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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 23 Green Building Design This low carbon resilience approach integrates energy-saving strategies with resilient designs, ensuring that buildings are not just surviving, but thriving in a changing climate. "In the long run," says Campbell, "this boosts both safety and value." HIGH-PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS Innotech Windows + Doors is making significant strides in green building design through its involvement with the Brightside Community Homes Foundation project in East Vancouver. Innotech manufactured and installed 375 Passive House Institute (PHI)-certified windows and terrace doors in 19 differ- ent configurations for Brightside's two new buildings, Timbre and Harmony. These high-performance windows not only support the project's ambitious Passive House certification goals but also provide exceptional sound resistance, ensuring comfortable and healthy living environments for seniors. Jessica Owen, brand champion at Innotech, highlights the company's commitment: "Our PHI-certified windows play a key role in creating sustain- able, energy-efficient homes that meet stringent Passive House standards." By contributing to this 157-unit not-for-profit rental development designed by Ryder Architecture, Innotech is at the forefront of low-carbon, high-performance build- ing solutions, helping to shape more sustainable, resilient housing for the future. INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers remains committed to continuously reducing embodied carbon in its designs by leveraging collaboration between the Sustainability Committee and the Automation and BIM teams. They have developed integrated technology tools for building design that redefine project possibilities by providing essential information about embodied carbon and reduction strategies from the early phases of design. This approach allows the firm to establish internal benchmarks while encouraging others in the industry to adopt similar practices. The firm's achievements in 2023 represent just the initial steps in a long-term effort to reduce emissions, aligning with the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Glotman Simpson is proactive in adapting to evolving green building regula- tions, particularly in B.C. Recent updates to the Vancouver Building By-law and CALGreen codes have prompted a reassessment of design workflows, incorporating a comprehensive view of embodied carbon at both the elemental and whole building scales. Recent projects highlight this commitment to sustainability, such as a post- secondary school project where optimizing the concrete mix resulted in an 11 percent reduction in embodied carbon, showcasing the firm's dedication to combining structural efficiency with environmentally friendly principles. RETROFIT TING FOR SUSTAINABILIT Y The experts at RJC Engineers continue to see ever growing emphasis placed on carbon reduction over energy efficiency in green building design. "Historically, energy has been top priority, but carbon emissions, especially embodied car- bon, are now understood as top priority," says Wendy Macdonald, sustainability consultant at RJC. Retrofitting existing buildings has become central to reducing both opera- tional and embodied carbon. "Keeping structures intact is key," says Macdonald, emphasizing the environmental and financial benefits. Collaborative efforts, like SE 2050 and the Responsible Buildings Pact, are helping the industry address these challenges together. RJC's commitment to sustainability is reflected in its work with a post- secondary institution in B.C., where they're advising on new student housing. "This is a massive investment that will shape the campus for decades," says Terry Bergen, managing principal at RJC. Using tools like RJC Aspire – a concept stage tool designed to enable holistic, carbon-conscious building design – they assessed factors like massing, energy efficiency, and carbon impact in just hours, a process that once took months. RJC's work in sectors like rental housing also underscores the growing demand for cost effective, climate-friendly construction. The speed of adaptation, however, remains a challenge. "The industry is traditionally cautious, but we're being pushed to adopt new methods quickly," Macdonald explains. New initiatives and shared data are helping establish clear benchmarks as the industry moves toward low carbon, resilient buildings. Ask us about the Defender 88PH+ XI: the rst Passive House Institute (PHI) cold climate certied window system manufactured in North America! E V O LV E I N VA N CO U V E R , B C Pa s s i ve H o u s e M u l t i - Fa m i l y P ro j e c t by ZG F A rc h i te c t s a n d Pe a k Co n s t r u c t i o n . Windows + Doors for Passive House Projects Innotech Windows + Doors is a Canadian manufacturer of high-performance windows and doors. The Defender 88PH+ System combines decades of fenestration knowledge to deliver a robust window and door system that is not only Passive House Institute certied, but that also delivers the air, water and structural performance required for highly sustainable housing developments. innotech-windows.com

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