Technical Award
MacPherson Engineering Inc.
Jury Comment: “This simple, affordable and highly transferable design solution to the substandard indoor environmental quality in much of the First Nations housing stock across the country, is notable for its collaborative approach and the inspiration it takes from traditional Aboriginal structures. The transition from forced air to radiant heat brings multiple benefits, with a payback period of less than 10 years.”
To address the mould issue, MacPherson Engineering partnered with universities, industry leaders, psychologists, Knowledge Keepers, engineers, and businesses. The project needed to be affordable, ecofriendly, incorporate Indigenous knowledge, and create positive social values of inclusion, cooperation, and respect.
The project broadened responsible consumption and production with the installation of the hybrid heating system on 75% of the concrete perimeter basement walls.
Aligning with the United Nations goals, the retrofitting of conventional HVAC with a system that was simple to install and operate improved efficiency and sustainability.
After installation, a comparative study was done, proving that radiant heating is a feasible solution to address air quality, thermal comfort, and energy use and humidity problems, performing much better than traditional HVAC systems.
PROJECT CREDITS
- Owner / Developer Star Blanket Cree Nation
- Mechanical Engineer MacPherson Engineering Inc.
- Plumbing and Heating Anaquod Plumbing and Heating
- Construction J McNaughton Construction
- University of Regina Dr Arm Henni & Capstone students
- Photos Aura Lee MacPherson
SUBSCRIBE TO THE DIGITAL OR PRINT ISSUE OF SABMAGAZINE FOR THE FULL VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE.
