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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | 25 Green Building Design Green building design is surpassing benchmarks with transformative strategies that are redefining the very fabric of construction by NATALIE BRUCKNER I n the ever-evolving landscape of Canadian architecture, the momentum of green building design surges forward at an accel- erated pace. As our understanding of environmental challenges evolves, so too does the urgency to innovate within the architectural sphere. It's no longer about just following rules; it's about learning to quickly adapt to the changing environment. Municipalities, regions, and provinces across Canada are fast-tracking the implementation of green building measures, surpassing original 2030 bench- marks, according to Terry Bergen, managing principal at RJC Engineers. They are achieving this by promptly implementing codes and standards that address oper- ational and embodied carbon concerns. Two core strategies underpin these efforts: reducing opera- tional carbon and minimizing embodied carbon. Bergen adds that design elements such as build- ing shape, form, and use significantly impact both operational and embodied carbon, too. "A build- ing with simple form and few structural transfers will have a more effective thermal envelope and less embodied carbon than a building with complicated form and several setbacks," Bergen explains. In green building design, HRV/ERV systems also play a pivotal role in optimizing energy effi- ciency. "Limiting the design loads the HRV/ERV has to manage is critical," says Bergen. "This involves thoughtful, integrated design – starting with a high- performance envelope and minimizing unintended gains or losses, while tightening the air barrier to minimize leakage and allow mechanical systems to be designed to known parameters. "Suite-to-suite or building compartmentalization also becomes a key consideration for design teams. When the exterior envelope is designed and built to exacting standards, interior inequities can become apparent if not accounted for." With regard to the energy demand, Bergen says that designing a fully electrified building with capacity for EVs is a challenge designs teams can easily overcome, however, it can require significant electrical supply that may require significant capital cost outside of the building itself. "One of the strat- egies here again is to limit the loads by designed high-performance, low intensity buildings. Society has a better understanding of the critical impor- tance of reducing the intensity of our buildings, and the importance of reducing this impact to the greatest extent possible. At RJC we are excited and passionate to help our communities tackle this chal- lenge, for all buildings new and existing." MONUMENTAL SHIF TS According to Lindsay Oster, principal architect at Prairie Architects Inc., green building design is currently experiencing a significant shift in focus, with embodied carbon emerging as a central con- cern. Oster highlights this growing emphasis on embodied carbon as a pivotal aspect of contempo- rary design discourse. While operational carbon has long been the primary focus in sustainable archi- tecture, the projection that the global building stock will double in size by mid-century underscores the need to address the carbon footprint of materials and construction processes. Oster and her team have embarked on a journey to scrutinize the materials and products they specify in their designs, utilizing lifecycle analysis software to gain a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability. This approach goes beyond the imme- diate environmental impact of a building's operations and considers the broader implications leading to the climate emergency. "It's been eye-opening. Using lifecycle analysis software has provided us with a more fulsome picture of what is truly sustain- able when taking into account larger consideration of the factors leading to the climate emergency. The challenges facing the industry are formida- ble, but Oster sees a path forward. "We really need quite a radical market transformation when it comes to tackling embodied carbon. The more we can edu- cate, innovate, and advocate as architects, the more we can move the dial when it comes to decarboniza- tion," Oster says. The team at Diamond Schmitt Architects (DSAI) has also witnessed a monumental shift in the green building design industry, transcending the status of niche specialization to become the overarching imperative of every construction endeavour. This transformation is driven by a collective commitment from industry stakeholders, including fabricators, contractors, clients, and policymakers. Amy Norris, OA A at DSAI says sustainability discussions now permeate every facet of the process, with particular emphasis on energy efficiency and embodied carbon. The advent of planning standards mandating sus- tainable designs looms large on the horizon, uniting all hands in the mission to create greener structures. DSAI is at the forefront of this revolution, boast- ing a portfolio of groundbreaking projects. "In particular, public projects with ambitious targets for operational and embodied carbon are challeng- ing our team to develop innovative solutions for building types that are traditionally very energy- intensive: research facilities such as the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre [ASEC)] in Moncton, NB, and the new City of Toronto Paramedic Services Multifunction Paramedic Station, all of which are targeting Net Zero Carbon," explains Norris. Looking forward, DSAI envisions a future marked by heightened collaboration and knowledge sharing. "Generating a sufficiently swift response to the climate crisis requires knowledge development and sharing above and beyond what we have expe- rienced to date. This is true both within the design profession and between design, consultant, and construction teams. It is imperative that we learn from each other and find better ways to organize and communicate the best solutions to the consider- able challenges ahead," says Norris. FOCUS ON WELL-BEING Taraah Den Boer, associate at Parkin, says she has also seen some remarkable developments over the past year that reflect a growing commitment to green building design. One notable achievement is the WELL Accreditation earned by the South Niagara Health project, signifying a substantial leap in health-focused health-care building design. "Another noteworthy project is the New Surrey Hospital, which emphasizes a reduction in the car- bon footprint by utilizing wood structures in public areas. Both of these projects in B.C. prioritize the 'Wood First' approach to mitigate the carbon foot- print," Den Boer explains. The West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, another example of Parkin's commitment to green building design, incorporates advanced features like elec- trochromic glazing and photovoltaic panels. This design not only prioritizes staff wellness and effi- ciency but also effectively reduces the building's carbon footprint, establishing new standards in health-care architecture. Den Boer acknowledges persistent challenges in the sector, such as supply chain issues and bud- get constraints for infection-resistant materials and suggests that early alignment of the project team and advocacy for sustainable, infection-resistant Greening The Blueprint

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