The Fred Kaiser Building
Integrated design meets challenges of tight site and fast-track schedule at University of British Columbia
Interconnected floor space creates a secondary atrium for natural ventilation. Interior millwork is formaldehyde-free MDF
by Geoff McDonell
Completed in June 2005, the five-storey, 8,744 sq.m Fred Kaiser Building houses expanded facilities for the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the offices of the Dean of Applied Science. Nearly 700 faculty, researchers, staff and students are accommodated in the flexible laboratory spaces, classrooms, seminar rooms and offices.
To capitalize on the compressed 9,000 sq.m site, the architects chose to build atop two adjacent structures, linking them to create a literal gateway into the UBC Engineering precinct, and a strong presence on UBC’s Main Mall.
The Kaiser Building was designed and built to meet UBC Sustainability Guidelines, with overall building energy use modelled at 31% below Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB) standards.
The high performance glazing system maximizes transparency and penetration of natural light, while controlling heat gain and allowing the radiant heating and cooling system to perform effectively. Clear glass with a low-emissivity coating reduces solar heat gain and glare on lower floors; while glazing on upper floors includes a 70% ceramic frit pattern that minimizes solar heat gain in staff offices. Moreover, faculty offices on the penthouse level are shielded by pierced metal sunscreens.
Program elements are arranged around a central sky-lit atrium, which, with an additional, smaller atrium at the north end of the building, form the core of the building’s passive ventilation system. The two atriums are equipped with motorized windows and back-up fans that are tied into the building management system and thence into rooftop weather sensors, which open or close windows and turn on fans in response to changing weather.
A photovoltaic array on the roof of the atrium provides power for emergency lighting, while all interior lighting is controlled using motion and occupancy sensors.
A simple and restricted palette of materials was used, including glass, wood and linoleum. The structure itself is cast high volume fly-ash concrete, a sustainable mixture that uses 30-50% less Portland cement than conventional cement. This is a significant “green” feature, as each tonne of Portland cement produced puts one tonne of CO2 into the atmosphere. Structural concrete has been left exposed throughout the building, enabling the building itself to act as a heat sink, and an integral part of the facility’s heating and cooling system.
Approximately 20km of plastic oxygen barrier tubing cast into the slab allows warm and cool water to be circulated through the entire structural floor slab system to create large radiant ceiling “panels” in each room for local temperature control. Only the fifth building in North America to be designed with this system, the Fred Kaiser Building includes one additional innovation, a cooling tower operating with cool night air to re-charge the slab cooling system.
Designed and built on a fast track schedule, initial demolition and site preparation began while the working drawings for the building were still evolving. Issues under consideration included a major re-routing of an underground steam tunnel, water main, and local electrical and communications services. This required ongoing coordination and cooperation between the architects, engineering teams, and the construction manager and sub-trades performing the sequenced work.
Without mechanical ductwork, electrical cabling and plumbing become the most difficult and potentially unsightly services to be dealt with. As an alternative to the traditional metal cable trays, cabling is run in millwork troughs visually integrated into the interior wall panelling system. Plumbing pipework and water consumption are reduced using low flow and waterless fixtures, infra red sensors, single temperature mixing faucets and localized water heating.
With its comprehensive range of environmental strategies, the Fred Kaiser Building demonstrates how sustainability and the integrated design process are transforming traditional building practices and performance.
Geoff McDonell P.Eng. is a LEED Accredited Professional [AP] with Omicron Architecture Engineering Construction Ltd., Vancouver
Credits
- Client: UBC Properties Trust, Vancouver
- Architecture: Omicron Architecture Engineering Construction Ltd. in collaboration with architects Alliance - Michael McColl, MAIBC & Adrian DiCastri, OA, Vancouver
- Mechanical Engineering: Omicron Architecture Engineering Construction Ltd., Vancouver - Geoff McDonell P.Eng. LEED AP & Rod Yeoh P.Eng., LEED AP,
- Structural Engineering: Bush Bohlman Partners, Vancouver - Andrew Metten, P.Eng.
- Electrical Engineering: Stantec Consulting, Vancouver - Thys Fourie P.Eng. & Dean Kaardal, P.Eng.
- Construction Manager: Scott Canada Ltd., Vancouver
- Photos: Terry Guscott, ATN Visuals, Vancouver
Materials
- Preference given to suppliers of reused, recycled and locally produced materials; rigid foam insulation in roof re-used from existing building and some mechanical units and fixtures salvaged and re-used; all aluminum found in the building recycled.
- Concrete and steel structure using 25% fly ash content concrete; steel trusses supporting the north block of the building over the CEME Engine Labs and Shop have high recycled content; perforated sunshades and entry canopies are steel plate products fabricated locally, with a high recycled material content.
- Minimal interior finishes conserve materials and consist of exposed concrete, solid formaldehyde-free millwork assembled with water-based adhesives, formaldehyde-free MDF, and drywall with low VOC paints.
- Integrating 65,000 feet (20 Km) of 20mm dia. PEX tubing [Heat Link] into the structural slab allowed the HVAC system to be part of the building structure, creating a complete hydronic radiant ceiling heating/cooling system.
- Energy costs saved per year = $21,500.00/yr ($0.23 per sq.ft./yr) ($2.46 per sq. M/yr)
- Greenhouse gases saved per year = approx. 2,500 tonnes/yr based on source energy generation
- Total energy intensity = 503.6 MJ/sq.m/yr (13.0 KWh/sq.ft./yr.)