Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/137453
Conservation is the largest living building project in North America and encompasses that attitude adjustment. "They rose up and embarked in this great experiment, which has only just begun," says Bolus, of the year-old building, one of the most sustainable in the world. While the Jim Pattison Centre is groundbreaking for North America, European countries are way ahead when it comes to green and sustainable practices, according to Vaidila Banelis, partner with Zeidler Partnership Architects. Green roofs, for example, have a very long history in Europe. Zeidler utilizes green roofs on many of its projects, such as Ryerson's Student Learning Centre (due to open in 2014), as well as high-albedo roofs in areas that are not visible, to minimize the reflection of heat back into the environment. Projects like Zeidler's Dalhousie University LeMarchant Residence boasts a green roof, a highperformance skin and a grey-water system. Banelis notes, "Grey-water systems are not always appropriate for other structures, such as downtown office buildings, which can sometimes create an overabundance of grey water." While a modified grey-water system can satisfy LEED standards, strategies such as sophisticated mechanical equipment and performance windows marry well with add-ons such as charging stations for cars, bike parking priority and change rooms for cyclists. They tick boxes for LEED certification, but also allow buildings to offer a working environment closer to a European model. Balancing that high-quality internal environment with sustainability requires compromise and education. Ali Syed, senior energy manager at Hemisphere Engineering, says there can be a disconnect between what the client wants and what is required for LEED certification. "Right-sizing bridges the gap between client expectation versus the reality of sustainability," Syed says. "Most clients want to provide a very high level of cooling so they tend to oversize, which is not in keeping with LEED standards." Technology that senses the presence of people in Ryerson University's Student Learning Centre. Courtesy Zeidler Partnership Architects. 32/ june 2013 p30-33Sustainable.indd 32 Royal Jubilee Hospital patient tower in Victoria; the largest LEED Gold certified hospital in Canada. Courtesy HH Angus. a room and will adjust the temperature as needed is key in spaces like boardrooms, which are rarely occupied for full days. Other strategies that involve simple technologies include intelligent lighting designs that utilize free lights; heat recovery from drainwater and utilizing fan walls instead of single giant fans. But some mechanical systems can throw a curveball. When Hemisphere took on the mechanical design of the 600,000-square-foot Edmonton Remand Centre, it served up a plethora of challenges, as they strategized to attain H-factors to meet LEED requirements, amid high-security demands. Scott Philips, engineering manager with Williams Engineering, says tackling these and other challenges while attaining sustainable goals involves looking at each project from a holistic perspective. "From a design perspective, it comes down to the talents of the individuals delivering the project. The problem with the LEED system is it is a very prescriptive approach," says Philips. Williams Engineering tries to ensure that at the outset the architect puts a very good skin on the building to reduce mechanical requirements. Philips is a fan of variable refrigerant flow systems because of the precision and ease of use. But he doesn't reject existing systems, such as in the University of Calgary's administration building, where the existing dual-duct system is being replaced and the control system is being upgraded, rather than ditching the system altogether. He adds that in North America, "It's a game of pennies, which makes it hard to work financially. If you go to Sweden it is a different philosophy entirely." Alex McGowan, VP of technical services, with Levelton Consultants, feels that government subsidies have made some sustainable practices more costeffective for North Americans in recent years. "In the 70s they talked about many of the principles that are still true today. This includes siting the building properly, the orientation of windows and building a thermal mass within the building. Some of the biggest changes in this area have been the subsidizing of solar electric so it is almost cost-effective," says McGowan. "When I first started 25 years ago, nobody could afford to use solar. You'd have to be a real green-bean to even consider it." Beyond following a set of sustainable practices, Levelton focuses on designing durable buildings, where all building components are chosen based on their ability to stand the test of time. McGowan also stresses the importance of integrated design versus disintegrated design. "Sometimes you've got all these people running around trying to collect LEED points instead of working together as a team. You need to have someone on the team who understands the durability process," he explains. Derek Neale, principle with NSDA Architects, believes that LEED and ASHRAE standards will help coax societal attitudes, but it may take some time. Only about 20 per cent of NSDA clients (publicly funded facilities) are requesting LEED certification. "In the future, the exterior of buildings will look very different because of the code requirements," Neale says. "If you look at publicly-funded social housing, for example, it doesn't look like market condominiums." But NSDA proves you don't need to sacrifice beauty for sustainability. Projects like Kordyban Lodge in Prince George highlight locally sourced wood in the design, often in unique structural ways. Aside from discovering more interesting use of materials, though, Neale sees shifts in attitudes informing building design. "This change in attitude goes beyond the design of the building itself, and looks at how parking is dealt with, for example. More and more young people are choosing not to own a car, and with the increase in public transportation, those are big factors in how we will design buildings in the future," Neale adds. Greg Borowski, principle of Merrick Architecture, would like society to also look back when planning for the future, by addressing energy efficiency in existing buildings, in particular the retrofit of the enormous existing building stock to provide better energy efficiency and greater user comfort. He notes the advantages of radiant heating and cooling systems to provide optimum user comfort with low energy use and no air movement or noise. Of course getting it right the first time, as Merrick did with three parcels of Vancouver's Olympic Village (LEED Platinum and LEED Gold standards), is always the best option. No matter what sustainable practices dictate, sustainable building design will likely always be a steady, balancing dance between human attitudes, centuries-old practices, and high-tech innovation. ■ Sustainable Design Strategies 13-05-30 2:05 PM