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…)

Past and present coexist comfortably in heritage laboratory renovation

The BC granite facade and leaded windows were cleaned, and the copper scuppers and downspouts restored

Completed in 1923, the Chemistry Centre was UBC’s first permanent building and is a major heritage landmark.
It is one of only two Collegiate Gothic style buildings on campus, complete with granite facade, copper scuppers
and downspouts, leaded windows, and corridors with detailed brickwork and woodwork. (more…)

Landmark research facility achieves Canada’s first LEED Gold rating

The design distinguishes the office and laboratory blocks

by Ivo Taller

The 233,000sf BC Cancer Agency’s Research Centre in Vancouver is the first facility of its kind in Canada to achieve a LEED Gold rating accomplished through heat recovery, natural and high-efficiency lighting, material conservation, and waste management, among other measures. (more…)