ARCHITECTURE CANADA | RAIC REPORT
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By Graham Murfitt, MRAIC, Architecture Canada | RAIC’s 2030 Coordinator and works as a senior project architect and manager for the firm, Smith Carter Architects and Engineers Inc. in Ottawa. |
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At first, I thought the bumper sticker was a clever trick to make people like me become deeply lost in thought [perhaps giving the driver a tactical advantage]; I very soon came to realize that the bumper sticker speaks the truth about a lot of things, especially the sustainable building design and construction industry.
One truth is that we need to question continuously our knowledge- if we don’t, we may fail to make progress. Understanding that we should not believe what we think is the first step in thinking “outside of the box”.
Buildings in North America account for more than 40% of total energy consumption. Advances in building science have been pretty slow to take effect in the construction industry, and this is partially due to habitually incorrect thinking and a general lack of understanding. A glaring example would be the industry-wide lack of knowledge or concern about thermal bridging in building enclosures.
Making net zero energy buildings totally relies on a firmly committed client, a cooperative and integrated project team and a willing and able construction team. This client and project team share an understanding of the values of long-term life-cycle performance.
To achieve net zero energy buildings, every last drop of efficiency has to be squeezed out of the building design, orientation, enclosure and energy systems.Relatively inexpensive conservation technology needs to be modelled using a 40 or 50 year life-cycle financial model. We need to examine and re-think how we normally detail slab/floor edges, structural and framing thermal bridges, canopies, balconies, parapets, curtain wall and spandrel framing.
Design professionals need to study and understand past accomplishments and be certain that progress is based on actual performance rather than optimism and misguided/unfounded beliefs. We should rigorously examine, test and monitor the energy performance accomplishments of our design projects, so that progress is based on science and fact. If we are to learn from our mistakes, we must keep our minds open and “not necessarily believe what we think”.
Architecture Canada | RAIC features case studies on its 2030 Challenge web site and in its bi-annual magazine in an effort to illustrate the achievements of Canadian clients, architects, engineers and project teams that believe sustainable, energy efficient, 2030 architecture really matters. Check out - http://2030.raic.org/index_e.htm
ASHRAE publishes High Performance Green Building Standard
Changes to help make buildings and systems more sustainable are part of the newly published version of the high performance green building standard from ASHRAE, the U.S. Green Building Council [USGBC] and the Illuminating Engineering Society [IES].
ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1-2011, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, provides a green building foundation for those who strive to design, build and operate high performance buildings. It covers key topic areas of site sustainability, water-use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources. The most significant change in energy-related provisions results from new requirements in ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, adding to and superseding requirements in the 2007 version. In October 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy found that the 2010 version of Standard 90.1 contains significant energy savings over the 2007 standard. The energy savings in the Standard 90.1-2010 provisions also result in energy savings for building projects complying with Standard 189.1.
In addition, mandatory and prescriptive renewable energy requirements were clarified to reduce confusion and simplify calculations. Buildings that meet the prescriptive requirement for renewable energy production are now deemed to comply with the mandatory requirement for renewable energy site-preparation.
Baillargeon acquired by Masonite
Les Portes Baillargeon Inc. [Baillargeon Doors] of Saint-Éphrem, QC has been acquired by Masonite based in Tampa. One of Baillargeon’s product lines is wood doors made from FSC-certified material.
Info: www.baillargeondoors.com
Student design charette/competition focuses on affordable housing for seniors
Forty university and college students spent the weekend of March 4 imagining the future of sustainable building, senior housing, and health care. Their 36-hour challenge: to deliver innovative, sustainable designs for a proposed Ottawa health hub in a social housing community for seniors.
Each student team produced a concept plan for a new 70-unit senior’s residence and community health clinic. Project requirements included accessibility, room for more social and medical services, on-site electricity generation, and a healthy indoor environment.
The winning design married an energy-efficient building envelope with a central atrium that allows natural light to permeate the addition.
Presented in its third year by the Ottawa Region Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council and its 2012 partners, Ottawa Community Housing Corporation and the Carlington Community Health Centre. The Eco-Logical Student Design Competition acknowledges the financial support from the City of Ottawa’s Community Environmental Projects Grant Program [CEPGP].
Info: www.ecologicalottawa.ca
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InterfaceFLOR commits to Arch-itecture 2030 Challenge for Products
InterfaceFLOR, the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial carpet tile, has aligned with “Architecture 2030” and is the first manufacturer to adopt the nonprofit organization’s 2030 Challenge for Products.
The 2030 Challenge for Products initiative calls on the architecture, planning, design and building communities worldwide to specify, design and manufacture products that will meet a carbon footprint of 30% below the product average through 2014, and subsequently improve on this reduction: 35% in 2015; 40% in 2020; 45% in 2025; and, 50% in 2030.
“InterfaceFLOR’s own declaration - Mission Zero® - to be off oil in the manufacture of its flooring products by 2020 compelled us to lead the charge in the Architecture 2030 Challenge for Products,” said John Wells, president of Interface Americas.
While InterfaceFLOR is the first manufacturer onboard for Architecture 2030, several of the most influential sustainability-driven organizations are supporting the undertaking, including Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, BuildingGreen, Carbon Leadership Forum, The Green Standard, Green Wizard, Healthy Building Network and Sphere E.
DAS HAUS travelling pavilion coming to Montreal
The North American tour of DAS HAUS – a travelling demonstration of advanced German technologies for home construction and solar energy use – will visit Montreal May 10 – 20, 2012. The technologies presented are applicable to a wide range of real–world applications and budget demands. Info: www.dashaustour.com
ARCHITECTURE CANADA | RAIC REPORT
To increase the Profession’s ranks - it’s a matter of Architects
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By David Craddock, FRAIC |
It is with that spirit that I focus on two important Architecture Canada | RAIC initiatives - the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects Program and the new RAIC Centre for Architecture at Athabasca - The Syllabus Program.
An innovative new program for assessing the competencies of Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects - now in the pilot stage - will enable BEFA candidates to use a sophisticated on-line self-assessment tool to evaluate their competencies vis-à-vis Canadian standards of practice before even coming to Canada. By administering the funding provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, RAIC has been pleased to support this progressive and forward-looking project undertaken by provincial and territorial regulators – which will help ensure renewal of the profession in the years ahead while upholding Canadian professional standards. The confidence the Government has shown in RAIC’s ability as a national voice for Canadian architects is greatly appreciated.
We expect 2012 to be a decisive year in the Syllabus Renewal process and RAIC’s partnership with Athabasca University in offering Syllabus through the RAIC Centre for Architecture. Late in 2010, the Government of Alberta approved the Post Baccalaureate Diploma for Architecture, and in 2011 the program’s professional practice courses opened for registration. This year several technical courses will be completed and open for registration. Meanwhile we will complete the process of updating the new studio design modules, in which RAIC will continue to be directly involved in delivering, along with the in-office work experience component that is central to the Syllabus’s identity as an experience-based work-study path to certification and licensure to practice architecture.
Early in January, RAIC announced it was teaming up with Interior Designers of Canada to jointly present IIDEX NeoCon - the pre-eminent design showcase in Canada – which already features a section devoted to products and services of interest to the architectural community. We view IIDEX NeoCon as a complement to our annual Festival and look forward to this year’s Deep Roots in a New Energy City, which will take place June 12-16 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, organized in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Architects.
Once again the RAIC Foundation is engaged in fundraising to ensure a strong Canadian presence at an international level. The Canadian representative at the 2012 Venice Biennale – Migrating Landscapes – is an exciting project that celebrates the next generation of emerging Canadian architects, while exploring themes of culture, identity and memory that touch on the diverse roots that inform Canada’s design culture.
Michael would have been pleased to see an exhibition that taps the knowledge of Canada’s newest Canadians as they bring their broad experience to our country. It completes the circle, and once more emphasizes that Architecture matters … just as surely as Architects matter.
Sister Margaret Smith Centre first LEED® Gold facility in north-western Ontario
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The achievement of LEED Gold certification at Thunder Bay’s Sister Margaret Smith Centre, a first for this region of Ontario, fits with owner St Joseph’s Care Group’s eagerness to embrace the principles of sustainable design for the Centre’s purpose of treating addictions.
Highlights of the sustainable design solution include access to natural light and ventilation for all resident and office spaces, strategic building placement to accommodate passive solar heat gains, use of regional materials and materials with high recycled content, low-flow plumbing fixtures and the use of high- efficiency building materials. Montgomery Sisam was the Associated Design Architect for this project. Form Architecture was the Prime Architect.
Cement industry introduces Contempra™ product
The Cement Association of Canada and its members have introduced Contempra, a new cement that they claim decreases CO2 emissions by 10% while still producing concrete with a level of strength and durability comparable to that achieved with regular Portland cement.
While regular Portland cement may contain up to 5% limestone, Contempra is manufactured by intergrinding regular clinker [the main ingredient in cement] with up to 15 % limestone. By reducing the amount of clinker used in manufacturing cement, this process naturally reduces the amount of energy and greenhouse gas emissions required to manufacture it. This is key since while cement typically represents only 11% of a concrete mix, it accounts for more than 80% of all energy required to produce concrete.
Contempra is included under the name Portland-limestone cement in the Canadian Standards Association [CSA] cement and concrete standards, now referenced in the 2010 National Building Code of Canada and approved for use in BC, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. It will be approved for use in the other provincial jurisdictions once they adopt the 2010 NBCC. Info: www.cement.ca/contempra
Bullfrog Power® becomes one of Canada's first Certified B Corporations
Bullfrog Power, Canada’s 100% green energy provider, announced that it has received certification as one of Canada’s Founding B Corporations by B Lab, a nonprofit organization working to build a community of socially and environmentally conscious businesses. Unlike traditional corporations, Certified B Corporations are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and the environment.
Certified B Corporations meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. In just over three years, there are already more than 425 Certified B Corporations from over 50 industries, representing $2 billion in collective revenues and $6.5 billion in capital under management.
Bullfrog provides 100% renewable energy solutions for homes, businesses and transportation, and donates 10 % of its profits to organizations that support sustainability. Using customer demand to bring new renewable energy projects online, Bullfrog Power also works with various environmental non-governmental organizations, such as WWF-Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation and the Pembina Institute, to increase awareness of clean energy choices in Canada.
Interior Designers of Canada [IDC] and Architecture Canada | RAIC become co-presenters of IIDEX/NeoCon Canada
Joining forces for the first time, Interior Designers of Canada [IDC] and Architecture Canada | RAIC are collaborating as co-presenters of IIDEX/NeoCon Canada, Canada’s National Design + Architecture Exposition & Conference held in Toronto every September.
For the past 27 years, has offered the latest products, education and networking opportunities for trade professionals working in all areas of design including: workplace, hospitality, healthcare, retail, residential and institutional projects. With the RAIC involvement the expo will expand to include the Architecture Canada Expo which will focus on interior architectural and technology products, offering architects and interior designers a broader array of products, and educational sessions. The expo also includes the Green Building Festival.
BOMA BESt Just Became Even Better
By Melissa Peneycad, Manager, Environment & Energy Sustainability Practices, BOMA Canada
The Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada officially launched its updated BOMA BESt [Building Environmental Standards] program [referred to as “BOMA BESt Version 2”] on January 24, 2012.
Since its inception in 2005, the Program has seen tremendous uptake by industry; over 3,000 buildings have gone through the Program to date and many have sought, and continue to seek, recertification. The Program has evolved substantially to keep pace with industry trends and best practices and to ensure the bar for sustainability is continually raised. BOMA BESt Version 2 is the latest iteration of this popular program.
BOMA BESt Version 2 includes revised building assessment surveys for several types of commercial properties including office and light industrial buildings, shopping centres, and retail plazas.
Some of the notable changes include updated energy and water performance benchmarking scales to better reflect industry performance; and additional questions on existing building commissioning, site enhancement, innovative practices and technologies, commuting practices, and effluent management.
The assessments were reviewed by a team of subject-matter experts to ensure technical merit, relevancy, and overall clarity. References to other industry standards have been updated and some new ones added, along with helpful resource links.
BOMA BESt Version 2 also includes a new, highly anticipated assessment survey for multi-unit residential buildings, or MURBs. Similar to the other BOMA BESt surveys, it assesses the environmental performance and management of apartment and condominium buildings across six key areas including: energy, water, waste diversion and site enhancement, emissions and effluents, indoor environment, and environmental management system.
The MURB module has been developed to pay particular attention to the unique aspects of residential buildings – for instance, the indoor environment section is worth 18% of the total available points; this emphasis on indoor environment is substantially higher than in the other BOMA BESt assessment surveys.
This new MURB assessment is also likely to contribute significantly to the database of available building performance information for this sector. Currently there is very little data on the energy and water performance of Canadian multi-unit residential buildings. BOMA Canada is confident that in time, with a large enough sample of BOMA BESt residential sector participation, the aggregated data can be shared with industry.
BOMA BESt Version 2 also boasts a number of other enhancements and applicant-friendly features including a recertification function for all buildings previously assessed using the BOMA BESt program. This feature reduces the amount of information users must enter upon recertification; all static information about the building will already be pre-populated into the application for recertification.
Also, users are now able to enter consumption data in whichever units appear on their utility bills instead of having to convert the figures to suit the requirements of the Program.
Transparent scoring to enable applicants to see how many points each question is worth is another new feature of BOMA BESt Version 2. Finally, more resources for applicants are now available on the newly launched BOMA BESt website. For more information, please visit www.bomabest.com.
CaGBC is bringing the Sustainable Building Advisor [SBA] program to Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec to follow
Working professionals interested in sustainability and green building now have a valuable new learning tool at their disposal as the Canada Green Building Council [CaGBC] launches the Sustainable Building Advisor [SBA] program beginning March 23 at Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works.
The SBA is a comprehensive nine-month course with only two in-class sessions per month, making it ideal for professionals who want to expand their green building knowledge while working full time. The program requires no existing green building education or experience and is focused on practical, forward-thinking ways to design, construct and manage buildings that are resource efficient, environmentally responsible, cost effective, and healthy for all occupants.
The SBA course provides an opportunity for students from a variety of disciplines and knowledge areas to learn together, not just about the basics of green building, but how to approach sustainability from a wider perspective.
Upon completion of the SBA course, graduates earn the designation of a Certified Sustainable Building Advisor [CSBA]. In addition:
• The Education Reviewing Body [ERB] of the Green Building Certification Institute [GBCI] has approved the SBA Program for 100 CE hours towards LEED Professional credential maintenance.
• The SBA Program fulfills the LEED Green Associate exam eligibility criteria of an education program that addresses green building principles.
• The USGBC Education Provider Program [EPP] has rated the SBA Program as a Level 400 [Mastery] Program.
• Canadian architects are awarded core Continuing Education Learning Units for their completion of the program.
The SBA course will also be offered by CaGBC in Quebec and Manitoba in the future. Info: www.cagbc.org/sba
CaGBC adapts LEED –ND to Canadian conditions
The Canada Green Building Council [CaGBC] has finalized the Canadian Alternative Compliance Paths [ACPs] for the LEED for Neighbourhood Development 2009 rating system, and they are now available to the public at www.cagbc.org.These Alternative Compliance Paths [ACPs] were developed by the CaGBC to provide clarity and guidance for Canadian Neighbourhood Development projects, addressing sections of the rating system that contain US-specific standards or wording.
LEED 2009 ND is the latest version of the LEED-ND rating system, which was developed to guide and assess sustainable community development. It awards points to developments for elements like walkability of the neighbourhood, and design that encourages people to frequent local shops and public spaces. The ACPs were developed under the guidance of the Canadian LEED-ND Core Committee, which endeavoured to make the tool as applicable as possible to all regions of the country. This is fitting, as there are currently eight Canadian LEED 2009 ND projects underway across the country.
“LEED-ND is a valuable tool for evaluating and guiding sustainable neighbourhood planning and design,” said Dan Leeming, Co-Chair of the Canadian LEED-ND Core Committee, and Principal at The Planning Partnership in Toronto. “It also provides a set of benchmarks through a sustainability program that considers other current issues such as public health promotion, high quality urban design, food security accessibility, providing for an aging society, as well as increasing housing choices.”
Kingspan products earn Environmental Product Declaration
Kingspan Insulated Panels North America, a global manufacturer of insulated metal panels, has announced that its wall and roof systems have earned an Environmental Product Declaration [EPD], the first of its kind awarded to a North American-based manufacturer of exterior roof and wall panels.
EPD is a standardized, internationally-recognized tool for providing information on a product’s environmental impact. Information in the declaration is based on an ISO-compliant life cycle assessment [LCA] and verified by a third party. The detailed analysis considers all processes in the manufacture of a product, from the extraction and refining of raw materials to energy use and efficiency, content of materials and chemical substances, emissions to the air, soil and water, transport methods and materials, and waste generation, ultimately helping companies understand their environmental footprint in order to consider improvements. Info: www.pathtonetzero.com
North America's first ISO 50001 certification for energy management awarded to Canada's largest cement plant
The St Marys Cement Inc. Bowmanville Plant has received the first International Organization for Standardization's [ISO] 50001 certification in North America. The ISO 50001 standard is a framework for industrial facilities seeking to manage their energy use. Cement plants consume significant amounts of energy. Plants as large as Bowmanville operate 24/7 with a rated capacity of over 1.8 million metric tonnes of product. With help from 360 Energy of Burlington, Ontario, and by establishing an energy management and conservation committee, much of the energy savings required little capital expenditure or were done at no cost.
2012 product Directory on SABMag web site
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The 2012 Canadian Directory for Sustainable Design and Green Products, published in the Nov/Dec issue of SABMag is now available on the SABMag web site at: www.sabmagazine.com/product-directory.html. Listings are organized by Product Category [Site landscaping, Structure/Exterior Envelope, Thermal/Windows, Interior finishes, and Electrical/Plumbing/HVAC], and by LEED Category where a product can potentially contribute points to a project. The Directory offers a well organized quick reference and starting point for finding and investigating products that are suitable for sustainably-designed non-residential and residential buildings. A new feature added this year is Green Design support and professionals who have experience in sustainable building design. Info: dgriffith@sabmagazine.com
Sika strengthens admixtures business in North America
Sika AG has acquired Axim Group, the global concrete admixture and grinding aid business of the Italcementi Group. In Canada, Axim operates as Axim Concrete Technologies Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario. Axim has a history of over 25 years experience in the Canadian market and offers a broad range of concrete admixtures, cement grinding aids and specialized chemicals that enhance the performance of cement and concrete, as well as improve cement production efficiency.
Alberta Sustainable Building Symposium 2012 set for Calgary
Celebrating its 15th year with a bold, updated format and an invigorating program, the Alberta Sustainable Building Symposium [SBS] will take place in Calgary on May 3 with the theme, “The business of green: what’s in it for me?” The event is aimed at building owners and operators, architects, planners, builders, green suppliers, and planning and building policy makers.
Among the several speakers are two keynote presenters: Alex Steffen, one of the world’s leading green futurists and a pioneering thinker on global sustainability; and Eric Corey Freed, a practising architect and pioneer in organic architecture. The Alberta SBS will provide a forum to showcase leading success stories, innovations in green building design, and related products. Info: www.asbs2012.ca
SERA aims to bring aggregate standard to Ontario
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SERA [Socially and Environmentally Responsible Aggregate] is a not-for-profit that has developed standards for the responsible sourcing and extraction of aggregates [stone, sand and gravel] with the goal of mitigating the time, expense and contentiousness of licensing aggregate operations in Ontario. The province consumes about 55 million tonnes of aggregate per year.
In a similar fashion, other management resource standards, such as the Forest Stewardship Council [FSC] and Maritime Stewardship Council [MSC] standards, have reduced conflict and improved best practices.
The SERA standards satisfy demand for responsibly-sourced building materials by certifying aggregate sites that:
• provide long-term supply of responsibly-sourced aggregate materials
• protect ecologically and hydrologically important areas
• engage local communities before extraction begins and throughout the lifecycle of operations
• define time limits for extraction and require site-specific phasing plans that include local interests
• offer purchasers the ability to leverage their purchasing power and request responsibly-sourced aggregates. Info: www.seracanada.ca
CRI to hold first leaders workshop
The Construction Resource Initiatives Council will hold its first International ‘INspiration’ Leaders Workshop, April 17th to 19th, 2012, at the Wakefield Mill, just north of Ottawa in Wakefield, Quebec. The workshop will provide a forum for leaders and innovators to take action against the growth of wasted resources from construction, renovation and demolition activities.
The outcome will be presented in a position paper, reflecting contributions from participating leaders, and serving all stakeholders in making better informed decisions about handling and diverting construction waste. The workshop will also set the foundation for the 2013 Action Summit, and other initiatives. Info: www.cricouncil.com
DAS HAUS travelling pavilion shows German ingenuity
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The Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc. is happy to announce Vancouver will mark the fifth stop on the North American tour of DAS HAUS - an internationally acclaimed exhibition that connects industry professionals in North America with the latest market-ready renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions from Germany.
The centerpiece of the tour is the DAS HAUS pavilion, a travelling demonstration of advanced technologies, as applied to home construction and solar energy use. The pavilion presents solutions aimed at reducing a building’s energy demand and maximizing the efficiency of energy generated on–site. The technologies presented are applicable to a wide range of real–world applications and budget demands. Tour dates for Canada are: Vancouver March 12 – 21, 2012; Toronto April 13 – 22, 2012; and Montreal May 10 – 20, 2012.
The DAS HAUS tour program offers a number of high-profile expert symposiums, exclusive networking functions, and guided tours of the pavilion allowing visitors to discover new energy-efficient technologies and share their views. For more information please visit www.dashaustour.com.
McGill University’s Life Sciences Complex earns LEED Gold certification
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McGill University’s Life Sciences Complex has been awarded LEED-NC Gold certification from the CaGBC, a significant upgrade from the silver rating that was first sought. Completed in 2008, it is the only university-owned laboratory building in Quebec to achieve the LEED Gold rating.
The project was featured in the March/April 2010 issue of SABMag; www. sabmagazine.com/issue-22.html.
Some key features:
• a heat recovery system, and innovative management of fume hoods [air changes and presence sensors]
• lighting efficiency [with more than 75% of occupied space naturally day lighted and artificial lighting zoned to complement accordingly]
• infrastructure and equipment selected to ensure the building is 38% more energy efficient than the Canadian National Model Energy Code
• rainwater capture is stored in a 50,000-litre cistern and used for toilets and urinals, cutting potable water consumption by 50%, and,
• green roof that reduces energy consumption and mitigates the urban heat island effect.
New appointments at GE Lighting Canada
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GE Lighting Canada has made the following appointments:
Sylvain Lavigne is the new Field Sales Developer/Specification Engineer in Montreal for GE Lighting Canada. In this newly-created hybrid role as both Specification Engineer and Field Sales Developer, Sylvain will work with local electrical consulting engineers, lighting designers, architects, and related end users to promote GE Lighting Products & Solutions. He is an electrical engineer and over 25 years of experience working in the lighting industry. 514-215-2742.
Darryl Kalloo is Manager – Lighting Solutions [GELS] and Total Lighting Controls [TLC] in Canada, responsible for Canadian sales and market development activities for GE lighting solutions and lighting controls products. He has over 18 years experience in sales and marketing in the electrical industry. 905-858-6717. www.ge.com/ca/en
Public Consultation on Changes to LEED Canada for Homes Energy Requirements
Since 2009, nearly 2000 homes across the country have been registered under LEED Canada for Homes. The success of the program is driving a call from the market for improvements to ensure continued progress. The Canada Green Building Council is responding by seeking feedback on a proposed change aimed at ensuring the rating system continues to advance green home construction across the country.
The CaGBC is proposing to raise the minimum energy efficiency threshold for participation in the program from EnerGuide 76 to 80. This change is being proposed with the goal of advancing the industry while ensuring that the minimum performance benchmarks are achievable, with a reasonable degree of effort. Of the almost 200 homes certified to date, 98% have achieved EnerGuide 80 or better (or the HERS / prescriptive point equivalent).
This change has been recommended by the LEED Canada for Homes Technical Advisory Sub-Committee and would only affect projects registered after the implementation of any changes, which would likely take place mid-2012.
As a national 3rd party verified rating system, we would like feedback from across the country to guide the continued evolution of LEED Canada for Homes. Please take a moment to help shape the future of the LEED Canada for Homes program and respond to the survey questions found by clicking on the link below. The survey will run until February 17, 2012.
Link to Survey
BOMA Canada
Stakeholder Engagement in the Commercial Real Estate Industry
By Melissa Peneycad, Manager, Environment & Energy Sustainability Practices, BOMA Canada
Engaging stakeholders is a critical component of Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR]. It is also an important component of building certification programs, such as BOMA BESt, the Canadian industry standard for green building certification. Organizations of all types and sizes, including commercial real estate organizations, do not necessarily have full control over who are their stakeholders, therefore, it is important to identify those organizations and individuals who can have a direct and indirect impact on business operations and identify strategies to engage each effectively.
A useful technique to identify stakeholders and their relative impact on one’s business is to conduct a stakeholder mapping exercise in which one visually represents the variety of stakeholders that can potentially impact business operations, as well as the types of relationships that currently exist with each group. It is important, at this stage, to articulate how one’s business is affected / impacted by each and vice versa. In the world of commercial real estate, key stakeholders range from investors, owners and brokers, to property management teams, tenants, government representatives, third-party service providers, contractor unions, and the community at large.
There are many reasons why a building manager may find it useful to engage stakeholders. For instance, engaging stakeholders is a good way to enlist support in a measuring and performance reporting or benchmarking initiative or to communicate changes to how a facility is managed that may require cooperation or consent. Engaging stakeholders is also a good way to prevent or solve a crisis, or to proactively improve relationships.
Also, stakeholder engagement is an important – and even mandatory – component of certification programs such as BOMA BESt. For instance, owners and managers often require the cooperation and support of tenants when seeking certification, especially in cases where tenants control their own utilities. Establishing partnerships with tenants not only helps a building achieve certification, but also helps to generate ongoing performance improvements.
Building managers have a multitude of engagement strategies available, and these can be plotted along a continuum from low to high according to effort required and anticipated outcomes.
Examples of successful engagement strategies in the commercial real estate industry abound. For example, many leading companies have forged mutually-beneficial partnerships with local and national environmental groups to support shared environmental objectives and enhance corporate reputation.
Also, some managers engage tenants’ “green teams” to facilitate two-way dialogue about how best to improve the environmental performance of a building and to discuss how both groups can work together to achieve greater efficiencies. Other companies solicit input from tenants vis-à-vis quarterly surveys which are used to facilitate improved building management. Leading companies have even developed reports and scorecards to communicate their environmental performance to their tenants, suppliers and other stakeholders.
Hosting “lunch and learn sessions” related to sustainability and other topics of interest and importance with employees is another example of a successful engagement strategy employed by leading companies in the commercial real estate industry.
Stakeholder engagement adds value to your bottom line, and drives environmental and occupant benefits.
First US-based green building code approved
The recently approved US-based International Green Construction Code [IgCC], which will be published in March, 2012, applies to all new and renovated commercial buildings and residential buildings over three storeys high.
The historic code sets mandatory baseline standards for all aspects of building design and construction, including energy and water efficiency, site impacts, building waste, and materials.
“It represents a change in the standard of construction,” says Jessyca Henderson Director of Sustainability Advocacy at the American Institute of Architects. “It will effect everyone that touches buildings...it will be a big leap.”
How it Differs From LEED
The new code creates a mandatory “floor” - enforceable minimum standards on every aspect of building design and construction that now must be reached.
LEED certification, on the other hand, is voluntary. Although many buildings now strive for it, there are more that don’t. The new code will thus raise the standards for ALL buildings.
Also to qualify for LEED, designers choose from a menu of options. They may choose to address certain aspects of energy efficiency, such as lighting, for example, while leaving others out.
Setting a “floor” through the code, creates the opportunity for LEED-certifications to push toward higher “ceilings,” where buildings are awarded for truly reaching greater levels of performance, rather than receiving awards for what are increasingly expected standards.
Mandatory Requirements
Site Development, Land Use: It pretty much eliminates development on greenfields [undeveloped land], although there are exceptions based on existing infrastructure. It includes clear guidelines for site disturbance, irrigation, erosion control, transportation, heat island mitigation, greywater systems, habitat protection, and site restoration.
Materials: A minimum of 50% of construction waste must be diverted from landfills, and at least 55% of building materials must be salvaged, recycled-content, recyclable, biobased, or indigenous. Buildings must be designed for at least 60 years of life, and must have a service plan that justifies that.
Energy Efficiency: Total efficiency must be “51% of the energy allowable in the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code” [IECC], and building envelope performance must exceed that by 10%. It sets minimum standards for lighting and mechanical systems, and requires certain levels of submetering and demand-response automation.
Water Efficiency: It establishes maximum consumption of fixtures and appliances and sets standards for rainwater storage and greywater systems.
Indoor Air Quality: It addresses radon, asbestos, VOCs, sound transmission, and daylighting.
Commissioning, Operations: It requires extensive pre- and post-occupancy commissioning and education of building owners and maintenance employees.
Every project is also required to choose an additional “elective,” which pushes the envelope for the developer further. Once they choose it, it’s enforceable. There’s a long menu of elective choices, including whole-building life-cycle assessment to more stringent recycled-content.
Local governments and states will have the choice of adopting the code, but once they do, it’s enforceable. They can add their own requirements on top of the code that address local concerns such as stormwater management or lighting pollution control.
To help implement the code, IgCC includes a “cookbook” approach for smaller buildings to follow, and a more flexible approach for large buildings.
To develop the code, the International Code Council worked with many stakeholders, including the American Institute of Architects, US Green Building Council, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers [ASHRAE].
Contribute your ideas on the design of our cities
Coach House Press is teaming up with MESH Cities to produce a book about the people, methods, and technologies that will shape the design of tomorrow’s intelligent, responsive cities.
You and your colleagues are invited to contribute essays, research, and/or media. Please send your submissions to: editor@meshcities.com
Contributions are welcomed from academics, researchers, developers, writers, and just about anyone who is exploring the design of tomorrow’s cities. Deadline for contributions is January 15th, 2012.
Report finds benefits of decentralized sewage treatment
A new report by the Cascadia Green Building Council says that decentralized sewage treatment can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 44% compared to large-scale treatment systems. The report entitled Clean Water, Healthy Sound uses Life Cycle Analysis [LCA] to examine and compare wastewater management practices in urban areas.
Using a mid-sized city in the Puget Sound region as a case study, Cascadia measured a broad spectrum of environmental impacts associated with large scale, centralized sewage conveyance and treatment systems and compared them against smaller, decentralized alternatives.
The study identifies a direct relationship between low-density urban and suburban neighbourhoods and global warming effects of pumping sewage across long distances. Decentralized techniques have the potential to reduce or even eliminate these negative effects by decreasing the energy required to pump and treat wastewater. Some of the decentralized techniques analyzed also promise a major reduction in other life cycle environmental impacts such as emissions associated with acid rain, smog and air particulates. Info: www.cascadiagbc.org
Architecture Canada/RAIC Report
Demolition costs more than renting a bulldozer! - By Charles Olfert, MRAIC Architecture Canada | RAIC Regional Director, Saskatchewan / Manitoba
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Just because you are old and you leak a little, it doesn’t mean you should be put down. I am also referring to buildings. |
I would suggest the benefits of re-development go far beyond carbon reductions.
Our cities desperately need the aesthetic diversity and cultural activity supported through adaptive re-use. It is no accident that the most creative and energetic arts groups, theatre companies, interesting live music venues, and, of course, many architectural offices are located in older buildings. The space is typically less expensive and they are attracted by the texture and complexity that can be achieved through creative re-development.
Given the benefits of re-use, why are so many buildings demolished? There are three reasons. First, too many politicians still feel it is better to cut the ribbon in front of a brand new, relatively nondescript, glass box than make the necessary longer term commitment towards a comprehensive, complex urban redevelopment strategy.
The second factor is more complicated. Current building codes and civic building permit policies make it very difficult to save buildings. It seems an old building is automatically “grand fathered” as a non-compliant fire hazard as long as the use doesn’t change. However, once renovated, EVERYTHING needs to be “brought up to current standards”. Many developers try this once or twice and then simply throw up their hands in frustration.
Almost everyone appreciates a century-old marble staircase with intricate wood posts and wrought iron railings. These stairs can function effectively for hundreds of years, but become immediately “unsafe and non-compliant” the minute a building changes use.
The issue of course is insurance and legal responsibility. Can you be “partially compliant” - who takes responsibility?
I am not advocating unsafe buildings. In fact, I am suggesting that many older buildings could be much safer if there were some flexibility in allowing small changes in use, with incremental safety improvements.
Many landlords and developers are not prepared to spend any money on an existing building because it is too expensive to do a complete code upgrade. Also discouraging - many of those upgrades destroy some of the best features of the building. The result is many attractive, older buildings sit empty or end up with marginal, illegal or existing unsafe uses.
The third factor is related to code issues and the subtle way regulations discourage mixing uses in buildings. For example there are typically, and quite logically, fire separation requirements between building uses which can be very complicated.
In his recent book, “Cities for People”, Jan Gehl, Hon. FRAIC shows how, with disciplined research, the safety and amenity of a city can be maximized when streets are lined with properly scaled buildings that contain a mixture of retail and restaurant activity on the main floor with residential accommodation on the upper levels.
As we try to encourage people to live downtown, we should seriously consider changes to the interpretation and application of zoning and building code requirements to make it safe, legal and cost effective to have people living above retail and restaurant facilities using our rapidly vanishing, but extremely valuable existing building stock.
DINOFLEX® Partners With Green School House Series
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DINOFLEX® of Salmon Arm, BC has partnered with the Green School House Series to provide recycled rubber surfacing to schools in low income areas in the US. The Green Schoolhouse Series brings together corporations, foundations, school districts, municipalities, communities, media outlets, and volunteers to build LEED-Platinum designed Green Schoolhouses. DINOFLEX® markets its floor products, made from recycled rubber, as being shock absorbent, slip resistant, stain resistant, and low maintenance – properties that will ensure students and staff have a productive environment. Info: www.dinoflex.com |
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CaGBC streamlining LEED Canada certification process
With the goal of better meeting the large demand for LEED certification, the Canada Green Building Council [CaGBC] is implementing changes to streamline the certification process to an average of less than six months.
Some changes have already been made this year with the CaGBC increasing internal staff to address the majority of backlogged projects and delayed Credit Interpretation Requests [CIRs]. In addition, the CaGBC hired four new review teams of highly skilled consultants, bringing the total to six teams who are now working to certify projects.
In June 2011, the CaGBC established a taskforce to further expedite certification. The taskforce, which included industry stakeholders and subject matter experts, recommended significant changes to the CaGBC’s certification process that will be implemented over the coming year. These changes include:
Shortening the three stage certification pathway to two stages for LEED Canada NC 1.0 and LEED Canada CS 1.0 projects. Projects that choose this option will follow a certification pathway similar to that used in the 2009 versions of the rating systems, and will benefit from a quicker and cleaner certification process.
Investing in technology infrastructure to improve the administration of certification. CaGBC will more effectively manage the large volume of projects undergoing certification by investing in more sophisticated technology tools.
Introducing a design review process. LEED Canada NC 2009 and LEED Canada CS 2009 projects will have the option of submitting design-stage credits and prerequisites immediately following design. The design review will allow issues to be addressed while the relevant parties are still engaged. It will also provide teams with greater clarity as to the likely outcome of certification, and allow for adjustments to be made before final certification.
Delays in certification also stem from the failure of applicant teams to respond to certification reviews in a timely manner. To further streamline LEED certification, the CaGBC will be introducing measures to help encourage quicker response times from applicant teams.
To assist applicant teams seeking LEED Canada certification, CaGBC also offers a ‘Speed up Your LEED Canada-NC 1.0 Certification: Getting it Right the First Time’ interactive workshop that discusses the more complex documentation requirements. Additionally, early in 2012 CaGBC will offer an on-demand online session addressing the process associated with certification.
Lafarge Hydromedia handles run off
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Hydromedia by Lafarge contains 20-35% void space that allows water to pass directly through to aid with surface and storm water management. |
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The product has been installed in a 90,000sf courtyard at Centennial College, Scarborough, and in the parking lot of the Kortright Centre, part of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. |
Clarification
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In our Sept/Oct Issue 31 article on the Schluter Systems Headquarters we made an incorrect attribution for the supplier of the solar air heating system. In fact it was a patent pending, MatrixAir ™ system by Matrix Energy Inc [see photo] as originally specified by the mechanical engineer. Our apologies for the incorrect information. |
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The new CaGBC Board standing outside the new Ottawa Convention Centre [l to r]:
Brian Denney, B. Sc. Eng, P. Eng, Toronto + Region Conservation Authority; Joanne Weir [Sec-retary], M. Fac. Man't., B. Int. Des., LEED AP, MTS Allstream and University of Manitoba, Seat: Real Estate Managers, Owners and Tenants; Marten Duhoux [Chapter Representative], ir., AIA, LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, Friesen Tokar Architects + Landscape + Interior Designers; Thomas Meuller, CaGBC President; Alex Zimmerman, A.Sc.T., LEED AP, Applied Green Consulting, Seat: Professional Firms; Lisa Bate [Chair], B.Arch., PP OAA, Int’l Assoc. AIA, FRAIC, EDAC LEED AP, B+H Architects, Seat: Professional Firms; Blair McCarry, B. Sc. Mechanical Eng., P. Eng. 5 provinces P.E. Texas, ASHRAE Fellow LEED AP, Busby Perkins+Will, Seat: Professional Firms; Kevin Cail, LaFarge North America, Seat: Retail, Construction and Products; Mark Lucuik [Vice-chair], B. Engineering, Morrison Hershfield, Seat: Professional Firms; Troy Braithwaite [Vice-chair], MBA, PCL Constructors, Inc., Seat: Retail, Construction and Products; Gail McBride, B.Sc.; MBA, BC Hydro Seat: Utilities; Anthony Esposti [Treasurer)], B. Comm., Business Development Bank of Canada, Seat: Financial and Support Services; Mark Laroche, Chartered Director, MBA B. Civil Eng.; Canada Lands Company. Missing: Mark Gorgolewski, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., DIP ARCH, LEED AP, Ryerson University, Department of Architecture Science, Seat: Academia, Research and Policy; Nancy Searchfield [Vice-chair], Colliers International, Seat: Real Estate Managers, Owners, and Tenants; Christopher Sweetnam-Holmes, B.Int'l Bus, B.E.D.S.(Arch), LEED AP, EcoCité Development, Seat: Real Estate Managers, Owners, and Tenants.