SABMAG ISSUE 39 - Architecture Canada | RAIC report
TELLING THE WORLD THAT IN CANADA – ARCHITECTURE MATTERS
By Paul E. Frank President, Architecture Canada | RAIC
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As I am sitting at my desk writing this article, my RAIC membership certificate issued almost 28 years ago hangs promently in view. My membership was a gift from my first employer as a reminder that Architecture Matters.
As I start my term as the 73rd president of the RAIC, Architecture still matters and Architecture Canada | RAIC as the voice of Architecture in Canada continues to bring forward that message to government, to private enterprise, and to the public.
And as outgoing president David Craddock, FRAIC, stated in last year’s message that not only does Architecture Matter but Architects Matter. The Board has an ambitious strategic plan for 2013 and as always top most on our list is the promotion of Architecture.
The Board is committed to having more public involvement in the advocacy of architecture, involvement through our Festival of Architecture, involvement with companion organizations such as the Interior Designers of Canada [IDC], involvement through our awards programs, involvement with our chapters, and involvement with the provincial and territorial regulators.
In September Architecture Canada |RAIC teamed up with IDC to jointly present IIDEX Canada in Toronto. IIDEX Canada is the pre-eminent design showcase in Canada. By getting directly involved with the show – in the selection of keynotes, organization of continuing education sessions – we intend to build the architectural dimension of the show, and raise awareness of the key role architects play in the design and development of liveable cities and communities.
We view IIDEX Canada as a complement to our annual Festival, which continues to be presented across the country in partnership with provincial and territorial regulatory bodies. We are looking forward to this year’s Value of Beauty – Integrity in Architecture Festival that will take place June 5 – 8 in Halifax.
The launch of the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects [BEFA] program at IIDEX Canada will enable BEFA candidates to use an on-line selfassessment 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, Architecture Canada|RAIC has been pleased to support this progressive and forward-looking project, and appreciates the confidence the Government has shown in our ability as a national voice for Canadian architects. 2013 will be an exciting year in the Syllabus Renewal process and Architecture Canada | RAIC’s partnership with Athabasca University to develop the RAIC Centre for Architecture. Architecture Canada |RAIC always has the goal of bringing value to membership. Over the last few years the value of membership has been increased through practice support, association support, professional development, awards programs, and Chapter support.
It is through the strength of this membership and the commitment of those in the profession that we are able to tell Canadians, and indeed the world that in Canada - Architecture Matters.
HALIFAX COMPANY COMMERCIALIZING CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN CONCRETE
Halifax-based CarbonCure Technologies Inc. is commercializing CO2-sequestration solutions to concrete products manufacturers. Concrete is the second most widely used material globally and is responsible for an estimated 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions. The Company’s proprietary technology makes concrete less carbon-intensive. By allowing concrete manufacturers to consume waste carbon dioxide into concrete by chemically converting CO2 to limestone within the concrete. The company is commercializing its construction products technology with manufacturers in California [Basalite Concrete Products], Ontario [Atlas Block] and Nova Scotia [Shaw Group].
GREEN ROOF LADY LAUNCHES VITAROOFS
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After 1,000 green roof installations, including some of the most celebrated projects in the country, ‘Green Roof Lady’ Joy Schmidt has decided to go the distance and launch her own brand. Her new company, Vitaroofs, is less of a transformation than a rebranding of the green roof business she has owned and operated for the past 11 years, under the Xero Flor Canada Ltd. label. The Vitaroofs name in fact better fits her business focus which she claims has been more about creating customized green roofing systems rather than simply distributing Xero Flor vegetated mats. Vitaroofs plans to advance new thinking in green roofs by continuing to offer accredited programming for architects, continuing to participate in government task forces, and by continuing to collaborate with the research and development departments at St Mary’s University, UBC-O, SAIT Polytechnic and others. Info: www.vitaroofs.com
CORRECTION - In the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market article published in the Nov/Dec SABMag the general contractor should have been shown as rcs Construction. We are sorry for our error.
CLT MANUALS
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The Canadian forest products research organization, FP Innovations, has published manuals for Canadian and US design professionals on Cross-Laminated Timber, the latest advancement in the design of wood buildings. The technology is being applied in Europe and the UK resulting in CLT buildings more than fourstoreys high, which is the typical height limitation for wood buildings in Canada. Info: terry.knee@fpinnovations.ca
CONSTRUCTION RESOURCE INITIATIVES COUNCIL LAUNCHES ZERO BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WASTE PROGRAM
The CRI [Construction Resource Initiatives] Council, a non-profit organization incorporated in 2011 with the goal of eliminating building construction waste, hosted its official program launch on February 19 at the Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. Under the title of the Mission 2030 zero building waste initiative, the launch kicked off with several prominent organizations, such as PCL Constructors Canada and Solid Waste Association of North America, describing methods of cutting building waste, followed by workshops on the subjects of: Communications on the need for change; Integration & Education; Research & Technology; Tools & Support and Change Strategy. Eliminating waste is an essential part of sustainable building, and the CRI Council is working hard to get the Canadian construction industry and manufacturers to reduce the large amounts of waste on our construction sites.
Info: www.cricouncil.com.
OTTAWA CENTRE ECODISTRICT TAKES INSPIRATION FROM WASHINGTON
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As noted in the Nov/Dec, 2012 issue of SABMag, Ottawa is joining other cities in the US and Canada in establishing a downtown eco-district defined as an area where individual property owners, businesses and organizations work together to reduce environmental impacts and costs through shared infrastructure or programming. In effect, the Ottawa Centre Ecodistrict [OECD] intends to accelerate the greening of Canada’s capital city. To advance discussions, OECD organizers invited Marcel Acosta the Executive Director of the National Capital Planning Commission [NCPC] in Washington, DC, to a bi-monthly Better Buildings Breakfast to speak about Washington’s SW Ecodistrict Initiative and other sustainability programs. The over 100 attendees - city and provincial politicians, federal government and National Capital Commission representatives, local developers and other members of the private sector – also heard panelists representing green property developers discuss the feasibility of establishing an Ottawa eco-district.
Info: www.ottawaecodistrict.org
OSRAM SYLVANIA LTD. /LTÉE NAMES NEW PRESIDENT
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OSRAM SYLVANIA has appointed Graham Wark as president of OSRAM SYLVANIA LTD./LTÉE. Wark assumes overall responsibility for Canadian operations and support functions in all sales channels. For the past 25 years, Wark has helped expand the OSRAM SYLVANIA lighting and service capabilities through numerous managerial and engineering contributions.
NEW DIRECTOR OF SALES FOR BROANNUTONE-VENMAR VENTILATION
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Mr. John Pallante is the new Director of Sales, Ontario and Western Canada for the Wholesale Division of Broan-NuTone Canada - Venmar Ventilation Inc. Pallante has 12 years experience working in the HVAC field, both on the Trade Media and the green building side of the HVAC industry, including geothermal.
SABMAG ISSUE 38 - Architecture Canada | RAIC report
ARCHITECTURE AS A CHALLENGE
By Edmond D. Koch, FRAIC
Architecture Canada | RAIC Regional Director, Atlantic Provinces
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As Architects, we are submitted to a number of conflicting aspirations. The current requirements of building green, of saving energy, among other goals - does that help create better architecture? Does it help us fulfill our role? Of course it does…in part.
Every time I visit a large dense city with its core of high rise, high density structures, I feel a lack of both personal and urban identity. Most large densely developed areas look alike after a few days of visiting. On the first few days, we may be curious and impressed by some buildings but shortly after, we only see the first two stories of these buildings and forget the upper structures, with very few exceptions. These exceptions are well designed buildings surrounded by enough open space to be visible in most of their entirety, buildings in the middle of plazas, located near a park or open space of some dimension. If architecture is considered a form of art then compare a building to a piece of art in a museum; there has to be space around the work of art so that we can appreciate it.
Maybe this is why on University and College Campuses, some exceptionally well designed buildings stand out, because of their contribution to the quality of the environment and to our quality of life. They are not simply functional, which every architectural work should be, they offer a quiet pause in our everyday life. A contrast between the buildings, which although individually well designed, loose quality in the mass of the built environment.
Buildings should contribute to our quality of life both from inside and outside. They should be energy conscious but at the same time make a contribution to the perception and identity of the City. Some older buildings have this quality and should be preserved and renovated to accommodate new functional requirements, but their inherent quality and presence should be preserved.
We have to be able, whether in an apartment, a condo, or an office to have a view from our window and not be blocked by the building next door. Can this be achieved by regulations alone or do we need more? Many European cities build parking structures under their parks and squares leaving the green open spaces to be enjoyed. This beats having surface parking lots as we have in most of our downtowns.
Why do we go to the cottage or travel so much? Certainly to see the rest of the world and the magnificent buildings and spaces they have, experience their different cultures and foods but also to get out of our environment, which is often limiting because of its dense surroundings. This is almost in contrast with the advantages of densification.
The City should have its identity and so should its buildings and, if “architecture matters” it has to provide the quality of life, the diversity, the liveability that each of us seeks, all this within the confines of budgets, by-laws, density and energy conservation. Quite a challenge!
Earth Rangers Centre achieves LEED Platinum
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The Earth Rangers Centre [ERC], already LEED® for New Construction Gold Certified in 2006, is now certified Platinum under LEED® for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance [LEED EB]. It scored 92 of a possible 110 points, the ERC is the highest scoring LEED EB certified building in Canada. The LEED EB rating system focuses on measured performance of the building, and requires participants to track and prove the performance of their facility. Notable results include:
* Energy consumption 83% below energy code baseline
* 130,000 kWh of annual solar energy generation [enough to power 12 homes for a year]
* 1.5 million litres of water recycled in 2011
* 100% of power supplied from renewables or low-impact hydroelectric sources
* Irrigation-free landscaping
Info: www.earthrangers.com
International Living Future Institute announces ingredients label for building products
The Portland, OR – based International Living Future Institute has launched Declare, the ingredients label for building products. [See the related article on Healthy Materials in the Sept/Oct issue of SABMag at www.sabmagazine.com/digital].
The Declare label answers three simple questions: Where does a product come from? What is it made of? And where does it go at the end of its life? In so doing it helps consumers make informed decisions and provides manufactures of ecologically sound products a way to demonstrate market leadership and secure a competitive advantage.
The launch of Declare is the culmination of collaboration between related programs such as the Pharos Project, and the soon to be launched Healthy Product Declaration [HPD] Open Standard.
CaGBC Ottawa chapter holds Greening Existing Buildings Forum
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The CaGBC Ottawa Regional Chapter Leadership Forum on Greening Existing Buildings held November 2 attracted local leaders in the green building industry to discuss the benefits of greening the existing building stock, while articulating the challenges, opportunities and lessons from a wide range of building sectors. About 120 attended which included building owners, building operations engineers, property managers, building science and real estate professionals, architects and engineers.
Keynote speaker Gord Hicks, President of BLJC, provided project examples from his own experience, followed by CaGBC and City of Ottawa representatives, and a panel which presented difficulties and successes from various points of view: university campuses, municipalities, public and private housing, and energy futures financing. This set up the afternoon portion of the day which consisted of concurrent interactive workshops and seminars covering topics such as tenant and user demands, leveraging municipal policies and programs, technical solutions for operations systems, and greening heritage / older buildings.
Demonstrating the greening of existing building portfolios, not just through operations and maintenance, but also through all kinds of building upgrades – conservation retrofit, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, and additions – delivered practical ideas that the attendees could take away with them.
Grant from Google to USGBC will advance healthy building materials
At the recent Greenbuild conference in San Francisco, the U.S. Green Building Council [USGBC] announced a $3 million grant from Google that will catalyze the transformation of the building materials industry and accelerate the creation of healthier indoor environments. The grant will focus on three areas: supporting research on building materials and health, developing new transparency tools, and engaging stakeholders from across the industry. The new initiatives will be developed over the next two years. Info: akatz@usgbc.org
eco-district in the works for downtown Ottawa
A team headed by James McNeil of the Ottawa operations of real estate leasing firm Cushman & Wakefield wants to make Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa’s main office building and condominium district into an eco-district. The area is already seeing the refurbishment and construction of more energy-efficient buildings, installation of vegetated roofs, district energy project schemes, and plans for a light-rail tunnel.
In an eco-district, businesses and residents promote sustainable living through design and practice. McNeil says that would mean things such as measuring carbon emissions and energy usage, and comparing that to historical measurements for the area, and to eco-districts in other cities.
Commercial landlords are getting people switched on to the eco-district idea through tenant-engagement strategies, and McNeil hopes to set up a “one-stop shop” where residents and businesses could get information on such things as energy conservation, waste disposal and transportation.
McNeil believes the eco-district will help the local economy. Companies recognize that being environmentally responsible improves their public image, attracts more customers, and saves them money through better efficiencies.
Renewed First Canadian Place achieves LEED Gold
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After three years of renovations, First Canadian Place, Canada’s largest office tower, has achieved LEED Gold EB: O&M. Spearheaded by Brookfield Canada Office Properties Inc., along with ownership partners Canada Pension Plan Investment Board [CPPIB] and Alberta Investment Management Corporation [AIMCo], the work has transformed the 72-storey, 2.8-million sf building into an energy-conscious centre for business, retail, and entertainment.
The most visible change is the total recladding of the building’s exterior where the existing 45,000 pieces of Carrera marble were replaced with glass spandrel panels designed by architects Moed De Armas and Shannon. The marble pieces and surrounding insulation were recycled and repurposed. Other significant changes include a refurbished main entrance, retail concourse, office lobbies, and common areas.
The strategic energy program was a major facet of this undertaking. The building has reduced energy consumption by an estimated 24%,”said Brian West, VP and General Manager of First Canadian Place.
Info: www.redefiningfirst.com
Winnipeg design firm’s plan for energy-generating balloons over former landfill site attracts New York attention
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Winnipeg-based Nadi Urban Design Studio has attracted international attention for its proposal to float 99 giant red balloons above a former New York landfill site in an installation that would generate clean energy while demonstrating that something beautiful and productive can come out of garbage.
The former 2,200-acre landfill – with a Manhattan skyline – currently harvests methane gas from garbage percolating under its grassy hills. Some of the unused gas is released from dozens of small vents, and Nadi Urban Design Studio has proposed floating enormous red solar balloons over each vent. The proposed 99 balloons would be five-storey, 50-ft tall and 40 ft. and float 100 ft. up, each tethered by a flexible pole and generating approximately 14,000 megawatt-hours of electricity.
The Land Art Generator Initiative asked interdisciplinary designers from around the world to design a land art installation that would make Freshkills Park [the former Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island] a tourist attraction that would also harness clean energy. The Winnipeg “99 Red Balloons” plan was selected as one of the four best ideas in the world from 250 submissions and 39 countries. Each of Nadi’s balloons would be lined with hi-tech solar panels producing enough renewable energy to power 4,500 homes a year. See the “99 Red Balloons” proposal at http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/99009900/
SABMag education partner, Lunchbox Consulting, launches new LEED Green Associate Exam Prep
Lunchbox Consulting Inc. has launched its new online LEED Green Associate Exam Prep [www.lunchboxeduxation.com] service. What’s different about the Lunchbox service? Don’t read a 300-page document, but instead take online questions targeting specific reference documents or categories, take quizzes, or a full mock exam. Have a specific question you want answered? Drop into the office during office hours and chat with a LEED expert. Share your experiences on the forums and track your exam date. Want a personalized study plan? Lunchbox’s LEED experts will do that for you too! Sign up for 3 or 6 months and get 1 month free! QUOTE PROMOTION CODE: E5CU2
Menkes Union Tower Inc. Achieves First LEED EB:O&M Platinum Certification in Toronto
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Class-A office tower Menkes Union Tower Inc., located at 25 York Street, has become Toronto’s first LEED EB:O&M Platinum building, and, with LEED CS and CI Gold certifications, one of the few buildings in Canada to achieve triple LEED certification.
25 York Street is the third of only four buildings to achieve Platinum in the EB:O&M rating system in Canada. Some of the policies and features that Menkes instituted to achieve LEED EB:O&M Platinum are:
• housekeeping, site management, and pest management that don’t degrade the local environment or occupant health
• occupant feedback to determine possible improvements to building operations
• extended energy monitoring and tracking features to minimize energy consumption
• extensive waste management program to work toward eliminating waste sent to the landfill
Designed by Adamson & Associates, with TELUS as its anchor tenant, the building’s energy use is a metred 211 ekWh/m2 compared with the Canadian commercial building average of 394 ekWh/m2 [a 46% savings].
CRI Council becomes Canadian partner of UN waste management group
The Construction Resource Initiatives Council [CRIC]- whose mission is to support the elimination of building waste [construction, renovation and demolition] going to landfill by 2030 - is now the official Canadian partner of the Global Partnership on Waste Management [GPWM] led by the Division of Technology, Industry & Economics of the United Nations Environment Program. The GPWM is a partnership of international organizations, governments, businesses, academia, local authorities and NGOs to enhance international cooperation in waste management at national and local levels.
The CRI Council will participate in three of the six sponsored areas: waste minimization, waste management integration, and waste and global warming. The CRI Council is a non-profit, non-partisan building industry-led organization founded to create an integrated body of knowledge, with the combined principals of zero waste, sustainable development and change management. Info: renee.gratton@cricouncil.com, www.cricouncil.com
White paper on green facade design
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Living wall company, greenscreen®, has released a white paper titled, “Considerations for Advanced Green Facade Design,” utilizing over 18 years of collected knowledge, observation, implementation, and experimentation to describe successful strategies that include system selection, design, plant selection, maintenance and client/owner education.
The white paper addresses best maintenance practices for long term survivability of the living system, access to credits from LEED® and SITES™ rating programs, and metrics for determining successes and failures. It gives architects, landscape architects and contractors the necessary information to incorporate green facade technology as a standard building component on projects.
A condensed version of this white paper has been approved for Continuing Education credits by the American Institute of Architects, the Green Building Certification Institute and the American Society of Landscape Architects.
CEU version: http://www.greenscreen.com/direct/Considerations/AdvancedGreenFacadeDesign_CEU_F12.pdf
White paper: http://www.greenscreen.com/direct/GS_AdvancedGreenFacadeDesign.pdf
Contact: james@greenscreen.com, dean@greenscreen.companels.com or vicwestpanels.com
THE ARCHITECTURE OF ENGAGEMENT - We ask our readers’ views on human-centred approach to sustainability
SABMag editor Jim Taggart, FRAIC is conducting interactive research on urban design and building projects that represent a more holistic and human-centred approach to sustainability. This work is being undertaken in the belief that we must shift our focus from technological fixes to true cultural change if we are to secure a sustainable future.
We’re asking you, our readers, to contribute your ideas and insights to this project which we are launching under the title ‘The Architecture of Engagement’.
See more details [p.28] in the digital version of SABMag, and visit SABMag Facebook page.