Sustainable Construction

The PCL Centennial Learning Centre has been designed and constructed to LEED® Gold Certification level.  Gold Certification was awarded by the United States Green Building Council in September of 2006.

The project includes LEED® influenced design components, such as an underground outdoor air intake to provide pre-tempered air; in the summer months, intake is be pre-cooled to reduce cooling system loads, and in the winter months, intake air is pre-heated to reduce heating requirements.  Further design elements include employing both a green roof and a white Energy Star compliant PVC roof to reduce heat island effect, the use of triple glazed exterior units within a high-performance curtain wall system to improve energy efficiency, and a vast solar chimney and motorized damper system that helps to provide passive cooling during the summer months.

The LEED® driven construction standards include site erosion and sedimentation control, waste recycling, the use of low-emitting (low VOC) materials, installation of permanent building materials with high recycled content, and monitoring of indoor air quality during construction.

St. Albert Fire Station #3 / Fire Headquarters was designed and constructed to a LEED® Gold Certification level. The project included LEED® influenced design parameters, such as a heat islands effect (roof and non-roof), water use reduction, water efficient landscaping, mechanical and electrical systems optimal energy performance, solar power, pollutant source control, thermal comfort compliance and monitoring, and occupant daylight & outdoor views.  The LEED® driven construction standards included site erosion and sedimentation control, waste recycling, the use of low-emitting (low VOC) materials, the use of certified (FSC) wood, and monitoring of indoor air quality during construction.

Construction Phase

• Previously used site with an existing building rather than an undeveloped site
• Using 90% of the material from the existing building on the site rather than sending it off to the landfill
• Silt fences which kept construction related water away from the storm sewers
• The cement mixture used to construction the building was composed of 25% fly ash.  Fly ash is waste from burnt coal which in normal practices would be wasted 

Using Sunlight

• Orientated the building to maximize the use of the sun
• Photovoltaic curtain wall which generates electricity to meet 5% of the building's electrical demand
• The 33.5 kilowatts produced represents the highest proportion of photovoltaic solar power supplied within a Canadian public building
• Long, narrow floor plates which increase sunlight and reduce lighting costs
• Interior layout of the building allows occupied workspaces to receive natural light 90% of the time they are used

Using Natural Resources in Innovative Ways

• The building itself is considered a “heat sink” due to the concrete's ability to absorb and re-radiate heat
• This heat can be used to blend the air temperature fluctuations in rooms within the building that are made with lightweight construction materials
• Raised floor air distribution systems saves energy by relaying on rising air instead of forced air
• Allows for design flexibility to accommodate the changing of needs of the tenants
• Operable windows allow occupants to adjust the temperature in their work environment and help to keep down cooling costs in the summer
• A “green” roof helps to insulate the building year round and gather rainwater for purposes not requiring potable water (i.e. in toilets)
• Waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets reduce water usage by over 305 compared to similar-sized buildings

Interior Finishes

• Carpet with high-recycled content
• Carpet tile rather than broadloom for long-term flexibility
• Minimal use of paints and adhesives containing volatile organic compounds

The owner's commitment to sustainability and a building designed and constructed to a LEED Gold Certification level were driving factors during the construction of the Manitoba Hydro Downtown Office Project.  The owner enlisted the assistance of an Environmental Design Consultant (Transolar) from Germany to bring proven European sustainability technologies to the project.  The owner, consultants, and PCL used the integrated design process to work together on the pre-construction planning and design to incorporate sustainable features at minimal costs to the project. Some of the project's sustainable features are:

• Building orientation (south) to maximize capturing the sun's heat and light, and the prevailing winds.
• Geothermal wells under the building which provides 50 – 60% of the required heat and 100% of the building's required cooling.
• Utilizing natural ventilation through the access floor space assisted by a solar chimney that drew air through the building.
• Daylight to 90% of the workspaces, aided by low iron content exterior glazing.
• Integrating the building structure (concrete) into the mechanical design to help control the building's temperature variation throughout the work day.
• Deconstruction of existing site buildings, enabling materials to be re-used in construction of other projects rather than sending the construction waste to the landfill.
• Double glazed wall systems on east and west elevators with controlled operable windows which allowed building occupants to access fresh air when exterior conditions were favorable.
• Green roofs to reduce heat island effect and provide workers with close accessible green spaces.
• With the above energy saving feature and other sustainable measures, the Owner is realizing energy savings in excess of 60%.
• Site specific erosion and sedimentation measures which include site built settling chambers to remove suspended solids contained in the high volume of water removed to construct the building's foundations (caissons).

The natural environment surrounding the VCEC is perfect backdrop for one of today's most advanced green building projects. The VCEC has always been 'green-minded' and the new facility is leading the way.  Among many innovative features, environmental highlights include a six-acre (2.4 hectare) roof of living plants, a pillared foundation that fosters enhanced marine habitat, a seawater heating and cooling system, and on-site water treatment. 

The Central Plant consists of two 900 ton heat recovery chillers (with a 3^rd standard chiller for backup) that use the ocean as the cooling tower. The heat recovery chillers provide both heating and cooling. For additional heating there is a steam backup supplied by a steam utility company. There is a full waste water treatment plant onsite that treats the water and uses it for irrigation and toilet flushing.

The credits that will be pursued on this job (that PCL will be looking after) include:

• Construction Waste Management - > 75% diversion with a target of 90%
• Construction Indoor Air Quality - our IAQ plan is available if you need it.
• Low-emitting materials - PCL will monitor/enforce conforming products
• Recycled and Regional materials credits - PCL is tracking/documenting the properties being incorporated into the building. 
• Improve energy performance by 40% above ASHRAE 90.1%

The project is targetting LEED Gold, and have some fairly inventive design credits, including blackwater systems (processes all sanitary waste into water for irrigation and to serve toilets and urinals), heating and cooling system uses seawater to reduce energy consumption and the living roof.  However, PCL has limited involvement in many of these.

The Juno Tower at CFB Stadacona in Halifax was the first LEED Certified project in Nova Scotia; achieving certification on January 8, 2007.

A summary of some of the sustainable features included:

• Water Conservation -Water conservation was implemented in a number of areas. Dual Flush toilets and low-flow showers were installed in all accommodations rooms.
• Construction waste management - The project achieved an overall diversion rate of 99.2% of construction and demolition waste.
• Recycled content - The project achieved a recycled content percentage of 10.18%
• Innovation in Design, Waste Diversion - This project attained an overall diversion rate of 99.22%

The goal of this project is to achieve LEED Gold certification; the project team is currently assessing the viability of obtaining LEED platinum. This will be the first LEED certified project on any of the college's campuses and one of the first for the Thompson Okanagan Region.

This project's green design includes:

• Located on site that was previously a paved parking area not a greenfield site.
• Low flow plumbing fixtures and waterless urinals have been specified.
• Irrigation and primary heating/cooling (through heat exchangers) are sourced from treated effluent water from adjacent City of Kelowna sewage treatment plant.
• Project is located within the campus boundaries which include public transportation hub (bus loop) and car-pooling parking stalls.  The project included bicycle storage along with shower facilities.
• The Owner has committed to purchasing green power for a percentage of the project power requirements and to purchasing a minimum of two hybrid powered vehicles.

• heavy recycled-content materials
• alternative power using Photovoltaic panels on the roof
• designed near bus stations, train stations and bike paths to encourage alternative transportation
• mechanical efficiency was designed in its elaborate temperature control system and reuse of water.

• the main structural roof framing trusses were kept and incorporated in the new structure.
• the old concrete seating bowl structure was crushed and used as granular fill under slab on grade.
• the old curtainwall frames were also used in the new arena.
• all of the wood, steel and concrete from the demolition was either reused in the project or sold to recyclers.
• The original acoustic panels were refurbished and reused.
• Over 200,000 cubic yards of excavated fill was relocated to the Interbay site, where it was graded and used for a golf course.

• extensive use of natural daylighting throughout the building
• self-dimming and motion-sensor-activated indirect lighting at each workspace
• extremely-efficient DDC controlled HVAC systems fed to each workstation through individually adjustable registers and under-floor ductwork
• special indoor air quality systems
• unique roofing materials to eliminate heat islands
• extensive use of materials with recycled content including carpet, tile, steel, concrete, gypsum board, metal studs, roofing insulation, acoustic ceilings and paint.