Energy in, equals energy out, in Edmonton duplex

The goal of the Riverdale Net Zero Project was to prove that it is possible to build housing that offers an exceptional quality of life for the homeowners while also dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and the overall impact on the environment.

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A summary of recent advances

Glazing considerations such as window area, elevation and orientation, thermal performance and solar shading to optimize natural daylighting and passive solar heat gain are very important to the envelope performance and energy consumption of buildings [1]. [BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, IBI Group and Henriquez Partners Architects, Photo: Nic Lehoux]

by Hugh Perry

Many of Canada’s commercial buildings were built over 40 years ago when there were few, if any, worries about energy performance and environmental responsibility. In an era of cheap and abundant energy, heating and cooling loads were of little concern; buildings were often clad entirely in glass with no differentiation between facades having different orientations. (more…)

This special issue features the six projects selected for recognition from a field of 50 submissions to the inaugural SAB Awards - an annual program offered through SABMag to recognize excellence in the design and construction of new and renovated Canadian buildings and interiors of all types based on criteria of sustainable design, architectural excellence and technical innovation. (more…)

Sustainable shelter

considering the need for both human and animal interaction with the building introduced an extra level of design complexity

Design strives for LEED Gold in harsh climate

Built to handle more than 10,000 animals annually, this 4,000 sq.m sustainable shelter facility is located on a wooded lot that extends deep into the neighbouring community. The goal was to develop a building form and architectural character that would allow it to sit unobtrusively in its forest setting.
The design challenges were heightened by Winnipeg’s extreme climate, which includes hot summers and the third coldest winters of any major city in the world. (more…)

Basics of a resurgent building technology

Living Biological Machine

The green roof of Electronic Arts, Phase II. Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership, Vancouver.

The use of green roofs for aesthetic and recreational purposes can be traced back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon which were built in the 7th century BC as a diversion for the aristocracy. Later, more practical applications emerged in Scandinavia and North America where sod roofs, laid on a waterproof layer of bark, were used to insulate indigenous dwellings against the extreme cold. (more…)

Trail breaker a LEED Silver first

The school is remarkable for its quality of light, with large areas of south facing glazing bringing high levels of daylight into classroom areas

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Empowered by the client’s mandate to build a “green” school, the design team pushed the envelope well beyond energy-efficient design, and set out to create a healthy, user-friendly learning environment that effectively facilitates the learning process in the true spirit of sustainability - all within the standard budget for school construction. (more…)