Electronic Arts Canada

Sustainability increases productivity in Phase II campus expansion

Environmentally Responsible Design

The complete campus, with Phase II located to the left of the soccer field.

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Electronic Arts [EA], a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, began the development of its corporate campus in Burnaby, BC about 10 years ago. From the outset, the company was interested in working within the broad parameters of environmentally responsible design, and in providing a work environment that would ensure the well being of its employees.
For Phase II of the project, the 16,200 sq.m Game Development Studio commissioned in 2003, EA challenged its design team to create the ‘next generation’ of high quality workspace.
In response, the design team developed a concept that draws on the parallels between architecture and video game design, including light, colour, movement, scale, texture and nature. These conceptual elements or themes are articulated throughout the building and used to differentiate the various studios through the use of finishes, materials, lighting, graphics and specially designed workstations.
The Phase II, building is a five-level steel structure with concrete core that includes four floors of studio office space, above a ground floor that houses a fitness facility including full gym, meeting rooms, theatre and food service area. The steel structure is exposed [being protected by a sprinkler system fed by on-site water storage tanks] and articulates the main circulation elements – spiral staircases and a glazed atrium that enables daylight to penetrate deep into the building.
EA’s concern for employee well-being is central to the design, and is manifested at a variety of scales from concept to detail. There is a generous provision of interior and exterior amenity spaces, including a regulation soccer pitch on top of the underground parking garage; careful space planning to bring north light into studio spaces and maximize views; high performance mechanical and electrical systems with smaller, employee controlled zones: and ergonomically designed work stations for maximum comfort.
Placing the workstations on a 45° planning grid creates view corridors from the centre of the building to the exterior of the site and the mountains beyond, and circulation atrium. A large outdoor deck located on the fourth floor is an extensive green roof, complete with outdoor furniture, trees [placed on a grid above the columns of the building structure], grassy areas, and contemplative spaces with views to the mountains.
A state-of-the-art mechanical system works on the displacement principle, employing under floor air distribution, radiant cooling from the underside of the exposed metal deck, and a supply of 100% fresh air that is introduced to the building through subterranean ‘earth tubes’ that pre-condition it to reduce the energy input required for final heating or cooling. The displacement system ensures even air distribution throughout the occupied areas, and maximizes employee control and thermal comfort.
Considerable attention has been paid to the materials used in the building to maximize recycled content and minimize toxic off-gassing. These materials include: concrete with high fly ash content, carpets designed by William McDonough, fabrics with recycled content and designed by Bruce Mau, wheat board used for millwork substrates, wall panel products made from a recycled aluminum foam, recycled reed panel board, preformed panels using eco-friendly products, steel with 60% recycled content, gypsum board and ceiling tiles with recycled content.
Beyond the building itself, the site has been designed to maintain natural storm water flows by maximizing the use of permeable surfaces such as pervious paving, green roofs, and natural treatment systems. The site is designed to limit the outflow of storm water to pre-development levels for a two-year rain event. In addition, the storm water will be diverted through a riparian zone that includes vegetation, pools, weirs and swales to recharge the local aquifer and clean the water before it leaves the site.
The project is registered for LEED certification and has targeted LEED Silver, in the effort to support environmentally responsible design. Final rating is expected to be known in Fall, 2007.

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Credits

• Architect: Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership, Vancouver
• Structural engineer: Glotman-Simpson Consulting, Vancouver
• Civil engineer: Vector Engineering Services Ltd., Burnaby, BC
• Mechanical engineer: Cobalt Engineering, Burnaby, BC
• Electrical engineer: Stantec Consulting Ltd. North Vancouver
• Landscape architect: PWL Partnership Landscape, Vancouver
• Construction management: PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc., Richmond, BC
• Interiors: MCM Interiors Ltd., Vancouver
• Photos: Ed White, Vancouver

Materials

• Five-level exposed, sprinklered steel structure with high flyash-content concrete core, subterranean earth tubes pre-condition incoming fresh air to reduce the energy input for final heating or cooling; raised access floors by Camino Modular Systems Inc../TecCrete by Haworth
• Shaw carpets designed by William McDonough, wall panels: Alusion panels [recycled aluminum foam by Cymat], Kieri board [recycled reed panel boar], 3-Form panels with the Ecoresin products, gypsum board and ceiling tiles with recycled content; low VOC paints, sealants, adhesives; building controls monitor temperature and humidity
• Low-flow fixtures and water motion sensor control; energy-efficient lighting fixtures;
• pervious paving, green roofs, and natural treatment systems for storm water management; down lights and hooded exterior fixtures reduce light pollution

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