|
|
American Clay
American Clay Enterprises has all-natural, eco-friendly clay plasters for interior wall finishing that inhibits mould, moderates temperature, controls humidity and sound, and no VOCs. The company is also doing research to verify customer comments that the clay wall plaster helps provide energy savings. See the web site for availability in Canada.
TOP OF PAGE
AirArrest™ from Tate® /ASP
Tate® /ASP has introduced AirArrest™, a through-wall wire sealing solution for data centres, office buildings, and other structures that feature raised access floors with underfloor air distribution [UFAD]. Designed to seal cable and wire access holes, AirArrest uses patent-pending brush technology to prevent leakage of pressurized air around power and data cables that pass from room to room via through-wall cut-outs. Accommodates wall cut-out sizes ranging from 4in. and 6in. dia. holes, to a larger 6x14in.rectangular hole.
TOP OF PAGE
LEDs by CRS
 |
Welland, ON -based CRS Electronics LED lighting products are known for their high lumen output, dimmability, transformer independence, and intelligent circuit board controls. Applications include street and area lighting, ornamental and historic lighting standards, utility and sports lighting poles. Products guaranteed for 50,000 hours.
TOP OF PAGE
Solatube daylighting
The new 21in. dia. Solatube 750 DS Daylighting System has a capture surface of 750 sq.in., more than double that of a clear dome of the same diameter, and an insulating inner dome. The product delivers even daylighting by using Raybender® 3000 Technology to capture low-angle winter light, and to reject strong mid-day summer sun. The product qualifies for the Energy Star rating.
TOP OF PAGE
Hycrete Concrete Waterproofing
 |
Hycrete produces an environmentally-friendly admixture that integrally waterproofs concrete used in commercial construction. Developed over the span of nearly four decades, the Hycrete Element™ admixture is certified Cradle-to-Cradle by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC [MBDC]. The Hycrete admixture can waterproof entire concrete structures, eliminating the need for external membranes. Hycrete also makes the concrete more-easily recyclable following demolition, and can eliminate thousands of pounds of VOC, CO2, and non-renewable content.
TOP OF PAGE
EcoDrain heat recovery
EcoDrain™ has no moving parts and installs on shower drain lines. It uses heat-exchange blades to transfer heat from the drain water to preheat clean water going to the hot water tank. The product is estimated to cut energy use for heating water
by 25 to 40%.
TOP OF PAGE
Titus DynaFuser air distribution
 |
The Titus DynaFuser is a room perimeter product that automatically changes the air discharge pattern to the correct position for heating and cooling, and allows 100% of the supply air to be utilized in either application thus helping to meet LEED EA Credit 7.1: Thermal Comfort, Design. Autochangeover of air direction from cooling to heating can achieve room setpoint significantly faster than typical systems helping to achieve LEED EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance.
TOP OF PAGE
Vision Control by Unicel
Longueuil, QC-based Unicel Architectural corporation's Vision® Control insulated glass product with integral cord-free blinds uses a self-reversing mechanism that eliminates any chance of operation failure. Louvres can be operated by hand, electric control, or by a computerized system for precision control of natural light and zero maintenance.
TOP OF PAGE
 |
Columbia Formaldeyde-free Lyptus Plywood
Formaldeyde-free Lyptus® hardwood plywood uses plantation-grown eucalyptus veneer trademarked as Lyptus® by Weyerhaeuser, and Columbia Forest Products' hardwood plywood made with PureBond® formaldeyde-free technology. Veneer faces are available as rustic, clear and butcher block, and have tight grain for easy and consistent finishing.
TOP OF PAGE
|
|
|
by By Kiyoshi Matsuzaki, PP/FRAIC RAIC Past President |
Building a Green Economy
As we witness the financial downturn worldwide with every country searching how to rectify this crisis and panic, one must wonder why this collapse happened in the first place and what lies ahead in the economy. Listening to the financial experts, we hear that the warning signs were evident, but the lack of care and responsibility, and maybe even some greed, led the financial institutions to stay on thin ice, to proceed with ill-advised policies.
Perhaps this reflection on the financial crisis can awaken our attitude on another serious dilemma - Global warming. We already know that our planet is fragile. We know that our planet won't be able to sustain a healthy environment if we keep polluting the air, clear-cutting forests, and using water and energy wastefully. As architects, engineers, and builders, we cannot keep designing and constructing buildings that are energy inefficient and are wasteful in their use of materials. Wishful thinking that somebody else will look after the problems will quickly lead our planet to reach its saturation point. Our future generations will inherit the equivalent of an environmental depression.
These two concerns - economic security and environmental consideration - have often been portrayed as mutually exclusive goals. It's time to shift the discourse and focus about how they can work together. We should be talking more about smart investment in green technologies. If architects, clients and policy-makers take a more long-term approach focussed on sustainable building practices, they can help, rather than hinder, future economic security. More varied jobs will be created by an increased demand for new technologies, and a sustainable building, if well-designed, requires less operating and maintenance costs.
As we all know, buildings are the biggest source of emissions and energy consumption in Canada. They will consume energy in the form of electricity and generate greenhouse gases by burning fuel oil, natural gas or liquid propane in boilers, furnaces and hot-water heaters.
 |
The 2030 Challenge - a global initiative which the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada [RAIC] is a part of - calls for an immediate 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in all new buildings and major renovations. The goal is that by 2030 all new buildings be carbon-neutral - generating as much energy as they consume.
We architects know how to achieve carbon-neutral buildings. Engineers and the construction industry will work with architects to achieve this. But we need participation by others. Just as the governments of major countries are stepping in to rescue the financial crisis, we need our three levels of government to step in and make commitment to deal with global warming.
As some cities and municipalities in Canada have already made commitments to construct new buildings to LEED Silver or higher, we need each and every city and municipality to declare the same. We need all provincial governments to exercise their greening strategies. And we need our federal government to become the world leader in spearheading the greening of our planet.
Let's also think about other participants. Developers of all buildings, public and private, and financial institutions have a huge role to play in creating healthy and sustainable built environments. Requiring all buildings to have high sustainable design principles will lower operating costs and maintenance, and increase building longevity. It's a win-win endeavour. As well, never has the Architect's skill and expertise been more needed. Architects know how to bring it all together to ensure the life span of today's buildings regenerate the environment rather than take away.
As we keep saying, we must all exercise care and responsibility of what we do to keep our living environment green and healthy. This is not just our collective duty and investment for our future generations; it is survival of our planet earth.
RAIC members can help by sharing best practices on the RAIC 2030 Challenge wiki site. For more information on this or to become a member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, contact info@raic.org or call 613-241-3600.
TOP OF PAGE
CaGBC Ottawa Chapter marks fifth anniversary
The Ottawa Region Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council [CaGBC] has marked its fifth anniversary, starting from a local group of about 30 design and building professionals anxious to advance green building in the national capital. Beginning as the National Capital Green Building Association, the group became an official CaGBC chapter in June, 2007.
With 175 individual members, the chapter hosts more than 20 seminar and building tour events per year and is preparing to hire a full-time executive director, as has been done at the Toronto and Vancouver CaGBC chapters. The CaGBC chapters provide excellent networking opportunities and information resources on sustainable design and local areas and, in fact, are the only avenue for individuals to belong to the CaGBC.
Information on all CaGBC chapters, and how to join in your area can be found at www.cagbc.org. Ottawa info: chris@vertdesign.ca
TOP OF PAGE
Kwantlen Polytech Campus largest LEED® Gold trade school in North America
 |
|
Kwantlen Polytech
|
BC's Kwantlen Polytechnic University Coverdale Campus has achieved LEED® Gold certification in the New Construction category from the US Green Building Council. Designed by the leading sustainable architectural practice of Bunting Coady Architects, the new 17,200 sq.m. campus accommodates up to 900 full-time students in 21 shops and 27 classrooms.
A key focus of the project team was the creation of a passive design to ensure effective use of the campus microclimate. The large north and south facades maximize control of sunlight [glare] and heat gain/loss. The anticipated energy savings is 31%, and green power purchases for the project supply enough renewable energy to replace 100% of the facility's regulated electrical usage, contributing to the project's annual reduction of GHG [Greenhouse Gas] emissions by 59 tons.
An indoor 'covered street' provides visual and physical access to every floor and ensures optimum natural light and ventilation. Roofs have skylights, and multi-coloured glazing and 'Y' shaped interior glulam beams in the atrium also add to the vibrancy of the design.
Teresa Coady, CEO and design principal for Bunting Coady Architects says, “The campus is probably the most beautiful facility of its kind in North America. Its LEED® Gold certification is a triumph for the entire design team.”
TOP OF PAGE
Manasc Isaac wins Design exchange Award for Water Centre
 |
|
Calgary Water Centre
|
The Calgary Water Centre received a Design Exchange Award of Merit at a ceremony held in Toronto in November. Designed by Manasc Isaac in collaboration with Sturgess Architecture, The Water Centre is the largest LEED-rated office building in Alberta and one of the first to be built under the City's Sustainable Buildings Policy requiring all new facilities to meet a minimum LEED silver certification.
Water conservation is a primary design consideration. Some of the building features include: a green roof, rainwater harvesting and zero irrigation landscaping. Water that would normally be wasted in the metering shop is cycled into the building's operation with the grey water system for toilet flushing, site irrigation, and truck washing. Superior energy efficiency and work environment were also achieved.
Manasc Isaac is at the forefront of environmental design, and was one of the first in Canada to adopt the 2030 Challenge.
Info: sarah@miarch.com
TOP OF PAGE
Kasian to rejuvenate historic Edmonton landmark
 |
|
Federal Building in Edmonton
|
Kasian, a global architecture and interior design firm, will lead the design transformation of the Federal Building and Centennial Plaza project located on the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton. The re-design of the landmark building, built in 1958 and unoccupied since 1989, will focus on preservation and sustainability while drawing inspiration from the art deco style of the original architecture.
Kasian has assembled a team that includes heritage architects and conservation specialists, Goldsmith Borgal and Company Architects; and urban design and planning specialists, Moriyama + Teshima Architects and Planners. Scheduled for completion at the end of 2011, the project also includes a new 650-stall underground parkade, and a new public plaza.
Info: kparkinson@kasian.com
TOP OF PAGE
High density housing wins British Stirling Prize 2008
 |
|
Accordia, Photo: Peter Cook
|
The Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious architectural award for the Best Building in the UK, went to Accordia in Cambridge, England designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Maccreanor Lavington and Alison Brooks Architects. This is the first time that housing has received the award.
The judges commented: “This is high density housing at its very best, demonstrating that volume house-builders can deliver high quality architecture with private and public external spaces, providing a new model for outside-inside life with interior rooftop spaces, internal courtyards and large semi-public community gardens.”
Built on a brownfield site, the project includes 212 houses and 166 apartments, with 35% designated as affordable. With flexibility for spaces to be adapted as studios, offices, granny annexes, and children's playrooms, the Accordia has set new standards for large scale housing design in the UK.
TOP OF PAGE
Mitsubishi upgrades increase energy-efficiency and heating/cooling capacities
 |
|
|
Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Division has updated its Y - and R2-Series of City Multi Multiple Split Ductless Systems to provide even greater cooling and heating capacity and application flexibility.
The City Multi R2-Series features Variable Refrigerant Flow [VRF] technology and simultaneous heating and cooling, making it ideal for a wide variety of applications. The world's only two-pipe heat recovery operation is made possible through the use of the Branch Circuit Controller, which directs refrigerant flow between the indoor units and the outdoor unit.
The City Multi Y-Series can heat or cool up to 50 zones and takes advantage of Mitsubishi Electric's VRF technology to provide the precise amount of heating or cooling to all zones. A variety of indoor units are offered for both the R2-Series and Y-Series, including wall-mounted, ceiling-recessed, ceiling-suspended, concealed-ducted, and floor-standing.
Info: maggie.yuen@mesca.mea.com
TOP OF PAGE
New blog a forum for forest certification
The forest certification program, Sustainable Forestry Initiative® Inc. [SFI], has launched a blog, www.goodforforests.com providing a new digital forum for President & CEO Kathy Abusow to share thoughts and invite comments on trends, hot button issues, developments related to the SFI program, the health of our forests and forest certification.
“The new blog will allow us to quickly spread the word on important developments or respond to items about our forests,” said Abusow, adding, “I also hope to stimulate a dialogue with anyone interested in responsible purchasing of forest products be it lumber, office paper, or the packaging your favourite product comes in.”
The SFI takes in nearly 700 organizations across the USand Canada, and accounts for 150 million acres [60 million ha.] of certified forestland.
Info: www.sfiprogram.org
TOP OF PAGE
PPG architectural glass earns Cradle to Cradle Certification
 |
|
|
PPG Industries is the first US-based architectural glass manufacturer to earn Cradle to Cradle Certification at the Silver tier for all its architectural glass products.
Cradle to Cradle Certification, awarded by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry [MBDC], is an independent evaluation of the total impact of a product on human health and the environment throughout its life cycle, from the sustainability of its material ingredients and their ability to be reutililized, to how efficiently water and energy are used in its manufacture. The manufacturer also must demonstrate socially responsible corporate practices that encompass social fairness, ethical business standards and environmental stewardship.
PPG's architectural glasses, such as Solarban, solar-control, low-e glasses, can contribute to LEED certification of building projects for their ability to transmit light and block solar heat, minimizing reliance on artificial lighting and air conditioning. Building projects seeking LEED certification may be able to earn one point in the Innovation in Design category by using Cradle to Cradle Certified products.
Info: www.ppg.com
TOP OF PAGE
Dinoflex among top BC exporter
Dinoflex Group LP of Salmon Arm, BC, a prominent manufacturer of recycled rubber flooring, has been awarded as one of the top three companies in the BC Export Awards business sub-sector, Manufactured Products 2008. Overall, the company was also named among BC's top 25 Exporters for 2008.
“This is a great accomplishment considering that these exporters had to overcome a strong Canadian currency, a slower US economy, and higher transportation costs,” said Craig Williams of the BC Division, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
Info: sjohnson@dinoflex.com, www.dinoflex.com
TOP OF PAGE
GO Lighting takes three awards at IIDEX
 |
|
|
Info: r.content@goenergyeffective.com
TOP OF PAGE
Treated wood parapets
The article on the renovated UBC Chemistry Centre in the Sept/Oct issue of SABMag shows a detail of a parapet that uses pressure treated wood in its construction. It has been two years since our local Roofing association has asked us to stop specifying pressure treated wood in parapets as it would appear the treating chemicals are not suited to indoor spaces. The most we can ask for is 'exterior grade'.
- Anthony Gallaccio, GKC Architects, Montreal. Reader comments on any topic of sustainable design and construction are always welcomed.
TOP OF PAGE
GeoSmart's Stan Marco wins geothermal leadership award
 |
|
Award-winner Stan Marco with latest innovation: geothermal pipe made of the highest performance- rated resins.
|
“He is among the geothermal industry's most well-respected and highly sought after knowledge experts and educators and his influence is reflected in the practices and principles widely used by the GeoExchange market today," says Denis Tanguay, President and CEO of the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition. The training offered to dealers, installers and customers through Marco's GeoSmart Energy Academy is considered an industry best.
Info: www.geosmartenergy.com
TOP OF PAGE
RAIC Report
|
|
|
by Charles Olfert, MRAIC The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
Regional Director, Saskatchewan / Manitoba |
Sustainable Design Moves to Anytown, Canada
Initially, the move to sustainable design in architecture was championed and pioneered in the nation’s urban areas. Reasons for this range from public demand to the fact that, by volume, more architectural projects emerge in our cities. The move brought about a new era of building construction, where architects and design professionals, along with forward-thinking clients and many municipal governments, have embraced sustainable philosophies.
Today, in many urban centres, designing a building using sustainable techniques is virtually a given, with projects using the Canada Green Building Council’s LEED® guidelines to qualify and quantify success.
But what about the rest of the countryω Roughly half of Canada’s population currently lives in rural locations and cities of less than 500,000 people. Are these residents benefiting from sustainable design philosophiesω
To answer this question, I look no farther than my home province of Saskatchewan for a sampling of sustainable design in rural Canada. Saskatchewan has been in the news lately as the leader of economic growth in the country. With approximately half the population living outside the urban areas surrounding Regina and Saskatoon, it likely reflects rural realities across Canada.
Sustainability here is largely pioneered in urban areas by architects employed by, and working with, the University of Saskatchewan and the Innovation Place research park on the University’s campus. Innovation Place has subscribed to sustainable philosophies through design since its inception in the early 80s, and was the client on the province’s first LEED® Gold Certified facility in Prince Albert. The University’s Facility Management Division ensures that, wherever possible, new construction pursues the LEED® certification process, and is working toward implementation of LEED® for Existing Buildings rating system for operations and maintenance.
 |
Saskatchewan Forestry Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan's first LEED- registered building, developed and owned by the Innovation Place Research Park. Architect of record Bob Burnyeat, MRAIC
|
However, even more encouraging is new provincial government policy supporting LEED® design initiatives in smaller cities and towns. The government is experimenting with a policy that all new school projects meet LEED® Silver Certification level and perform at a standard at least 30% better than the Model National Energy Code. The brilliance of this is the broad impact it will have as school projects are located everywhere from inner-city urban neighbourhoods to towns of less than 1,000 residents. The Ministry of Education is also encouraging school divisions to participate in a LEED® pilot project for existing schools. In addition, the government is exploring a broader approach to sustainability for publicly funded infrastructure.
Not only does policy like this ensure a building will be built to a certain standard, but as schools are the focal point for many communities, everyone from five to 85 years old will experience and learn the benefits of a facility, and the sustainable design philosophies used in the project.
Sustainable design philosophies are also expanding beyond the realm of the public sector, as private developers are seeing and hearing of the benefits of green design as both a marketing opportunity and as design inspiration. This kind of broad-based acceptance is an important step in rural and suburban Canada, as it is one thing to adhere to government policy, but another to see private investment. In our experience, rural clients are excited to be involved in the LEED® process and believe that added investment benefits their interests, the community, and the planet.
As more buildings are constructed and people are exposed to benefits of sustainable design through LEED® certification, more will request this standard. This has occurred in rural Canada faster than people may have predicted. If this trend moves throughout the entire country over the next few years, then all Canadian residents will experience these benefits. As architects, it is important that the profession ensures that rural projects in Canada receive the same attention and exposure as urban ones.
For more information on sustainable architecture in Canada, visit www.raic.org.
TOP OF PAGE
BOMA Canada introduces new certification
The Building Owners and Managers Association [BOMA] of Canada unveiled its newly integrated green building certification program, BOMA BESt, at its October BOMEX 2008 conference in Vancouver.
Twelve buildings from across Canada were recognized for their commitment to operating in an ecologically responsible manner. The past top scoring Go Green Plus building in each province was recognized with the first BOMA BESt certificate.
BOMA BESt combines BOMA's Go Green and Go Green Plus initiatives. It includes four possible levels of certification, each of which requires full compliance with BOMA's Best Practices. These address energy and water management, emissions and effluents, waste reduction, the indoor environment, and environmental management systems.
The program's enhanced accessibility and simplified application procedure should help building owners and managers to improve performance, and to reduce their carbon footprint. All buildings are verified by a third-party assessor.
The program currently focuses on commercial office buildings, but new assessment criteria are being developed for shopping centres, industrial and retail strip developments and multi-unit residential properties. Info: www.bomabest.com; nsutic@bomatoronto.org.
TOP OF PAGE
Dockside Green achieves highest LEED score ever
.jpg) |
Dockside Green, Busby Perkins+Will Architects
|
Dockside Green, a 1.3million sf community built on a former brownfield site in Victoria, has received the highest sustainability rating for a new construction project ever awarded by the Canada Green Building Council [CaGBC].
Synergy, the first phase of the development—which includes 95 homes in two condo buildings, townhomes, and commercial space—achieved 63 points out of a possible 70, the highest rating in the world at the Platinum level for new construction.
The integrated design team of architects Busby Perkins+Will, Stantec engineers and partners and owners Windmill West and Vancity Credit Union, took a fresh approach that could lead to a shift in how new communities are developed in the future. Key sustainable features designed by Stantec include:
- biomass energy system, which uses waste wood as fuel through a gasification process
- passive solar heating
- advanced building envelope and high-performance window glazing to help prevent heat loss
- 100% fresh air system with heat recovery
- high-efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors
- 65% reduction in indoor water use with dual flush toilets, low-flow fixtures and use of greywater for sewage conveyance
- 100% on-site wastewater treatment for reuse in central water features, toilet flushing, and irrigation
-
Compared to the Canadian Model National Energy Code, the buildings will use 48 to 52% less energy. Dockside Green will eventually include a total of 26 buildings incorporating low- and high-rise residential space, light industrial, office, commercial and retail development. Info: marti.mueller@stantec.com
TOP OF PAGE
Canühome wows at IIDEX
 |
Saskatchewan Forestry Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan's first LEED- registered building, developed and owned by the Innovation Place Research Park. Architect of record Bob Burnyeat, MRAIC
|
The canühome Exhibit was awarded the Gold Prize for Best Booth at the 2008 IIDEX NeoCon Canada Show held September 25 and 26 in Toronto, Canada's largest exposition and conference for the design, construction and management of the built environment.
This travelling exhibit brings together a variety of partners in an innovative effort to stimulate more intelligent, sustainable, universal and affordable housing solutions for Canadians. Partners include Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation [CMHC], George Brown College's Institute Without Boundaries [IwB], Toronto-Dominion Bank [TD Canada Trust], the Forest Stewardship Council [FSC] and numerous product and service providers such as AyA Kitchens and Baths, Bosch Home Appliances, Procter and Gamble's Future Friendly Brands, EfstonScience, Inline Fiberglass, Juice Works Exhibit Display and Solarcon Green Energy Systems.
Designed by IwB, the canühome includes:
- improved indoor air and environment quality,
- energy, water and resource efficiency,
- universal, accessible and adaptable design to meet changing needs;
- affordability and lower operating costs, and
- eligibility for green financial tools available from CMHC and TD Canada Trust.
Next stop for canühome is November 30 - December 2, The Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals Conference, Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. Info: http://canuhome.com/news/newscoverage.htm
The canühome Exhibit was awarded the Gold Prize for Best Booth at the 2008 IIDEX NeoCon Canada Show held September 25 and 26 in Toronto, Canada's largest exposition and conference for the design, construction and management of the built environment.
TOP OF PAGE
Stageline inaugurates Quebec’s most energy-efficient, LEED-compliant industrial building
 |
The Stageline Building uses the Murox Prefab Building Syste
|
Stageline Group, a world leader in the design, manufacture and rental of mobile stages, inaugurate