Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/493534
A PR IL 2015 | 59 Faculty & Staff Housing - Nobel House UBC construction and all the consultants were always available. And we were able to reach our goal of REAP Gold, a [university designed] program similar to LEED – same methodologies, not changed a lot." REAP stands for Residential Environmental Assessment Program. Its goal is "to guide the development of all residential build- ings planned for the UBC Vancouver campus. REAP ensures lower consump- tion of water, energy and resources, and higher-quality indoor environments and construction practices." The REAP standards also work to lessen environmental impact on both the site and the community. REAP awards points based on performance in seven categories, including a sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmo- sphere, materials and resources, con- struction, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. "REAP is specifically for residential buildings, while LEED is limited in its residential role. REAP is oriented to this kind of construction. Commercial build- ings are, generally, less efficient than residential to start with," says Voute. As well as meeting the goal of REAP Gold, the building is already set to con- nect to the university's district energy system when it becomes available within the next year. Laura Vroom, interior designer for the project and principal at Laura Vroom Design, describes the apartments as having two distinct colour schemes. One is all white, with different tones giving a pleasing effect. The second is a dark espresso, with warmer tones. "The darker has proven to be more popular," says Vroom. "And most people prefer the wood-patterned vinyl laminate that is being offered in some suites, rather than the carpet. Perhaps because it is a pet-friendly building, people are choos- ing not to have carpeted floors." Each unit comes with six appliances, quartz countertops and radiant infloor heating. The building also has a dog- washing station, as well as a dedicated bike-wash and repair area. Derek Hyde of Williams Engineering Canada Inc. was mechanical consultant for the Nobel House project. Landscape architect was Michael Pat terson of Vancouver's Perry + Associates. E lec t r ic a l desig ner wa s Bija n Valagohar of Nemetz (S/A) & Associates; another Vancouver-based company. He says the project was "very simple. Wood-frame is easier than concrete, though there are structural challenges. The two lower f loor were a challenge for installers as it takes more work to place the panels. There's less room between studs. We designed the panels to fit into corners with less space than a concrete structure would allow. This is because, simply, a wooden structure needs more supports compared to a concrete building." Thomas Leung, president of Thomas Leung Structural Engineering, was involved from the start of the planning process: "We designed the structural plans for the building. It was a good team, good people. These six-storey wood buildings are a new thing in Canada." "It's really a remarkable project," adds Voute. "This six-storey woodframe building is the first for our office and one of the first in Western Canada. But from a structural point of view, it is a very solid building." A