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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 | 51 Evolve – UBC P H OTO G R A P H Y + R EN D ER I N G CO U RT E S Y U B C P RO P ERT I E S T RUS T EVOLVE – UBC by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he new six-storey faculty and staff housing project, Evolve, is the first of its kind on the University of British Columbia's (UBC) Vancouver campus. Not only is the building believed to be Canada's larg- est residential building with a Passive House design, but it has been designed with climate resilience in mind. "UBC and UBC Properties Trust [UBCPT] have always welcomed oppor- tunities to provide the most innovative and cutting-edge buildings," explains Fauzia Suleman, project manager at UBCPT. "During initial concept discussions for the building, it was brought to UBCPT's attention that there was funding available from Natural Resources Canada [NRCan] that would help cover the additional premium for building a Passive House building, along with some funding to enable ongoing monitoring of energy usage and building systems to support UBC research. UBCPT in partner- ship with UBC applied and received the grant from NRCan. This began the programming and design for building a residential Passive House building at UBC Point Grey." While simple in form, the build- ing incorporates a great number of green building features, among them: a thicker envelope assembly; an auto- mated thermostat that turns on/off when the windows are open/closed; solar panels on the roof; white metal shrouds around the exterior glazing for additional shading; and perforated exterior shading screens to mitigate solar overheating. The design also utilizes the build- ing's orientation in Wesbrook Village. "The building was orientated to work best with its context and urban plan- ning," explains Liam Davis, architect at ZGF Architects Inc. "To mitigate solar gain each of the building's ele- vations were designed and detailed with different applications of passive shading methods based on their ori- entation to the sun's path: the North elevation will see minimal direct sun and has no shading elements applied; the South elevations will see the mid- day sun and have fixed shading treatments to windows; and the East and West elevations will see the lower and more direct morning/afternoon sun and have both fixed and operable shading treatments to the windows." While incredibly functional, Davis says the bronze-toned solar shad- ing also creates a striking aesthetic and acts as an education component by demonstrating how the building responds to this solar orientation. The exterior features simple recti- linear forms that articulate the overall building mass, reduces its overall apparent size, and creates opportuni- ties to express building entries with keyways through the building. Suleman explains that the colours used on the building exterior – light grey, charcoal Hardie panels, and char- coal corrugated metal panels – add texture to the exterior surface. "This was diversified using the perforated metal exterior shading screens in a dis- tinct bronze colour. The theme for this building was to use cool, sustainable, LOCATION 3518 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, B.C. OWNER /DEVELOPER UBC Properties Trust ARCHITECT ZGF Architects Inc. GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Peak Construction Group STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT RJC Engineers MECHANICAL CONSULTANT AME Consulting Group Ltd. ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Jarvis Engineering Consultants Ltd. INTERIOR DESIGN Portico Design Group L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Perry + Associates TOTAL SIZE 103,072 square feet TOTAL COST Undisclosed and earthy elements throughout the interior and exterior of the building." Sean Courtenay, VP construction at Peak Construction Group, says this exterior plywood sheathing that is used as the air-barrier was incredibly interesting and something they had not done previously. On top of the building, and hid- den from sight, is a rooftop covered with solar panel arrays that produce enough electricity to power the build- ing's common area lighting load. "Adding the solar panel array on the roof required a significant upgrade to the roof structure from a typical building," says Courtenay. On entering the building lobby, residents will come upon a preserved moss wall that Suleman explains highlights the sustainable vibe – reminding residents that they live in a sustainable-focused building. "The interior finishes of the building are comprised of tile, LV T, carpet tile, and wallpaper in the corridors. There is an indoor lounge area that leads to the courtyard on the east side of the build- ing as well as a rental guest suite for resident faculty and staff members to book for visiting family and friends." The main entry, which connects to this amenities space, also has a direct connection to the exterior courtyard.

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