENCE.
Windows are obvious critical components of building enclosures, especially those designed for the highest performance of Net Zero and Passive House. Select manufacturers and suppliers are meeting the demands of the high-performance building market which they see as only growing in the coming years.
While the Passive House Standard is voluntary, it is broadly accepted as a proven methodology to meet very high levels of energy efficiency – as much as 90 percent more than conventional buildings – and is often used by progressive building professionals to meet the requirements of performance-based building codes.
Innotech Windows + Doors in Langley, BC shares the views of most select window suppliers that building codes throughout Canada, such as the BC Energy Step Code, is giving rise to a surge in buildings, including single-family homes and multifamily high-rise buildings, designed and built to achieve high energy efficiency, if not the Passive House Standard.
Innotech serves the high-performance market and recently introduced its Defender 88PH+ XI, the first Passive House Institute cold climate certified window manufactured in North America and the first uPVC Passive House Institute cold climate certified window in the world. Both are significant achievements for the North American fenestration industry and long-awaited performance milestones for the North American Passive House building industry.
The Defender 88PH+ XI exceeds the criteria for the cold climate region (or climate zone 2) as defined by the Passive House Institute.
The fixed window has a Uw of 0.59 W/(m²K), Uw,inst of 0.60 W/ (m²K) and temperature factor of 0.77, while the operable (turn and turn) window has a Uw of 0.60 W/(m²K), Uw,inst of 0.64 W/ (m²K) and temperature factor of 0.78. Both the fixed window and the operable window achieve a Passive House efficiency class of phA for the cold climate region, while providing air tightness, water resistance and structural performance.
Inline Fiberglass in Toronto is a pioneer in the Canadian fiberglass window and door industry with the distinct advantage of controlling all aspects of design, production and quality. Beginning with the manufacturing of lineals, using the pultrusion process, to design and final assembly of windows and doors, Inline has earned its reputation for producing high performing windows and doors.
Innotech Windows + Doors is a Canadian manufacturer of high-performance windows and doors. The Defender 88PH+ System combines decades of fenestration knowledge to deliver a robust window and door system that is not only Passive House Institute certi ed, but that also delivers the air, water and structural performance required for highly sustainable housing developments.
The company was an early adopter of fiberglass because the material resists swelling, rotting, and warping for long-lasting durability. Its fiberglass frames are as strong as low carbon steel and eight times stronger than vinyl.
Inline’s Larry Bidner says that its advanced pultrusion technology allows the production of lineals/frames with a higher glass loading than traditional fiberglass frames. This higher glass loading provides a higher strength and a lower thermal expansion rate. Its fiberglass frames expand at virtually the same rate as glass to maintain a tight seal and maintain resistance to leaks and window failures that can compromise energy efficiency and long-term performance. More recently, Inline has introduced its line of fiberglass Passive House-certified windows.
The FiberWall™ series by Duxton Windows & Doors in Winnipeg has been used in Net Zero buildings, both in commercial and residential settings. The fiberglass lineals in combination with triple-pane double low-e glass and a warm edge Endur spacer result in u-values down to 0.79 W/m2K. Duxton is working toward ever lower u-values for thermal performance, especially as the high-performance building market becomes more important and, as it believes, the BC Step Code gradually takes effect and spreads to other jurisdictions. The company will focus on the casement/awning category which have excellent air-tightness and are familiar to Canadians.
Cascadia Windows & Doors—based in Langley, BC—designs and manufactures commercial grade, high-performance fiberglass windows, doors, and window wall, plus the Cascadia Clip fiberglass cladding attachment.
Its standard window products—the Universal Series™—boast up to 250% improved thermal performance compared to traditional aluminum windows, making them suited to commercial and residential Passive House projects. In 2023, Cascadia launched a Juliet Balcony product to reduce thermal bridging associated with balconies and is working on an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its windows.
JELD-WEN has a platform of high-performance casement, awning and fixed windows that can reach beyond Tier 5 of the NBC 2020 and that can reach a 0.79 U Value with a variety of glass options offering both medium and low solar gain. The JWC 8500 series is well positioned, with a 26% slimmer frame that allows more natural light while maintaining window strength, to help builders improve their building envelopes and contribute to a lower operational carbon output.
5
Fenstür Windows and Doors in Duncan, BC is Canada’s first manufacturer of PHI Certified Wood Windows and Doors. It has a lift and slide door with a u-Factor of 1.1, and its certified inswing entry doors are available with a low-profile sill. All of its products are built with solid BC timber, which it kiln dries on site before creating the laminations for its products.
6
Nova Scotia-based Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems makes windows and doors that meet the rigorous certification standard of the Passive House Institute US.
Series™ fibreglass windows by Cascadia Windows & Doors delivers high thermal performance.
6. JELD-WEN has high-performance casement, awning and fixed windows that can reach beyond Tier 5 of the NBC 2020 and that can reach a 0.79 U Value.
Super low U-values
Long-lasting fiberglass frames
Beautiful aesthetics
Net Zero applications
175CW is the first in a series of new translucent insulated glazing units which allows mixing and matching with other infill glazings and claddings.
For windows, this includes casement, awning, double hung and tilt & turn window types in the Supreme Series. Kohltech is currently only one of two manufacturers in Canada to have certified door products, offering both inswing and outswing cellular PVC Door options. All Kohltech Passive House windows and doors come with a Passive House Institute US Certification label. The company sees more stringent building standards, including Passive House, gaining wider acceptance and is working on the next iteration of its products.
KALWALL in Manchester, NH has developed highly unique translucent daylighting systems which it says are the most highly insulating in the world. It offers museum-quality daylighting™ to improve indoor environmental quality, reduce a building’s carbon footprint, and bring measurable energy savings to owners and tenants. The company has recently launched KALWALL® 175CW, the first in a series of new translucent insulated glazing units (TIGUs) which allows mixing and matching with other infill glazings and claddings for various façade design possibilities. KALWALL 175CW TIGUs are nominally 1-3/4” and fully thermally broken.
As demand for high performing envelope products increase, KALWALL is well positioned with its translucent daylighting systems that deliver thermal performance and solar heat gain control for Passive House and Net Zero Energy projects.
LiteZone Glass Inc. in Edmonton manufactures insulating glass units (IGUs), not windows or curtain walls. The company claims that its LiteZone® is a next generation, award winning, ultra energy efficient IGU which it says makes possible the world’s most energy efficient and longest lasting windows and curtain walls.
Toronto-based VETTA Windows & Doors offers high-quality European triple-glazed windows and doors, all made from sustainably harvested wood and specifically designed for high performance Passive House and Net Zero buildings. This includes PHI certified windows and doors.
According to Carolyn Sedgwick, VP at VETTA Windows & Doors, its products use only wood harvested from sustainably managed forests, a leading method of carbon capture critical for climate resiliency as recommended by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
In 2023 the company introduced the Summit C108, a PHI Cold Climate Certified operable alu-clad wood window. With an overall Uw value of 0.65 w/m2.K, it delivers exceptional performance and refined modern design.
NZP Fenestration in Longueuil, QC specializes in providing high-performance fenestration solutions for Passive House, Net Zero Energy, and Zero Carbon projects. Its Passivhaus-certified windows significantly exceed current standards with its multipoint locking system for optimal sealing, while its triple glazing achieves performance levels of up to R11.4.
NZP also offers lift and slide doors available in sizes up to 21 feet with R11.4 glazing; insulated glass swing doors with a multipoint lock system and customizable sizes; triple glazing systems; insulated frames to minimize heat loss; and customizable design to integrate into any project.
Varsa Windows & Doors in Surrey, BC offers the Passive Housecertified Rehau Geneo tilt-turn windows and doors (UPVC) composed of RAU-FIPRO®, a proprietary fibre composite material similar to that employed in aeronautic construction and racing vehicles, making it the first fully-reinforced polymer window profile system that doesn’t rely on steel for its strength.
RAU-FIPRO provides excellent acoustical and thermal performance, especially given the absence of steel which can cause thermal bridging. Available as tilt-turn, hopper and fixed configurations, with centre seal and optional thermo-modules, Geneo achieves thermal insulation values up to the stringent passive house standard.
Varsa also offers ALUMIL S91 consisting of the hinged insulated system SMARTIA s91, an alternative for frames with concealed sash and fittings. Its significantly reduced visible aluminum face width maximizes natural light along with high thermal insulation and watertightness. And finally, it is one of the few companies to have a Passive House-certified curtain wall : ALUMIL M7.
SITE | LANDSCAPING |
RAINWATER HARVESTING
ACO Systems
Visit our on-line Directory to see hundreds of listings of companies which supply products and services for sustainable, high-performance building. Listings are organized by Product Category and by LEED Category. Our LEED v4.1 Directory is created with the help of our partner:
Filterra Bioretention Systems/Langley Concrete Group
Molok North America Ltd.
Roth North America
Wishbone Site Furnishings
STRUCTURE & EXTERIOR ENVELOPE
Airfoam Industries
Arriscraft
Canada Brick
CAYAKI Charred Wood/ CFP Woods
CBC Specialty Metals and Processing
Engineered Assemblies
Fraser Wood Siding
475.Supply
International Timberframes
Live Roof Ontario
LP SmartSide
MAPEI Canada
N.A.T.S. Nursery Ltd.
Radon Environmental
Sapphire Balconies Ltd.
Siga
Thames Valley Brick & Tile
Tremco CPG Inc.
THERMAL, WINDOWS & DYNAMIC GLASS
Cascadia Windows & Doors
Duxton Windows & Doors
Inline Fiberglass Ltd.
Innotech Windows + Doors
JELD-WEN Windows & Doors
KALWALL
Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems
NZP Fenestration passivhaus windows and doors
Unicel Architectural Corp.
VETTA Windows & Doors
COATINGS AND INTERIOR
Century Wood Products Inc.
Dulux/PPG
Eco Building Resource
Forbo Flooring Systems
ELECTRICAL | PLUMBING | HVAC | RENEWABLES
Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing Inc.
Big Ass Fans
Daikin Applied
Ecopilot Real-Time Energy Management System
Fantech Canada Ltd
Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc.
RadiantLink In-wall Heating
Sharc Energy
Sloan Valve
Tempeff Inc.
Teritt Indoor Environmental
TRANE
Viessmann Manufacturing Company Inc.
GREEN DESIGN SUPPORT + PROFESSIONALS
Canada Green Building Council
Canadian Precast Concrete Quality Assurance
Certification Program
Efficiency Nova Scotia
Entuitive
FABRIQ architecture
Green Building Initiative
Save EnergyNB
Facades systems have always been one of the most important parts of sustainability. We are only now coming around to realize just how important. Facades, if done properly, will be a rear ventilated rainscreen. They will be part of an outboard insulated envelope and will be high performance. In keeping with that methodology, they will then be the Primary Passive Environmental Control System.
Facades have always been on the front lines so to speak. They are often the single largest building component charged with insulation in addition to being most vulnerable to the substantial dictator –the environment.
Managing the abuse the environment delivers is a holistic endeavour and is only possible with a combination of materials, good design and proper assembly. If we had to pick one ingredient to start with, ventilation is the first. Whether you have a marginally absorbent façade material or not, ventilation is always good - never bad. It helps the entire assembly maintain a handle on moisture.
Having an active plenum, as outlined in the drawing detail, ensures the circulation of air is constant in good times and bad. The plenum can only function best when unobstructed and with the combination of adequate intake and exhaust vents.
Having adequate ventilation/air flow means the substructure supporting the façade material can see a longer lifespan and the insulation can function at its maximum potential in its dry state.
Placing a secondary drainage plane in front of the insulation (behind the plenum) will further thwart the intrusion of precipitation, minimize wind washing, and provide a visually pleasing veil to hide substructure and insulation through open joints of facade panels.
When all the components are chosen and assembled in the spirit of achieving their greatest lifespan, we can avoid premature demolition and concentrate on maximizing thermal performance and moisture management. This, in itself, is a pathway to sustainability
Uninterrupted vertical plenum behind the rainscreen panel to provide ventilation and drainage of the wall system. The nominal plenum width is 25mm. Open gap of 15mm horizontally for plenum drainage and air entry at the wall base. Plenums must be screened at base (above line of sight).
The RVRS Design Guide by Engineered Assemblies is available for download in EN + FR: https://www.engineeredassemblies.com/systems.
Numerous, resilient claddings are available for high-performance buildings: metal, fibre cement, ceramic, high pressure laminate, brick, masonry and precast concrete. Most facade materials can be attached using connectors designed to minimize thermal bridging, such as the Cascadia clip, mentioned earlier, or the TcLip by Engineered Assemblies, which was recently Passive House certified.
The EQUITONE high-density fibre cement facade material is a composite of cement, cellulose and mineral materials, reinforced by a visible matrix, which can be transformed in any size or shape for crisp, monolithic details.
TONALITY is an example of a one-layer extruded ceramic in a size range of 150mm-600mm high x 2,000mm long with hidden fastener attachment in a lift and lock system for installation horizontally and vertically on facades or soffits. It can be supplied in numerous colours and shapes: grooves, waves, and random patterns, for pleasing architectural effects.
High Pressure Laminate, or phenolic consists of kraft paper, decorative paper, resins and coatings. It’s a technology that has been accomplished by many companies around the world. The manufacturers use similar materials and processes, and this technology has had a long life.
FRONTEK, from Spain-based Greco Gres Internacional, is extruded porcelain with inner and outer layers that adds a volumetric and sculptural effect to the facade. Their use on a ventilated facade system has shown FRONTEK panels to reduce outside noise and insulate against solar radiation, provide high resistance to water absorption and abrasion, and facilitate easy handling and installation with all types of facade systems because of their internal honeycomb structure.
Trespa makes a decorative high-pressure compact laminate (HPL) with an integral surface for exterior cladding which is highly weather-resistant, colour stable, impact resistant, and easy to clean. The TRESPA® Pura® NFC is made of up to 70% natural fibres which go through an advanced manufacturing process. All Pura® NFC products are certified according to PEFC™ standard.
Double wythe insulated precast concrete panels make a highly resilient cladding choice. They arrive on site complete with exterior finish and ready for immediate installation. The thermal performance provided by the insulation of the sandwich construction is helped by the thermal mass of the precast concrete.
Reduces
Quick and easy install
Efficient construction processes and shorter times than traditional systems.
Lightness and durability
Honeycomb structure that minimizes the weight of the pieces. No maintenance required.
Thermal and acoustic isolation
Significantly reduce noise from the outside and also acts as isolation against solar radiation.
Lowest water absorption and highest breaking load
Maximum resistance to exterior conditions.
Cheko’nien House is the first of two buildings that together comprise the new Student Housing and Dining project at the University of Victoria (UVic) that embodies a transformative approach to student living and community engagement.
The unique design emphasizes social connectivity and sustainability. The first two storeys house a 600-seat dining hall, a multi-purpose room for 200, a servery, and a commercial kitchen, while above a 398-bedroom student residence offers modern living spaces tailored to promote student well-being and academic success.
Site plan
1. Housing commons
2. Campus Greenway extension
3. North-South Greenway
4. Stormwater retention feature
5. Plaza
6. Loading
7. Existing student union building
8. Existing housing buildings
9. Dining hall
10. Servery
11. Kitchen
12. Housing entrance
13. Conference entrance
14. Lecture theater
15. Indigenous student lounge
The facility supports UVic in its commitment to energy efficiency, climate resilience, and GHG emission reductions, as outlined in the university’s Sustainability Action Plan. The project has achieved Passive House certification, Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code, and LEED v4 Gold certification.
"Passive House allows us to meet a number of our objectives for sustainability and the student experience, and was the natural choice for the new Student Housing and Dining buildings,” says Mike Wilson, Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability.
Simultaneously addressing the need to preserve greenspace while meeting the growing demand for on campus student housing, the building has a compact footprint and much greater height than any other building on campus. Strategically positioned to catalyze the new Campus Greenway strategy, the building massing shelters the pedestrian realm from rain and shades its transparent ground floor from sun.
Achieving Passive House energy performance depends to a significant degree on passive design strategies. These include fixed sunshades and optimized fenestration to balance daylight, heating, and cooling. Complemented by energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems and a high-performance building envelope, these strategies ensure optimal performance while minimizing energy inputs and carbon emissions.
OWNER/DEVELOPER University of Victoria ARCHITECT Perkins&Will
GENERAL CONTRACTOR Monicelli-Kinetic, A Joint Venture
CIVIL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEER WSP Canada
MECHANICAL ENGINEER Introba
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Fast+Epp
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Hapa Collaborative
COMMISSIONING AGENT WSP Canada
PHOTOS Michael Elkan
2. The housing entrance is located on the new north-south greenway that connects the residential district. Cascadia Windows & Doors supplied the fixed and operable fibreglass windows from its Universal PH Series.
From inside to outside, the exterior walls comprise: 16mm Gypsum board; 152mm metal studs; exterior gypsum sheathing; vapour non-permeable self adhered sheet air/weather barrier; 203mm low density mineral wool with LKME clips @ 400mm o/c horizontally and 610mm o/c vertically; air gap and cladding.
Insulation, shading, and thermal bridge reduction all contribute to high energy efficiency, as do triple glazing and a tested airtightness of 0.22 ACH50—approximately one third of the Passive House limit. The resulting reduction in energy demand for heating and cooling means that the building can be powered almost entirely by hydroelectricity from British Columbia’s clean energy grid. This considerably reduces the use of fossil fuels.
Program Organization drawing
Student residences
Student common spaces
Residential support Services
Dining
However, serving approximately 8,700 meals per day, the large commercial kitchen represents a significant amount of the energy demand for the building. Employing a robust energy reduction strategy, the kitchen is designed to be five to six times more energy efficient than conventionally equipped equivalents —reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% for the entire building.
In addition to the commercial kitchen, the 398 bedrooms mean the project has an inherently high demand for domestic hot water (DHW)—roughly 27,750 L/day. A waste heat recovery system from the refrigeration system, kitchen exhaust, dishwashers, and shower drains, is used to pre-heat water. Captured heat from the kitchen also preheats supply air, resulting in an 82% reduction in heating demand.
The remaining DHW demand could have been met by the university’s efficient natural gas District Energy System (DES), but combustion is avoided completely by using high temperature air source heat pumps (ASHP), which reduce GHGs from operations by almost 90%.
A mixed-mode ventilation system uses semi-centralized HRVs to deliver excellent airflow to student bedrooms, augmented by operable windows and regulated by exposed thermal mass. Due to size and use, overheating is the greatest challenge, but ASHRAE and Passive House criteria are met, even in the anticipated warmer 2050 climate. The dining hall features mechanical ventilation with integrated automated windows and roller shades. This results in 100% of regularly occupied spaces being within 7 m of an operable window, and this mixed-mode approach is projected to save up to 60% of annual cooling energy.
3. Interconnections among spaces create a vibrant and dynamic environment. A mixed-mode ventilation system using semi-centralized Swegon Gold RXF HRVs deliver excellent airflow to the student quarters, augmented by operable windows and regulated by exposed thermal mass.
4. The glazed aluminum curtainwalls, exterior sun control devices, and interior aluminum framed storefronts and doors by Phoenix Glass provide abundant natural light and a visual connection to the outside.
Systems Diagram
1. High efficiency HRV and in line cooling, modelled to 2050 climate
2. Reduced supply air-supply to bedroom, exhaust from washroom
3. Passive cooling
4. Shower heat recovery
5. Solar shading
6. Massing overhang
7. Transfer air
8. Efficient kitchen exhaust
9. Kitchen heat recovery
10. Air source heat pump
11. Freezer heat recovery
12. Induction cooking
13. Air tight, super-insulated envelope
Lighting incorporates occupancy and vacancy sensors and photocells for efficiency, and extensive fixed shades maximize light while controlling glare.
The use of mass timber as a primary building material significantly offsets the carbon footprint of the project and celebrates natural materials. PEFC-certified mass timber was sourced from a BC company that uses wood grown, harvested, and processed in the Kootenay region. Local and recycled materials were prioritized, resulting in responsibly-sourced materials making up 20% of the total cost.
The team sought out materials and products with transparency and disclosure documents, totaling 24 products with Environmental Product Declarations and 22 products with Health Product Declarations: 92% of the total.
During design development, a Life Cycle Assessment of the project confirmed that the reduction in concrete, by using mass timber elements on the first two levels, reuse of natural stone from the demolished buildings, and procurement of local concrete with higher percentages of supplementary cementitious materials resulted in approximately a 10% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Overall, the achievements of this project set a new benchmark for Passive House. “The student dormitory on the University of Victoria campus is a milestone project for the global development of the Passive House standard,” says Roberto Iannetti, associate researcher at the Passive House Institute. “This exemplary project sets a precedent for the largest commercial kitchen in North America designed in a Passive House building.”
By Emma Cubitt
After sitting vacant for over a decade, the site of the Embassy Hotel has undergone dramatic transformation with the addition of affordable housing, community programming, and new arts and commercial spaces along a busy corridor in London, Ontario.
Originally constructed in the 1900s, the Embassy Hotel in London’s Old East Village drew crowds with live music, and housed the artist-led Embassy Cultural Hub for decades. The structure was the city’s oldest hotel still in operation, until it was lost to fire in 2009. After a decade standing vacant, Indwell – with help from Tricar Developments – purchased the land to build much-needed, permanent, supportive housing in order to address the needs of London’s homeless residents.
The COVID-19 pandemic amplified various pressures that the Old East Village had experienced for years, particularly homelessness and its associated negative impacts on lives and businesses. Redevelopment presented an opportunity to provide shelter and supports for vulnerable residents while celebrating and reinvesting in the cultural heritage of the community.
The former brownfield site now features a 4,560 sq.m threestorey structure with 11 parking spaces. Embassy Commons consists of two primary occupancies: residential and commercial. The building provides 72 new, affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments, but is functionally designed as two ideally-sized communities, each with distinct street addresses. On a purely human level, it is a place that a diverse range of tenants rebuilding their lives after experiencing homelessness and other debilitating conditions can call home.
Featuring dedicated space for community programming and office functions, the building incorporates built-in supports for residents, including nursing, addiction guidance, and mental health counselling. Three commercial units, housing the Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op, a pharmacy, and Edgar and Joe’s Café, welcome locals to interact with (and reinvest in) their neighbourhood.
With Indwell’s vision of Hope & Homes for All in mind, the intent was to create a supportive housing community which reflected vitality, hopefulness, and uplifting of the human experience for both tenants and passersby. Key to this inclusive vision is minimizing the project’s long-term environmental impact; thus, PHIUS+ Passive House performance standards were followed.
As design modelling achieved 38% energy savings and 32% emissions reductions when compared to 2015 NECB requirements, Indwell strove beyond their typical PHIUS+ Passive House performance standards for this project, pursuing an additional goal of attaining net-zero operational carbon emissions by adding a 92KW solar array to the roof.
Design features key to the energy savings included:
• Final whole building air tightness result of 0.045 cfm/sq.ft. @ 50Pa (meeting Passive House standards)
• Improved, effective floor slab insulation value, R(IP)-22
• Improved, effective above-grade wall enclosure insulation value, R(IP)-32
• Improved, effective roof assembly insulation value, R(IP)-44
• Optimized window-to-wall ratio (reducing excessive fenestration)
• Fiberglass window frames with triple-pane glass by INLINE Fiberglass
• Centralized Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) for residential and common areas
• Air-source Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump heating and cooling systems
• High-efficiency, gas-fired domestic hot water heaters
• Reduced lighting power density in residential common areas, offices, commercial spaces, and exterior
3. The interior courtyard and two rooftop patios provide a safe place for tenants to get fresh air. Centralized Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) from Swegon for the residential and common areas contributes to 38% energy savings.
Parapet 11mm zip board, cont.
c-130x10 @400 max, 38x140 wd stud
in-fill w/ mineral wool batt insul, 16mm ext. grade wd sheathing, 50mm roof insulation
Roof membranes up & lap over parapet wall
Roof avb membrane
Mineral wool board insulation
Polyisocyanurate insulation
Roof avb Cant, typ.
Fill gap with mineral wool batt insulation
Continuous firestopping sealant
140x38 wood studs
Expanding foam tape around window frame
19mm exterior grade plywood buck
Window shade
25mm XPS Insulation
Zero reveal air sealing tape
Cont sealant
Zero reveal air sealing tape
25mm XPS insulation
19mm exterior grade plywood
Prefin metal cap flashing
-13 ext grade plywood -wd blocking as required to achieve slope -fill void with insulation -13 ext grade plywood assembly secured to wd blocking
Wall and roof parapet section
Zip system tape
Cont. c130x10
C130x10 @400 O.C. max
STL. edge angle
Fold up edge of roof air & vapour barrier membrane and secure to parapet bottom plate with staples
Tape roof avb to zip system sheathing w/ zip system tape
Strip off roof AVB applied around perimeter of roof before parapet constructed
50mm Mineral wool 80
11mm Zip sheathing, all seams taped
75mm Mineral wool cavity rock
Self-adhered transition membrane sealed to ZIP sheathing and over metal flashing
Cont. bead of zip liquid flash on all sides to air & water seal window buck to zip sheathing
Galv. stl lintel
Inline Fiberglass triple glazed tilt & turn window
Window buck liquid applied membrane
Cont. bead of zip liquid flash on all sides to air & water seal window buck to zip sheathing
By adding a solar PV array to the available roof area, the energy model predicts the building will consume 48% less energy and emit 100% less greenhouse gas (after considering transmission loss savings) when compared to 2015 NECB requirements.
Tenants have reacted positively to the high-performance building design; however, code-related changes applied mid-construction (which required that suite smoke dampers be added) impacted the predicted installation and maintenance costs associated with use of a centralized ERV. In addition, the restaurant kitchen’s ventilation system slightly exceeds the airconditioning capacity at peak demand. A Building Automation System facilitates the optimization of the various systems.
The non-combustible structure is composed of precast concrete slabs on a steel frame utilizing flush beams to maximize floor to floor clearances (as the building’s overall height was limited by zoning). To minimize thermal bridging, exterior walls employed 2x6 wood stud framing with mineral wool insulation: 6” batts between studs and 4” hung on the exterior. Brick cladding was supported with Fero brackets and thermal breaks, with panel cladding fastened through strapping installed over the insulation using long screws.
Construction costs totaled $16 million (or $222,000/unit), including for peak-Covid disruptions and commercial equipment.
The development embraces the urban design guidelines for the Old East Village and features artwork inspired by the community and created by local artists. Paying homage to the history of the site is a three-storey print of “The Embassy Hotel at Night” from a 1978 watercolour, painted by Jamelie Hassan when her family operated the hotel during its artistic renaissance.
Conceived by artist Beth Turnbull Morrish and developed in a charette with project stakeholders, a stunning tile mosaic also adorns the building. It represents Hope associated with starting a new path, with motifs representing Love and Thriving, and Belonging and Safety.
Revitalizing its long-barren site, Indwell’s Embassy Commons project creates new net-zero emissions housing, includes space for staff supports and community programming, provides three new commercial units, and inspires renewed focus on public art. The project proves that we can address the multiple and overlapping crises of our time when we consciously plan and execute new construction projects.
EMMA
PROJECT CREDITS
OWNER/DEVELOPER Indwell
ARCHITECT Invizij Architects Inc
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Kalos Engineering Inc
MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL ENGINEER CK
Engineering Inc
CIVIL ENGINEER Stantec
LANDSCAPING CONSULTANT Ron Koudys
Landscape Architects
PASSIVE HOUSE CONSULTANT
Zon Engineering Inc
PROJECT MANAGER Graceview
Inline Fiberglass Ltd. is a manufacturer of high-performance windows and doors. Now available their all Fiberglass. Passive House Institute certified 3000 series window series. This combination of fiberglass and high performance provides the ultimate building envelope solutions.
The Passive House Standard was developed with the intent of designing and constructing buildings whose space heating load could be entirely met through the ventilation supply air required for adequate indoor air quality. Early examples, including the Stadtwerke Hannover Passive House estate in Hannover, conclusively demonstrated that this goal can be achieved in practice.
As Passive House expanded into climates requiring active cooling, this goal was expanded to include meeting the entire space cooling load via the ventilation supply air. However, delivery temperatures of around 13oC limit the cooling capacity of the ventilation supply air to a level that is generally inadequate for this purpose. To increase the cooling capacity, it is theoretically and practically possible to reduce the supply air temperature. Indeed, ASHRAE has developed a designer’s guide to cold air distribution (CAD), a cooling strategy to which ventilation supply air cooling belongs.
To date, CAD has been applied to industrial and commercial buildings. However, mechanical designers are uncomfortable adopting such an approach for residential buildings, due to three primary concerns:
1) The risk of condensation on the diffuser, caused by an indoor dewpoint temperature that is higher than the colder supply air temperature.
2) The risk of occupant discomfort, due to improper mixing of supply air and room air, leading to air dumping and cold draughts.
3) The risk of mould growth on the interior finish in the vicinity of the diffuser due to reduced surface temperatures.
The author has undertaken laboratory experiments to determine under what conditions CAD is feasible in residential buildings. An instrumented suite mock-up was created within two identical test chambers located within a rooftop test facility of the University of Toronto. The mock-up was intended to represent a typical residential suite room.
The investigation examined the influence of the following key parameters on the three risks noted above:
• supply air flow rate,
• supply air velocity,
• diffuser type,
• diffuser location,
• insulation thickness,
• air and vapour sealing,
• diffuser coating, and
• position in room.
This innovative solution is a funding recipient of the Phase 2 of the Building for the Future Round of the Housing Supply Challenge. This challenge, administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, seeks to remove barriers to housing supply in Canada. Peel Passive House has received funding from an undisclosed source to pilot CAD in six multi-unit residential buildings across Canada. The buildings cover a wide cross section of geographic areas, climate zones, provinces, tenant demographics, small and medium size, rural and urban, and new builds, and retrofits. Beyond implementation, substantial product development is required to meet the more demanding technical specifications and to mitigate common implementation issues in construction.
Total Precast Concrete Key Attributes to Passive House Development are:
· Manufactured in local precast facilities under controlled conditions
· The whole building envelope in one composite panel; air barrier, moisture control, insulation and the structure
· Hollowcore floor slabs allow for a much lower depth to span ratio
· Hollowcore provides the lowest GWP per m2 of concrete floor area
· Precast concrete dramatically reduces the construction schedule, site congestion, noise and environmental impacts
For more information on Passive House Total Precast Concrete, visit www.cpci.ca/publications to download your free copies of the Structural Solutions Guide and the Putman Family YWCA Total Precast Concrete Publication.
