RAIC Report
Sustainable Architecture and Green Buildings Tour of Copenhagen
Jon Hobbs, FRAIC, RAIC, Former Executive Director
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- Where words fail, music speaks
After an inspirational architectural tour of Copenhagen, I would like to adjust the famous quotation from Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author of famous fairy tales, to read:
- Where words fail, architecture speaks.
I was privileged to be a guest of the Royal Danish Consulate General to visit Copenhagen in May 2010 with 13 others from across Canada [including 10 architects, one graduate architecture student and two researchers from AutoDesk]. The tour itself was organized by Peter Mørk-Nielsen, the Danish Consul and Trade Commissioner based in Toronto. Peter, whose father and grandfather were both architects, understands architects well and takes pride in energetically showing off the best of Copenhagen to Canadian architects. The tour, which lasted for 4-1/2 days, qualified as core continuing education credits.
Denmark and Copenhagen are an architect's utopia. Danes understand urbanism and urbanity, have developed the world's most sustainable economy, and truly appreciate good design and modern architecture [and are willing to pay for such excellence]. This design appreciation comes from a long heritage of world-class Danish architects including, Jørn Utzon [Sydney Opera House]; Henning Larsen [Danish Embassy in Riyadh and the new Opera in Copenhagen] as well as renowned industrial designers such as Georg Jensen, the silversmith.
Copenhagen leads the world in bicycle transportation with an amazing system of paths and more than 37% of Danes commuting to work by bicycle, even in the winter months. The RAIC awarded Honorary Fellowship to Danish Architect and Planner, Jan Gehl, Hon. FRAIC, in 2009 at the RAIC Festival in Montreal for his instrumental work in converting Denmark to a bicycle nation. A visit to his studio was on the tour and we learned from him how he is consulting around the world to help other cities become bicycle friendly.
The highlight of the trip was visiting many fine new buildings all designed by Danish Architects except for one - Jean Nouvel's new Concert Hall. The first evening we were treated to supper in the new Danish Opera - just imagine a group of architects having this entire building to ourselves [rumoured to cost $1 billion]. Indeed it is a monumental building designed by Henning Larsen with huge roof overhangs framing views of Copenhagen across the river.
Not all projects have such lavish budgets and expensive finishes but all projects, including Gyldenrisparken, had exceptional designs and details. Gyldenrisparken included extensive exterior renovations to a social housing project, a passive solar daycare and a new nursing centre by Witraz Architects.
We toured several recently completed buildings in the new suburb of Ørestad. Although the buildings made most Canadian architecture seem timid, the suburb did not yet seem to succeed as a community like most other parts of Copenhagen. Two multiple unit housing buildings were very impressive: VM Housing and Mountain Dwellings by BIG Architects.
Commercial buildings on the tour included the new Crystal office building by Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Horten [law offices] by 3XN, and the Aller building [a publishers headquarters] by PLH Architects. Interestingly 3XN, an international practice, has as a business development manager a Canadian, Jack Renteria, Head of International Markets.
Although every single project had significant sustainable features, one important building we toured was the Green Lighthouse, a demonstration project which was completed in time for last year's COP 15. The project is a carbon-neutral building with extremely low energy requirements which are to be met by photovoltaics. The project incorporates several new materials and technologies and amazing triple-glazed fiberglass windows with a small operable component and having U values of 0.8 W/m2K.
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, in collaboration with the Canadian architectural practice Fowler Bauld & Mitchell, recently won the competition to design the Central Library in Halifax.
Canadian architects who might wish to affiliate or joint venture with a Danish firm can contact Peter Thiebel, Head of International Affairs of the Danish Association of Architectural Firms, at pt@danskeark.org. I encourage everyone to consider signing up for the tour next year and visit Copenhagen. Details will be made available in the RAIC monthly Bulletin.
SABMag receives international publishing award
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SABMag has received a 2010 Tabbie Award in the Technical Article Category for “Design for Disassembly and Adaptability,” authored by Vince Catalli of MHPM in Ottawa, and edited by Jim Tagart, FRAIC, SABMag editor.
The Tabbie Awards are offered through the Cleveland, OH - based Trade, Association and Business Publications International [www.tabpi.org], a worldwide organization dedicated to editorial ethics and excellence of English-language publications worldwide. The 2010 Awards received nearly 500 entries in various categories, with nominations coming from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., India, New Zealand and South Africa.
Letter
The article, "Insulation Product Types", in the May/June SABMag was good, but the re-cycled content of fibreglass insulation you noted as being 25% is in fact typically much higher. Different plants manufacture with different re-cycled contents - but fibreglass manufacturers continue to make impressive increases in the use of recycled materials such that a significant proportion of fibreglass insulation made and sold in Canada has recycled contents around the 70% mark. Manufacturers of mineral insulation in Canada are committed to energy conservation in ways that are as friendly as possible to our environment.
Marek Kapuscinski Ph.D.
Director Technical Services
NAIMA Canada
Kirkland, QC
Info: www.naima.org/pages/resources/library/pdf/N016.PDF
City of Ottawa to promote green building
In recognition of the importance of reducing the environmental footprint of the building sector, Ottawa City Council has approved a green building promotion program. The overall goal is to have more green building construction in the City of Ottawa. As a first step, the City is asking local CaGBC members to take a survey on how city officials can open doors for more private sector green building in Ottawa. The City plans to summarize and share the survey at a Fall workshop with representatives from the Ottawa building/design sector. Info: david.miller@ottawa.ca
Foam insulator wins Quebec government award
Boisbriand, QC-based DEMILEC Inc., a leader in polyurethane foam systems, is the 2010 recipient of the "PHÉNIX DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT" from the Government of Quebec [Responsible Consumption]. The award recognizes actions aimed at achieving conservation and the sustainable use of resources combined with the preservation of our quality
of life. "Through this award, DEMILEC sees five years of research and development recognized. Our whole team worked very hard in order to develop "HEATLOK SOYA", an insulation product which offers an ecological energy efficient solution," said DEMILEC President Jacques Lariviere.
Info: www.demilec.com
SOPREMA announces North American alignment
SOPREMA, the world's largest manufacturer of SBS [styrene butadiene styrene] modified bitumen roofing and waterproofing products has announced the alignment of its operations in Canada and the US to improve productivity and service. A member of the CaGBC, SOPREMA applies its Eco Struction logo to identify its environmentally-friendly products. A family-owned business founded in 1908, SOPREMA North America operates eight Technical Training Centres to support customers and products for the entire building envelope. Info: cforcier@soprema.ca
St. Lawrence Market Design Competition winner emphasizes energy efficiency
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The "Red Design" by Adamson Associates Architects and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has won the design competition for Toronto's St. Lawrence Market North Building. It includes a new green roof, and a geo-thermal system to make the North Market a model for energy efficiency and sustainability.
Info: amozo@toronto.ca
Sustainable Landscape Rating System in testing
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Toronto's Humber Arboretum Centre for Urban Ecology is one of three Canadian sites to participate in a new program by the Sustainable Sites Initiative™ [SITES™] to test a rating system for green landscape design, construction and maintenance.
The Centre, already certified to LEED Gold, is part of an international pilot project program to evaluate the new SITES rating system for sustainable landscapes, with and without buildings. Sustainable landscapes can clean water, reduce pollution and restore habitats, while providing significant economic and social benefits to land owners and municipalities.
SITES, a partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden.
Info: andrew.leopold@humber.ca. [Photo courtesy: Adamson Associates Architects/Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners]
Toyota dealership first to earn LEED Gold
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A new Toyota dealership in Stratford, ON is the first in the country, to achieve LEED Gold certification.
The dealership's environmental footprint included 30% recycled materials, over 97% of all construction waste diverted, reduced energy consumption by 37%, integrated 8,000 litre storm water cistern recapturing system, reduction in total water consumption of over 84% which includes drought-resistant landscaping, and installation of white TPO solar reflective roof.
Info: nmahammed@toyota.ca
New child care facility conforms to Living Building Challenge
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Simon Fraser University's UniverCity community, an innovative mixed-use community founded on the four cornerstones of sustainability: equity, economy, environment and education, has broken ground on a childcare facility being built to meet the Living Building Challenge - a new sustainable building standard launched by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council, which has quickly become the most advanced green building rating system in the world [see SABMag issue #18, July/August 2009, www.sabmagazine.com, for a for an article on the Living Building Challenge.]
Designed by Vancouver's Hughes Condon Marler Architects, the building fulfills all seven performance areas of the Living Building Challenge guidelines. It will generate more energy than it uses, recycle or harvest from rainwater more water than it uses, be free of toxic materials, obtain the majority of its materials from within a 400 km radius, and will cost less to construct than a conventional building. Construction will complete by summer 2011. Info: www.univercitychildcare.ca and ilbi.org.
Red Deer parkade to have vegetated roof
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The City of Red Deer's parkade project will be one of the few in North America to have a vegetated roof. JMAA of Red Deer used 3D modelling to fashion the project as a sculptural element having a pedestrian scale in the heart of downtown. The first level is the existing Transit Terminal Central Hub with three levels of parking added over top, and then surmounted by the vegetated roof.
Info: www.jmaa.ca
Redux Park summer exhibit explores repurposing industrial buildings
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Brook McIlroy, alongside 548796 [Winnipeg] and Vlan Paysages [Montreal] with Atelier in Situ (Montreal) and visual artists T&T [Vancouver] have unveiled a conceptual plan for transforming a magnificent post-industrial structure into a revitalized wildlife and urban waterfront sanctuary as part of the Toronto Harbourfront Summer 2010 exhibit: Redux Park, the repurposing of unused industrial infrastructure within the urban landscape.
Brook McIlroy's Thunder Bay Iron Ore Dock [IOD] responds to the City of Thunder Bay's conversion of its industrial waterfront into public trails, parks and villages. This era has seen the removal of some of its heroic industrial legacy embodied in the massive shore structures.
The IOD, built in 1944, overlooks Thunder Bay's landmark, the 'Sleeping Giant'. Engaging the historic industrial structures as permanent elements in a waterfront park network offers a remarkable opportunity for a reinvigorated community.
Thunder Bay IOD fuses various elements into a new composite of mega structure: meadows, wetland, theatre, forest, acrobatic school, fish habitat, music hall, bird nesting, outdoor cinema, phyto-remediation lab, and water park.
Pre-CaGBC Conference Reception highlights new Ledcor Renew and the SAB Awards winners
A joint Ledcor and SAB Awards reception on the evening of June 7 made a fitting introduction to the Canada Green Building Council Conference that followed over the next several days.
LEDCOR GROUP launches LEDCOR RENEW
The Vancouver-based Ledcor Group of Companies has launched Ledcor Renew, a strategic consortium of industry experts specializing in retrofitting and optimizing existing buildings to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
“Ledcor Renew provides a one-stop solution for a client's green building needs,” said Jonathan Westeinde, Ledcor Renew Vice-President. “Until now, a building owner had to develop relatively sophisticated in-house capabilities or go to different consultants, and then find contractors who could deliver the defined performance. Now, an owner can use Ledcor Renew to accomplish all these, as well as handling leasing and financing challenges for these important building renewal projects.”
Members of the Ledcor Renew Consortium Include:
• The Windmill Development Group
• Cobalt Engineering LLP
• Enermodal Engineering
• Busby Perkins + Will
• Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. [RJC]
• Offsetters
Info: jwesteinde@ledcor.com
SAB AWARDS RECEPTON HONOURS WINNING PROJECTS
Following the launch of LEDCOR Renew, SABMag publisher Don Griffith gave a presentation on the eight winning SAB Awards projects before an audience of about 100. Sponsors were acknowledged and thanked, and each project was described in some detail with beautiful photographs and informative drawings. Winning architects were then called up to accept their framed certificates. Registration for the 2011 SAB Canadian Green Building Awards will open in January, 2011 at www.sabmagazine.com.
Photos: Jonathan Taggart
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The pre-CaGBC Conference Reception for the launch of Ledcor Renew and the recognition of the 2010 SAB Awards winners drew a strong crowd of building professionals [1]. |
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Jonathan Westeinde, Ledcor Renew Vice-President, announcing the launch of Ledcor Renew [2]. |
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SAB Awards manager and SABMag publisher Don Griffith giving a brief description of the eight winning projects [3]. |
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Kathleen Kewley of sab awards sponsor Autodesk presents the SAB Award for the Gastown Rehab project to [l. to r.] Robert Fung of The Salient Group [owner/developer], Alan Davies and Mark Ostry, both of Acton Ostry Architects Inc. [4]. |
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Kathleen Kewley presents the SAB Award for the West Vancouver Community Centre to Darryl Condon, principal of Hughes Condon Marler Architects [5]. |
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Bruce Willmer [left] representing sponsor Lafarge North America and Kathleen Kewley [second left] present the SAB Award for the Vancouver Convention Centre West to Jacques Beaudreault [second right] partner with MCMP Architects Designers and Planners, and Ron Beaton, Partner [retired] of DA Architects. LMN Architects was the third firm to receive an Award for this project. Other sab awards sponsors are Canam and the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association [6]. |
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Bruce Willmer [centre] presents the SAB Award for the Sauder School of Business to Alex Percy [left] and Mark Ostry, both of Acton Ostry Architects Inc. [7]. |
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Bruce Willmer [left] presents the SAB Award for the Southbrook Vineyards to Martin Davidson of Diamond and Schmitt Architects [8]. |
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In opening the reception, CaGBC VP, Marketing Ron Lemaire displays the LEED Canada Buildings in Review 2002-2009 publication as an example of the growth of LEED-rated buildings in Canada [9]. |
SABMag, SAB Homes editor made RAIC Fellow
SABMag and SAB Homes editor, Jim Taggart, now carries the nominals FRAIC after receiving the prestigious honour of being named a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada [RAIC] at its annual conference June 23-26 in Saskatoon.
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The RAIC College of Fellows formally recognizes members who have made outstanding contributions to the architectural profession. Fellowship in the RAIC is an honour conferred on members singled out for their contribution to research, scholarship, public service or professional standing to the good of architecture in Canada, or elsewhere.
“This high honour for Jim is, in part, powerful confirmation of the excellent work he is doing in guiding the content of both SABMag and SAB Homes which our readers are telling us are making such a worthwhile contribution to advancing sustainable building design in Canada,” says SABMag/SAB Homes publisher Don Griffith. “But being made a Fellow is really a comment on Jim's achievements over his entire career and we're very happy for him,” says Griffith. Taggart's contributions include:
• Received Master of Arts in Architecture from the University of Sheffield, England in 1980, and worked for five years on the design and construction of Vancouver's Expo'86; then became an Associate with Busby Bridger Architects from 1989 to 1992.
• Co-founded the Architectural Institute of British Columbia's [AIBC] 'Architects in Schools' and 'Architects in the Community' programs; and went on to become the AIBC's Manager of Communications.
• Began work in 1997 as a freelance journalist and lecturer, achieving a national reputation for his writing and presentation skills; has written close to 100 articles for national and international publications in Canada, the US and Europe and delivered a similar number of professional development and public lectures throughout North America in such venues as the Canadian Centre for Architecture, and the national conferences of the CIP, RICS and RAIC.
• Involved in the 2006 launch of SABMag, the first Canadian publication dedicated exclusively to green design practice, and is the editor both of SABMag and its companion publication SABHomes.
• Other writing and publishing credits include: three architectural walking tour guides to Vancouver and Victoria [1999-2001], 'Busby: Learning Sustainable Design” [2007], and 'Toward a Culture of Wood Architecture' [2011]; and also teaches architecture at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
RAIC Report
RAIC CENTRE FOR ARCHITECTURE AT ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY
By David Craddock, MRAIC
RAIC Second Vice-President and Regional Director for Ottawa Southwest
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The renewal of the RAIC Syllabus Program is a significant priority for the RAIC Board of Directors. This valuable Program provides access to Architectural education, to Canadians who, for reasons of geography or personal circumstances, are unable to attend one of the ten accredited Canadian University Schools of Architecture, as well as to International Architecture Graduates [IAGs], who come to Canada and require upgrading of skills through additional courses.
Since 1978, the Syllabus has been an English-language, self-paced program of academic studies, design studios, and practical experience leading to an RAIC Professional Diploma in Architecture. In 2004 the RAIC committed to both enhancing and expanding the program and sought a partner to help develop and deliver the new program throughout Canada in both official languages.
After extensive review and research, the RAIC joined forces in 2009 with Athabasca University [AU], which is an Alberta-based “Open University”. Since its founding in 1970, AU has evolved into Canada’s largest online and distance education provider. Of particular relevance is that the University’s 38,000 students share a similar age and work profile with the current Syllabus program students. The typical undergraduate student is 29 years old; the average graduate student is 37. More than 81% continue working while studying and 63% study year round while balancing studies and other work and community experiences.
The RAIC and AU are in the final stages of developing both an undergraduate program in Architectural studies which will be composed of on-line courses in design and technical aspects of Architecture as well as providing a well rounded program of the Arts and Humanities. This undergraduate degree, [B.Sc. Arch.] will be available to a wide community seeking both an undergraduate degree for their professional development as well as those with a general interest in the topic of Architecture. The RAIC believes the expansion of interest in Architecture and design to the general public will increase its appreciation in our culture.
This fall, the RAIC Centre of Architecture at Athabasca University will officially commence its Graduate Diploma in Architecture which is designed to meet the educational requirements leading to professional licensure. It will be a unique program blending both academic study at AU by distance education and the continuation of its practice-based approach of learning obtained in the office of a licensed Architect. The program will involve the studio format currently being used in the Syllabus program, as well as exploiting the ability to offer virtual on-line studios and events. Over time the current Syllabus program will evolve into the new format. The Centre‘s program will also be equipped to provide courses and professional practice training which will be available for foreign-trained Architects to learn about practice in Canada. This will enable them to integrate into the Canadian community and be able to bring their skills to bear in an efficient manner. The RAIC realizes that while the traditional stream of University-based education will continue to provide the bulk of new members to the profession, there is indeed a continuing need to provide an alternate stream to enter the field.
The RAIC Centre has been pleased to see the interest the program has sparked within the construction industry. In 2009 the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association [CCMPA] signed an M.O.U to become the lead sponsor of the Chair in Architecture, Technology and Building Strength. This commitment began in 2010 and will run for an initial term of five years. To date more than $600,000 in funding has been raised, and the RAIC gratefully acknowledges the CCMPA’s support and financial commitment.
The RAIC would like to encourage others within the construction industry to join this unique program as it will enable the profession to expand and grow with the Canadian construction industry. Education is a life-long experience and the RAIC believes the Centre will become a focus for life-long Continuing Education that specializes on northern climate design, sustainability, and regional building traditions.
For more information: info@raic.org or www.athabascau.ca
LEED for Neighbourhood Development launches in US
The LEED for Neighbourhood Development rating system, just launched in the US, encourages development within or near existing communities and/or public infrastructure in order to reduce the environmental impacts of sprawl. By promoting communities that are physically connected, LEED for Neighborhood Development conserves land and promotes transportation efficiency and walkability. A 2008 US study entitled “The Economic Value of Walkability” found that households in automobile-dependent communities devote 50% more money – more than $8,500 annually – to transportation.
LEED for Neighbourhood Development projects are intended to be strategically located in or near surrounding metropolitan areas – often times revitalizing brownfields, infills or other underutilized spaces, opening new revenue streams, creating job opportunities and helping to drive local economies.
The scope of LEED for Neighbourhood Development projects can range from small projects to whole communities and encompasses a broader set of stakeholders in the process. Because of the scale of neighbourhood development, projects are measured on acreage – the first LEED rating system to use a meas-urement other than square footage.
This new LEED rating system is the first comprehensive bench-mark for green neighbourhood design. Projects certifying under LEED for Neighbourhood Development must achieve points in three major environmental categories: Smart Location & Linkage, Neighbourhood Pattern & Design, and Green Infrastructure & Buildings across a 110-point scale.
Enermodal Toronto OFFICE gets Platinum
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Practicing what it preaches as a LEED consultant, Enermodal Engineering's Toronto office recently received LEED Platinum certification from the Canada Green Building Council. This is only the second Platinum certification in Toronto and the 61st LEED Canada certification for Enermodal.
"We've enjoyed working in a LEED-CI Platinum office for the past year-and-a-half and seeing first hand the benefits of LEED - such as increased daylighting and less off-gassing from furniture and finishes," says Michael Pires, manager of Enermodal Toronto. "Just like many offices in Toronto, we are not the owner of the building, just a tenant, but we have made substantial improvements to the space from an occupant and environmental perspective that can be duplicated by our clients."
Located on the ninth floor of the historic Balfour Building on the corner of Spadina and Adelaide, Enermodal Toronto's office features salvaged furniture, décor elements, and flooring. The office also negotiated with the landlord to split the cost of upgrading communal bathroom fixtures to low-flow options to help the office achieve a predicted 53% indoor water savings.
Other green features include the following:
• purchase of 100% green power
• all employees have views to the outdoors
• 98% of construction waste diverted from landfills to recycling facilities
• three-quarters of all materials were supplied locally
• office equipment is Energy Star certified
• high efficiency lighting ballasts with integrated daylighting sensors to decrease the lighting power density by 37%
• bamboo millwork and
• blinds controlled by daylighting sensors.
Info: ccarpenter@enermodal.com
New LEED AP credential maintenance arrives
Credential maintenance is the continuing education completed by LEED Professionals to maintain current knowledge of green building practices and LEED. Credential maintenance requirements ensure the LEED Prof-essional Credentials maintain their relevance and significance in a constantly evolving industry.
The Credential Maintenance Program [CMP] is designed to help LEED Professionals grow their knowledge base, stay current with best practices, and show clients and employers that their expertise is meaningful in a rapidly transforming and ever-demanding marketplace. CMP will keep LEED Green Associate and LEED AP credentials current with the evolving body of knowledge and practice of green building. Under CMP, all LEED Professional Credentials must be maintained on a two-year cycle through the accumulation of continuing education [CE] hours.
Info: www.gbci.org
BOMA BESt to certify 2000th building
By Nada Sudic
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Think again. Canada’s commercial real estate industry continues to demonstrate their commitment to improving their environmental practices and are using BOMA Canada’s national BOMA BESt program to achieve this goal.
Now in its 5th year, BOMA BESt has certified over 1600 Canadian buildings which have achieved various levels of certification, improving their energy efficiency, reducing their waste output and generally reducing their environmental footprint. BOMA CANADA anticipates certifying the 2000th BOMA BESt building before its National Conference and Exhibition [BOMEX] this September. The officers of the lucky 2000th building will be offered a complimentary invitation to BOMEX and will be singled out for special recognition at the National Awards ceremony on September 16th .
BOMA Canada and the 11 local BOMA associations across Canada continue to be impressed by the commercial real estate industry’s enthusiasm for achieving BOMA BESt across entire portfolios and aiming for BOMA BESt Level 4, the highest level of certification. When BOMA BESt first became a national program, premier owners and managers in Canada took on the challenge. In 2005, about 40 buildings achieved a BOMA BESt certification. In 2006 that number grew to 160, and by 2007 that number exploded to nearly 400. That growth in BOMA BESt certifications has stayed high and BOMA has also responded to new demands in the diverse portfolios of its members.
BOMA BESt certification includes assessments for four types of existing buildings: office, enclosed shopping centres, open air retail and light industrial. Last year’s expansion beyond assessing office buildings made BOMA BESt available to more buildings, resulting an increase in applications. Retail and light industrial property managers developed a familiarity with the new BOMA BESt assessments last year, and budgeted for many of their properties to apply for BOMA BESt certification in 2010. The 2000th BOMA BESt certified building could be a shopping centre, an open air retail plaza or even a light industrial property.
Far from resting on past successes, the BOMA BESt program is continuing to develop new ways of greening the skyline of our cities and suburbs. BOMA Canada is also developing a BOMA BESt assessment for multi-unit residential buildings, such as condominiums. As Canadian cities continue to increase urban density, the demand and the need for a consistent and replicable method of building assessment is growing. The BOMA BESt assessment for multi-unit residential buildings will be available in the fall of 2010.
Canadians are finding new ways every day to reduce waste and become more energy efficient in all kinds of buildings across the country, but they still wonder: are individual changes on a small scale making a difference? When BOMA Canada asked itself the same question, it came up with BOMA Canada’s Building Environmental Standards Program [BOMA BESt to fulfill a very simple purpose: take all the little things people do every day to save energy and live cleaner, greener lives and apply these choices to the urban ecology on a scale as large as the skyscrapers that define the skylines of our cities.]
BOMA BESt signals a paradigm shift by greening portfolios of buildings through the active participation of BOMA Canada’s membership, and BOMA is looking forward to certifying the 2000th building before September.
Our mistake
We regret that the Mechanical and Electrical Engineers of the Charles Dickens School published in the March/April SABMag was not correctly noted as the MMM Group in Burnaby, BC; www.mmm.ca.
New CaGBC LEED Rating Systems open in June
Registration for LEED Canada for New Construction and Major Renovations [N] 2009 and LEED Canada Core and Shell Development [CS] 2009 will open June 21, 2010. These new rating systems will offer many advantages, including:
• Consolidation of documentation: all the Application Guides and relevant CIRs have been incorporated,
• New and updated pathways: several alternative credit compliance pathways have been introduced,
• Re-weighted credits: the number of points that may be earned for each credit has been re-evaluated using a more scientific approach, and
• Faster certification: the audit round of the certification process has been eliminated.
Details are found at www.cagbc.org
Canadian forest certification map published
The Forest Products Association of Canada has published an interactive map of all forests in Canada certified by the CSA, SFI and FSC forest management certification systems. Viewers can see versions of the map differentiated by certification standard and by province. The minimum size of certification area mapped is 5,000ha.
The map, available at www.certificationcanada.org, will be updated twice a year.
Italy first EU nation to adopt LEED
A memorandum of understanding between the Green Building Council Italia [GBC Italia] and US Green Building Council [USGBC] will see an Italian version of the building rating system implemented in Italy. The GBC Italia version of LEED will reference local standards and codes, include Italian-specific units, and outline alternative compliance paths appropriate to the region. The agreement will also see the two building councils share tools, research and information about green building. Mario Zoccatelli, president of GBC Italia, says that the organisation chose to adopt LEED because of USGBC’s “history of innovation and its flexible approach”.
Info: www.usgbc.org, www.gbcitalia.org
Mission Design group to bring together design and economic development
in Quebec
The professional orders and associations of design in Quebec, along with MDEIE [Quebec Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade] and MAMROT [Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy], have jointly announc-ed the official launch of Mission Design, the first organization to highlight the design professions and be a true voice for this industry in Quebec. During the launch event, the organization's mission and objectives were presented, and the new president, Mr. Jean-Paul L'Allier, and the board of trustees were introduced.
Info: cgermain@volume2.ca
World’s smallest sustainable house aims to solve housing shortage
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Nano, the world’s smallest house developed in Switzerland, has big hopes to solve the world’s rapidly increasing global housing problems. The Nano house measures 25 sq.m and can comfortably accommodate a family of four. With its creative design, the house has the ability to transform itself from a livable workplace during the day to providing two private comfortable bedrooms during the night. The Nano uses passive solar energy, which is completely free, non-polluting, and renewable. The Nano house can be assembled in a few hours, thereby making it perfect to use after a catastrophe. Bridge Development has a mission to solve the housing problem around the world.
Info: nathalie@spika.ch
2010 SAB awards recognize “game changer” buildings
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Eight leading-edge green buildings from Ontario, Manitoba and BC received 2010 SAB Awards - the Canadian Green Building Awards offered through Sustainable Architecture & Building magazine [SABMag]. The seven commercial/institutional buildings, and one new infill home, were chosen by a jury of three distinguished architects based on criteria of sustainable design, architectural excellence and technical innovation.
The jury described several of the projects as “game-changers” and “transformational” in the influence they will have in changing buildings in Canada to use less energy, conserve water, have healthier interiors for occupants, and be architecturally beautiful to live and work in.
The jurors were:
• Martin Neilsen, MAIBC, MRAIC, LEED AP, Principal at Busby, Perkins+Will, Vancouver;
• Lyse Tremblay, MRAIC, LEED AP, President of Lyse Tremblay Architecture, Montreal; and
• David Sisam B.Arch., OAA, FRAIC, LEED AP, Principal at Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc.,Toronto.
Special thanks to our SAB Awards Sponsors: Autodesk Canada, the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, Canam, and Lafarge. The SAB Awards is an annual program intended to advance knowledge and practice of sustainable non-residential and residential building design in Canada.
Selected projects are:
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1. West Vancouver Community Center, Architect: Hughes Condon Marler: Architects, Vancouver
2. Vancouver Convention Centre West, Architect: DA/MCM + LMN Architects
3. 60 Richmond East Housing Development, Architect: Teeple Architects Inc, Toronto
4. Manitoba Hydro Place, Design Architect: Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg [KPMB], Toronto; Executive Architect: Smith Carter Architects and Engineers Incorporated
5. Gastown Buildings Rehab, Architect: Acton Ostry Architects Inc, Vancouver
6. Sauder School of Business, Architect: Acton Ostry Architects Inc, Vancouver
7. Southbrook Vineyards, Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects, Toronto
8. Cascade House, Architect: Paul Raff Studio, Toronto
Green Building Initiative Establishes American National Standard for Commercial Green Building
The not-for-profit Green Building Initiative [GBI] has completed the first commercial building rating system to become an American National Standard, as approved by the American National Standards Institute [ANSI]. The standard, officially named ANSI/GBI 01-2010: Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings, was derived from the Green Globes environmental design and assessment rating system for New Construction.
According to the GBI, the standard represents the most scientifically advanced and robust green building rating system for the new construction or major renovation of commercial buildings in the U.S. The new standard takes a holistic approach to green building with seven areas of assessment: Project Management, Site, Water, Energy, Emissions, Indoor Environment and Resources. The energy section includes minimum achievement levels and introduces carbon equivalency measures that are used in combination with energy performance goals.
Other areas of innovation are the addition of a water consumption calculator, a materials/resources section that fully incorporates Life Cycle Assessment [LCA], and an emphasis on building integrity issues. The standard also contains minimum point requirements in each of the seven areas of assessment, ensuring the building has a minimum level of sustainability while still giving the project teams the flexibility to choose what works best for each unique building.
Info: www.thegbi.org
Bluewater Power opens PV test centre
Sarnia-based Bluewater Power has opened a solar photovoltaic [PV] test facility at its corporate headquarters to evaluate and compare the performance of different types of solar power systems over the different seasons in order to optimize future system design for local climate factors.
As a first step, Bluewater Power Generation Corporation plans to install five different 10 kW systems on the rooftop of its headquarters. Each system will have a distinct mounting structure, with some mounted closer to the roof and some raised above it. At least one system will utilize a tracker, following the sun as it moves across the sky. Each system will be connected to its own DC-AC power inverter, and each will be monitored separately in real time. They have partnered with CarbonFree Technology, an Ontario-based solar power project developer.
Info: www.bluewaterpower.com
Flynn makes Best Managed list
Flynn Canada Ltd., Canada’s only national building envelope contractor, has been named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, the 11th consecutive year Flynn Canada has won the award, placing it in the exclusive Platinum Club which honours companies that have qualified as a 50 Best Managed Company for at least the past six consecutive years. Flynn has worked on num-erous sustainable design projects, one of the most recent being the green roof of the Vancouver Convention Centre published in the Jan/Feb 2010 SABMag.
Info: www.canadas50best.com
SFI launches a petition to influence USGBC
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative [SFI], the largest sustainable forest management system in the world, has launched an online petition urging the USGBC to recognize all forest certification standards used in North America, including the Canadian Standards Association [CSA], American Tree Farm System [ATFS], the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification [PEFC] and SFI.
The petition is based on the following reasons:
- Canada has the largest amount of third-party certified forest in the world, but not recognized by the USGBC
- Canada has the oldest national standard for sustainably-managed forests in the world [CSA], but not recognized by
the USGBC
- recognition of all forest certification standards will increase demand for certified wood in USGBC-certified buildings, and
- every other green building rating system in the world, every sustainable/green building code, and every national government wood and paper procurement scheme in the world recognizes all of the above named certification schemes.
Info: jason.metnick@sfiprogram.org
Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff [FIT] Program to stimulate new energy sources
Ontario’s Green Energy Act and its renewable energy plan attempts to address rising electrical demand through use of biomass, solar PV, wind and water power. The program is divided into two streams: FIT for large commercial projects greater than 10 kW, and MicroFIT for residential projects less than 10kW. Thus all flat roofs have the potential of becoming part of the solution as do poor quality agricultural lands in classes 4 to 7. At present, the solarPV part of the program, with its 20 year contract, is getting the most attention. Its 44.3.to 80.2 cents per kW payout is a strong motivator, with paybacks of 6 to 10 years. The overall payback period increases if maintenance is included. Corporations also benefit from depreciation tax deductions that can be applied to other sources of business profits.
Property owners apparently will not see increased property taxes since the equipment is removable. The overall cost of installation is estimated roughly at $10/watt or less. Materials and labour are to have 50% Ontario content until 2011, and 60% afterwards.The program will continue indefinitely and could eventually reduce the need for replacing Ontario’s aging nuclear plants. Time will tell on that.
Info: www. fit.powerauthority.on.ca – Hugh Perry, Associate editor
The Earth Awards 2010: A Global Search for Sustainable Innovations
The Earth Awards provides a platform for transformational ideas for the way we think about design and the way we live on Planet Earth. The Earth Awards invites design submissions from all corners of the globe in six categories: Built Environment, Fashion, Products, Systems, Future and Social Justice. Ideas, great or small, realized or prototypes, will be considered but must distinguish themselves in six criteria: Achievable, Scalable, Measurable, Useful, Original and Ecological. The grand prizewinner will receive $50,000 while category winners receive $10,000 each.
Info: www.theearthawards.org
BOMA Canada initiates technical
and content review of BOMA BESt
NADIA STUTIC, MANAGER ENVIRONMENTAL INIITIATIVES, BOMA CANADA
By Nada Sutic , Manager, Environmental Initiatives,
BOMA Canada
BOMA BESt is a national environmental certification program for commercial buildings, managed by the Building Owners and Managers Association [BOMA] of Canada and delivered through 11 local BOMA associations across the country. In February, BOMA Canada initiated a national review of the program by inviting BOMA members and other interested parties to submit recommendations on how to improve BOMA BESt.
BOMA BESt was created by the industry and for the industry, and the 2010 BOMA BESt Review continues to reinforce that. The technical and content review of BOMA BESt will build on the lessons learned by third-party verifiers, thousands of applicants and other associated stakeholders who are familiar with the program.
The multi-faceted approach to the Review includes an opportunity for direct input from BOMA communities across Canada. BOMA local associations across Canada will be engaging their local environmental committees and members to provide recommendations for improving the program. In addition, a third-party consultant review will also be conducted to further inform the process, before a national committee makes final recommendations on changes to be implemented in 2011.
Over five successful years, BOMA BESt has evolved from its roots as Go Green and Go Green Plus to a four-level certification program with specific evaluations for office buildings, light industrial properties, enclosed shopping centres, and open air retail centres. Since 2005, 1,400 buildings have achieved BOMA BESt certification which is valid for three years, and over 1,100 buildings in Canada currently hold the certification.
Building on the experience of all those buildings and their partners during the 2010 BOMA BESt Review, BOMA Canada and the regional BOMA associations across the country will continue to provide a strong BOMA BESt certification program for real estate in Canada.
Complete details, including a list of all certified buildings, are available at www.bomabest.com
Cement and concrete industries join forces on sustainability activities
The Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute and the Cement Association of Canada have signed a joint declaration to cooperate on technical information exchange, codes and standards development, industry education and training, publications of common interest, marketing and other related activities pertaining to sustainable development.
Both organizations will commit their individual strengths, resources as appropriate and guidance towards ensuring that the use of cement and concrete is positioned for a sustainable future.
