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high performance building

Category: Canadian Green Building Awards winning project

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Institutional (Small) Award

Neil Campbell Rowing Centre – St. Catharines, ON

Jury Comment: “A very elegant solution that achieves high standards of environmental performance without compromising aesthetics. The form is simple and the material palette robust. The thought processes required to resolve the detailing of the mass timber roof and to ensure there was no thermal bridging through the envelope were thoroughly and convincingly documented.” 

This project demonstrates how simple, elemental, and respectful design can support a broad spectrum of uses and enhance the identity of a venerable place, while achieving both Net-Zero Energy and Zero-Carbon Emission benchmarks.

The NCRC was a key venue for the 2022 Canada Summer Games and will host the 2024 World Rowing Championships. Beyond this, it will provide year-round fitness and rowing training for Canadian athletes, continuing the site’s rich history of competition that began in 1903.

The form of the building is generated by the roof, which is designed with an innovative mass timber system utilizing Canadian glue laminated and cross-laminated timber products, and is held aloft by a light steel column structure and a centralized CLT shear core. The asymmetrical overhanging timber roof, operable doors, and concrete steps down to Martindale Pond further reinforce the connection to the water and create a strong identity for the club.

The building includes a simple and robust material palette; a high-performance building envelope; passive sun control and low-energy mechanical and electrical systems in order to enhance environmental sustainability and reduce ongoing operating and maintenance costs.

The NCRC is situated on a man-made extension to Henley Island, which lies at the approximate mid-point of the race course. The building is configured to provide shade on an otherwise open site and to make a strong connection to the water for athletes and spectators. This conection was facilitated by clearing weeds and debris from the water’s edge and creating long concrete steps that also serve as spectator seating.

Siting the building north of the asphalt staging area completes a courtyard already bounded by the sheds to the west, rising topography to the south, and Martindale Pond to the east. The sense of enclosure raises the excitement by focusing attention on race preparations.

Project Credits

  • Owner/Developer  Canadian Henley Rowing Corp
  • Architect  MJMA Architecture & Design
  • Joint Venture Architect  Raimondo + Associates Architects
  • General Contractor  Aquicon Construction
  • Landscape Architect  MJMA Architecture & Design
  • Civil Engineer  Upper Canada Consultants
  • Mechanical and Electrical Engineer  Smith + Andersen
  • Structural Engineer  Blackwell
  • Environmental Graphics  MJMA Architecture & Design
  • Photos  Scott Norsworthy

Project Performance

  • Energy Intensity: 0 KWhr/m2/year (83 KWhr/m2/year which is offset by PV array)
  • Reduction in Energy Intensity: 38% (Based on NECB 2017)
  • Water Consumption from municipal source: 33.5 litres/occupant/year
  • Reduction in Water Consumption: 21%
  • The building was just recently “CaGBC Zero Carbon Design Certified”.

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Institutional (Small) Award

Bill and Helen Norrie Library – Winnipeg, MB

Jury Comment: “This project clearly articulated the social and cultural focus that has become the primary role of community libraries. Taking visual cues from the Metis village that occupied the site, the building evokes the traditional ‘Big House’. The social, cultural and educational agenda is underpinned by the low embodied carbon and operating energy of the building.”

Located on a busy recreational campus, the 1,300 sq. m library unites the physical energy of the broader site with engaging social spaces to create a home-away-from-home for the community.

Inspired by the Métis heritage and dense residential context of the site, the library is conceived as a ‘big house’, reflecting diverse experiences of home — reading on the porch, playing in the backyard or gathering around the living room fireplace.

The building is strategically oriented on an east-to-west axis on the compact site to maximize daylight

into the library year-round. Positioned to absorb solar heat in the winter and support solar shading in the summer, overhangs minimize glare, direct sunlight and mitigate unwanted heat gain. These strategies reduce energy consumption and costs, and support visitor well-being.

The high performing building envelope, radiant in-floor heating and cooling zones, and a linear, active chilled beam system optimize resource efficiency and support thermal comfort.

Anchoring the approach to the site, a low semicircular bench serves as a resting place while waiting for the bus. Convenient bike storage ties into cycling and walking paths, encouraging active commutes to and from the library and nearby amenities. The modest campus parking lot includes the first EV charging station at a Winnipeg public library.

From the cozy living room and interactive children’s area to the multi-purpose room that accommodates diverse programming, community members of all ages can relax, play and build relationships. Strong visual connections between spaces indoors and out promote awareness of one’s surroundings and contribute to the inclusive family-friendly environment.

Extensive glazing on the north and south facades floods the open, linear library with daylight, creating a bright and uplifting interior setting. Daylight and occupancy sensors maintain consistent lighting levels, while simultaneously reducing the lighting load by at least 50%. All lighting is LED and lighting levels meet IESNA recommendations.

Fresh air is provided by a dedicated 90% efficient, dual core, energy recovery ventilation unit, minimizing long-term maintenance and costs. Demand control, fresh air ventilation is integrated and modulated in conjunction with the zoned VAV boxes to reduce energy use. A minimum MERV 13 Filtration is provided, and fresh air quality meets the requirements of AHSRAE 62-2007.

Project Credits

  • Architect  LM Architectural Group
  • Owner/Developer  City of Winnipeg
  • General contractor  Gateway Construction and Engineering Ltd
  • Landscape Architect  HTFC Planning & Design
  • Civil Engineer  Sision Blackburn Consulting
  • Electrical, Mechanical and Structural Engineer  Tower Engineering Group
  • Commissioning Agent Integrated Designs Inc
  • Sustainability Consultant  Footprint
  • Photos  Lindsay Reid

Project Performance

  • Energy Intensity  180 KWhr/m2/year
  • Reduction in Energy Intensity  44 % (Based on NECB 2011)
  • Water Consumption from municipal source  11,000 litres/occupant/year
  • Reduction in Water Consumption  25%
  • Construction materials diverted from landfill  40%
  • Recycled materials content by value  20%

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Institutional (Large) Award

Manitou A BI BII Daziigae, RRC Polytech – Winnipeg, MB 

Jury Comment: “This project successfully resolves a complex program that includes the integration of a brick and beam heritage structure. It incorporates a variety of well thought out details and design solutions, achieving a harmonious relationship with its historic context, providing engaging communal spaces, and setting a technical precedent with its ‘shape-shifting’ photovoltaic cladding.”

Manitou a bi Bii daziigae is a post-secondary learning hub that unites a repurposed brick and beam heritage building with new construction, creating an engaging crossroads in Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District – the city’s Innovation Alley.

Targeting LEED Gold Certification, the 9,300 sq.m. building provides flexible, high-tech, and interactive spaces that nurture creativity and collaboration, and connects students with education and industry professionals to facilitate social innovation, enterprise and pioneering research. 

These aspirations informed the design process, and the completed building reflects a sense of wonder, imagination, empathy, mystery and passion. It is hoped that the Innovation Centre will inspire these qualities in students and faculty.

The facade of the new building is made of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) panels that change colour depending on the angle of view and the weather.

This innovative concept – a Canadian first – conceals solar cells behind nano-coated glass panels. Their shape-shifting appearance animates the building conveying a sense of wonder that is an outward expression of the path of learning and innovation.

The building exemplifies regeneration and renewal at multiple levels. It reinforces City policy for urban renewal in the city core, undertakes adaptive re-use of a heritage structure in accordance with City requirements for restoration and re-use, and involves the full remediation of a brownfield site.

The historic Scott Fruit Warehouse has been rehabilitated for academic use and carefully integrated into the overall development. Key character-defining elements, including masonry walls and wood windows, have been restored to maintain their historic appearance and upgraded to enhance energy efficiency, ensuring sustainable performance well into the future.

A  view down the Elgin Plaza with the glazed bridge and the Scott Fruit Building on the right. Series 900 Double Hung windows (dual pane with two coatings of low e) and Series 458 Fixed windows (three coatings of low e) by Winnipeg-based Duxton Windows & Doors were installed into new insulated walls on the interior side of the existing brick walls and behind the existing storm windows of the Scott Fruit Warehouse Building. New rough openings were made larger than existing brick openings to hide window frames in the wall for more visible glass area.

The facade of the new building includes Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) panels that change colour depending on the angle of view and the weather. Elastochem’s Insulthane Extreme. Used both internally above and below grade to achieve a thermal, air and vapour control layer, it was sprayed onto Dorken Delta-MS Drainboard in the below grade section while above grade only 2lb foam was necessary. 

The agora borders the atrium. The building is equipped with a high-efficiency central ERV system, specifically an RG 2000, by Winnipeg-based Tempeff. Acting as the building’s lungs, the ERV not only recovers heat, but also factors in humidity making it the best choice for occupant comfort in a cold climate. The ERV makes use of Dual-Core technology, allowing for continuous fresh air supply and frost-free operation in this climate.

Project Credits

  • Architect  Diamond Schmitt
  • Joint Venture Architect  Number TEN Architectural Group
  • Owner/Developer  RRC Polytech
  • General Contractor  Akman Construction Ltd
  • Landscape Architect  HTFC
  • Electrical Engineer  SMS Engineering Ltd
  • Mechanical engineer  Epp Siepman Engineering
  • Structural Engineer  Crosier Kilgour & Partners
  • Building Science  RDH Building Science
  • Photos  Doublespace photography and Lindsay Reid

Project Performance

  • Energy Intensity  112 KWhr/m2/year
  • Reduction in Energy Intensity  45%
  • Water Consumption from municipal source  934 litres/occupant/year
  • Reduction in Water Consumption  41%
  • Construction materials diverted from landfill  82%

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Interior Design Award

Aedifica Headquarters – Montreal, QC

Jury Comment: “This LEED Platinum certified interior fit out was impressive; addressing multiple quantitative and qualitative criteria including: efficient water and energy consumption, biophilia and diversity of spaces, low-emitting materials, enhanced air quality, occupant comfort and carbon neutral energy. The LCA documentation was comprehensive and the result refined and elegant.“

Ædifica is a multi-disciplinary design practice whose mission is to enrich human lives by creating sustainable, carbon-neutral and inspiring interiors, buildings and urban environments.

The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a review of the firm’s culture and how best to deliver its services moving forward. Ædifica decided to relocate to smaller premises and adopt a hybrid work policy which included teleworking and unassigned physical workplaces.

The location in Old Montreal was chosen for the wealth of nearby amenities, easy access by transit and bicycle, and the enduring qualities of the base building. Design ambitions for the project were both qualitative and quantitative:  healthy gourmet lunches served for free by a chef, efficient water and energy consumption, biophilia and a diversity of spaces, low-emitting materials, enhanced air quality, occupant comfort, and carbon neutrality in both energy and materials.

The open concept kitchen is the heart of the project. Employees can gather around and eat at the counter or in the brightly lit agora. This layout promotes interactions between co-workers and develops a sense of community. A happy hour zone has also been integrated into the agora to encourage impromptu festivities and thus strengthen team bonds.

With the wellness of its employees a top priority for the company, the new office includes a variety of spaces to create, work, eat and relax. Numerous plants have been installed through the space to contribute to the psychological well-being of staff.

A monumental shelf filled with vegetation separates the main entrance from the kitchen and shrubs are planted in large concrete pots in the agora. These are complemented by natural materials, such as wood (for flooring and furniture) and terrazzo.

Different spaces are designed to encourage collaboration between colleagues or focused individual work. Open-plan workstations, conference rooms, small offices and telephone booths have been designed to meet all possible needs.

Project Credits

  • Architect  Ædifica
  • Owner/Developer  Ædifica
  • General contractor  Sidcan
  • Electrical Engineer  Ædifica
  • Mechanical engineer  Ædifica
  • Commissioning Agent  Virgile Schwab
  • Photos  David Boyer

Project Performance

  • Energy Intensity  98 KWhr/m2/year
  • Reduction in Energy Intensity  20% (Based on ASHRAE 90.1)
  • Water Consumption from municipal source   2,834 litres/occupant/year
  • Reduction in Water Consumption  51%
  • Construction materials diverted from landfill 62%
  • Recycled materials content by value  10%

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Residential (Small) Award

SoLo House, Soo Valley, BC 

Jury Comment:  “This off -grid project provides an object lesson in how to address the imperatives of carbon neutrality, energy self-sufficiency, occupant health and more efficient, low-impact construction materials and methods: in short, how to future proof our built environment. Realized in a remote area, these lessons could nonetheless be applied in urban locations.“

SoLo house is a 380 sq.m, self sufficient, off-grid home with a 40 sq.m ancillary building, sitting lightly on a forested knoll overlooking the spectacular Soo Valley north of Whistler in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia.

Reflecting the client’s expressed intention to ‘Set a new benchmark for environmental performance, health and well-being’, SoLo is not a typical alpine home.

Rather, it is a prototype that demonstrates a unique approach to building off-grid in a remote environment where every choice has consequences. Challenging conventions in both aesthetics and construction, the prototype acts as a testing ground for low-energy systems, healthy materials, prefabricated and modular construction methods, and independent operations intended to inform the approach to larger projects. 

The house includes living space and a master bedroom suite on the main level linked to a sauna and storage space in the adjacent ancillary building. The upper level includes two more bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Given the valley’s extreme climate, it was critical to have an ‘enclosure-first’ approach to ensure energy efficiency and outstanding comfort. A two-layer solution was used for the enclosure with an outer heavy timber frame acting as a shield against the weather, and the heavily insulated inner layer acting as the thermal barrier.

With the goal of eliminating fossil fuels and combustion, SoLo includes a photovoltaic array and a geo-change system, with a hydrogen fuel cell for backup energy storage. To avoid snow build up in winter, the PV array is mounted vertically on the south elevation.  In addition, the house collects and treats its own drinking water and processes its waste water.

Because of the remote location and short construction season, modular building elements were fabricated off-site by a local contractor. This enabled quick erection of the building in the summer season while also minimizing the number of deliveries to the site and the amount of construction waste created.

Project Credits

  • Owner/Developer  Delta Land Developments
  • Architect  Perkins&Will
  • Structural Engineer  Glotman Simpson
  • Mechanical and Electrical Engineer  Integral Group
  • Building Envelope Consultant  RDH Building Science General
  • Contractor  Durfeld Construction
  • Code Consultant  GHL Consultants
  • Photos  Latreille Photography

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Mixed Use Award

LOBLAW’S GROCETERIA WAREHOUSE ADAPTIVE REUSE  – Toronto, ON

Jury Comment: “After standing idle for a decade, the adaptive reuse of this 1928 heritage structure is worthy of recognition. Within the context of the large mixed-use development that occupies the remainder of the site, it has catalyzed the revitalization of a section of Toronto’s waterfront. Conserving the embodied carbon in existing buildings is an increasingly important strategy in combating climate change.”

The 1928 Loblaws Groceteria warehouse was listed on the Toronto Register of Heritage Properties in 2001, but sat abandoned for over a decade. The 2020 restoration and adaptive re-use has preserved a remarkable example of Toronto’s waterfront industrial heritage, while introducing healthy food options, local retail and community services into a neighbourhood experiencing rapid intensification.

Perched on the south edge of a site bisected by the Gardiner Expressway, the warehouse was commercially unviable due to its small footprint, lack of services and structural deterioration. The architect devised a masterplan inserting high-rise residential towers at the north end of the site, with below-grade servicing and parking. The land value unlocked by this strategy financed the restoration and expansion of the Groceteria warehouse, which is reborn as a centre for food, retail, local services and employment in the Fort York neighbourhood.

A four-storey Class AAA office ‘pavilion’ sits lightly atop the 1928 structure, clad in glass and steel brises soleil and set back from existing exterior walls to allow a clear reading of historic and new elements. The renovated and expanded warehouse is fully accessible, and certified LEED Gold.

Preserving an historical building is an act of environmental responsibility. The architects retained the original footprint, and reinforced its structure to accommodate a modest but effective density increase.

The warehouse typology is highly adaptable to a range of programming. A ground floor ‘galleria’ of small shops is convenient for pedestrians stopping quickly as they go about their day. The entire second floor is occupied by a flagship Loblaw grocery store, offering groceries and freshly prepared meals for office workers and local residents. The new rooftop pavilion has space for 1,100 Loblaw’s digital economy workers.

The building is fully accessible. All entrances are flush with grade. A barrier-free lift at the south entrance enables visitors to negotiate an internal grade change on the ground floor.

 

Sloan products, supplied by Dobbin Sales, used in the project include: Designer Series Sink Systems, Touchless soap dispensers, high efficiency faucets and flushometers for water closets and urinals.

Project Credits

  • Architect  architects-Alliance
  • Associate Architect  ERA Architecture
  • Owner  Choice Properties Construction & Development
  • Developer  Wittington Properties
  • General Contractor (Heritage Building and Towers) 
  • EllisDon Ledcor PAAV Inc
  • General Contractor (Under Gardiner Plaza) 
  • Rochon Building Corp
  • Landscape Architect  NAK Design Strategies
  • Civil Engineer  LEA Consulting Ltd
  • Mechanical/Electrical Engineer  MCW Consultants
  • Structural Engineer  Read Jones Christoffersen [RJC]
  • Project Manager CD Capital
  • Heritage Contractor/Consultant  Historic Restoration Inc
  • Wayfinding/Signage Entro
  • Photos  Michael Muraz Photography, A-Frame Studio

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Existing Building Upgrade Award

500 MacNab Seniors’ Housing /Ken Soble Tower – Hamilton, ON

Jury Comment: “This project creates an important precedent, given the prevalence of this high-rise residential typology throughout North America. Achieving Passive House (EnerPHit) certification is a remarkable achievement. The loss of individual balconies is unfortunate, given the demographic of the occupants; a challenge for PH projects we hope may be overcome in the future.”

The transformation of 500 MacNab is a ground-breaking project rehabilitating a post-war apartment tower to the Passive House EnerPHit standard. This has reduced the associated greenhouse gas emissions by 94% and created a template for industry-wide housing renewal throughout North America.

Background

The tower was originally constructed in 1967 and by the start of this project had fallen into a state of disrepair to the point of being uninhabitable. An early consideration was whether to demolish the existing structure and build new, or to complete a retrofit and restore the building to a serviceable condition, consistent with today’s standards of durability and performance.

Ultimately, the team chose the retrofit option which extended the life of the existing cast-in-place concrete frame and part of the existing masonry envelope. The environmental impact and embodied carbon of the original construction were not wasted, nor unnecessarily duplicated in a new building. By pursuing a Passive House level retrofit, the ongoing operational carbon emissions of the building were drastically reduced and will support an extended service life.

Setting a Precedent

The first retrofit of its kind in North America, at 18 storeys and more than 7,500m2, the 500 MacNab transformation is now one of the largest EnerPHit certified projects in the world.

The project is the premier achievement to date in realizing the ambitions that are now part of Federal Policy and supported through the National Housing Strategy Repair and Renewal Fund.

Enhancing Performance

The most important strategy for reducing operational carbon is the high-performance Building envelope, which almost doubles the minimum insulation values required by code. Together with high levels of airtightness, this greatly reduces the overall heating and cooling demand. The envelope upgrades include R-38 effective over-cladding, passive-house certified windows and air sealing details to achieve 0.6ACH @50Pa.

Project Credits

  • Owner/developer  City Housing Hamilton
  • Architect  ERA Architects
  • General Contractor  PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
  • Landscape Architect  ERA Architects
  • Electrical Engineer  Nemetz & Associates
  • Mechanical engineer  Reinbold Engineering
  • Structural Engineer  Entuitive Corp
  • Commissioning Agent  CFMS West Consulting Inc
  • Passive House Consultant  JMV Consulting
  • Passive House Certifier  Herz & Lang Gmt
  • Building Envelope Consultant  Entuitive Corp
  • Photos  Doublespace Photography
  • Energy Intensity  145 KWhr/m2/year
  • Reduction in Energy Intensity  91 %

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Local 144 administrative office & training centre

Pointe-aux-Trembles, QC

Commercial/Industrial (Large) Award

Jury Comment: This project reflects the client’s remarkable commitment to exemplary building performance and the wellbeing of its employees. Low-carbon materials, a large photovoltaic array, and ultra low water consumption are combined with an attractive atrium, gardens and other social spaces.

This project arose from the desire of the plumbers’ union, the United Association – Local 144, to create a new head office and training facility for its members that would be warm, welcoming and at the same time, achieve the highest possible performance goals across a range of sustainable design criteria.

Located on an infill site in an industrial area at the east end of the Island of Montreal, the project offered both urban improvement and economic opportunities; restoring a former wasteland area and providing training facilities for local trades.

From the outset, the aim was to achieve LEED v4 Platinum certification (a first for an industrial building in Canada), with specific performance objectives including:  an 80% reduction in energy consumption, to be achieved in part by the installation of a 430-panel rooftop photovoltaic array; a reduction of 80% in potable water consumption; a partial wood structure to minimize embodied energy; passive design strategies to harvest daylight; and natural displacement ventilation for energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

The program is divided into two distinct pavilions joined by a footbridge. The differences in major occupancy, together with the required spans and spatial organization, led to the choice of a steel structure for the training centre and a mass timber structure for the administration building.

The central atrium of the Administrative building. Nordic Structures supplied FSC-certified cross-laminated timber slabs for the floor and roof, and glued-laminated timber posts and beams.

Large areas of translucent insulated panels by Kalwall on the south wall provide daylight to the workshop spaces and classrooms while maintaining a high-performance building envelope.

The heat for the radiant floors is produced by an optimized combination of geothermal and a Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada VRF air source heat pump system.

Project Credits

  • Owner/Developer  United Association – Local 144
  • Architect  Blouin Tardif Architectes
  • General contractor  SIMDEV
  • Landscape Architect  Guillaume Henri Hurbain Civil Engineer  NCK
  • Electrical/mechanical engineer  Martin & Roy Associés
  • Structural engineer  NCK
  • LEED consultant  WSP
  • Building envelope  REMATEK
  • Photos  Claude Dagenais, twohumans
  • Project Performance
  • Energy intensity (building and process energy) = 133 KWhr/m²/year
  • Energy intensity reduction relative to reference building under ASHRAE 90.1-2010 = 81%
  • Water consumption from municipal sources = 1,612 litres/occupant/year
  • Reduction in water consumption relative to reference building under LEED = 81%

Project Performance

  • Energy intensity (building and process energy) = 133 KWhr/m²/year
  • Energy intensity reduction relative to reference building under ASHRAE 90.1-2010 = 81%
  • Water consumption from municipal sources = 1,612 litres/occupant/year
  • Reduction in water consumption relative to reference building under LEED = 81%
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Integral Group Studio

Calgary, AB

Interior Design Award

Jury Comment: As we take on the challenge of circularity in the construction industry, this beautiful contemporary office interior shows what is achievable using reclaimed materials with a combination of commitment and creativity. The sources of materials are diverse, but the resulting design is cohesive and inspiring.

Even for an interior tenant fit out like this one, location is key. The Integral Group chose the location for their new offices in the Telus Sky Building based on walkability and proximity to transit; and in the Telus Sky Building, in particular, because it was designed to LEED Platinum standards, incorporated operable windows, natural light, and displacement ventilation.

The overall office design fosters a sense of community through a central kitchen and the inclusion of areas for social interaction, including a boardroom table that converts to a pool table. In addition, a lactation room welcomes working mothers and doubles as a quiet room for those in need of a minute alone. The goal was to create a fully inclusive working environment; and all spaces within the floor plan, including meeting rooms and offices, were designed to be fully accessible.

The main door to the office was shifted to be located equidistant from the stairs and elevator to encourage staff to take the stairs when possible. The building has a triple-glazed curtain wall system with low-emissivity coatings to allow daylight into the space while maintaining thermal comfort and reducing heating and cooling loads. Operable windows allow occupants to have fresh air, limiting the amount of mechanical ventilation required. A heat wheel reduces the heating and cooling load which reduces energy use.

The all-LED lighting is equipped with occupancy and daylight sensors located throughout the office to optimize occupant visual comfort and reduce energy use. The projected annual energy consumption for the office space is approximately 177 kWh/m2.

The project had a lofty goal to exceed 100% of waste diversion from landfill, which meant diverting waste not related to this project. Many of the materials selected were salvaged from other project sites or other uses and re-purposed for this project.

The all-LED lighting is equipped with occupancy and daylight sensors located throughout the office to optimize occupant visual comfort and reduce energy use. Fan coil units were supplied by Daikin Applied.

Project Credits

  • Owner/Developer  Integral Group
  • Architect LOLA Architecture
  • General Contractor  Eton-West Construction (Alta) Inc.
  • Electrical/mechanical  Integral Group
  • Commissioning Agent  Integral Group
  • Photos  Chris Amat

Project Performance 

  • Energy intensity (building and process energy) = 177 KWhr/m²/year
  • Energy intensity reduction relative to reference building under NECB 2011 LEED ACP = 7.2%
  • Water consumption from municipal sources = 7,400 litres/occupant/year
  • Reduction in water consumption relative to reference building under LEED = 20%
  • Recycled material content by value = 20%
  • Construction waste diverted from landfill = 100%
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Kitsilano Duplex Retrofit

Vancouver, BC

Residential (Small) Award

Jury Comment: Given the requirement to maintain the historic character of the neighbourhood, and the imperative to add density by creating a duplex, meeting Passive House performance at this scale is a remarkable achievement. This project should be an inspiration for others like it in Vancouver and elsewhere.

A rare Canadian example of a Passive House EnerPHit retrofit, this duplex was fashioned from a 1940s single-family home.  The original home had been in the same family since the 1950s and had recently been gifted down to the grandson and granddaughter of the original owner. They decided to convert the house into a duplex, keeping one half each, but also decided to upgrade it to meet Passive House standards.

Development in much of Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood is subject to character retention guidelines; and balancing the required upgrade to Passive House thermal performance with the need to maintain architectural heritage was very challenging. However, by choosing to renovate rather than demolish the house and build new, the owners were able to retain more than 60% of the original framing material.

This dramatically lowered the embodied carbon of the building. By adding new structure to the existing framing, it was possible to bring the house up to current structural and seismic standards, while using far less new material than would have been required in an all-new building. Less new material, also translated into less construction waste.

It was necessary to lift the house to install a new crawl space basement which acts as a mechanical room and storage space. To further reduce embodied carbon, a ‘concrete free’ basement slab was installed, constructed with two layers of 15mm plywood laid directly on rigid insulation and compacted gravel.

The completed duplex is fully electric, with both electric heating and hot water. Rough-ins for air-to-air heat pumps were also made for future space cooling if needed. As summers in Vancouver are getting warmer, space cooling may become necessary for comfort in many buildings. The duplex is expected to use approximately 14 kWh/m²/year and is Passive house certified. Triple pane PH-certified wood windows are used within a wall assembly that consists of 2×6 framing with 4” of exterior mineral wool insulation.

The house uses triple pane Passive House-certified windows and doors by VETTA Building Technologies Inc.

A Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada ductless heat pump handles heating and cooling.

Project Credits

  • Architect  DLP Architecture
  • General Contractor  Geography Contracting
  • Photos  Michael Renaud

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