Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1054412
DECEMBER 2018 | 23 PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM ARBAN/COURTESY WSP CANADA INC. Green Building Design Hansen's approach to green building design is refreshing. Instead of seeing challenges he sees fantastic opportunities ahead. "The advent in how quickly things are moving and big data and its influence on sustainability means that the sophisticated owner has a greater understanding that green building design isn't just about a sustainable building, it includes everything from the operation of the building to the wellness of its occupants. Afterall, you can have the highest performance building but if it doesn't fulfill the need of the occupant, it isn't hitting the mark." When it comes to technologies and systems, Hansen says "the systems are pretty set and we have the technologies available to help us meet Passive Design principles. What I see coming down the pipeline next is on and offsite storage and production – integrating systems, thermally and electri- cally, within the community and the district." As for projects that truly showcase green building design, Hansen defers to 1400 Alberni Street – the world's tallest Passive House building. "Passive House is still relatively new in Canada and you are starting to see some applications at a mixed-use residential/commercial level, but to be building it on this scale is new to Canada. You need to have something to show people what's possible." Mark Bessoudo at WSP says he is also continuing to see an emphasis on a building's carbon performance, as opposed to just the energy performance, and says this is a result of government policies such as Canada's national carbon reduction commitments. "WSP is currently working with the CaGBC and several funding partners to quantify the cost for getting new buildings to zero carbon," explains Bessoudo. "What's interesting about this study is that we're looking at how different factors – from asset type and size to climate zone and carbon-intensity of the electricity grid – influence the cost designing for near-zero and net-zero carbon performance." WSP has been working with Canada's federal government to develop a plan for achieving deep carbon reductions at the individual asset level and across entire departmental portfolios. Bessoudo agrees that health and wellness also continue to be prioritized for both property managers and tenants. "We've seen more inter- est with the Fitwel Certification System over the past year, and the recent launch of WELLv2 has also garnered attention." The Bentall Kennedy's new corporate office at One York in downtown Toronto, where WSP acted as sustainability advisor, is a great example of their involvement in the green building design sector. "The project achieved WELL for New and Existing Interiors Silver certification [WELL v1], making it one of the first projects in Canada to achieve certification. The project implemented extensive design strategies to enhance the environmental quality of the space, including a biophilic design plan," says Bessoudo. BC Hydro is continuing with its commitment to work with companies and individuals to make it easier to go green. Bentall Kennedy's offices, Toronto, ON. University of Toronto Scarborough | Environmental Science and Chemistry Building | LEED ® Gold Langara College Science & Technology Building | LEED ® Registered For over 70 years, we have been passionate about bringing our client's vision to reality through creative and environmentally responsive design solutions.