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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 21 Green Building Design R EN D ER I N G BY C I C A DA D E S I G N I N C . + 9 5 D EG R EE /CO U RT E S Y PA R K I N A RC H I T EC T S Green building design experts innovate with resilient construction practices to enhance sustainability and well-being by NATALIE BRUCKNER G reen building design is entering a bold new chapter, driven by the relentless pursuit of zero carbon and innovative sustainability standards. With the release of the updated Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard v4, experts in the industry are harnessing cutting-edge technologies to slash emissions and transform the built environment. This year, the industry's focus sharpens on adaptability and human well-being, setting the stage for an era where sustainable design is more than a goal – it's the blueprint for the future. ARCHITECTUR AL FOCUS Lindsay Oster, principal architect at prairie architects, says that when it comes to green building design there is continued focus on eliminating greenhouse gases and incorporating lifecycle analysis, with embodied carbon increasingly influencing design decisions. "Many of the RFPs we are seeing emphasize these aspects," she notes. Oster adds that many of their projects are pursuing funding from agencies like CMHC's National Housing Strategy, Affordable Housing Fund, and the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings fund. Each has strict requirements for energy efficiency and carbon reduction, aligning with the broader trend toward net-zero design. However, she emphasizes that as projects move toward energy and carbon- focused certifications, there is a need to balance these with human health and well-being considerations. "We are selectively choosing metrics from various certification frameworks to ensure both environmental and human factors are prioritized in future projects," she explains, reflecting a nuanced approach to sustainable design. SUSTAINABLE HEALTH-CARE DESIGN Parkin Architects is at the forefront of participating in the collaboration of integrating green building design into health-care architecture, addressing the evolving demands of both the industry and the environment. Their designs reflect a collaborative commitment between the design team, contractors, and owners to minimize operational and embodied carbon while promoting well- being for patients and staff. Key innovations developed by teams include using high-performance mechanical systems like Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs), and fully electrifying facilities to reduce reliance on fossil fuel. One standout project is the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement in B.C., a collaborative effort that is set to be the province's first all-electric health-care facility. Designed with future climate resiliency in mind, it targets the CaGBC Zero Carbon Building standard. This hospital also pioneers the first 'embodied carbon pain share/gain share model,' which incentivizes lower carbon approaches throughout the design and construction phases. Looking ahead, Parkin is focusing on regenerative design. The goal of Parkin's Sustainability Team is to collaboratively develop public buildings that give back to their ecosystems, generating more energy than they consume and implementing water treatment solutions that support local marine life. Through bio-based materials and circular design principles, Parkin aims to reduce the environmental impact of their projects while setting new standards for sustain- ability in health-care design across Canada. CARBON REDUCTION STR ATEGIES As climate goals tighten and demand for housing increases, architects face a growing challenge: building more while emitting less. Jeff Mitchell, senior associate at Diamond Schmitt (dsai), highlights the importance of leveraging existing building stock and retrofitting to meet these goals. "Clients are now considering reusing their own existing buildings because it has an embodied carbon benefit," Mitchell explains. "If it's not in the regulation yet, it soon will be." He notes that embodied carbon limits, along with balancing whole life cycle emission, are becoming critical considerations in green building certifications like the CAGBC Zero Carbon Design Standard. Diamond Schmitt has been at the forefront of sustainable design, incorpo- rating low-carbon materials in projects like the Humber Cultural Hub – which uses mass timber on top of a new concrete structure – and the renovation of Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law. Then there's the National Arts Centre in Ottawa – a mass timber renovation project. These renovated buildings inherently lower embodied carbon. "The big decisions on structural material account for 50 percent of a project's carbon footprint. Lightening the structure and reusing existing buildings have a huge impact." CLIMATE RESILIENCE As climate change intensifies, buildings must adapt to more frequent extreme weather events. Eric Campbell, engineer and sustainability advisor at Introba, emphasizes the urgency of rethinking building design, noting that "designs relying on current codes based on outdated weather patterns are showing their limitations." To address this, he says resilience planners are stepping in to help building owners and project teams assess location-specific climate risks. They translate these risks into practical Climate Adaptation Measures (CAMs) to safeguard buildings from heatwaves, floods, and other climate impacts. According to Campbell, "Measures like adding external shading or moving electrical systems away from flood-prone areas not only protect against extreme weather but can also reduce carbon emissions." Building For Tomorrow Cowichan District Hospital Replacement, Duncan, B.C.

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