The new standard Charter Telecom Headquarters will be one of the first office buildings meeting the Passive House standard By Samantha Sommerfield
T
he desire to be on the cutting edge is a standard practice for telecommunication companies.
The race to be the first to know or
headquarters will be known as Western
Currently in British Columbia, there
Canada’s first Certified Passive House
are only a few buildings that meet this
office building.
standard, and those are almost entirely
“One of the hopes for the building
within the residential sector.
implement the newest technology is
early on was to make it something that
something that’s always strived for. So
would set a tone for how the surrounding
offices because of industry knowledge. It
it’s no surprise that Charter Telecom
area would redevelop. They also wanted
is relatively new (being around for just 10
took this ideology and implemented it
to demonstrate their commitment to
years) and some design teams aren’t quite
in the building plans for their national
creating an excellent environment for
ready yet, as you do need training,” says
headquarters in Langford.
their staff,” says Verhulst. “Achieving the
Mark Bernhardt, president at Bernhardt
Passive House standard is a good way to
Contracting. “But we are slowly seeing it
do both those things.”
being picked up.”
Making their office a highperformance building was a pillar of conversation early on while talking with
As per the Passive House Institute, to
“We haven’t seen it yet primarily with
Bernhardt was brought on to the Charter
Graeme Verhulst and Will King from
achieve Passive House standards, there
Telecom project because of their many
Waymark Architecture. Knowing its
are detailed requirements to be met,
years of experience with producing high
importance to the company Waymark
all relating to five basic principles for
performance buildings in British Columbia.
Architecture and Road’s End Contracting
construction: good thermal insulation,
Ltd. developed a thorough plan to
high-quality windows, heat recovery
be hesitant taking Passive House to office
ensure the client’s goal was achieved.
ventilation, airtightness and thermal
buildings is the fear of increased cost and
And as of spring 2019, Charter Telecom’s
bridge reduced design.
materials required.
46 Vancouver Island Construction Association 2019
Another reason why contractors may