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Tag: Institutional (Small) Award

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Institutional (Small) Award – WINDERMERE FIRE STATION 31, Edmonton, AB

Jury Comment: “A fine example of a building in which the form is driven by its performance targets, the sustainability strategies required, and the technologies employed to implement them. The result is simple and elegant, a radical and refreshing departure from the traditional architectural responses to this typology.“

Windermere’s Fire Station 31 is both symbolic and functional, extending the role of this building type as a trusted civic presence and anchor for the neighbourhood. The project site was unbuilt and unremarkable – essentially a blank slate. The challenge was to design an expressive structure that would foster community pride while integrating advanced environmental technology.

The City of Edmonton requested a highly sustainable project that would generate on-site renewable energy equal to 100% of total building energy needs. The facility was also required to have an energy performance 40% more efficient than NECB 2011, reduce GHG emissions by at least 40% relative to  the baseline, and operate at 80 kwh/m2/year for heating needs.

In response, the building re-imagines the traditional fire station design by replacing the now-redundant hose and bell tower form with a gently curving, south-facing roof adorned with photovoltaic panels. Further sustainable strategies include optimal southern orientation for natural light, geothermal systems, well insulated and high-performance windows, and quick-closing apparatus bay doors to minimize heat loss.  Windemere Fire Station 31 underscores a shared commitment between the City of Edmonton and the design team, to sustainable public infrastructure and a healthier future for citizens.

The site of Fire Station 31 is south of a local public school and low-rise apartment buildings, and north of a new commercial centre. The station is well located for emergency response and to meet the functional requirements of Edmonton’s Fire Rescue Services. The building is a single-storey, three-bay design that provides full fire fighting services.

Integration of passive systems is optimized by the southern orientation of the building, which maximizes  natural daylighting as well as creating maximum efficiency for the photovoltaic panels on the south- facing roof. The facility also has significantly fewer windows than the average building to reduce heat loss. Solar panels, geothermal systems and bi-folding and quick-closing apparatus bay doors which restrict heat loss from typical use, are active systems which are employed to enhance the overall performance of the building.

Project Credits

  • Client  City of Edmonton
  • Design Architect  gh3* (Toronto)
  • Prime Consultant  S2 Architecture, (Edmonton)
  • Structural engineer  RJC Engineers
  • Mechanical/Electrical Engineers  Smith and Andersen
  • Sustainability  Ecoammo
  • Civil Engineering and Landscape Design gh3* and Urban Systems
  • Interiors  gh3* and Urban Systems
  • General Contractor  PCL Construction
  • Photos  Raymond Chow/ gh3*

Project performance

  • Energy Use Intensity (Projected) = 94 kWh/m2/year With solar panels operational, EUI will be 0 kWh/m²/year
  • Water Use Intensity (Projected)  104 m³/m²/year

 
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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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Gastown Child Care Centre

Vancouver, BC

Institutional (small) Award

Jury Comment: This simple and elegant project is an innovative response to the acute shortage of childcare spaces in a city experiencing rapid densification. It seems fitting that the expansive roof of an underused downtown parkade should be repurposed to serve the needs of urban families. 

The Gastown Child Care Centre is a creative response to an intriguing City of Vancouver initiative to develop child care centres on the roofs of under-utilized parkades located in the downtown core. This innovative solution features two 400m² prefabricated, 37-seat, Passive House and LEED Gold-certified child care facilities to serve the immediate needs of the local community.

The design solution focused on net-zero energy and low carbon fuel sources, as well as specifications that prioritized materials and products with Environmental Product Declarations, Healthy Building Declarations and transparent sourcing.

To optimize efficiency, economy, and repeatability, various elements of the two buildings, including the canopy, support plinth, enclosure, and outdoor play are virtually identical prefabricated components. A raised construction crane located in an alley between the two parkades allowed vehicles to pass below while prefabricated glulam structures, insulated wood cassettes, and outdoor play area components were lifted to the top of the parkades for assembly.

An elevated large-span steel platform allows surface rainwater to flow into the existing drainage system and the new structural loads are efficiently transferred to the parkade structure to avoid the need for costly seismic upgrades.

Oriented toward Burrard Inlet, with spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains, the rusty red-hued buildings, bright yellow storage sheds, bold and colourful outdoor play areas, and a multi-coloured tricycle court provide a variety of opportunities for imaginative play. An open-air bridge spans the alley between the parking structures, connecting the two child care buildings and making them one facility.

The north elevations of both child care buildings have triple-glazed windows and sliding doors by Cascadia Windows & Doors, offering large views, ample daylight and direct access to an outdoor play area, sheltered by a translucent glazed canopy.

Project Credits

  • Owner/Developer  City of Vancouver
  • Architect  Acton Ostry Architects Inc
  • General contractor  Heatherbrae Builders
  • Landscape Architect  Durante Kreuk
  • Electrical/mechanical engineer  The Integral Group
  • Structural engineer  Fast + Epp
  • Passive House Consultant  Ryder Architecture
  • Commissioning Agent  C.E.S. Engineering Ltd
  • Acoustic consultant  RWDI
  • LEED Consultant  Stantec LEED
  • Special Consultant  Environmental Solutions
  • Code Certified Professional  GHL Consultants
  • Photos  Michael Elkan Architectural Photography

Project Performance

  • Energy intensity (building and process energy) = 65.4 KWhr/m²/year
  • Energy intensity reduction relative to reference building under NECB 2011 = 68%
  • Water consumption from municipal sources = 4,357 litres/occupant/year
  • Reduction in water consumption relative to reference building under LEED = 26%
  • Construction waste diverted from landfill = 65%

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Green Gables Visitor Centre

Cavendish, PEI

Institutional (Small) Award

Jury Comment: With its multiple passive design strategies and mass timber structure, this seasonal building will subtly educate 125,000 visitors annually on the principles of sustainability. A contemporary expression of Prince Edward Island vernacular building, it fits harmoniously into its physical and cultural context.

The Visitor Centre is situated on 16 acres of rural land, the setting for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s highly successful 1908 novel ‘Anne of Green Gables’. Acquired by Parks Canada in the 1930s, the property has become the province’s most popular tourist destination. A 2015 survey determined that the existing facilities needed renovation and expansion to accommodate the growing number of visitors. The new program elements, which include the Lucy Maud Montgomery Exhibition space, a main lobby atrium, a gift shop, and public washrooms, are deliberately dispersed to more evenly distribute visitors, who may number more than 1,000 at a time.

The Visitor Centre acts as the main arrival point, connecting the property through a circulation axis that also frames views to the original farmhouse. Parks Canada wanted a structure that would be respectful of the historic house and the vernacular buildings of the region, yet provide highly functional modern visitor facilities. Heritage restrictions apply to the Green Gables House and courtyard, but in the areas where the Visitor Centre is located they are much more relaxed. 

This offered the opportunity to reinterpret the wood building tradition of PEI in a contemporary way.  The use of exposed engineered mass timber elements maintains the aesthetic of the original wood structures, but is a more sustainable choice than traditional post and beam. In other areas, conventional parallel chord and gable trusses are supported on wood frame walls. Locally fabricated nail laminated timber (NLT) panels eliminate the need for purlins, while concealed connectors further enhance the contemporary look.

The steel roofs on the buildings were installed using Cascadia clips to reduce thermal bridging.

PROJECT CREDITS

  • Client  Parks Canada with PSPC providing design revies and Project Management
  • Architectural Design, Interiors and Prime Consultant  root architecture inc
  • Engineering  Traffic, Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical – CBCL Limited
  • Contractor Phase one and Three  Fitzgerald & Snow (2010) Ltd
  • Contractor Phase Two  Williams Murphy & MacLeod (1993) Ltd
  • Landscape Architecture Vollick McKee Petersmann & Associates Ltd.
  • Photos  Julian Parkinson
  • Drawings  root architecture inc

Project Performance

  • Energy intensity (building and process energy) = 173.45KWhr/m²/year
  • Energy intensity reduction relative to reference building under ASHRAE 90.1 – 2007 = 23.35%
  • Water consumption from municipal sources = 485 litres/occupant/year
  • Reduction in water consumption relative to reference building under LEED =  42.4%
  • Recycled material content by value = 10%
  • Construction waste diverted from landfill = 15%
  • Regional materials by value = 30%

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