Greening UBC Okanagan By Jill Mitchell Engineering, Management and Education Complex (EME).
UBC Okanagan is taking sustainability
ting-edge,’ but we’re going one step be-
ings in winter and cool them in summer
to the next level. The Kelowna-based
yond that – we’re going ‘bleeding-edge.’
– as the main energy source. Existing
educational institution is receiving in-
The world needs to see what we did,”
Okanagan campus academic buildings
ternational acclaim for its environmental
says Antle. He adds that, to achieve su-
are being retrofitted to include the geo-
initiatives and quickly earning a reputa-
perior indoor environmental quality and
system as well. The geo-exchange tech-
tion on the post-secondary scene as the
reduce energy consumption, passive
nology (which is estimated to eliminate
greenest campus in North America.
design elements were implemented,
38,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emis-
The Engineering, Management and
specifically natural/wind-driven displace-
sions over the next 25 years) will reduce
Education Complex (EME) and the Arts
ment ventilation, high thermal mass, an
the campus’s environmental footprint
& Sciences II building are two new LEED
efficient envelope, radiant slab heating
while meeting the climate-control needs
Gold additions to the UBC Okanagan
and cooling, a district aquifer geother-
of the large campus buildings.
campus. The focus is on the future, says
mal system, efficient fume exhaust sys-
project manager Lorne Antle of UBC
tems and heat reclamation systems.
This technology has never before been used on such a massive scale – and
Properties Trust, with water conserva-
All new buildings on the 8,000-student
it’s working surprisingly well, according
tion, energy reduction and geothermal
campus are designed to incorporate
to Antle. “The return on this has been
energy at the projects’ forefront.
geothermal energy – using water from
exciting!” he enthuses. “It’s expensive,
deep underground wells to heat build-
but it is carbon-free. This place is going
“Everyone’s familiar with the term ‘cut-
Existing Okanagan campus academic buildings are being retrofitted to include the geo-system as well. 28
Ops Talk • Spring 2013
