BC FOCUS spring 2019

BRITISH COLUMBIA BRITISH COLUMBIA

Canada Green Building Council

ISSUE 7, SPRING 2019, British Columbia Chapter - CaGBC Regional Publication /

FOCUS

“It is all about market transformation!”

Michelle Mungall, BC Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources on the new CleanBC Building Innovation Fund

Aperture Multi-residential LEED Gold infill scaled to young and empty nesters alike

Study The Financial Case for Zero Carbon Buildings

SPRING 2019 | BC FOCUS

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*Terms and conditions apply. FortisBC may modify or cancel programs at any time. FortisBC Inc. and FortisBC Energy Inc. use the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. (19-022.13.6 05/2019) 2 SPRING 2019 | BC FOCUS

Message from the British Columbia Chapter of the CaGBC Welcome to the spring issue of BC FOCUS produced in partnership with SABMag. Here at the Chapter we continue to celebrate and promote sustainable design and building innovation and we are happy to showcase a number of examples in this issue. We also are excited to bring you relevant updates on green building policy and research that relate to the market in BC and across Canada.

Beyond this edition, this spring the BC Chapter looks forward to building momentum in the conversation around the low carbon economy as we host multiple zero carbon events including a full day summit called Accelerating to Zero Building Solutions for a Low Carbon Economy.

This summit is aimed to educate, inform and inspire leaders in the green building industry and help them leverage new opportunities presented by a low carbon economy.

CaGBC and BC Chapter are also looking forward to sharing more about the updates to LEED V4.1, and how it is becoming better aligned with BC policies, including the BC Step Code. Please stay tuned to our website to find out about these anncoucements and our many upcoming events and educational workshops.

We hope you find this issue educational and informative. A special thank you to our volunteers, members, partners and friends in developing and providing some of this edition’s content, and of course our sponsors and advertisers who have helped make this publication happen. Our next edition of the BC FOCUS will be coming to you in the fall. Please continue to share with us your projects, lessons, and succeesses as we continue to showcase the many inspiring stories of the green building sector in BC. These publications, and your support of the Chapter, greatly contribute to the strenthening, promotion, and success of our green building community.

Brad Doff, MES, Env. SP, LEED Green Assoc.

Morgan McDonald

Chapter Engagement Specialist, BC Chapter

Director of Operations, Ledcor Renew

Canada Green Building Council

Chair, BC Chapter, Canada Green Building Council

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See the winning projects of the 2019 Canadian Green Building Awards published in the Summer issue of SABMag.

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SPRING 2019 | BC FOCUS

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Category Sponsors

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See a digital version of CaGBC British Columbia Chapter FOCUS at http://bit.ly/28O6xsr

In this issue SPRING 2019

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6. Volunteer profile: Sofia Marmolejo

28. Closing the Zero Carbon Skills Gap: 20. Aperture: Multi-residential LEED Gold infill scaled to young and empty nesters alike Report findings have application to BC

7. Membership Update

24. New Study Proves the Financial Case for Zero Carbon Buildings

8. Upcoming events and workshops

30. Tech-Crete Profile: Improving the Envelope

10. Hornby Island Fire Hall: Public input leads to resilient construction, low operating costs

26. “It’s all about market transformation.”

Interview with Michelle Mungall, BC Minister of 15. Okanagan College: Trades Renewal Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources on the new CleanBC Building Innovation Fund. and Expansion Project

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A joint publishing project of the British Columbia Chapter - CaGBC and SABMag. Address all inquiries to Don Griffith: dgriffith@sabmagazine.com Published by Janam Publications Inc. | www.sabmagazine.com | www.janam.net

Printed on Domtar Husky Opaque text offset paper.

Cover: Aperture Building.

Photo: Michael Elkan.

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CANADA GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL VOLUNTEER PROFILE: Sofia Marmolejo Sofia Marmolejo is a current CaGBC volunteer, who is Chair of the Emerging Green Professionals [EGP] Executive Committee for the BC Chapter. Sofia works as a Project Engineer at MCW Consultants.

1. Tell us about your career so far, and how you came to be working in the sustainability field. After working for almost 6 years in manufacturing I felt like I wanted to contribute to making our communities more sustainable. It was then that I learned at a sustainability event that buildings contribute around 30% of the GHG emissions and initiatives such as LEED are helping make buildings greener. From there I knew I wanted to work on sustainable buildings and did a big career change that led me to MCW Consultants, where I’ve been designing energy efficient electrical and mechanical systems for buildings for over a year now.

2. How did you become involved as a volunteer with CaGBC? I found my career transition to sustainability quite challenging, so I decided to volunteer with the CaGBC Emerging Green Professionals to help make the path easier for others.

PRESENTING SPONSOR: ACCELERTAING TO ZERO

GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSOR: ACCELERATING TO ZERO

British Columbia Sponsor Sheet 2019.indd 1

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4. Where do you see the future of green building headed in the near and more long-term future? I believe green building design is starting to focus on reducing the carbon emissions they generate through both materials and operation and will keep growing this focus even more. Zero carbon targets will take us closer to our goals of reducing carbon emissions as reducing energy costs and increasing energy efficiency can only take us so far.

5. How does the EGP program play a role in realizing that future? For change to happen we need passionate people to lead the way! The EGP program aims to reach out to people passionate about sustainability and help them join this amazing green building industry.

For more information on EGPs, check out: https://www.cagbc.org/egpbc

EMERGING GREEN PROFESSIONAL SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSORS GOLD SPONSOR: ACCELERATING TO ZERO SILVER SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSOR: ACCELERATING TO ZERO

Thank You to our Generous Chapter Sponsors

3. Tell us a little about the Emerging Green Professionals (EGP) program at CaGBC. The EGP program helps students, young professionals and those (like me) that are new to the industry, start and/or grow their careers in sustainable buildings. I’m lucky to be surrounded by an amazing EGP committee formed by passionate people with varied backgrounds that come together to bring events such as social nights, mentoring panels, educational sessions and building tours to Vancouver.

2019-03-06 11:56 AM

CaGBC MEMBERSHIP UPDATE Keep up to date by attending one of our diverse education sessions.

Get involved with the B.C. Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council The B.C. Chapter’s network of green building professionals is a premier source for education, training and cutting-edge green building information throughout B.C. We provide support and advocacy for green building programs including LEED, WELL Building Standard, and the Zero Carbon Building Standard. Through involvement with the chapter, individuals have the opportunity to access local educational, volunteering, networking and leadership opportunities.

Join Us! Our members are key innovators and thought leaders of tomorrow’s sustainable world. If you are not already a member, join the CaGBC and our public and private sector member organizations across the country to help transform Canada with greener buildings and healthier communities. All employees of a National member company (either a Green Building Specialist or Green Building Advocate) are entitled to a free B.C. Chapter membership (or other Chapter of their choice).

If you are not an employee of a national member company you can join the B.C. Chapter as an individual for $100 per year. Emerging Green Professionals can join for just $35.

Find out more about our membership structure and the many benefits available at www.cagbc.org/britishcolumbia

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Keep up to date by attending one of our diverse education sessions.

UPCOMING

EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

in British Columbia

Private workshops are also available on topics which include: The WELL Building Standard, Introduction to LEED v4, LEED Green Associate Exam Kickstarter and Introduction to Energy Benchmarking. Please contact bdoff@cagbc.org for further information. You can also go to our website www.cagbc.org/britishcolumbia for information on our events and workshops.

2019

TOPIC

TYPE OF EVENT

LOCATION

May 28

Accelerating to Zero | Building Solutions for a Low Carbon Economy

Full Day Summit

Vancouver

May 28

Chapter After Party

Networking

Vancouver

May 28 -30

Building Lasting Change Conference

Conference

Vancouver

September

LEED v4 Green Associate Exam Kickstarter

Workshop

Vancouver

October

Understanding the WELL Building Standard

Workshop

Vancouver

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SPRING 2019 | BC FOCUS

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HORNBY ISLAND FIRE HALL

THE WEST ELEVATION. A COMMUNITY REFERENDUM AND OPEN-HOUSE WORKSHOPS WERE HELD TO GATHER PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT THE BUILDING DESIGN, SUCH AS THE NEED FOR MORE TRUCK BAYS TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TIMES, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY’S RESILIENCY.

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Public input leads to resilient construction, low operating costs Built to replace the existing 2.5-acre site structure, the new 7,500 sq ft, civic/institutional facility consists of a single-storey fire truck apparatus bay and a two-storey fire hall. The project is built to LEED Silver equivalency and Passive House standards.

By Simcic + Uhrich Architects

Reaching Hornby Island requires two ferry rides from Vancouver Island, making access for construction crews and service technicians difficult and expensive. The team thus opted to use simple, low-maintenance systems due to the project location.

The most visible Passive House principles are approaches to building orientation, and high-performance glazing systems.

The building was positioned for optimal solar orientation: southfacing windows for natural daylight and heat in winter, and overhangs and glazing for shade in summer.

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Site Plan N 1. Bio swale 2. Concrete apron 3. Fire truck apparatus bays

4. Fire hall 5. Landscaping 6. Parking

Prefabricated insulated wall panels, produced by Collective Carpentry, ensure the delivery of the required airtightness and insulation values, and also minimized the construction schedule and number of construction crews on the remote site. Other passive design strategies include radiant in-floor heating in the apparatus bays, Passive House certified heat recovery ventilators transferring heat from exhaust air to intake air, and rainwater harvesting.

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PROJECT CREDITS: Architect Simcic + Uhrich Architects Civil engineer Hal Martyn, P.Eng Mechanical engineer Integral Group Electrical engineer Opal Engineering Structural engineer Dan Sundvick, P.Eng

General Contractor Island West Coast Developments Ltd. Sustainability Local Practice Legal Surveyor Hoerburger Land Surveying Photos Simcic + Uhrich Architects

Floor plans N 1. Storage 2. Appartus bay 3. Ambulance bay 4. Turn out gear 5. SCBA 6. Gym 7. Office

8. Mechanical 9. Main entrance 10. Green roof 11. Roof deck 12. Living 13. Meeting room 14. Kitchen

The South elevation. Using prefabricated wall and roof assemblies, the building is much more airtight than conventional construction.

Waterproof but breathable outer membranes allow the envelope to dry towards the outside to prevent deterioration and mould growth.

The landscape design for the Hornby Island Fire Hall site focused on on-site storm water management, with minimal disturbance of adjacent landscape areas. Hard surfaces were kept to the minimum requirements for truck washing so that wastewater could be captured while still allowing the maximum amount of storm water absorption through permeable drive aisle and parking surfaces. The deck area above the Ambulance Bay has been designed structurally to support a green roof to be installed by the local community .

after treatment. Water consumption is reduced by using low-flow plumbing fixtures.

The rainwater that falls on the roof is collected and stored in cisterns and used for firefighting training exercises. A well system meets the potable water requirements. All rainwater not collected is captured in bioswales and re-infiltrated through plants and gravel to the site, as is the black water

For improved indoor air quality, the building uses three Zehnder 550 heat recovery ventilation units for the recreation/dining/ kitchen areas, lower floor office/washroom/workshop areas, and gear room to assist in drying gear.

Indoor Environment The team used specialized software to assess whether the fire hall is receiving sufficient natural light, without being prone to overheating and glare issues. All normally occupied spaces are within 7 metres of a window.

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Roof Assembly Target R Value: R55 Roof Membrane Air and vapour barrier Gaskets and Sealants as required 16mm Agepan DWD Fibreboard Insulation: Comfortbatt (R4/inch) 11-78 TJI 230 @ 16”OC Interior sheathing: 15mm OSB 2x3 service ceiling framed on site R55 Eective Insulation Performance

Interior Floor Assembly Floor nish Plywood Suboor 9.41” 7 ply CLT panel as per structural

LVL Plate over closed cell sill seal/capillary break

Slab Assembly Target R Value: R38 4” Slab On Grade 4” type 3 xps insulation R5 per inch

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Wood window assembly 1

Ext. Wall Assembly Target R Value: R38 GWB 2x4 Interior service wall framed on site typ.

3.5” Batt Insulation Interior Sheathing 15mm OSB 2x8 SPF @ 16” O/C with 1-3/4” LVL top and bottom plates Exterior sheathing: 16mm Agepan DWD breboard Rain Screen Cavity Corrugated Metal Cladding

Ext. Foundation Wall Target R Value: R38 GWB 2x4 Interior service wall framed on site typ.

3.5” batt insulation Interior Sheathing 15mm OSB 8” Foundation wall 5” xps insulation Hardie Panel

The building’s optimized solar orientation provides occupants with an abundance of natural light [ABOVE] with overhangs at the south elevation controlling glare and overheating [BOTTOM].

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Sustainability Strategies 1. Bioswales capture rainwater that falls onto the site and filter it through plants and gravel before letting it percolate back into the ground.

2. Rainwater is collected from roofs and stored for use in training and fire fighting exercises.

3. Electrical rough-in to allow for easy solar photovoltaic panel installation Hybrid ventilation diagram at a later date.

4. Optimized solar orientation. Passive solar gain with south-facing windows.

Overhangs provide shade in the summer.

The gear room is ventilated to provide at a higher AC/hr rate to ensure an increased level of IAQ and mitigate harmful concentrations of toxins from accumulating in this space. The remainder of the building is ventilated to provide a minimum background ventilation of 0.35 AC/ hr in accordance with the Passive House, which is boosted via wall controllers when the building is occupied to approximately 0.5 AC/hr.

The building was designed in accordance with Passive House Standards (although not certified) using the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software. Predicted thermal energy demand intensity is 156 kWh/m2/yr. The higher EUI is attributed to process equipment loads that are common in fire stations such as air compressors, and other specialized exhaust applications for vehicles. The high-performance prefabrication wall and roof assemblies provide R values of: Roof – R55; walls – R38; and ground floor slab – R28.

The building achieves the target Passive House heating energy load requirements for certification, but the selection of direct electric heating means that the building is not in compliance with Passive House standards.

5. Interior spaces with daylight and views to the outdoors.

6. Natural cross ventilation.

7. Future green roof.

8. Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) transfers heat from exhaust air to intake air to reduce energy losses.

9. Radiant in-floor heat in apparatus bays.

10. Electric baseboard heaters in firehall

In BC, about 90% of the energy supply comes from hydroelectric power and, therefore, has a very low carbon content. In this context, using electricity, in the form of low cost, energy-efficient electric baseboard heaters, to meet a very low heating demand makes sense. PHPP modelling indicates energy savings of between $7,000 and $11,000 per year. With almost a full year’s worth of operational data to review, the building is on track to consume just under 100 kWh/m2 a year, which is a testament to the building’s ability to remain resilient in the face of changing climates given the vast swings in temperature profiles that have been experienced across the Southern Coast of BC through 2018 and 2019.

Equally important is acknowledging the engagement in sustainability practices the fire department has undertaken in the day-to-day operations to ensure its building is operating to expectations while mitigating unnecessary energy consumption.

With public involvement in the design, the community has a reliable emergency services facility built to withstand earthquake events.

Simcic + Uhrich Architects are based in Vancouver.

SPRING 2019 | BC FOCUS

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YOUR LEED V4 QUICK-REFERENCE

CANADIAN DIRECTORY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE, HIGHPERFORMANCE BUILDING

Visit our on-line Directory to see hundreds of listings of companies which supply products and services for sustainable, high-performance building.

Listings are organized by Product Category and by LEED v4 Category.

Our LEED v4 Directory is created with the help of our partner:

Our 2019 Partners SITE | LANDSCAPING | RAINWATER HARVESTING Molok® Deep Collection™ System Dulux/PPG

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Eco Insulating Glass Inc. EuroLine Windows Inc.

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Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute

Innotech Windows + Doors

Diamond Schmitt Architects

LiteZone™ Insulating Glass

FABRIQ architecture

Pollard Windows Inc.

Pomerleau

Tech-Crete Processors Ltd.

RJC Engineers Sustainable Forestry Initiative

INTERIOR FINISHES CBR Products Columbia Forest Products

https://sabmagazine.com/product-directory/ 14

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OKANAGAN COLLEGE Trades Renewal and Expansion Project Exemplary building shows future of sustainable design is now The primary objective of the Okanagan College Trades Renewal and Expansion project was to enlarge and unify disparate elements of the Trades training program on the Kelowna campus and to provide an exemplar of highly sustainable building design for students and future generations of trades workers.

The project comprises two distinct but integrated components: the renovation of 4,180 m2 of existing Trades Workshop and the construction of a 5,574 m2 addition.

The new space accommodates classrooms, group offices, labs, trade shops, a cafĂŠ, as well as student social and study space for the campus as a whole. The ambitious sustainable design targets were a driving force for the project. They include achieving Living Building Challenge petal certification including Net Zero Energy, LEED Platinum for the new addition, and LEED Gold for Existing Buildings Certification (LEED EB:O&M) for the renovation.

By Michael Leckman Looking east to the new addition and courtyard with view into corridor link.

Exterior sunshades were provided by McGill Architectural Products.

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Site plan N 1 New trades building 2 New sheet-metal shop 3 New plumbing shop 4 New building link 5 Renovated trades shops 6 Renovated classroom block 7 Existing autobody shop 8 Photovoltaic array 9 Courtyard 10 Almond tree grove

The south main entry.

That a trades facility with its high energy-use requirements to power tools and equipment can strive for this level of energy self-sufficiency sends an important message that a sustainable future is not only attainable but is possible now.

Critical to the success of the ambitious sustainable design targets were maximizing the passive energy potential of the new addition through building orientation, footprint and massing. The mass timber wood roof above the atrium slopes southward to accommodate photovoltaic panels angled at 15degrees for optimal performance and maximizing capacity.

This design also integrates daylighting, natural ventilation and managing heat gain.

To meet the energy-intense technical requirements of the trades shops and labs while achieving the sustainability targets was solved by careful understanding of how the

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program spaces would be used, inputting the information into a series of energy models, and analyzing the data to determine how to achieve the most optimal results.

Light and Air The addition is configured around a central three-storey atrium that brings daylight and natural ventilation into the middle of the plan. A pop-up wood roof with extensive clerestorey glazing brings defused daylight into the core and its southward slope maximizes north-facing windows and eliminates heat gain and glare.

Automated vents within this glazed area in conjunction with operable windows at ground level create a natural ventilation chimney, which is also used for night cooling in the summer.

A green light/red light system indicates to occupants when windows should be opened to further optimize cooling.

Ground floor plan 1 Atrium 2 Lounge/study 3 Classroom 4 Cafe 5 Admin offices 6 Electrical lab 7 Sheetmetal shop 8 Plumbing shop 9 Renovated shops 10 Existing autobody shop

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The central three-storey atrium brings daylight into the core and assists with natural ventilation. Alumicor supplied the operable windows 5000 Series Phantom Vents, 2300 Series skylights, and 2600 Series curtain walls.

Building section 1 Atrium 2 Main entry 3 Lounge/study 4 Classroom 5 Corridor link 6 Renovated shops 7 Clerestorey glazing 8 Photovoltaic array

The stair within the atrium.

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The south-west facade.

Perimeter placement of classrooms and shared staff offices provides daylight, views and natural ventilation through high- and low-level operable windows. The typical classroom and office module is 7m deep, bringing 75% of program space in proximity of an operable window.

Operable windows at high level and low level for natural ventilation Clear glass windows in aluminum curtain wall frames

PROJECT CREDITS Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects in joint venture

Exposed concrete columns

with David Nairne + Associates

Classroom

Civil engineer: True Consulting Mechanical engineer: AME Group

Metal bar grating on HSS supports with thermal isolator

Electrical engineer: Applied Engineering Solutions Structural engineer: Fast + Epp

Aluminum cladding panels, 175mm semi-ridged insulation, air /vapour barrier, structural steel studs, gypsum board (R-30) Perforated aluminum panels for solar shading

Construction: PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. Landscape architect: Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg Commissioning: Integrated Designs Sustainability: Integral Group

Flat panel concrete slab with hydronic piping cast for radiant heating and cooling

Envelope consultants: RJC Engineers Code consultant: LMDG Building Code Consultants Cost consultant: SSA Quantity Surveyors Ltd.

Classroom

Photos: Ed White Photographics

Glulaminated timber soffit panels on tapered wide flange beam with 150mm ridged insulation (R-30) Recessed entry area for shading

Entry

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Vestibule

These strategies help achieve the Living Building Challenge standards for the ‘Civilized Environment’, ‘Healthy Interior’ and ‘Biophilic Environment’ imperatives.

Occupancy sensors and daylighting controls along with 100% LED lighting contributed to a 48% reduction in overall lighting power density compared to the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 baseline, to 0.63 W/ft2. The projected annual energy consumption of the lighting system is 11 KWhr/m2.

Energy The energy model identifies energy consumption of 74kWh/m2/ year. Currently 50% of the energy consumed is being supplied by a 200kW photovoltaic array installed on site. The new roofs are designed to support an additional 200 kW array, which will offset 100% of the energy consumption to achieve 0.0kWh/m2/year.

This would be the lowest number seen for an academic classroom building in Canada at this time.

An integrated approach to structural systems, thermal systems and cladding systems was necessary to achieve the ambitious net zero energy target. Four systems work closely together: a concrete structure integrating a low temperature hydronic heating and cooling system; a highly-insulated exterior wall system (R30 walls and roof); carefully controlled glazing ratios (30% windowto-wall ratio); and solar heat gain control. It was crucial to achieve as close to 100% solar shading as possible to avoid the need to supplement the low temperature system. Waste heat was sourced from an adjacent municipal water treatment plant for the in-slab radiant heating system.

Displacement ventilation is used, reducing heating energy use due to low supply air temperature and individual HVAC units for each classroom and office space being tied to occupancy sensors so they operate only when the spaces are in use.

All wood used in the building was manufactured locally, and even the baseboards were made from local pine beetle kill wood. Materials and finishes are all designated as low emitting and meet LEED targets. 25% recycled materials were used, and 81% of waste materials were recycled during construction. Regional materials by value are 32.24%.

In targeting the LEED Durable Building credit a Building Durability Plan was developed to demonstrate the consideration given to durability requirements at all stages of the project life. The design service life for the project was determined to be 60 years, classifying the building as a ‘Long Life’ structure according to the CSA standard.

Top: The corridor link offers views to the courtyard and trade shops and informal gathering space. Bottom: A trade shop classroom with clerestorey windows.

A key strategy for building flexibility into the design was to create open space group offices for staff and instructors that are the same size as the standard classroom, allowing for future interchange between classrooms and offices to adapt to the evolving needs of the College.

Creating a new courtyard around a 50-year-old coper beech tree was a key consideration in laying out the new addition. The new landscape is a working urban agricultural landscape to meet the Living Building Challenge Urban Agriculture imperative within the Site petal. Up to 20% of the area is used for edible plants, and the landscaping has become a defining feature of the community.

Michael Leckman is Principal at Diamond Schmitt Architects.

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APERTURE Multi-residential LEED Gold infill scaled to young and empty nesters alike

By Arno Matis Located between a single-family neighbourhood and a rapid transit hub in Vancouver, the multi-residential Aperture responds to its “single-family-transitioningto-urban� context with a campus-like massing that combines housing typologies.

Occupying a full-city block, its massing steps-down in scale from two, six-storey multi-family blocks on the arterial, to standalone villas, sensitive to the single-family neighbourhood to the north.

As a result of focus group research by the architectural team and meetings with community stakeholders, the residential unit-mix was designed to fill the specific needs of two demographics requiring multi-family homes: young first-time buyers, and down-sizing empty nesters that wished to age-in place in their community.

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For younger buyers, smaller units were introduced to improve affordability. Two, 7,000 sq. ft. fully-shared roof spaces on each sixstorey block provide outdoor community space for growing families, with each space including children’s play places.

For empty nesters, the focus is on mobility and aging in place. These units are slightly larger with fully accessible bathrooms and door widths that facilitate wheelchair access. Similar to singlefamily homes, villas and ground floor units have their own basement and garage within the shared parkade. The lane villa units include power and shaft spaces with floor knock out panels to accommodate small elevators.

Energy reduction is achieved through passive and active means, for example, highly reflective surfaces (white/light gravel and concrete rooftop pavers) reflect sun and reduce heat load; and the shallow, campus-like massing which facilitates cross-ventilation through operable windows and sliding doors, and reduces the need for interior lighting.

The prominent façade openings are programmed to provide passive shading and act as apertures: opening and closing in response to the solar exposure of each façade. Apertures are deeper on the south to increase sun shading, and shallower to the north to allow for additional light.

South elevation

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Six-storey blocks Villas Single family homes Future adjacent midrise

PROJECT CREDITS Owner: Buffalo Investment Canada Inc. Architect: Arno Matis Architecture Inc. Structural engineer: Fast & Epp Electrical/mechanical engineer: Integral Group

1 - HT Blinds commercial division, worked closely with the architect to achieve their high-efficiency requirements.

Radial series of roller shades were concealed within the bulkhead to provide aesthetics and deliver on the architect’s vision.

2 - View between villas looking east.

Sustainability Consultant: Integral Group Landscape architect: PFS Studio Contractor: Urban One Builders Photos: Michael Elkan

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Typical balcony construction Typical green roof construction - Ground cover - Growing medium - Filter fabric and drainage mat - Rigid insulation 2 x 3” eps (min. R30) - Roof type waterproof membrane - Suspended concrete slab, sloped to drain - Skim coat plaster ceiling Residential unit

Typical balcony construction - Balcony type waterproofing membrane - Suspended concrete slab

Residential unit

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Residential unit

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Plan view - south side aperture (partial sun)

Residential unit

Plan view - east/west side aperture (full sun) Typical upper floor construction (1hr FR)

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Entry vestibule Passive solar control A North section: reduced north balcony B South section: typical south sun condition C East/west section: typical east/west sun condition

Slope 2%

Residential unit Partial wall section 22

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The apertures present a first of its kind building skin in which wood veneer is encapsulated between a two-glass layer with UV protection, allowing the wood to be preserved in its natural form without staining or colour treatment. The wood-glass spandrel is insulated, improving the thermal performance.

Achieving LEED GOLD certification under LEED Canada-NC 2009, the building incorporates a high-efficiency mechanical system digitally controlled and monitored, with occupant sensors controlling the system within suites. The mechanical system includes: heat pumps with heat recovery, highefficiency condensing boilers, low power consumption HRV units (less than 0.4 W/cfm), and ENERGY STAR appliances.

High-efficiency LED lights are used throughout the building, with occupant sensors in common areas including parking, and 100% of the residential unit area is within 7 metres of an operable sliding door or window.

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kWhr/m2/year,

Energy intensity is 122.9 which includes both base building and process energy, representing an overall 50% reduction in energy intensity, as well as 57% lower CO2 emissions based on a building in the US of similar type and size. The building is designed to hook-up to a future district energy system, when it becomes available in 2025.

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Water conservation methods include: storm water control through the villa green roofs and rooftop planters, generous surface planting, and a water stormceptor located in the parkade. These measures, along with plumbing fixtures with 40% flow reductions, bring water consumption from the municipal source to about 36,500 litres/occupant/year (8,400,000 litres per year / 230 occupants) resulting in a 44.6 % reduction in water consumption.

Over 36% regional materials by value were used, and about 85% of construction materials was diverted from landfill. High quality materials, such as the curtainwall glazing, were used as much as possible to prolong service life. To communicate the sustainability features of the project, the sustainability consultant and design team made a short film for the occupants, and to inspire similar projects in future.

Arno Matis is founding principal of Arno Matis Architecture Inc, Vancouver.

3 - West facade detail.

4 - View from east building rooftop looking north.

5 - Throughway between six-storey blocks with water feature.

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New Study Proves the Financial Case for Zero Carbon Buildings It’s a fact: Zero Carbon Buildings are not only good for the planet, but a good financial investment too.

There are also important financial benefits that were not quantified in the study, such as greater value to tenants, future-proofing against higher costs for utilities and carbon pollution, greater resiliency against future weather events, and avoiding costly future retrofits.

By Mark Hutchinson

“This study demonstrates the importance of using Zero Carbon Buildings as part of our toolbox to achieve a sustainable future,” says Michael Brooks, Chief Executive Officer of REALPAC, a national association dedicated to advancing Canada’s real property sector.

The Canada Green Building Council in February issued a report that proves Zero Carbon Buildings offer meaningful greenhouse gas reductions and positive financial returns. Entitled “Making The Case For Building To Zero Carbon,” the report – a first of its kind in Canada – confirms that Zero Carbon Buildings are financially viable today with a positive financial return over a 25-year life-cycle. It also highlights that industry is at a tipping point: the business case for Zero Carbon Buildings is going to get stronger each year due to the rising cost of carbon pollution.

The positive financial return is inclusive of carbon pollution pricing and requires only a modest capital cost premium at the outset. The CaGBC study provides a strong business case for property owner / operators to construct innovative green buildings today and reap financial benefits well into the future.

The CaGBC undertook this research to help support Canada’s climate commitments by demonstrating to the market that any type of building across Canada can be built to zero carbon without facing higher financial costs over the building’s lifecycle.

The report applies carbon reduction measures to seven building types – low-rise office, mid-rise office, low-rise multi-unit residential, mid-rise multiunit residential, primary school, big box retail and warehouse – in the cities of Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.

The report found that the business case for Zero Carbon Buildings differs relatively little nationwide, despite differences in construction and utility costs, climate, carbon intensity of electricity, and other factors. Each region has its advantages.

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The business case is strongest in Halifax due to the relatively high cost of natural gas and the high carbon intensity of Nova Scotia’s electricity grid.

CaGBC’s innovative Zero Carbon Building Initiative is a real-life example of this research in action. The initiative, started in 2017, involves 16 projects in cities across Canada, which range from commercial offices and elementary schools to a warehouse and a firehall.

These projects are each pursuing CaGBC’s Zero Carbon Building Standard.

Over a twenty-five-year lifecycle, Zero Carbon Buildings in Halifax averaged a 4% higher return than conventional buildings built to the building code.

In Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary, the outcomes for Zero Carbon Buildings are economically strong with any upfront capital cost mitigated over the life-cycle by higher operating and emissions savings.

So far, evolv1 in Waterloo, Mohawk College in Hamilton, and École Curé-Paquin in Saint-Eustache, Quebec have achieved certification, providing examples for any building to reach zero-carbon and contribute to the clean growth economy.

The CaGBC report on Zero Carbon Buildings.

Zero Carbon Buildings fell just short of breaking even in Vancouver as a result of applying a common set of carbon reduction measures across all the cities studied.

Designing specifically for Vancouver’s milder climate would reduce capital investment and yield a positive lifecycle return.

In looking at building types, the report found that mid-rise and low-rise offices offer the highest lifecycle returns at close to 3%, warehouses and big box retail facilities can yield returns above 1%, and multi-unit residential buildings and primary schools are cost neutral or nearly cost neutral.

Zero Carbon Buildings are critical for Canada to support new economic growth and meet international emission reduction goals. In fact, the “Making the Case” report found that, by 2030, over four million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year can be avoided cost-effectively if the seven building types studied in the report are built to be zero carbon.

This represents over 22% of the 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas reductions that the Pan-Canadian Framework recognizes as potential savings from the building sector.

To learn more about Zero Carbon Buildings, and CaGBC’s standard, please visit the CaGBC website. The study was supported by the Government of Canada (Natural Resources Canada, The National Research Council, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat), the Real Property Association of Canada (REALPAC), the Government of Nova Scotia and the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia.

Mark Hutchinson is Vice President, Green Building Programs and Innovation at CaGBC.

1 - The EcoLock Storage Facility, planned for Kelowna, will be developed as a five- storey, 110,000 sq ft self-storage locker facility. The project is pursuing the International Living Future’s Petal Certification as a minimum requirement with the intent of meeting the Net Positive Energy Petal, as well as the CaGBC Zero Carbon.

Architect: McLennan Design and Christine Lintott Architects. Engineers: Integral.

2 - The Zero Carbon Vancouver Fire Hall 17 by HCMA Architecture +Design.

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“It is all about market transformation!”

Minister Michelle Mungall, BC Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources speaks with CaGBC about BC’s new $1.8 million CleanBC Building Innovation Fund.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the various types of ideas that come forward. This is an opportunity for British Columbians to really showcase the solutions they have for the province. But this goes beyond the province as well, so this is a great opportunity for all the builders out there to showcase solutions that they envision for reducing our GHG emissions.”

- Minister Mungall

By Susanne Ruhle The CleanBC Building Innovation Fund (BIF) program was launched on May 9 to accelerate the availability, acceptance and affordability of low carbon building designs, technologies and retrofit solutions throughout the province. Low carbon buildings are buildings designed and constructed to be super-efficient and have minimal greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) over their lifetime. The BC government intends to support the BC market and foster innovation that will help making better buildings throughout British Columbia.

The CaGBC sees this fund as an important step to creating a market for more widely available smart lowcarbon building solutions for BC. The CaGBC had the opportunity to speak to Minister Mungall about the program: CaGBC: Thank you for finding the time to chat with us about the new government program, the Building Innovation Fund as part of CleanBC. What is the government hoping to achieve with this program?

Mungall: When our government was elected we were adamant to end the old story of the environment vs. the economy. CleanBC is both a climate action plan and an economic development strategy.

We not only want to reduce GHG emissions but are looking for opportunities to stimulate the market. The way we build is an opportunity for both.

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We want to showcase that we can construct buildings differently and more energy efficient. This will not only save people money but enable them to experience these buildings on the ground.

The CleanBC Building Innovation Fund will make low-carbon and energy-efficient building solutions much more accessible, more affordable and helps building owners and developers to reduce climate pollution now. Commercialisation is important for scaling up existing and tested building solutions for wider application and we think the industry could benefit from proof of the marketability of these solutions.

We know that we need to take action to reduce our impact on climate change now, and we know that we need to generate market activity to bring those solutions to it now.

CaGBC: We know that the majority of GHG reduction will have to come from the existing building stock – tell us about how you see our buildings contributing to emission reductions in the province?

Mungall: We need to make sure that we are looking at ways to make our buildings more energy efficient. BC set the goal that by 2032 every new building in BC will have an ultra-efficient, net zero energy ready design. There are plenty of options for our existing building stock as well: better insulation or better windows. I am sure that the builders out there are going to come up with a whole range of solutions.

CaGBC: Its great to see that BC is taking leadership to develop a market for low carbon products and services. There are many innovative products available globally, but often not yet for the BC market. Do you see this program addressing this market gap?

The Building Innovation Fund is a $1.8 million program providing funding to promote innovation in three categories: 1. Research – building solutions that show promise but may require further innovation before being commercialized; 2. Commercialization – building solutions that have been tested and are ready to be scaled up for wider application; and 3. Demonstration – building solutions currently available in the marketplace that require demonstration to build industry capacity and public acceptance There is funding available for up to $30,000 for projects for research, $250,000 for commercialisation and $500,000 for demonstration projects. Deadline for applications is July 31. Successful applicants will be announced in Fall 2019.

Mungall: Absolutely. It is all about market transformation! We want to help to build capacity for energy efficient, low-carbon products and services here in BC by demonstrating, what’s available, how we can better commercialize and research the type of opportunities that have the potential to trigger the market. Other building solution exist elsewhere but need to be introduced in BC. I am sure that the industry will have the necessary expertise on what those solutions could be, and this fund gives them the opportunity to showcase that.

CaGBC: Five years have passed - what do you envision as examples of the projects and initiatives that have occurred as a result of this program?

Mungall: I will dream a little bit about how this program will trigger change. Think about all the beautiful heritage buildings in BC. In 5 years from now we will have a better understanding of what we need to be doing to make them more energy efficient, so we not only reduce bills but also reduce GHG emissions. Maybe we will start to see the market has been triggered so successfully that we know exactly which products will make our heritage buildings more energy efficient and that these products are more readily available in BC.

CaGBC: How does the government plan to show leadership with its own building stock?

Mungall: The government’s goal is to include a 50% reduction in emissions in all public sector buildings by 2030. This means schools, hospitals or forestry buildings in all of BC. This is a huge way in which we can show leadership as the largest building owner in the province.

If we make those changes and also leverage some of the changes identified from the Building Innovation Fund, then this will help to build the marketability of the very solutions that we need to reduce our GHG emissions.

CaGBC: Thank you, Min. Mungall. It was one of the things that we noted too, when we first brought LEED to Canada over 15 years ago.

When governments took leadership, it helped to create a whole market because it de-risked green buildings for the private sector and helped to demonstrate how feasible it was. Thank you very much for your time!

Dr. Susanne Ruhle is Policy & Program Manager at the Canada Green Building Council

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Closing the Zero Carbon Skills Gap: Report findings have application to BC

By Susanne Ruhle

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has issued a new action plan designed to close the low-carbon building skills gap in Ontario’s construction industry. Its recommendations are relevant across Canada, including BC.

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Entitled “Trading Up: Equipping Ontario Trades with the Skills of the Future,” the report puts forward recommendations for new types of training, incentives and construction processes that will help the trades workforce support the construction and mass retrofit of buildings that lower greenhouse gas emissions.

With buildings accounting for 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions, addressing the current gap in low-carbon building skills is critically important if Canada is to reduce its emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. In Ontario, the most populous province, the impact of the skills gap is estimated at $24.3 billion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in foregone company revenues, with an additional $3.7 billion lost in foregone taxation.

Specifically, tradespeople need to be trained on how to build efficient building envelopes, including framing, insulation, windows and glazing; install advanced mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as maintain energy efficient furnaces, boilers, water heaters, solar panels and geoexchange systems.

The CaGBC report explores different delivery modes for training, ranging from full-time in-class courses to short online and on the job training as well as calling for a new certificate for low-carbon skills to help the construction industry identify and secure skilled trades for future projects. CaGBC’s report calls on governments to create supportive public policies and incentivize workforce education and training programs that industry should implement for workers at all career stages.

The evolution to green buildings comes at a time of transition and rapid growth for Canada’s construction industry. More than 87,000 retirements – almost 20% of the workforce - and up to 80,000 new jobs are forecast in the trades workforce over the coming decade.

In the Toronto region alone, it is estimated that there will be 147,000 job openings in construction in the next 15 years. Filling these positions with people who are proficient in how to construct low-carbon buildings is of paramount importance as Canada moves towards a zero-carbon economy.

This study also finds itself within the work that the CaGBC has been part of in BC. The CaGBC is assisting the CleanBC Labour Readiness Plan Built Environment Sub-committee (CBCLRP) and the Energy Step Code Council - Capacity Building and Communications Subcommittee (CBCSC) to assess and identify opportunities and gaps in BC’s green building economy. The CBCLRP, for example, is a 10-month project building off existing studies and efforts to report on workforce demand and supply opportunities, challenges and labour market gaps in BC. The CaGBC is proud to support these critical climate efforts and looks forward to the final recommendations and how they will better prepare the BC clean economy.

The “Trading Up” report was compiled by CaGBC with Mohawk College, McCallumSather, The Cora Group, the City of Toronto and the Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA). The project was funded, in part, by the Government of Ontario. The report examines the Ontario construction industry, but its recommendations can be applied throughout Canada.

Susanne Ruhle is the Policy & Program Manager at the Canada Green Building Council.

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INTERVIEW WITH Enzo Saponaro DIV7 Building Systems Representatives of Tech-Crete Processors Ltd.,

Improving the envelope 1. BC FOCUS: What kind of products do you make?

Tech-Crete: Based in Salmon Arm, Tech-Crete Processors Ltd. (http://www.tech-crete. com/) manufacturers composite insulating panels all consisting of STYROFOAM™ brand foam insulation with a factory applied latex modified concrete coating, and designed to protect and improve the performance of the building envelope.

2. BC FOCUS: How are your products typically used in roof and wall assemblies?

Tech-Crete: On the roof, Tech-Crete CTI® (Concrete Top Insulated) roof panels are self-ballasted insulating panels designed to function as a simple and effective method of achieving the “protection” in a protected membrane roof (PMR) assembly. A TechCrete CTI® roof panel combines interlocking Styrofoam™ brand extruded polystyrene insulation with a durable concrete topped surface providing additional protection against: temperature extremes, UV degradation and hail damage, mechanical damage, vandalism, environmental elements (birds, weather etc.) and is suitable for occasional roof maintenance foot traffic. In addition, Tech-Crete CFI® (Concrete Faced Insulated) wall panels can be used on the upturns of curbs or parapets where insulation and protection from the elements is required.

On the wall, Tech-Crete CFI® (Concrete Faced Insulated) wall panels, use a patented clip to mount and hang Concrete Faced Styrofoam™ brand extruded polystyrene insulated wall panels. Tech-Crete CFI® (Concrete Faced Insulated) wall panels are pre-finished exterior insulating panels designed for use, but not limited to, perimeter foundation, low-rise wall installation and industrial applications.

3. BC FOCUS: On what types of buildings are your products most used?

Tech-Crete: To date there are more than 20 million square feet of Tech-Crete® roof panels (CTI® and SRI® combined), and more than 5 million square feet of TechCrete® CFI® wall panels in the Canadian marketplace. Tech-Crete® roof panels and Tech-Crete® CFI® wall panels can adapt and are suitable for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial facilities. Wherever moisture resistant insulation is ideally used, Tech-Crete adds value and performance with a durable and decorative protection layer.

Tech-Crete CFI® wall panels applied to the base of a building in Squamish, BC.

A PMR roof on the Save On Foods at the Mall at Piccadilly in Salmon Arm with Tech-Crete CTI® roof panels applied as a protective ballast.

4. BC FOCUS: What are the environmental aspects?

Tech-Crete: All Tech-Crete® insulated panel products are hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) free with zero ozone-depletion potential. Tech-Crete® insulated panel products will help achieve energy efficiency with a product that is itself produced in an environmentally responsible way. Our panels are also reusable in many applications and come with minimal packaging. We also use a comprehensive recycling program during manufacturing such as: a closed system of recovery and reuse of wash water; waste mortar of approximately 26 yd3 (20 m3) annually is allowed to hydrate and used in appropriate fill applications; and in a closed system Styrofoam™ sawdust is pelletized, stored, dried and sent to a plastics recycler.

5. BC FOCUS: With more and more emphasis on higher energy performance of buildings, do you see a bigger role for your products?

Tech-Crete: Yes absolutely, and more importantly, as construction best practices continue to push the sustainable envelope with air-tightness, higher thermal performance and durability using the least amount of resources, Tech-Crete® roof panels and Tech-Crete® CFI® wall panels make a great package of moisture tolerant insulation, in varying thicknesses, protected with a durable and decorative surface in a single panel.

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Tech-Crete CFI® wall panels used on the Splatsin Community Centre in Enderby, BC.

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT WITH TECH-CRETE’S ROOF AND WALL PANELS. For over 30 years Tech-Crete Processors has been developing and manufacturing insulatedroof and wall panels.

With over 25 million square feet installed across Canada, and many of our earliest projects still in service, our panels are performance proven with BC Technical Sales Representative British Columbia and Yukon - DIV7 Building Systems Ltd. Enzo Saponaro 604.644.5934 Enzo@div7.c

To Contact the Manufacturer, Please Email info@tech-crete.com

(250.832.9705)

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MAY 28 - 30 | VANCOUVER

STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN CARBON REDUCTION, HEALTH AND RESILIENCE Canada’s premier green building industry event.

Learn more and register at cagbc.org/blc2019 32

SPRING 2019 | BC FOCUS