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SDCB 101Sustainable Design for

CanadianBuildings

Sustainable Design

for Buildings

Sustainable Design

Fundamentals for Buildings

Architectural Institute of British Columbia

Alberta Association of Architects

Saskatchewan Association of Architects

Manitoba Association of Architects

Ontario Association of Architects

Ordre des architectes du QuébecArchitects’ Association of New Brunswick Association des architectes du Nouveau-Brunswick

Nova Scotia Association of Architects

Architects Association of Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland Association of Architects

In partnership with: The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada



Sustainable Design Fundamentals for Buildings2001 Edition

The National Practice Program(NPP) is an alliance of the ten provincial associations of architects andthe Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). This manual has been developed by the NPP onbehalf of the architectural profession in Canada, represented by these member associations:

Architectural Institute of British ColumbiaAlberta Association of ArchitectsSaskatchewan Association of ArchitectsManitoba Association of ArchitectsOntario Association of ArchitectsOrdre des architectes du QuébecArchitects’ Association of New Brunswick Association des architectes du Nouveau-BrunswickNova Scotia Association of ArchitectsNewfoundland Association of Architectsand

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

EditorPeter Busby, FRAIC

Assistant EditorMichel Labrie

Editorial ReviewVeronica de Pencier, MRAIC

Jon Hobbs, MRAIC

ContributorsRaymond J. Cole, PhDMartine DesboisPierre Gallant, MRAIC

Vivian Manasc, FRAIC Joanne McCallumMRAICLyse M. Tremblay

ProofreadingIsabelle Bossé

Graphic DesignAerographics Creative Services Inc.

PrintingBeauregard Printers

©2001 The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada on behalf of all the members of the National Practice Program. This manual may not be copied in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the Royal ArchitecturalInstitute of Canada.

DisclaimerBusby +Associates has compiled the information in the manual Sustainable Design Fundamentals for Buil dings .

The National Practice Program(NPP) supports the development and dissemination of Sustainable Design Fundamentals for Buildings ;however, neither the NPP, nor the Contributors, nor the Editors take responsibility for the accuracy or completenessof any information or its fitness for any particular purpose.

Printed on Rolland Evolution using vegetable inks and made of 100% post-consumer fibre.



The members of the National Practice Programgratefully acknowledge the financial assistance fromthe following department of the federal government in the development of the Sustainable DesignFundamental s for Buildings :

Public Works andGovernment ServicesCanada

Travaux publics etServices gouvernementauxCanada

Sustainable DesignFundamentals for Buildings



The members of the National Practice Programgratefully acknowledge the support of thefollowing committee in the development of theSustainable Design Fundamentals for Buildings :

The Sustainable Building Canada Committee(SBCC)

and the following architects and firms whoseprojects are featured in the manual:

Ædifica

ArchitecturaArthur Erickson Architectural CorporationBourrassa et Gaudreau ArchitectesBusby +Associates ArchitectsChristopher Simmonds ArchitectColborne Architectural GroupDaniel Pearl and Mark Poddubiuk ArchitectesECO-TEK Wastewater TreatmentGenetron Systems Inc.Hotson Bakker Architects

J ulia Bourke ArchitecteKuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg ArchitectsLinda Chapman ArchitectManasc Isaac Architects Ltd.Matsuzaki Wright Architects Inc.Musson Cattell Mackey PartnershipPatkau Architects Inc.Phillip Sharp Architect Ltd.Phillips Farevaag SmallenbergR. Monnier ArchitecteRoger Hughes +Partners ArchitectsStone Kohn McQuire Vogt ArchitectsVan Nostrand diCastri Architects

The National Practice Programwould also liketo thank the many individuals who providedinformation, advice and assistance.

Blair McCarry, P.Eng., Keen EngineeringChristine Strauss, Busby +Associates ArchitectsDoug Pollard, CMHC National OfficeKevin Hydes, P.Eng., Keen EngineeringMark Swain, Keen EngineeringMichael McColl, Busby +Associates ArchitectsNathan Webster, Busby +Associates ArchitectsRobin Glover, Busby +Associates Architects

Rosamund Hyde, Keen EngineeringSusan Gushe, Busby +Associates ArchitectsVince Catalli, by dEsign Consultants

Acknowledgements

SDCB 101 – Sustainable Design Fundamentals for Buildings

for Buildings

Sustainable DesignFundamentals for Buildings




The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)and the ten provincial associations of architects,through the National Practice Program (NPP),intend to provide a series of Continuing Educationcourses on sustainable design to the architecturalprofession in Canada. SDCB 101 is the first inthis series.

The NPP plans to offer two other entry levelmodules in the year 2002:

SDCB 102 National Assessment Tool 103 Canadian Case Studies

A second level of more specific courses (withSDCB 101 as a prerequisite) will be offered in thefuture. Some of these include:

SDCB 201 Simulation Software and SkillsDevelopment

202 Advanced Daylighting Strategies 203 Concrete, Flyash and Other Additives 204 Selecting Sensible Materials for

Interiors 205 Photovoltaics and Fuel Cells 206 Deconstruction and Demolition 207 Onsite Wastewater Strategies 208 Sustainability Issues in Urban

Planning and Design 209 Greening Your Specifications 210 Sustainable Design of Structures 211 Sustainable Design of Landscapes

More advanced courses which are being consideredin the future (prerequisites will also be required)include:

SDCB 301 Advanced Simulation, Dynamic Thermal Modeling

302 Living Machine Design and Use

Sustainable Building CanadaCommittee (SBCC) -Background and Organization

The concept for SDCB 101 and the entire programis a creation of SBCC - Sustainable BuildingCanada Committee. This committee was formedby the RAIC in J anuary 2001 with four keyobjectives:

• Advancing, within a context ofinterdisciplinary exchange, theimplementation of sustainable buildingpractices in the construction industry.

• Providing leadership and overseeing thedesign and development of various programsincluding but not limited to:- a Website,- recommendation and promotion of a

Canadian Assessment Tool,- a national education program, and- a systemfor recommending and

promoting green products and standards.

• Generating and updating the resourcesnecessary for the effective communicationof knowledge and research pertaining tosustainable building.

• Establishing and maintaining relationshipswith appropriate regulatory bodies as well aswith government and industry on a nationallevel.

The purpose of the SBCC is to create a nationalforum of interdisciplinary groups within theConstruction Industry to coordinate effortsin developing and promoting environmentally

responsible construction industry practices.

This Committee is absolutely critical for Canada.As a nation we have committed to the KyotoAccord. The buildings we construct and operateconstitute almost 40% of the total greenhousegas emissions in Canada; hence, the work of the

Preface



SBCC may be the single largest contributor toCanada’s solutions for compliance with the KyotoAccord.

“The Sustainable Building CanadaCommittee will develop a coherentplatform for the design, construction,operation, management, regulation andevaluation of built “green” environmentsin Canada, and the education ofprofessionals involved in the industry,leading to progressively improved levelsof sustainability.”

The Executive Committee includes representativesof the RAIC; the Federation of CanadianMunicipalities (FCM); the British Columbia BuildingsCorporation (BCBC); Public Works and GovernmentServices Canada (PWGSC); the Association ofConsulting Engineers of Canada (ACEC); BuildingOwners and Managers Association (BOMA); andthe Canadian Construction Association (CCA).In addition to the Executive Committee, thereare six Technical Advisory Committees (TAC):Assessment Tool; Website Design; Educationand Promotion; Products and Standards; “GreenBuilding” Challenge; and Fundraising.

Currently, the SBCC is operated in a mannersimilar to all other committees within the RAIC.Its funding and expenses are controlled by theRAIC and are subject to the normal policies

of the RAIC. The RAIC presently contractswith the Ottawa-based consulting firm,by dEsign Consultants, to provide secretariatand coordination services for the SBCC.

The current Sustainable Building Canada Committeeorganization is as follows:

Chair:Peter Busby, FRAIC, Busby +AssociatesArchitects ([email protected])Vice Chair:Bruce Lorimer, FRAIC, Director General, PWGSC,A&ES ([email protected])Secretariat:

J on Hobbs, Executive Director, RAIC([email protected])Vince Catalli, MRAIC, President, by dEsignConsultants ([email protected])

Technical Advisor to ExecutiveCommittee:Nils Larsson, NRCan,([email protected])

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC):

Products & StandardsChair:Craig Applegath, FRAIC, Dunlop Architects([email protected])

Web Site DesignChair:Vivian Manasc, FRAIC, Manasc Isaac Architects([email protected])

Assessment ToolChair:Kevin Hydes, P.Eng., Keen Engineering([email protected])

Education & PromotionChair:Sandra Marshall, MRAIC, Sr. Researcher, CMHC([email protected])

Green Building Challenge 2002Chair: Alex Zimmerman, British Columbia BuildingCorporation ([email protected])

FundingChair:Glen Wither, MRAIC, McGraw-Hill ConstructionInformation Group([email protected])

Volunteers are encouraged to join subcommitteesby contacting the chairs directly via e-mail. Thereis a lot of work to be done to “green” this finecountry.




Project : Mountain Equipment Co-op Store, Toronto

Archit ect : Stone Kohn McQuire VogtArchitects

I mage Credit : Peter Carr-Locke

Project : Revenue Canada Office BuildingArchit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : Martin Tessler

Project : York University Computer ScienceFacility

Archit ect : Busby +Associates Architects inassociation with Van NostranddiCastri Architects

I mage Credit : Busby +Associates Architects

Project : City of Vancouver Materials Testing FacilityArchit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : Martin Tessler

Project : CK Choi, Institute for AsianResearch

Archit ect : Matsuzaki Wright Architects Inc.I mage Credit : Matsuzaki Wright Architects Inc.

Project : Mountain Equipment Co-op Store,Ottawa

Archit ect : Linda Chapman Architect andChristopher Simmonds Architect,in joint venture

I mage Credit : Ewald Richter



Project : City of Vancouver Materials Testing Facility

Archit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : Martin Tessler

Project : Liu Centre for the Study of GlobalIssues

Archit ect : Architectura, in collaborationwith Arthur Erickson

I mage Credit : Richard Klopp, MAIBC

Project : Banff Town Hall

Archit ect : Manasc Isaac Architects Ltd.I mage Credit : Robert Lemermeyer

Project : South East False Creek,Vancouver, BC

I mage Credit : City of Vancouver

Project : Locoshop AngusArchit ect : ÆdificaI mage Credit : Patrick Dionne

Image: Busby +Associates' officefoldable bicycle for "too far towalk" local meetings.

I mage Credit : Busby +Associates Architects


The following photographs of buildings have been used throughout this manual.

Photo Credits



Project : BC Gas Operation CentreArchit ect : Musson Cattell Mackey

PartnershipI mage Credit : Nick Lehoux Photography

Project : Strawberry Vale ElementarySchool

Archit ect : Patkau Architects Inc.I mage Credit : J ames Dow


Archit ect : Architectura, in collaborationwith Arthur Erickson

I mage Credit : Kori Chan, MAIBC

Project : Hinton Government CentreArchit ect : Manasc Isaac Architects Ltd.I mage Credit : Manasc Isaac Architects Ltd.

Project : Rocky Mountain InstituteI mage Credit : Rocky Mountain Institute

Project : Sun Life Insurance Head Office, Toronto

I mage Credit : Genetron Systems Inc.

Project : Hastings Park Restoration PlanLandscapeArchit ect : Phillips Farevaag SmallenbergI mage Credit : Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg

Project : Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

Archit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : J ames Teit

Project : Citadel of QuebecI mage Credit : Royal 22 e Régiment

Project : Mountain Equipment Co-op Store, Toronto

Archit ect : Stone Kohn McQuire VogtArchitects

I mage Credit : Dan Cowling


Archit ect : Architectura, in colaborationwith Arthur Erickson

I mage Credit : Richard Klopp, MAIBC

Project : Beausoleil Solar AquaticsFirm: ECO-TEK Wastewater TreatmentI mage Credit : ECO-TEK Wastewater Treatment

Project : BC Gas Operation CentreArchit ect : Musson Cattell Mackey

PartnershipI mage Credit : Nick Lehoux Photography






Archit ect : Matsuzaki Wright Architects Inc.I mage Credit : Mike Sherman

Project : Body Shop (Canada)Headquarters

Archit ect : Colborne Architectural GroupLivi ng Machine: John ToddI mage Credit : Strategic Assertive Public

Relations

Project : Advanced house comparable toR-2000 'La maison des marais'

Archit ect : R. Monnier, ArchitecteI mage Credit : R. Monnier, Architecte




Project : York University Computer ScienceFacility

Archit ect : Busby +Associates Architects inassociation with Van NostranddiCastri Architects

I mage Credit : Michael McColl of Busby +

Associates Architects

Project : Revenue Canada Office BuildingArchit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : Busby +Associates Architects

Project : 440 Cambie StreetArchit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsCode Consultant : Pioneer Consultants Ltd.I mage Credit : Martin Tessler

Project : EcoResidenceArchit ect : Daniel Pearl and Mark Poddubiuk

ArchitectesI mage Credit : Daniel Pearl and Mark Poddubiuk

Architectes

Project : APEGBC Head OfficesArchit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : Martin Tessler

Image: Pincher Creek wind turbine farmI mage Credit : Busby +Associates Architects

Project : Telus Office BuildingArchit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : Busby +Associates Architects

Image: Pincher Creek wind turbine farmI mage Credit : Busby +Associates Architects

Project : 2211 West FourthArchit ect : Hotson Bakker ArchitectsI mage Credit : Bruce Haden and Rob Melnychuk

respectively

Project : Walnut Grove Aquatic CentreArchit ect : Roger Hughes +Partners

ArchitectsI mage Credit : Gary Otte

Project : Richmond City HallArchit ect : Hotson Bakker Architects and

Kuwabara Payne McKennaBlumberg Associated Architects

I mage Credit : Peter Aaron/Esto

Project : La Petite Maison du WeekendArchit ect : Patkau Architects Inc.I mage Credit : Richard K. Loesch

Project : 1220 Homer StreetArchit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : Sue Ockwell of Busby +

Associates Architects

Project : Angus LocoshopArchit ect : ÆdificaI mage Credit : Michel Tremblay

Project : Strawberry Vale ElementarySchool

Archit ect : Patkau Architects Inc.I mage Credit : J ames Dow

Project : Richmond City HallArchit ect : Hotson Bakker Architects and

Kuwabara Payne McKennaBlumberg Associated Architects

I mage Credit : Peter Aaron/Esto

Project : Mountain Equipment Co-op Store,Ottawa

Archit ect : Linda Chapman Architect andChristopher Simmonds Architect,in joint venture

I mage Credit : Ewald Richter

Project : Concord Sales PavilionArchit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : Rod Mass of Busby +Associates

Architects

Project : The City of Vancouver Materials Testing Facility

Archit ect : Busby +Associates ArchitectsI mage Credit : Martin Tessler and Busby +

Associates Architects respectively




IntroductionIntroduction

“ Of all t he changes t hat

wi ll come t o Canada in t he

next generat ion, we must

prevent any of a sort t hat

wil l di mini sh t he essent ial

beauty of t his country.For if t hat beauty i s lost ,

or if t hat wil derness

escapes, t he very nat ure

and charact er of t his

land wi ll have passed

beyond our grasp.”

Pierre Elliott Trudeau



SDCB 101 – Course Objectivesand Content

This course is designed to be a primer ongreen building design in Canada. The materialfocuses on residential, commercial, institutionaland light industrial buildings, pertaining to newconstruction and renovations. Agricultural andindustrial buildings are not specifically addressedin this primer. Part of this course material is alsorelevant to programming, interior design, andlandscape design.

The course objectives are:• to propose a green building methodology;• to introduce issues of sustainable design for

Canadian buildings;• to provide environmental strategies

applicable in day to day practice; and• to discuss a National Assessment Tool for

Canada.

The content of this manual is intended for the

Canadian architect who is working towards theachievement of more sustainable design. Canada-wide strategies are presented as an introductionto the concepts of green buildings. The authorsacknowledge the significant climatic variationswithin Canada, ranging from southern desertand Mediterranean zones to Northern Arcticconditions. Recognizing this, a supplementarysection providing a regional perspective isincluded. Future courses will provide greaterdetail including specific design solutions withineach region.

The manual is divided into ten sections, withopening and closing sections written by Raymond

J . Cole, PhD, professor at the School of Architectureof the University of British Columbia. Eachsection provides an overview on key green design

considerations and design strategies, followedby a discussion on regulatory issues, linkagesand tradeoffs. Canadian case studies and webresources are merged within the document foreasy reference. The order of subjects parallelsthe organization of LEED™to develop familiarityfor readers. A glossary explaining key concepts,a bibliography of written publications, and acopy of the LEED Green Bui lding Rat ing System ™Version 2.0 complete the manual. The sections ofthe manual are:

1.0 Building an EnvironmentalEthicIntroduction by Raymond J . Cole, PhD.

2.0 Green Building DesignMethodology

This introductory section provides informationabout design and implementation processesfundamental to green building design. Greenbuilding design methodology must include thefollowing:

• Implementation Strategies: requiringthe following key processes: life cycleassessment; Integrated Design Approach(IDA), which includes clients and governingbodies; the establishment of sustainablegoals; and sharing knowledge and promotinggreen buildings.

• Verification and measurement: ensuringthat the environmental strategies of thebuilding are designed, installed and operatedto their optimum. It includes performancestandards, simulation software and programs,assessment tools and commissioning.


Introduction



3.0 Sustainable Site DesignProper site selection can significantly reducethe typical negative impacts of a building on itssurrounding ecosystems and watershed. Two keyconsiderations are introduced:

• Sustainable site location, which includes theconsideration of a sustainable site selectionprocess, urban redevelopment, brownfieldredevelopment and transportation issues.

• Reduction of the negative site impacts ofa building which can have far-reachingeffects on the health of ecosystems. Somefactors to consider include: reducing sitedisturbance, erosion and sediment control,landscape and exterior design, water systemmanagement, reducing “heat islands” andlight pollution.

4.0 Water Efficiency This section addresses three key issues andstrategies regarding water conservation:

• Conservation measures for reducinglandscaping irrigation. Sustainablelandscaping techniques or water efficientirrigation systems can be use to reducewater use.

• Water use reduction strategies. Water usereduction is achieved through education and

awareness and the use of water-efficientplumbing fixtures and appliances.• Innovative wastewater treatment. These

techniques provide significant environmentaladvantages in protecting water resources byreducing the demand for freshwater and theamount of wastewater.

5.0 Energy and Atmosphere The greatest environmental impact of a buildingis usually its intensive energy consumption.Approximately 40% of worldwide energy useis for cooling, heating and providing power tobuildings. This section introduces four key issuesto consider related to energy and atmosphere:

• Understanding the relationship betweenpollution and energy use. The processesof resource extraction, energy production,transportation and manufacturing generatesignificant pollution.

• Reducing initial construction anddeconstruction energy through thedesign process.

• Reducing operational energy consumption. The energy used to operate a building is themost significant source of negative impactof a building on the ecosphere. Thereare several strategies to minimize energyconsumption to operate a building, includingpassive systems and energy efficientproducts.

• Selecting energy sources. The selection oflow impact energy sources is fundamentalto reducing the negative impacts fromabuilding's energy consumption.

6.0 Materials and ResourcesConserving materials and resources is veryimportant, considering that as much as 40% ofthe world’s raw materials are used in buildings.

The section on materials and resources efficiencycovers two key issues:

• The concept of material efficiency involvesreducing the demand for materials andresources. It addresses building reuse andrenovation, material reduction and efficiency,designing for flexibility, constructionwaste management and designing fordemountability.




Building an Environmental Ethic Chapter 1.0

SDCB 101 – Sustainable Design Fundamentals for Buildings 1

Introduction

The recorded scale and rate of globalenvironmental degradation represents thedefining characteristics of the 20 th century.Notwithstanding the importance of social andeconomic needs and constraints, the health of

the biosphere will remain the limiting factor forsustainability. A prerequisite for sustainabilityis the maintenance of the functional integrityof the ecosphere so that it can remain resilientto human-induced stresses and continue to bebiologically productive. The ecological footprintprovides probably the most graphic portrayal ofthe mismatch between biological productivityand current human-imposed demands. Canada hasan ecological footprint of over 7 hectares/person– far in excess of an equable world averageallocation of 1.9 hectares/person.

Green Buildings

Buildings represent significant capital invest-ments, both financial and ecological. Almost everyattempt to bring a new approach or emphasis tobuilding design is subject to the litmus test ofcost and, most typically, this is the capital orinitial cost. Not only do costs seldom accountfor the benefits that may accrue over a building’slife as a result of higher initial investment, butalso the broader societal costs of poor qualitybuilding or poor environmental standards are notacknowledged within current accounting methods.Environmental issues and associated costs willdirectly and indirectly shape this century andtherefore increasingly underpin almost all aspectsof human settlement and building design.

Green building design is assumed to be incrementalimprovements in the environmental performanceof buildings beyond typical practice. Thereis an implicit assumption that by continuallyimproving the environmental performance ofindividual buildings, the collective reductionin resource use and ecological loading by thebuilding industry will be sufficient to fully addressthe environmental agenda.

Climate Change

Climate change will be the most significantenvironmental issue this century. Already,traditional weather patterns are changing, makingsome areas warmer and wetter, others cooleror drier. These altered patterns will lead to anincrease in the frequency and severity of extremeweather events, such as droughts, floods, and

storms. Other anticipated effects include risingsea levels, increased air pollution and health carecosts, decreased fish stocks and reduced cropyields.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) reaffirms the need for concerted internationalcommitment and action to reduce greenhouse gasemissions. IPCC has provided a series of scenariosregarding the burning of fossil fuels, how theywill translate into greenhouse gas emissions,how that will translate into global warming, andhow that will translate subsequently into climate

change. There is widespread agreement thatcurrent rates of greenhouse gas emissions will becatastrophic if unabated. This is transforming ourunderstanding of environmental problems basedprimarily on the availability of resources to anunderstanding based on the ecological impactsassociated with their acquisition and disposal.

Building an Environmental EthicRaymond J. Cole, PhDSchool of Architecture, University of British Columbia



• Canada is currently the highest per capitaconsumer of energy and second highestper capita producer of greenhouse gasesin the world.

• Canada’s green house gas emissions continueto increase by 1.5 per cent annually.

It is difficult to imagine that a sustainablesystem of production and consumption willemerge by simply tweaking the current practice.IPCC is calling for much more significant leaps inperformance than those currently declared withinthe Kyoto Accord. Discussion about Factor 4 andFactor 10 provides some sense of the urgency andthe order of magnitude needed to address climatechange and other environmental issues. It is alsodifficult to imagine an easy transition to a low-carbon economy by requiring industrial countriesto break their dependency on fossil fuels, while

simultaneously encouraging developing countriesaspiring to a similar wealth to leapfrog overthe current polluting and resource-intensetechnological base. This is the challenge to whichwe must rise - individually and collectively.

Performance Through Time

Lifecycle performance has emerged as the frameof reference for discussing environmental issues.

This has particular importance for buildingsbecause of the time-dependency of environmentalimpacts and building life:

• Irrespective of current efforts to curbenvironmental degradation, the time-scale ofecological loadings, such as greenhouse gasemissions and subsequent stabilization oftolerable CO2 levels within the atmosphere,means that the consequences of past andcurrent actions will persist for decades tocome.

• The climatic conditions that buildings willimpact will be different in the future thanwhen the building is initially constructed.By 2050 it is estimated that globaltemperatures may have risen by 2°C andby 2100 perhaps by as much as 4°C –

with considerable regional variations. Oncetriggered, the rate in rise in temperaturewill increase and the effects will profoundlyaffect the frequency and intensity of storms,winds and rainfall. Such changes will havepotentially serious implications for buildingswith passive systems.

• Buildings last a long time. The buildingsdesigned today, if they last 50, 75, 100years, may well exist in a post-petroleumeraor certainly at its tail end. Design decisionsmade today clearly influence future socialand environmental agendas.

• Buildings take a long time to reveal theirtrue merits. The measure of successful greenbuilding strategies can therefore only beassessed in the long term.

• Buildings must be capable of being upgradedover time because environmental issues aregoing to become more important, not less.

• A combination of sustained user commitmentto environmental technologies is absolutelycritical for successful environmentalperformance.

• It is important to differentiate betweentechnologies and strategies that requireactive engagement frombuilding users fromthose that do not. Any such incrementsin those that do need to be weighed veryseriously against some long-held and time-honoured expectations of users.

2 SDCB 101 – Sustainable Design Fundamentals for Buildings

Chapter 1.0 Building an Environmental Ethic



Leadership

Any transition to sustainability will requireprofound shifts in human values andexpectations. Nurturing an environmental ethicmust precede or at least parallel technological

advance. As the realities of resource depletionand global environmental degradation becomemore evident, we can anticipate a maturingand strengthening of the public’s concern andknowledge on environmental issues. This willtranslate into an expectation and demand forgreater environmental responsibility and, aswith other sectors, the building industry will beincreasingly scrutinized for its environmentalactions.

Environmental issues present both a challengeand an opportunity for building designprofessionals. The challenges are to developapproaches and practices that address immediateenvironmental concerns and those that adhereto the emerging principles and dictates ofsustainability. The opportunities are for boththe reinstatement of meaningful and enduringdesign principles that respond to the ecologiesof climate, resources and culture, and for designprofessionals to provide the visible and creativeleadership that will be necessary to createchange. Although environmental responsibilityhas always been implicit in the ethical codesthat govern design professionals, this must nowbecome an explicit and demonstrated part ofpractice. The key message in this course is fordesign professionals to:

• Commit to environmentally responsiblebuilding design and to accept and remaincollectively focused on sustaining acommitment to the environmental agenda.

• Commit to educational programs to attainthe necessary skills and remain current asthe field matures.

• Become proactive in aspiring to anddelivering buildings with higher performancelevels.

Building an Environmental Ethic Chapter 1.0




2.0 Green BuildingDesign Methodology

2.0 Green BuildingDesign Methodology



Green Building Design Methodology Chapter 2.0


Overall Objectives

• to modify conventional design processes toachieve greener buildings.

• to include methods to measure and verifyenvironmental performance.

This section of the Sustainable DesignFundamentals for Buildings manual providesinformation about the conception, design,construction, measurement and verification ofgreen buildings.

In order to achieve greener buildings, existingdesign processes require fundamental shiftsin attitude and approach. This shift should bereviewed with the design teamand adopted priorto project initiation.

Measurement and verification are two importantstages in achieving greener buildings, by ensuringthat the environmental strategies of the building

are designed, installed and operated at optimumsettings.

Green Building Design Methodology



Chapter 2.0 - Green Building Design MethodologyChapter 2.0 - Green Building Design Methodology

2.1 ImplementationStrategies

2.1 ImplementationStrategies



Life Cycle Assessment

Integrated Design Approach

Clients and Authorities Having J urisdiction

Sustainable Goals

Sharing Knowledge and Promoting Green Buildings



Objective

• to modify the conventional design process tomake buildings greener.

New approaches to building design must includeconsideration of the life cycle and long termimpacts of buildings which may affect futuregenerations. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) takesinto account the direct and indirect detrimentaleffects of buildings on the environment and onthe community.

Some of the fundamentals to achieve greenerbuildings include:• The initial selection of a multidisciplinary

green design team– called the IntegratedDesign Approach;

• The establishment of sustainable goals earlyin a project’s development;

• The involvement of clients, authoritieshaving jurisdiction, and the community in

the early stages of the project;• Education to promote sustainable design andthe continuous improvement of buildings.

Life Cycle Assessment

Objective:

• to consider impacts of the entire life cycle ofa building in all design decisions.

The life cycle assessment (LCA) addresses allstages of a building (or product), from resourceextraction, assembly and construction, to thedisposal, recycling or reuse of building productsduring “deconstruction”. In general terms, theconcept of life cycle assessment expands theassessment process from immediate, short term,

narrow criteria, to long term, comprehensivecriteria.

Life cycle costing is usually considered to bea financial analysis, with capital investmentdecisions weighed against operational savings(i.e. return on investment). More thorough LCAstudies, may examine factors such as GreenhouseGas Emissions (GHG’s) of materials within

buildings for their complete life cycle.

Analysing materials and resources using thislife cycle concept, can establish more realisticenvironmental and social costs associated with abuilding or product. However, this comprehensiveassessment is more difficult to quantify; theanalysis of building products can be costly,and data is not available for all materials. LCArequires an understanding of how the differentstages of a building’s life cycle affect the overallobjective of sustainability. The principal stagesof a buildings life cycle include:

- initial design,- prefabrication,- construction,- operation and maintenance,- demolition, anddisposal.

Thorough LCA studies usually indicate thatthe financial benefits of operational savings,considered over a building’s entire life,significantly outweigh any additional initialcapital investments to achieve these operationalsavings.

Implementation Strategies Chapter 2.1


2.1 Implementation Strategies



These comparisons however, are very sensitive toenergy cost projections. Even in their simplerapplications, LCA can support “green” decisions.Relamping offices with T8’s or T5’s fluorescentlamps can result in a 3-4 year payback. ManyCanadian clients have established payback

thresholds (6-10 years are benchmarks usedby the some clients such as BCBC, AlbertaInfrastructure, and City of Calgary). The current“payback” for most photovoltaic installationsexceeds 100 years; however, energy costs andmanufacturing costs are always changing. AsCanadian energy costs move to market valuethrough more deregulation, the LCA shouldbecome more effective.

A long term view is fundamental to the designof any sustainable project. The financing of aproject is usually done only in considerationof the short term, whereas the effects of abuilding or development on social, economic andenvironmental systems, both local and global,are long term. By taking a life cycle approach,the full costs and benefits of various designapproaches and technologies can be appraisedand the best, or most sustainable, solutionidentified.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada

• Incorporate an analysis of life cycle in alldesign decisions.

• Use other LCA data when available.• Request life cycle data for building products

in order to develop a more accurate andcomplete life cycle assessment.

Case Study

York University Computer Science BuildingBusby +Associates Architects, in association withVan Nostrand diCastri Architects, Toronto, ON

Resources

Life Cycle Assessment Links www.life-cycle.org

NIST Building Life-Cycle Cost (BLCC) Program www.eren.doe.gov/femp

US DOE Building Life Cycle CostAssessment Programs www.energydesignresources.com

Integrated Design Approach

Objective

• to achieve holistic solutions through anIntegrated Design Approach.

Not only does the green building design processrequire a vision and a commitment to sustain-ability; but also the application of an IntegratedDesign Approach (IDA). Greener building designbegins with a multidisciplinary team of designprofessionals such as environmental designexperts, architects, engineers, planners andlandscape architects. It also includes the client asa core teammember.

The IDA ensures all building systems and

components, such as site design, structure, orient-ation, envelope, lighting, and ventilation areviewed as interdependent. Professionals involvedin such a teammust overcome a narrow point-of-view related to their discipline and be open-mindedto consider “global” solutions encompassing alldisciplines. This approach is achieved by respect-ing each consultant or teammember as a colleaguerather than as a competitor for a portion of thebuilding’s budget.


Chapter 2.1 Implementation Strategies

I n t he York Universit y project , a 75 year li fe spanLCA study was done to assess capital and operat ionalcosts. As compared to a reference MNECB bui lding, thisbuilding’s operati onal costs are esti mated to be tens of mill ions of dollars less than the reference buildi ngand other buildings wit h the same capit al cost.



An example of such teamwork is the trade-off between high-performance windows and abuilding’s mechanical systems. Typically, whena building in Canada is designed to perform30-50% better than the Model National EnergyCode (MNEC) by incorporating high-performance

windows, the costs for mechanical equipment,such as chillers and ducts, decreases dramatically.In other words, these construction costs shiftfrom mechanical engineering to architecturalcomponents (in this case, insulating operablewindows). Such a solution takes teamwork, in theformof the IDA, to achieve.

One useful technique is to establish fixed designfees for mechanical and electrical engineers at“conventional” cost projections, which meansthat the engineering consultants must work hardto find design solutions, often resulting in fewer

drawings and less documentation. It is a win-winsolution for both the client and the environment.

The IDA team of consultants can be structuredwith core and peripheral teammembers. The coreteam members (including the client, architect,mechanical, electrical and structural engineers)provide continuity in addressing a project’ssustainable goals. The peripheral members(such as materials experts, quantity surveyors,the client’s operations team, maintenancesupervisors, etc.) can be consulted for theirspecific expertise during the course of theproject. It is important to include all consultantsin the “communication loop” so that they canabsorb and assimilate information and contributeto the sustainable vision of the project.

IDA’s can start with design charrettes or workshopswhich set goals and strategies. They may alsobe a vehicle to obtain a client’s buy-in to theprocess. Teammeetings for the Integrated DesignApproach must be held frequently during theschematic design and design development phaseof a project. Periodic “full table” reviewsare important for “sign-offs”. The client’smaintenance and operations staff should alsobe included because they must understand thefinished building during the critical period aftertakeover.


• Use an Integrated Design Approach for allbuilding projects.

• Document and distribute the sustainablevision for the project.

• Include green design experts on thedesign team.

• Include experts or “peripheral” consultantsfor advice on a wide range of sustainableissues.

Case Study

York University - Computer Science BuildingBusby +Associates Architects, in association withVan Nostrand diCastri Architects, Toronto, ON

Resources

Green Building BC – Guide to Value Analysisand Integrated Design Process www.greenbuildingsbc.com/

new_buildings/resources.html

Clients and Authorities Having Jurisdiction

Objective

• to reduce any real or perceived obstacles to

achieving greener buildings.Green buildings provide many advantages toclients and the community at large. They canbe built with no cost premium, they are cheaperto operate, they can result in cost savingsfor infrastructure, they have low environmentalimpacts, and they have high-quality indoorenvironments for users. Consequently, greenbuildings are more marketable than conventionalbuildings.

However, in order to design and construct green

buildings, some impediments need to be overcome,including:• the fear of innovation, such as a reluctance

to adopt new tools and processes• the perception of additional costs.





By involving clients and authorities having jurisdiction from the outset, perceived or realobstacles can often be overcome. The IDA is animportant tool in overcoming such obstacles. Itis very important to involve decision-makers atall levels, as well as building maintenance and

operations staff.

By including the wider community, the IntegratedDesign Approach for sustainable design providesan opportunity to educate the public, therebyincreasing expectations and the demand for andacceptance of sustainable technologies.

Authorities having jurisdiction, through variousregulations, can control the extent of allowableinnovation for incorporated sustainable featuresand technologies in buildings. Certain existingregulations impede sustainable buildings and

developments because they were imposed inresponse to practices and values that predate ourawareness of sustainability issues.

Typical regulatory challenges include electricaland plumbing codes that require all installedequipment to be new. Buildings designed for largemunicipal clients often demonstrate the potentialfor change. For example, the Materials TestingLaboratory for the City of Vancouver EngineeringDepartment was constructed out of 80% salvagedmaterial – with client agreement all the way.Often authorities will permit an application ifthey have been advised and informed early in theprocess and have agreed with the sustainabilitygoals for the project.

At the CK Choi Building at University of BritishColumbia (UBC) the approving authority agreedto allow composting toilets in the building. Thiswould have come to nothing if UBC operationsstaff had not agreed to maintain the composters,including handling the “red wriggler” worms

which assist in decomposition. Green roofs posesimilar maintenance challenges because they mayneed occasional weeding.

No one jurisdiction can possibly regulate allsustainable issues. Architects with new innovativesolutions should approach regulators respectfullyto make progress toward greener buildings anddevelopments.


• Include clients and authorities having jurisdiction early in the design process;

• Challenge conflicting regulations and seekmutually beneficial solutions;

• Identify clearly the relative risks and impactsof conventional systems as well as thoseassociated with any innovation, in order tofacilitate further discussion;

• Enlist the help of credible professionals

to negotiate with regulatory agencies andauthorities having jurisdiction to build arelationship of trust between the applicantand the regulator;

• Cultivate relationships with champions withinthe regulatory agencies for any proposedinnovations.


Chapter 2.1 Implementation Strategies

The Materials Testing Laboratory for the Cit y ofVancouver Engineering Department was constructedout of 80% salvaged material .

At the CK Choi Building at UBC, t he authori ties agreedto allow composti ng toil ets in the building.



Case Studies

CK Choi, Institute for Asian Research Matsuzaki Wright Architects Inc., Vancouver, BC

City of Vancouver Material Testing FacilityBusby +Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

Resources

Green Building BC – Guide to Value Analysisand Integrated Design Process www.greenbuildingsbc.com/

new_buildings/resources.html

Sustainable Goals

Objective

• to establish quantifiable goals in order tomotivate the design teamand to measuresuccess.

Establishing sustainability goals at the outsethelps define the environmental scope of a givenproject. Clients, stakeholder representatives, andteammembers should participate in defining theproject’s sustainability goals; this strengthensevery teammember’s commitment to those goals.

Goals and priorities should also reflect the localcontext, issues and values. For example, aregion or community that regularly experiences ashortage of water may emphasize water efficiencyfeatures within its environmental goals. Thereit would still be important to consider othervariables that contribute to sustainability, suchas operational energy reduction, but the teamwould recognize that those variables would havea lower priority than water conservation. Clearlyestablished goals and priorities will guide theteamduring the design process.

Quantifiable goals can be set to meet energyperformance standards or to increase energysavings. Typically in Canada, targets are compared

to the Model National Energy Code (MNEC)and are often expressed as, for example “30%better than” the applicable standard set in thecode. Similar goals use ASHRAE 90.1 (1999)as a standard. Less specific qualitative goalsmake the measurement of success more difficult.Whenever possible, the design teamshould avoidqualitative goals such as “increase indoor airquality” or “improve resource efficiency”.

Finally, the design teamshould consider defininggoals with multiple objectives. Multipleobjectives lead to potential synergies in greendesign.

Some examples of quantifiable goals are:

• the number of tons of greenhouse gasemissions saved in construction(compared to a benchmark);

• savings in operational costs(such as annual figures showing savingsin energy consumption);

• the amount of preservation or restorationof native vegetation;

• the percentage of modal mix in adevelopment’s transportation system.

An example of an organization that establishesclear goals and objectives is the MountainEquipment Co-op, an enlightened company witha “Green Building Mandate” that all design teamsmust meet. Eighty (80%) of the materials usedin the new Mountain Equipment Co-op store inOttawa, travelled no more than 500 km to thesite. That’s a clear and commendable goal.


• Define goals with multiple objectives;• Define specific quantifiable targets

for diverse green design strategies;• Expend exceptional effort to meet

the stated goals;• Consider the widest range of goals.



I n the MEC store in Ottawa, 80% of the materialstravelled no more than 500 km.




2.2 Measurements and Verification2.2 Measurements and Verification



Performance Standards

Simulation Software and Programs

Assessment Tools

Commissioning



Objective

• to measure and verify the operation ofbuilding systems over their life cycle toensure optimal performance.

Measurement of the project’s goals at all phasesof design, construction and operation is crucial;this provides quantitative results and ensuresoptimumperformance.

Measurement and verification practices canoften instill the sponsor the confidence neededto secure project funding. By demonstratingthat investments in energy efficiency havea feasible payback period may be critical tofunding. Measurement and verification practicesallow project performance risks to be clarified,managed, and allocated among the parties.

Measurement and verification will also optimizesystems efficiency. Assessing energy savings

strategies at the design stage is sometimesdifficult. I t is during a building’s actual operationthat energy consumption, material and systemsperformance and water savings can be measured,documented, and properly assessed.

There are several methods available to Canadianarchitects for assessing designs and constructedbuildings. Performance standards, simulationsoftware and assessment methods are three typesof useful tools to ensure the achievement ofenvironmental goals.

Measurement and verification occur at twoimportant stages:• During the design phase, simulation

software and assessment methods facilitatemeasuring the design team’s proposedenvironmental targets;

• During construction and operation, acomprehensive and ongoing commissioning,measurement and verification programoptimizes and documents performance.

These programs may also provide feedbackconcerning issues of adaptability, such asa change in use or the introduction of newsustainable technologies.

Performance Standards

Objective

• to monitor and increase the environmentalperformance of buildings.

Performance standards such as the Model NationalEnergy Codes , the C-2000 Program , and theASHRAE/ I ESNA 90.1-1999 Energy Standard offerbenchmark objectives for minimumenvironmentalperformance. Use of these performance standardsmay help reduce the number of buildings thatare claimed to significantly reduce detrimentalenvironmental impacts, but really demonstratelittle environmental merit (sometimes referred to

as “green wash”).Model National Energy Codes

The National Research Council of Canada hasproduced the Model National Energy Code ofCanada for Buildings (MNECB) and the ModelNational Energy Code for Houses (MNECH). Theirpurpose is to help practitioners to design energy-efficient buildings. By considering local climate,fuel sources and costs, and construction costs,these codes establish minimum standards thatcan be adopted as regulations by the appropriateprovincial or territorial authorities. Alternatively,

they may be used simply as a guide to low impactenvironmental energy conservation practice forbuildings. These model codes apply to newconstruction or additions, but not to alterationsor renovations of existing buildings.

Measurement and Verification Chapter 2.2


2.2 Measurement and Verification



ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1999ASHRAE/ I ESNA 90.1-1999 is an energy benchmarkfor US buildings (except for low- rise residentialbuildings). This well-known benchmark targetscommercial buildings and focuses on two areas:

• the building envelope, and• the building’s systems and equipment.

This energy benchmark dictates mandatoryprovisions required in order to meet thestandard. Two paths are offered to design teams:a prescriptive path, and a performance path.Mechanical calculations must be done in order toprove compliance.

C-2000 Program The C-2000 Program for Advanced CommercialBuildings is a demonstration program for high-

performance office buildings, developed andsponsored by CANMET and the Canadian Energy Technology Centre (CETC), Natural ResourcesCanada. This program focuses on the energyand environmental performance of buildings.Additional criteria have been developed for awide range of other parameters, such as occupanthealth and comfort. The program demonstratesthe feasibility of achieving energy efficiencyand minimum negative environmental impactsthrough the application of innovative greenbuilding technologies. The program providesincremental financial support and technical

assistance to development teams for designwhich conforms to the program’s whole-buildingperformance requirements. The C-2000 overallstrategy is to assist in the completion ofprojects that meet the performance criteria,to monitor their actual performance, and, toinform the industry of the results. Programgoals are achieved by the application of explicitperformance targets, careful selection of qualifiedteams and the development of close workingrelationships with experts in the field. A varietyof simulation software programs such as HOT 2000are available to aid the design teams.


• Use performance standards for settingsustainable goals.

Resources

C-2000 Program buildingsgroup.nrcan.gc.ca

Model National Energy Codes www.nrc.ca/irc

ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1999 www.ashrae.org

Simulation Software andPrograms

Objectives

• to identify incentive programs whichencourage the design and construction ofmore green buildings.

• to list software which assesses theenvironmental merit of various strategiesduring the design stage.

Simulation software programs are available toCanadian design teams to increase environmentalperformance of buildings during the designstage. These software programs are sometimesassociated with a performance standard.Examples of software and programs available toCanadian design teams are: CBIP Screening Tool,ATHENATM sof tware, CMHC’s Watersave, DOE-2,Energy-10 , and RETScreen®Tool.

This is not a comprehensive list, but a surveyof the more commonly used software available.Simulation software is a rapidly growing andchanging source of sustainable design strategies.

CBIP Screening ToolNatural Resources Canada’s Commercial BuildingIncentive Program (CBIP) is a program whichfacilitates the incorporation of energy efficientstrategies by offering financial incentives forapplying energy efficiency features in newcommercial and institutional buildings.


Chapter 2.2 Measurement and Verification



In order to qualify, the applicant must useEE4.CBIP energy performance simulation softwarein order to demonstrate that 25 percent moreenergy efficiency than the Model National EnergyCodes will be achieved for larger buildings. Ascreening tool is available to quickly verify if the

building will qualify. The CBIP Screening Toolestimates annual energy costs for the building asdesigned, and for the same building constructedto meet the Model National Energy Codes .

To encourage builders of small commercialbuildings to participate in CBIP, and facilitatethe achievement of CBIP’s energy target, theCBIP Technical Guide includes regulatory energyefficiency strategies for specific building types.

ATHENA™Software The ATHENATM Sustainable Materials Institute is

a Canadian non-profit organization created tocontinue the work started in 1991 by ForintekCanada Corporation, with the support of NaturalResources Canada. The Institute has successfullyinitiated and managed an extensive seriesof studies and it has developed one of themost highly regarded databases of Life CycleInventories (LCI) for building products in theworld. The project was originally known asBuilding Materials in the Context of SustainableDevelopment Project. The Institute has Life CycleAssessment (LCA) software that analyzes:

• production processes for different buildingproducts,• the use of those products in building and

construction, and• broader environmental issues associated with

resource extraction, building demolition anddisposal.

Design teams can use the ATHENATM Software tocarry out assessments of the structural systems ofa building. Additionally, the ATHENATM Institutecan assist design teams by providing consultingservices regarding LCA and LCI in the early design

stage. A more in-depth assessment of detaileddrawings can also be done.

RETScreen®ToolFew design professionals consider renewableenergy technology (such as, solar photovoltaicpower and wind generators) to be a feasibleoption, and presently discount such applications.

The RETScreen ® Renewable Energy Project Analysis

Software can assist in breaking down this barrier.RETScreen International is a tool for renewableenergy awareness, decision support and capacitybuilding. It has been developed by the CANMETEnergy Diversification Research Laboratory(CEDRL) with the contribution of numerousindustry experts, government and academia. Thetool consists of standardized and integratedrenewable energy project analysis software thatevaluates the energy production, life cycle costsand greenhouse gas emission reductions forvarious types of renewable energy technologies(RETs).

The RETScreen®tool can be used for a variety ofpurposes, including:

• preliminary feasibility studies,• project lender due diligence,• market studies,• policy analysis,• information dissemination,• training,• sales of products and/or services,• project development and management,• product development, and

• research and development.

The software also facilitates project imple-mentation by providing a common evaluationplatformfor the various stakeholders involved inthe project.

WATERSAVE Software The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Commission(CMHC) supplies WATERSAVE , a computer programintended for the design and analysis of waterflows, water quality, and energy use in housingprojects. The software can be applied to single-family detached houses or multi-unit residentialprojects. The programwas developed as an aid todesign teams for designing innovative householdwater systems, including wastewater recyclingor reuse, water conservation, use of rainwateras a supplementary water source, and on-sitewastewater disposal. The programcan simulate





water and wastewater flows for residential watersystems, calculate concentrations of a givenparameter throughout the system, and determinethe distribution of heat and water temperaturesin the system. The software can also assistin determining the capacity and efficiency of

a rainwater cistern system as an alternativewater source. The program does not designsystemcomponents and depends on user-providedinformation to define the configuration of thesystem, water use, raw and treated water qualityand treatment efficiencies, and energy inputs andrecovery options.

DOE-2 and Energy Plus The Simulation Research Group of the LawrenceBerkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley,California produces building energy simulationsoftware such as DOE 2 and Energy Plus . The lab

is managed by the University of California for theU.S. Department of Energy (DOE); although thesesoftware programs are American, they are oftenused in Canada.

DOE-2 Software programpredicts the hourly energyusage and the energy cost of a building basedupon hourly weather information, a descriptionof the building and its HVAC equipment, and theutility rate structure. Using DOE-2 , designerscan assess design decisions regarding buildingparameters that improve energy efficiency,while still maintaining thermal comfort and costeffectiveness. A simple or detailed descriptionof building designs, an accurate estimate of theproposed building’s energy consumption, interiorenvironmental conditions and energy operationcost are the base fromwhich DOE-2 analyzes energyusage in buildings. DOE-2 is to be considered anaid; it does not provide a holistic assessment ofthe building’s overall environmental performance.

Therefore, like most tools used in the designprocess, it must be used in conjunction with otherassessment methods.

EnergyPlus is a new generation building energysimulation program designed for modelingbuildings with associated heating, cooling,lighting, ventilating, and other energy flows.EnergyPlus builds on the earlier DOE-2 softwarebut includes many new simulation capabilities

including time steps of less than an hour, andsystems simulation modules that are integratedwith zone simulation based on heat balance-based. Other planned simulation capabilitiesinclude solar thermal, multizone airflow, andelectric power simulation including photovoltaic

systems and fuel cells. EnergyPlus is a simulationengine, which reads input and writes outputas text files, thus facilitating the involvementof clients and governing bodies in the designprocess.

Energy-10ENERGY-10 is another software tool developedby the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratorywith the Sustainable Building Industry Council,the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, andthe Berkeley Solar Group with support from theU.S. Department of Energy. Energy-10 is design

software that analyzes and illustrates the energyand cost savings achievable through more than adozen sustainable design strategies. Hourly energysimulations can help quantify, assess, and clearlydepict the benefits of green building strategiessuch as daylighting, passive solar heating, naturalventilation, well-insulated building envelopes,better windows, lighting systems, and mechanicalequipment. Using climate data that is site specific,the software shows how different combinationsof materials, systems, and siting yield lesser orgreater results in terms of energy use, comparativecosts, and reduced emissions. The software offersthe possibility of customizing weather files,converting file formats, and illustrating resultsin a variety of ways. This software can becustomized for a Canadian context.


• Use simulation software to assess designdecisions.

• Include simulation personnel in the designteam.

• Work with Mechanical and Electrical

engineers who know and use simulationsoftware as a matter of good practice.





Resources

CBIP Screening Tool cbip.nrcan.gc.ca/cbip.htm

ATHENATM Software www.athenasmi.ca

RETScreen®Tool www.retscreen.gc.ca

WATERSAVE Software www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/burema/hoin

DOE-2 and EnergyPlus gundog.lbl.gov/

Energy-10 www.sbicouncil.org/enTen

Assessment Tools

Objective

• to identify platforms for the comparison ofenvironmental strategies for buildings.

Comprehensive assessment methods can beused to rate buildings for overall environmentalperformance, something which goes beyond thepurpose of simulation software. Examples ofavailable assessment systems: Green BuildingChallenge (GBC) GB Tool, BREEAM Green Leaf rating system, and US Green Building Council

( USGBC) LEED ™rating system.

GBTool Software

The Green Building Challenge (GBC) is aninternational collaborative effort that has grownto include over 25 countries. Its purpose is tocreate a forum for the international exchangeof green building strategies. As part of theinternational GBC process, Green Building ToolSoftware ( GBTool) was designed to be theoperational software for the GBC assessmentframework. Nils Larsson of NRCAN and Ray Cole

of UBC were the authors of the GBTool . It is asophisticated and subtle spreadsheet that allowsparticipating countries to selectively incorporateideas or modify their own building assessmenttools. The GBC and GBTool processes are valuableresearch and development initiatives whichinfluence many nationally recognized systems inparticipating countries.

GBTool assesses potential environmental meritsof proposed buildings but it has no mechanismto evaluate constructed projects. The tool canbe applied to offices, multi-unit residential andeducational buildings. It is possible to simulateperformance in areas such as energy consumption,

estimate embodied energy and emissions, andpredict thermal comfort and air quality. The toolcompares a proposed design to the benchmarkvalues defined by national teams. The strategiesof the proposed design are weighed and scored toproduce a final score. The weighing and scoringmust be properly coordinated with the nationalteams for proper assessment of the proposedbuilding.

The software has been implemented on anExcel spreadsheet and may be downloaded forevaluation and educational purposes. It is time

intensive and therefore “costly” to create acomplete assessment ($20,000-$30,000). Thesoftware has been developed by Natural ResourcesCanada (NRCan) on behalf of the GBC group ofcountries. It should be noted that this tool isnot meant for commercial purposes. However,agreements may be worked out between potentialusers, the relevant national teamand NRCan.

BREEAMGREEN LEAF Rating System

BREEAM/Green Leaf was created in 1998. Itssimple approach addresses a broad scope of

issues but nevertheless maintains the principlesof credibility, affordability and efficiency. Theprogram is based on the international BREEAMenvironmental criteria as developed by theBuilding Research Establishment in the U.K. Theassessment procedure was modeled on the GreenLeaf Eco-Rating Programfor the Canadian HotelIndustry. ECD Energy, Environment Canada and

Terra Choice produce the program.

This Canadian rating system was developed asassessment tool to be used by building owners andmanagers. It is appropriate for office buildings

and multi-residential buildings which requirea comprehensive assessment of environmentalperformance. In addition to global, local andindoor environmental issues, BREEAM/GreenLeaf covers a several important tenant concernsselected fromthe BOMA Tenant Sat isfact ion Survey1998 . These selected issues are often associatedwith tenant satisfaction and include thermalcomfort, security and office layout.





The systemresults in a comprehensive report withrecommendations for improvements in operationalsavings and occupant health and comfort. It is atool produced for the private sector, and a fee ischarged to use it.

LEED™Rating System V2.0 The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is amajor program of the US Green Building Council(USGBC). The USGBC enjoys wide representationfrom the construction industry including productmanufacturers, building owners, environmentalleaders, design professionals, contractors, builders,utilities, governments agencies, building controlscontractors, research institutions and the financialindustry. The LEED™ program is a voluntary,consensus-based, and market-driven buildingrating system based on proven technology. Itevaluates environmental performance of a series of

criteria over a building’s life cycle. LEED™is basedon accepted energy and environmental principlesand aims at striking a balance between acceptedpractices and new sustainable technologies.

LEED™ is a self-assessing system designed forrating new and existing commercial, institutional,and high-rise residential buildings. It is a“feature-oriented” system where credits areearned for satisfying criteria. Different levels ofgreen building certification are awarded basedon the total credits earned. Section 8 of thismanual describes the LEED tool in more detail, asit is likely to become the standard tool in NorthAmerican for Building Assessment.


• Use assessment tools to rate buildings.• Increase marketability of a building by

promoting its environmental rating.

Resources

GBTool Software www.greenbuilding.ca/gbc2k/gbc-start.htm

BREEAM GREEN LEAF Rating System www.breeamcanada.ca

LEEDTM Rating System www.usgbc.org

Commissioning

Objective

• to provide the optimal settings for allbuilding systems.

Commissioning procedures should be in place toensure that a completed building is performingas designed and that the construction adheresto the drawings and documented design intent.Commissioning should occur during constructionas well as during occupancy.

A commissioning agent should be presentduring the construction phase to ensure thecalibration of various systems. This is more costeffective prior to occupancy of the building. Thecommissioning of green buildings includes all

systems, such as mechanical, lighting, water,controls, thermal performance, the buildingenvelope and natural systems. Natural systemswhich may need commissioning include theproper functioning of operational windows fornatural ventilation, passive solar systems suchas louvers, or daylighting features such as lightshelves.

One of the most important stages of com-missioning occurs in post-occupancy. Post-occupancy commissioning is valuable becausesustainable design considers the entire life cycle

of a building, fromconstruction to deconstruction.As previously mentioned, the operation of abuilding consumes the most energy in the usefullife of a building. Changes in staffing, buildinguse, or systems failure, can result in significantchanges to the performance of a building’ssystems. They may not be functioning as designed.

Ongoing measurements and verification through-out the life of a building optimize performanceand permit adaptation of building systems tochanges. For example, the slightest improvementin the performance of a building with respect towater consumption or energy use, when calculatedover a 50 or 75 year period, will account forenormous savings.





Additionally, commissioning should include thetraining of building users for ultimate buildingoperation. Post-occupancy commissioning addsadditional cost to professional fees; however,these costs can be justified and recoveredthrough increased energy efficiency, increased

occupant well-being and improved tenantsatisfaction. Ensuring the proper functioningof all systems also reduces maintenance andrepair costs. Post-occupancy measurementand evaluation is not typically included inconventional design teamservices.

The intent of a well developed commissioningstrategy is aligned with long term sustainablegoals and targets. Commissioning subconsultantsor specialist firms can be retained by the client tocarry out this task, however, the IDA teamshouldensure that commissioning agents understand and

share the sustainability goals of the project.


• Include a commissioning agent in thedesign team.

• Document and review the design intentof all systems.

• Develop a commissioning plan as earlyas possible.

• Provide an operation and maintenancemanual.

• Prepare a commissioning report.• Provide the means for continualenvironmental monitoring.

Resources

International Performance Measurementand Verification Protocol www.ipmvp.org

ASHRAE (1996) Guideline 1: The HVAC Commissioning Process www.ashrae.org






2.3 Regulations,Linkages and Tradeoffs




One of the biggest obstacles to achieving moresustainable buildings is the implementation ofnew and different processes for development,financing, design, construction and operations.Incorporating green building technologiesrequires a fundamental shift in the attitudes ofall participants including a deep respect for theenvironment.

Building industry professionals can play a partin influencing public opinion and, ultimately, allrelated regulations by promoting successful greenbuilding technologies to the public, clients andfellow professionals.

Regulations, Linkages and Tradeoffs Chapter 2.3


2.3 Regulations, Linkagesand Tradeoffs



3.0 SustainableSite Design

3.0 SustainableSite Design



Sustainable Site Design Chapter 3.0


Overall Objectives• to reduce and minimize negative impacts as

a result of site selection.• to reduce and minimize negative site impacts

as a result of the site development and itsbuildings.

Over the course of history, human activity hasaffected the earth incrementally. Now, thisactivity has reached unprecedented levels and hasbecome very visible. The green design teammustreinforce the notion that buildings are connectedto their surroundings; the construction, operationand deconstruction of buildings have negativeeffects on local and regional ecosystems andwatersheds. Conventional practices must bemodified to reverse current building processesthat degrade the environment. These practicesand processes must be transformed into processeswhich enhance the environment. Buildings cancontribute positively to their surroundings! Such

examples include generating energy and collectingrainwater. A building can be an attribute toa community by providing certain services andutilities as well as by establishing intrinsicaesthetic and urban values.

Sustainable site design involves two primaryissues: site location and site impacts.

Sustainable Site Design



Chapter 3.0 - Sustainable Site DesignChapter 3.0 - Sustainable Site Design

3.1 Site Selection3.1 Site Selection



Site Selection Process

Urban Redevelopment

Brownfield Redevelopment

Transportation Issues



Objective• to select the most appropriate site for a

given project.

The four main factors to consider for site locationare:

• the process for site selection;• opportunities for urban redevelopment;

• opportunities for brownfield redevelopment;and• transportation.

As previously stated, proper site locationcan significantly reduce the harmful impactsof buildings on surrounding ecosystems andwatersheds. However, in many cases, site selectionis not part of the design team’s mandate.

Site Selection Process

Objective• to ensure sustainable design principles are

incorporated in the site selection process.

During site selection, it is important to expandthe criteria normally considered, providing acomprehensive approach to:

• the potential to reduce negativeenvironmental impacts;

• the site’s contribution to increased economicprosperity; and

• the incorporation of community land usestrategies.

Successful integration of these criteria canbe achieved by including authorities having

jurisdiction, the community at large, and allother stakeholders early in the design process.

Techniques such as design charrettes, open housesfor the public, and organized public commentaryare successful in addressing and understandingall the issues.

Sustainable site selection considers impacts ofdevelopment on the local environment by anassessment of geological information, watershedsand groundwater aquifers, sun and wind patterns,natural ecosystems and habitats, sensitive areassuch as floodplains and wetlands, and the historyof the site. The impact of the surroundingson future users of the building is anotherconsideration. For example, a site located nearhigh traffic areas or a site polluted froma nearbyindustry will have a detrimental influence onindoor environmental quality.

The fundamental vision of any sustainable landuse is that of the “complete community”, whichsupports a range of lifestyles, incomes and ages.

The design teammust aimto provide a diversityof activities for the community. Sustainablecommunities must include the following land useconsiderations:

• planning for community energy;• transportation; and• ecological factors.

Design teams should consider the flow of energy,

resources and wastes produced within thecommunity to increase efficiency and synergies.It is important to avoid incompatible land usessuch as heavy industry adjacent to daycares.Employment and housing opportunities must bebalanced. Comfortable walking distances shouldformthe basis for locating retail facilities, schoolsand amenities within a community. Density levels

Site Selection Chapter 3.1


3.1 Site Selection



should be as high as possible, in order to reduceinfrastructure costs and preserve land. Transitand alternative transportation methods shouldbe the backbone of the community. Thesecomplex, interconnected issues can be addressedby ensuring community planners are included as

part of the Integrated Design Approach (I DA)teammembers.

Issues and considerations for selectingeconomically viable building sites include:

• short and long termprofitability andeconomic diversity;

• industrial ecology; and• the proximity of the supply of key goods and

services.

The South East False Creek neighbourhoodin Vancouver is an interesting example of acontaminated site which the City of Vancouveris investigating the feasibility of transforminginto a model of sustainable development. Thisbrownfield redevelopment promises to be animportant Canadian precedent for a sustainableurban community.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Include all stakeholders in the site selection

process.• Encourage the development of an “eco-

industrial network” that takes waste productsfromone business and supplies themasresources for another, thereby increasingresource efficiency and reducing waste.

• Performa site survey to identify all features,such as trees, ecologically sensitive areas,climatic data and slopes, etc.

• Engage consultants, such as landscapearchitects, geologists, ecologists andenvironmental engineers, to performa

comprehensive site analysis.• Select a site which supports a wide rangeof uses, and which can produce a densitycapable of supporting a viable transit systemand commercial activity.

• Select a site which contributes to a diversityof activities, both social and economic, andwhich offers a range of stable employmentopportunities for the community.

• Select a site which contributes to thehealth and education and recreation of thecommunity.

ResourcesSmart Growth Network www.smartgrowth.org

Global Environment Options www.geonetwork.org

Urban Redevelopment

Objective• to ensure that sites within existing urbanized

areas are favoured.

All sustainable urban redevelopment should ensurethat new projects are located within existingurban areas. The environmental benefits of suchredevelopment are:

• an increased efficiency of energy andinfrastructure;

• the protection of existing ecosystems andgreenfield sites;

• the strengthening of existing commercial,social and cultural communities; and

• the reduction of urban/suburban sprawl.Significant financial and environmental costsare attributed to municipal and regional infra-structure. By connecting to existing systems,the need to expand existing infrastructure (watersupply, sewers and wastewater treatment, powerdistribution, and roads) is minimized.


Chapter 3.1 Site Selection

The City of Vancouver is currently reviewing ways tot ransform thi s contaminated site int o a model ofsustainable development .



Additionally, urban redevelopment providesan opportunity to reuse and renovate existingbuildings. Such a strategy helps to conservecapital, energy and materials which would benecessary for new construction. Instead ofconstructing new buildings, the renovation of

existing buildings can save thousands of tonnesof landfill and greenhouse gas emissions. Bydeveloping sites in dense urban areas, otherefficiencies can result (such as sharing partywalls,heat and materials exchange, etc.).

Urban redevelopment can also preserve greenfieldsites. The advantages of preserving greenfieldsites are many: increased regional biodiversity,protection of agricultural land for futuregenerations, increased potential urban agriculture,protection of animal habitat, and the intrinsicand often intangible values of greenfield sites for

the community at large.

Favouring dense, multi-use urban developmentstrengthens existing social and cultural facilitiesand programs by increasing the number ofpotential patrons for these programs and facilities.Well-established community facilities within easywalking distance of households can increase thecommunity’s overall quality of life.

By developing only urban sites, suburban sprawlis reduced. Sprawl puts pressure on freshwaterresources and food producing ecosystems -two valuable ‘services’ provided by our naturalsurroundings. Reducing sprawl helps regions toconserve and protect natural ecosystems andwatersheds that support and sustain urban areas.

The Angus Loco Shop project in Montréal is arenovation and conversion of an existing historicalindustrial complex into a multi-functional centerto house small and medium-sized businessesspecializing in environmental technology. Locatedin a previously urbanized area, this redevelopmentdemonstrates how new life can be injected into asite with a history of intense industrial activity.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Favour infill development over greenfield

sites.• Provide compact and dense development.• Reuse and renovate existing buildings.

Case StudyAngus LocoshopÆdifica, Montreal, QC

ResourcesSmart Growth Network www.smartgrowth.org

The Center for Livable Communities www.lgc.org

BC Green Buildings Directory www.greenbuildingsbc.com

Brownfield Redevelopment

Objective• to favour, in the site selection process, sites

located in former industrial zones, which mayrequire environmental restoration.

Brownfield redevelopment is the restoration ofsites previously damaged by human activities.Redevelopment of contaminated sites caneliminate sources of pollution and reducepressures on undeveloped land. In most cases,brownfield sites are located within older urbanareas; hence, redevelopment of these sites canachieve the sustainable design advantages ofurban redevelopment strategies mentioned above.



The Angus Loco Shop proj ect is a renovat ion andconversion of an existi ng industrial bui lding wit hhistorical features int o a mult if uncti onal industri al center.



Brownfield sites often pollute local ecosystemswith hazardous contaminants; therefore, theirredevelopment and ecological restoration offersthe additional benefits of eliminating or reducingpollution sources, which pose risks to health.Unfortunately, remediation of groundwater

contamination and restoration of animal habitatsis costly and, in some cases, uneconomical.Government incentives for brownfield cleanup canoffset capital costs. Sometimes, site “cleaning”costs can be offset by the increase in land valuein comparison with an existing, low-priced,marginal site.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Favour brownfield sites over greenfield sites.• Favour ecologically benign remediation

strategies such as regenerative landscaping.• Gain community support for cleaning

brownfield sites.• Include remediation experts on the design

team.• Treat contaminated soils on site.• Demonstrate to clients how to increase land

value through environmental cleanups.

ResourcesMainstreaming Green Sustainable Designfor Buildings & Communities www.e-architect.com

Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement www.oceta.on.ca

Center for Excellence for SustainableDevelopment www.sustainable.doe.gov


Objectives

• to ensure that sites serviced by publictransportation are favoured.

• to provide alternative transportation systems(such as pedestrian walkways, bicycle pathsand electric cars).

Transportation systems contribute to our highlevels of energy consumption and other negativeimpacts associated with the built environment.

Intense automobile and truck traffic is linkedto urban sprawl, high-energy use, air pollutionand a reduced quality of life for commuters. Theinfrastructure required for highway transportationhas devastating impacts on ecosystems andwatersheds. In a typical Canadian city, 30% to

40% of land is dedicated exclusively to the useof vehicles.

Urban sprawl is a result of low-density residentialand commercial uses being linked by roadways.

The convenience of automobile transportation fordaily commuting, one of the key factors behindurban sprawl, encourages the further proliferationof low-density development. Low-density sub-urban areas with single-family detached housesare one of the least efficient forms of developmentin terms of energy and materials.

Vehicular transportation accounts for a largeportion (29%) of the fossil fuel used in Canada.

The increased popularity of large automobiles,such as sports utility vehicles (SUV’s), adds to theproblem. Transportation accounts for approxi-mately 35% of the production of greenhouse gasemissions (GHG’s) in Canada and automobilesare responsible for approximately half of theseemissions.

The reduction of the negative impacts oftransportation includes:

• promoting urban densification;• encouraging low-impact transportation modes(such as walking, cycling and public transit);and

• reducing the amount of impervious pavedsurfaces.

Urban densification increases the feasibility ofmass transit systems and facilitates infrastructureefficiencies; furthermore, higher, mixed-usedensities support a vibrant street life with a mixof retail, office and residential activities. Theproximity of diverse uses is necessary to support

a walking or cycling community.

Alternative vehicular transportation is in itsinfancy. Hybrid cars available now (Honda Insight,

Toyota Prius) require no special site support. It isanticipated that electric cars (high efficiency,lightweight plug-ins) and fuel cell cars will beavailable in two to four years. Site support forplug-in vehicules should be relatively simple –





many Canadian communities already provide plug-ins for winter use. Fuel cell cars will be more difficultto accommodate, as hydrogen stations may be fewand far between. Laboratories, industrial plantsand universities, where hydrogen tanks are alreadymaintained, may be the first locations for such

stations. Another opportunity for the researchand development of “fuel cell refilling station” iswithin the Chemical Engineering departments onCanadian university campuses.

Architects should encourage clients to supportemployees using low-impact trans-portationalternatives. Some alternatives include:

• transit subsidies instead of parking passes;• shared company vehicles for employee use

during the day; and• changing / shower facilities for bicycle

commuters.

In Vancouver, Busby +Associates provided thefollowing employee statistics regarding trans-portation to the office:

• 25% walk to work• 30% cycle• 10% car pool• 15% commute by personal automobile• 20% use transit regularly

The firmprovides lockers; showers; indoor, secure,bicycle parking; a van for free daytime use byemployees on a “book it out” basis; a “hybrid”company car for longer site visits, and a small,folding bicycle for local meetings which are “toofar to walk”. The folding bicycle fits into theelevator and into the meeting room(it is small,light and beautiful). There is no parking at theoffice.

Automobile parking affects site design. Byreducing the amount of parking, it is possible toreduce certain negative impacts. Paved surfacesfor trucks and automobiles produce contaminatedrunoff that threatens natural water resources.Reducing this runoff can be accomplished by

reducing the size of impervious paved areas or byspecifying porous paving materials.

Various alternative products can provide thenecessary structural support required for vehicularcirculation, parking or fire fighting and allowwater to infiltrate the soil. Parking lots canalso be designed to slope towards biofilterswales that treat and disperse rainwater runoff.

This solution has an additional bonus as it canimprove the attractiveness of the parking areas.Landscape architects are usually experienced indesigning solutions incorporating biofiltration.

For example, the British Columbia Gas building inSurrey, BC incorporates bio-filtration in surfaceparking areas.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Choose a site within walking distance froma

transit system.• Plan and design the development or the

building to include mixed-uses and highdensities.

• Encourage on-site pedestrian circulation byincorporating pedestrian paths in all newdevelopments with access to existing paths.

• Provide secure indoor/outdoor bicycle parkingfor occupants and guests.

• Provide changing facilities for cyclists.



Busby + Associat es’ off ice foldabl e bicycle for “t oo farto walk” local meet ings.

The BC Gas building in Surrey, BC incorporates bio- fi lt rati on in surface parking areas.



• Advocate to the client to use low-impactalternative transportation modes to reduceprivate vehicular use.

• Reduce the amount of impervious pavedareas.

• Provide paving surfaces when paving is

required.• Provide biofilter permeable swales for parkinglot drainage.

Case StudyBC Gas Operation CentreMusson Cattell Mackey Partnership, Surrey, BC

ResourcesNorth American Greenways Information page www.ont arioplanners.on.ca/ greenway.htm

National Center for Bicycling and Walking www.bikefed.org

CarFree Cities www.carfree.com

North American CarSharing Organization (NACSO) www.carsharing.net






3.2 Site Impacts3.2 Site Impacts



Site Disturbance

Erosion and Sediment Control

Landscape and Exterior Design

Site Water Systems Management

Heat Islands

Light Pollution



Objective• to minimize the negative site impacts froma

building.

Buildings have profound effects on ecosystems,watersheds and human populations. Some ofthese negative environmental impacts include:

• site disturbance;

• erosion and sediment deposits;• water pollution;• loss of landscape;• creation of heat islands; and• light pollution.

Site Disturbance

Objective• to reduce the size of the building footprint

and the paved area of new developments.

Construction disturbs sites and this activitycan destroy animal habitats and reduce a site’sbiodiversity by eliminating existing nativevegetation. Some of the benefits of protectingor enhancing the native vegetation include:promoting the movement of wildlife, allowing forregional biodiversity of flora, increasing propertyvalues, and contributing to the well-being of thecommunity at large. Green design teams shouldfavour compact buildings with small footprintsand incorporate the natural landscape into boththe building and site design.

Dense development with common party wallsand reducing pavement can help in conservinggreenfield sites elsewhere. Density is accom-plished by building vertically rather thanhorizontally, hence reducing the ratio of buildingfootprint to floor area. This also increases energyefficiency by reducing the ratio of buildingenvelope to floor area.

In the design of the Liu Centre at UBC inVancouver, remarkable care and attention wasdemonstrated in order to avoid site disturbances.

The following is noteworthy:

• an existing building pad was reused;• a microclimate was created by mature

existing vegetation which became an integralcomponent of the ventilation system;

• a careful contractor adjusted the foundationsaround ‘found’ root systems; and

• specimen trees were ‘saved’ and becameimportant architectural features of thedesign.

Site disturbance can be minimized by locatingnew buildings on previously damaged areasand by incorporating landscape features in thebuilding design. One strategy to incorporate the

landscape into the building design is a “green”roof. Green roof design is presented in detail lateron in this manual.

Site Impacts Chapter 3.2


3.2 Site Impacts

The design of the Liu Centre at UBC demonstratesremarkable care and att ention t o sit e disturbance issues.



Generally, civil engineering site “improvements”should be as benign as possible. The following aredesign guidelines:

• Resist civil engineering dictums requiringrainwater to be “something to put in a pipe.”Rainwater is natural and should be dispersedand absorbed on the site.

• Avoid curbs and culverts.• Avoid asphalt; use gravel or other pervious

materials instead.• Contour parking lots around trees and the

existing natural grade. Parking lots need notbe flat.

• Save every tree possible. Eliminate a parkingspace if even one additional tree can besaved.

• Plant two new trees for every one tree cutdown to accommodate the construction.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Design compact and dense developments to

reduce site disturbance.• Avoid locating buildings within, or close to,

ecologically sensitive areas.• Design and incorporate green roofs.• Locate new buildings on previously disturbed

parts of the sites.• Preserve all the natural features on a site.

Case StudyLiu Centre for the Study of Global IssuesArchitectura, in collaboration with ArthurErickson, Vancouver, BC, and Cornelia Oberlander,Landscape Architect

ResourcesGreen Roofs for Healthy Cities www.greenroofs.ca/ grhcc/ main.ht m

Big Green Building Database www.biggreen.org

University of Manitoba -Sustainable Community Design www.arch.umanit oba.ca/ la/

sustainable/ contents.htm

Erosion and Sediment Control

Objective• to reduce erosion in order to minimize

detrimental impacts on water and air quality.

Erosion can be reduced and sedimentcontamination can be controlled by minimizingsite disturbance during construction and byvarious design features. Excavation, grading andother construction activity, as well as the removalof vegetation, can cause serious erosion problems,the degradation of property, and contamination ofground and surface water. During construction,precautions should be taken to minimize thedisruption of remaining vegetation and to reducethe runoff of soil and other contaminants. Mostprovinces have legislation controlling erosion

and runoff during construction. It is importantto ensure that such regulations are included inDivision One of the project’s specifications.

Structural control and stabilization of soils mustconsider erosion and sedimentation for the fulllife cycle of a building. Soil stabilization can beachieved by various planting techniques includingtemporary and permanent seeding and mulching.Structural control can be achieved by providingearth dikes, silt fences, sediment traps andbasins. Landscaping features and a reduction ofon-site runoff can help to control erosion and

sedimentation.

The Hinton Government Centre by Manasc IsaacArchitects Ltd. in Hinton, AB, demonstrates manyaspects of green design. During construction,various strategies were used to control erosion.


Chapter 3.2 Site Impacts

During constructi on of the Hinton Government Centre,strat egies were in place to cont rol erosion.



Topsoil and seed materials, removed during sitepreparation, were stockpiled and reused to re-establish native groundcover. Surface waterrunoff from roads and parking lots is managedon-site. Erosion and sediment contamination ofall on-site water was kept to a minimum.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Minimize site disturbance during

construction.• Conserve as much as possible of the existing

vegetation on any site.• Provide long-termstructural control and

stabilization of soil.• Reference provincial environmental control

regulations in all specifications.

ResourcesUS EPA Office of Water www.epa.gov/ OW

International Erosion Control Association www.ieca.org

Landscape and Exterior Design

Objective• to protect the natural habitat and to provide

biodiversity within the interior and exteriorlandscape.

Landscaping can enhance a project and is essentialfor the success of green buildings. Appropriatelandscaping can:

• increase the contribution to localbiodiversity;

• facilitate on-site water management;• provide seasonal solar control; and• reduce the effects from“heat island”.

In addition, native vegetation provides manyother additional benefits requiring less irrigationwater, and fewer pesticides and fertilizers formaintenance. Native groundcover increases onsitewater retention, through absorption and dispersalof stormwater and reduces runoff.

Architects and their design teams should workwith landscape architects to:

• Identify native plant species and incorporatethemin all designs. (Four generations agothe prairies were covered with tall grass. Thesmall amount of tall grass prairie remainingin Canada is disturbing and it is necessary torestore this balance).

• Incorporate landscape design solutions usingno irrigation or water efficient irrigation.

• Commit to low or non-irrigation (refer to thesection on Water Efficiency).

• Work with existing ground contours wheneverpossible.

• Balance cut and fill, and use excavationspoils onsite (i.e., do not permit truckingoffsite). (Berms make excellent acousticshields and windbreaks and are greatlandscape backdrops for coloured or texturedplantings).

• Use planting schemes that are naturally“complete” in their biodiversity.

• Plant evergreens around the north, east andwest sides of buildings to protect fromthe

wind and to provide shade.• Plant deciduous trees at south, southeastand southwest sides of buildings to provideshade in the summer and sunlight in thewinter.

The use of vegetation in interior environments isof growing interest to green building designers.Interior plants provide oxygen, absorb CO 2 andalso moisturize and “scrub” interior air.





Bananas are grown, in winter, in the centre of theoffice space at the Rocky Mountain Institute inAspen, Colorado, elevation 1500 m.

The use of interior plants can be very sophisticated.An advanced “breathing wall” was installed in themain boardroom of the Sun Life I nsurance HeadOffice in 1993. Plants became an integral partof the mechanical air purification systemfor theroom - moisturizing and cleansing the air, andenriching the space environmentally and visually.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Design all landscapes to accommodate local

precipitation and water conditions and tominimize maintenance and use of chemicalpesticides and fertilizers.

• Coordinate the landscape concept withenergy strategies, stormwater control, watercollection, graywater treatment, lightingstrategies and productive gardening.

• Design a habitat for local species in local soilconditions.

• Avoid lawns, as they require moremaintenance and water than other solutions.

• Test soils to determine nutrient content,organic matter, and necessary soilmodifications.

• Use drought-tolerant, low-maintenance

native plants and non-native plants that arewell adapted to existing soil conditions. Usenative plants in landscape plans.

• Utilize pervious paving and walkways slopedtoward landscaped areas.

• Develop a composting programtocontinuously add nutrients to landscaping.

• Provide interior planting for better indoor airquality.

Case StudiesSun Life Insurance Head Office Main Boardroom

Genetron Systems Inc., Toronto, ON

Hinton Government CentreManasc Isaac Architects Ltd., Hinton, AB

ResourcesSustainable Urban Landscape Information Series www.sustland.umn.edu

The Evergreen Foundation www.evergreen.ca

US EPA Green Landscaping with Native Plants www.epa.gov/ greenacres



At t he Rocky Mountai n I nstit ute in Aspen, Colorado,bananas are grown, in winter, i n the centre of t heoff ice space at 1500 m of elevati on.

An advanced “breathing wall” concept was instal led atthe Sun Lif e Insurance Head Office main boardroom in1993.



Site Water Systems Management

Objective• to protect existing freshwater resources.

According to a United Nations report, the qualityand quantity of water is at the top of a list ofpressing problems facing humanity in the 21 st century. This report highlights the need toprevent scarcity and pollution of freshwater.“Green” buildings with low negative impacts onthe quality and quantity of freshwater will be indemand.

Offsite Water Systems Typical municipal or regional piped water systems(water supply and wastewater treatment) oftenlead to degradation of natural water resources.

Green buildings can reduce water use withefficient design and water resource management. These strategies will reduce the volume of pipedwater entering and leaving the site, and thusdiminish any associated energy consumption. Bylimiting the distance between water source andthe user reduces expenditures for materials andcosts for infrastructure-related energy. Finally,sustainable harvesting of onsite water and theuse of innovative onsite wastewater treatmentreduces pressure on offsite water and wastesystems infrastructure. Refer to the section onWater Efficiency.

Stormwater ManagementStormwater runoff is the most common disruptionto natural water cycle flows.

The conventional design of suburban and urbancommunities collects and disposes of runoffoffsite, quickly and inefficiently via stormsewers.Usually, there are few design options available topermit infiltration of rainwater into the ground.Unfortunately, rainwater is usually channeledand disposed of in surrounding bodies of waterwhere it can cause ecological problems, such ascontamination and species depletion.

The use of impervious surfaces is not the onlyproblem. The sheer amount of stormwater collectedand transported offsite beyond the watershedcreates negative impacts on the natural watercycle. This runoff removes water which wouldnormally infiltrate the surface or evaporate.It is this lack of infiltration that leads to

species depletion and the degradation of marineecosystems. In Canada, most water tables arelowering and aquifers are shrinking. Sufficientgroundwater recharge is essential to the health ofthe watershed.

Impervious surfaces are possible without reducingsurface infiltration, if design solutions directrunoff to onsite permeable surfaces permittinginfiltration and absorption. In order to protectthe watershed, a minimumlevel of precipitationmust percolate into the ground on-site.

Stormwater runoff also contributes to offsitewater pollution. At the point of discharge of thestorm sewer, negative impacts include increasedflooding, erosion, loss of streamside habitat, andcontamination. Runoff from infrastructures usedfor vehicular traffic is especially polluted because

streets and sidewalks contain a wide range oftoxic contaminants.

The Hastings Park Restoration in Vancouver isan example of sustainable management of stormwater. The historic Renfrew Creek was restoredby removing a concrete culvert and exposingthe creek to daylight. A system of ponds, alongwith a portion of restored streamcorridor, slowsdown the waterflow. The system was designedto ensure proper fish habitat, using ecologicalstrategies such as soil separation, a sedimentbasin, biofiltration, and deep-water sinks tomaintain cold water. Additionally, the parkreduced impervious hard surfaces by substitutingcompacted limestone or pavers.



The Hastings Park Restorat ion in Vancouver provides anexample of sustainable management of storm water.



Onsite Water CollectionCollecting onsite water reduces the demand onexisting water systems, thereby saving capitalexpenditures for new water systems. A supply ofonsite water can be harvested fromboth rainwaterand groundwater. To avoid negative environmental

impacts, the limits of the local watershed orgroundwater aquifer must be respected. Thisrequires careful monitoring of water flows toavoid affecting the existing water supply, whichsupports the local ecosystems. Onsite watersupply for landscape irrigation or toilet flushingcan supplement municipal systems.

The exploitation of water resources beyond naturalrecharge limits reduces groundwater levels andcan reduce the amount of water for fish-bearingstreams and other sensitive ecosystems. Carefulenvironmental assessment should precede any useof groundwater.

In the case of rainwater, careful design ofsystems for collection, filtration and storage isrequired. The design team must use materialsthat do not leach contaminants into the collectedwater. Green roofs can be used as a filter in thecollection of rainwater. If rainwater is the majorsource for the water supply, the storage tankmay need to be large. The costs of a rainwaterharvesting project can be offset by using thecistern (storage tank) for other purposes suchas a fire suppression header tank or a heat sink.Some claimthat rainwater collection could supplythe majority of graywater needs in most parts ofCanada.


• Use green roofs as an initial filter in thecollection of rainwater and to minimizerunoffs.

• Use soft or permeable surfaces instead ofhard impervious surfaces.

• Use swales and retention ponds to facilitatenatural infiltration.• Control water runoff and promote percolation

of the groundwater for irrigation and torecharge natural aquifers.

• Redirect building stormwater and graywaterto irrigate landscaped areas. Do not usepotable water sources.

• Control and reduce offsite discharge ofstormwater, and thereby support the healthof the site’s ecosystem.

• Collect and store rainwater for use in toiletsand urinals, irrigation, or for washingvehicles.

Case StudyHastings Park Restoration PlanPhillips Farevaag Smallenberg, Vancouver, BC

ResourcesEnvironment Canada: Stormwater AssessmentMonitoring and Performance Program(SWAMP) www.acs.ryerson.ca/ civil/ swamp

Canadian Water Resources Association www.cwra.org

Environment Canada – Water Page www.ec.gc.ca/ water

Canadian Ground Water Associationwww.cgwa.org

Heat Islands

Objective• to reduce the increase in local temperature

created by buildings and site development.

The effect of “heat islands” is caused by theretention of solar heat by the built environment.Paved areas and buildings absorb solar energy andthis energy can affect local microclimates, includinghuman and wildlife habitats. The result of “heatislands” is a significant difference in microclimatebetween urbanized and non-urbanized areas thatshare similar climatic characteristics. Seventy-five years ago, Vancouver was a mossy, temperaterainforest. Today, the Vancouver Parks Board plantsand maintains palmtrees in the West End and thereare now productive banana palms nearby.

One of the most obvious negative effects that “heatislands” have on buildings is the increased heat loadin summer which increases the output required fromair conditioning systems. Designers should considerminimizing the “heat island” effect by specifyinghighly reflective roofing materials, using green roofsystems, providing vegetation cover to sites, andminimizing heat absorbing paved surfaces.





Roofing materials should demonstrate highreflectivity and high emissivity over the usefullife of the product. Reflectivity is definedby the solar reflectance ratio of the product(a reflectance of 100% means that all energystriking the surface is reflected back into the

atmosphere). These proprieties will reflect thesun’s heat instead of storing it or transferring itto an internal space. Reflected solar radiationis not the problem; it is the conversion of shortwave energy to long wave heat that createsincreased local temperatures in most urban areas.One important design consideration to reducethe effects of “heat islands” is to specify whiteor lightly coloured roofing materials. Most roofmembrane materials can be specified this way forlittle or no additional cost.

Green roofs are another strategy for “heat islands”

and offer a number of significant advantages.

The primary benefit of green roofs in Canada is thecapability to retain stormwater on site, withoutthe need to construct any a stormwater retentiondevice in the landscape. Because stormwaterretention and sewers are expensive, this is anideal solution for newer communities which maynot already have a sewer infrastructure. Theretention capability of green roofs can providea delay of one to two hours in a stormwatersurge. Delay periods can be “engineered” to suit.Downspouts and stormwater drainage piping canbe downsized and costs reduced.

Green roofs can also provide added levels ofthermal insulation and, more importantly, reducesummer solar heat gain through roofs. Green roofsalso create oxygen and remove smog and CO 2 fromthe environment. Fromthe air, any city in Canadaappears to be acres of “black tar” roofs. Imagineall of these converted to be soft, green, oxygen-creating, lifegiving, healthy green roofs … whichsave energy too.

Canadian green roof technology is old and shouldbe understood by most Canadian clients. Native“pit house” structures date back thousands ofyears. Most Canadian prairie residents havegrandparents who were born under sod roofs (andwalls). The Citadel in Quebec City has a fine 150year old sod roof.

For the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, partof the building design is inspired by a traditionalnative pithouse. These pithouses demonstratedmany green building technologies, including asod roof.

Modern green roofs are lightweight and easy tomaintain. “Ecoroofs” are 125 to 175mm thickand comprised of a 25mmthick light “egg crate”holding structure (plastic) topped with a filterfabric to keep the top layer of 100 to 150 mmof“soil mix” fromgoing down the drain. Some greenroofs include wild flower or grass vegetation andshrubs with an irrigation system, and are capable



For the Nicola Valley I nst it ute of Technology, part ofthe building design is inspired from a tradit ional nat ivepit house.

The Cit adel in Quebec Cit y has a f ine 150 year old sodroof.



of supporting access from building occupants.Other low maintenance systems include fleshyleaved sedums and no irrigation. Both systems areinstalled over full membrane roofs.

“Ecoroofs” are not subject to failure due to our

freeze-thaw cycles. They do require occasionalweeding. They are easily removed for membranerepair. There are four competitive suppliers inmost of Canada and they will not jeopardizemost roofing guarantees. “Ecoroofs” add a costpremiumof about $40-$80/m 2. This cost can beoffset against the savings in the cost to constructstormwater retention structures, drainage systemsand insulation, as well as energy savings inoperating costs. Green roofs also look good—visit the Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) storein downtown Toronto in May or June for a specialwildflower show!

The effect of solar heat retention can be reducedby providing vegetation to shade heat-absorbingsurfaces and by reducing the amount of imperviouspaved surfaces. Shading heat-absorbing surfaceswith native trees and shrubs is preferable becausethey require little watering and maintain the localbiodiversity.

Minimizing heat-absorbing paved surfaces canalso be achieved by using paving materialswith a high reflectivity or by replacing surfaceparking with underground parking. In addition,underground parking sometimes creates less sitedisturbance; results in less stormwater runoffcaused by impervious surface materials; andprovides more efficient use of materials.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Provide shade to all surfaces using native

vegetation.• Specify highly-reflective, light-coloured

materials for hard landscaped surfaces.• Specify highly-reflective, light-coloured and

high emissivity materials for the roof.• Provide green roofs wherever possible.

Case StudiesMountain Equipment Co-opStone Kohn McQuire Vogt Architects, Toronto, ON

Nicola Valley Institute of TechnologyBusby +Associates Architects, Merritt, BC

Resources

Heat Island group eande.lbl.gov/ heatisland

Green Roofs www.greenroofs.com

US EPA Energy Star Roofing Products www.energystar.gov/ products

Light Pollution

Objectives

• to reduce the amount of light that negativelyimpacts the environment.

• to provide energy savings by reducingunnecessary exterior lighting.

Exterior lighting is necessary for the safe exteriorenvironment of a building. Sidewalks, parkinglots and green open areas should be adequatelylit. Night lighting is also used for advertising tofeature parts of the city skyline.

However, exterior and interior lighting can disturbcertain nocturnal ecosystems and reduce theenjoyment of the night sky by the community.

This exterior “overlighting” is referred to aslight pollution. The elimination or reductionof light pollution provides additional benefitssuch as reduced energy consumption, as well asreduced materials and resources associated withthe overlighting of exterior spaces. There can beconsiderable long-term savings in energy costsover the life of a building.



Visit the MEC store in downtown Toront o in May/ Junefor a special wi ldf lower show!



The design team should ensure that exteriorlighting levels reduce light pollution withoutcompromising the safety of the community. Forexample, the design team could provide exteriorlighting levels that are safe for pedestrians whileminimizing lighting for automobile circulation.

Lighting should be focused on critical high useportions of roadways such as intersections andpedestrian crossings. Alternatively, other safetyfeatures can be used to avoid extra lighting. Inaddition, by providing “down” lighting, ratherthan “up” lighting, there is a overall in theamount of light wasted into the night sky.Substantial savings in energy and materials canalso be realized by specifying exterior lightsensors.

Stairwells and other circulation routes that areilluminated and have exterior windows for security

reasons should also be fitted with occupancysensors and located so they do not remain onall night, thereby wasting energy and disturbingneighbours.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Favour downward exterior lighting instead of

upward exterior lighting.• Use the services of a lighting professional for

exterior lighting.• Incorporate safety and energy conservation

features when reducing light pollution.

ResourcesRoyal Astronomical Society of Canada www.rasc.ca/ light/ home.ht ml

Outdoor Environmental Lighting Committee,Illuminating Engineering Society of North America www.iesna.org





As indicated at the outset, sustainable site designstrategies require many professionals in the designprocess. An integrated design team includinglandscape architects, community planners, urbanecologists, biologists, ecologists and engineerswill lead to more thorough environmentalsolutions. Additionally, an integrated designteam with broad and diverse skills is betterequipped to challenge regulations that might

impede the design and construction of greenbuildings. To overcome obstacles to greensolutions, design teams should include authoritieshaving jurisdiction in the design process fromtheoutset. Institutional landscapes architects andground maintenance crews may also resist theimplementation of certain solutions, unless theyare included early in the green design process.

Green buildings require a holistic approach todesign and solution-finding. When approachingthe design of green buildings, there are manypossible linkages as well as numerous tradeoffs.

For example, landscaping strategies can helpincrease biodiversity, reduce water use, andconserve energy. On the other hand, by conservinga significant amount of the existing vegetation ona site may compromise the advantages of high-density development. A green design teammustfind the right balance!






4.0 Water Efficiency4.0 Water Efficiency



Water Efficiency Chapter 4.0


Overall Objectives• to reduce water demand for landscape

irrigation.• to reduce water consumption within

buildings.• to promote the reclamation of wastewater

in order to conserve water and to minimizedetrimental impacts of wastewater disposal.

The need for water conservation may seemunnecessary in a country with an apparentabundance of water. Canada has one of thehighest per capita water consumption rates in theworld. And, it is likely that future demands uponthis resource will increase greatly -- this increasein demand will be from outside our bordersand from within Canada. The demand for freshwater and wastewater treatment and disposal isalready putting great pressure on global waterresources. The contamination of the water supplyin Walkerton, Ontario confirms the importance

of maintaining high water quality. It is criticalto protect and conserve our natural fresh waterresources. Regionally, the ecology of our localwatersheds is threatened due to the demandfor freshwater and the amount of wastewaterdisposal.

The green design team can address these needsby applying water conservation strategies toreduce water demand, and by including innovativelow impact wastewater treatment systems anddisposal techniques.

Some of the benefits of water conservationinclude:

• increased efficiency, deferred capitalexpansion costs for infrastructure, and loweroperating costs as a result of reduced waterdistribution systems and lower wastewaterflows;

• protection of fish and wildlife threatenedby soil erosion, sedimentation, and reducedlevels of water in watersheds, rivers andstreams;

• access to reliable and safe water as a resultof reduced water consumption.

Water efficiency in green buildings involves thefollowing:

• minimizing exterior water use;• minimizing interior water use; and• minimizing the negative impacts of

wastewater treatment by seeking alternativesfor disposal.

Addressing water efficiency provides supportfor other green building strategies. Nativevegetation will not only decrease exterior wateruse - it can also increase biodiversity, wild lifehabitat, and reduce the creation of “heat islands”.Operational energy can be saved by usinginsulation and heat traps to reduce heat losson hot water heaters; specifying high efficiencyheaters and boilers; using passive solar systemsfor heating hot water; and installing heatrecovery systems on wastewater plumbing.

Water Efficiency



Chapter 4.0 - Water EfficiencyChapter 4.0 - Water Efficiency

4.1 Reducing the Needfor Irrigation

4.1 Reducing the Needfor Irrigation



Water Free Landscaping

Water Efficient I rrigation Systems



Objective• to reduce water demand and water use for

landscape irrigation.

In Canada, the irrigation of the landscape aroundresidential, commercial and institutional buildingsconsumes great quantities of water. Using water-free landscaping or providing water efficientirrigation systems are important design strategiesto minimize or eliminate exterior water use.

Water Free Landscaping

Objective• to provide drought-resistant landscaping.

The common lawn has one of the greatest demandsfor water, absorbing an enormous amount of waterduring an average summer. The domestic lawn isnot native to Canada – our country was exquisitelylandscaped with native “irrigation free” plantsbefore European settlement. CMHC estimates thata typical suburban lawn will absorb 100,000 litresof irrigation water every summer. Automatedirrigation systems often operate without regardfor weather or moisture in the soil because timerscontrol them. The dramatic increase in waterdemand during summer months often results inwater shortages, as it coincides with the lowrainfall season. Water-free, drought-resistantlandscaping is an appropriate green designsolution. There are various design strategies

that provide substantial water savings, such asxeriscaping and zeroscaping.

Xeriscaping includes creative landscape tech-niques that conserve water. Some of thesetechniques include:

• soil analysis;• reduced turf area; and• appropriate plant selection

(often native species).

These techniques not only reduce water demandand but also reduce the need for pesticides andfertilizers that may contaminate the water flowsoffsite. The reduction in the disturbance of thenatural flows of infiltration, evaporation andrunoff helps maintain healthy water systems.

These flows are an essential part of thehydrological cycle.

In several older inner city neighbourhoods in Toronto, xeriscaping has become fashionable,now overshadowing the “postage stamp” lawns ofmore conventional neighbours. These “grass free”lawns are beautiful. Another example is HastingsPark restoration in Vancouver, which transformedan existing site used by the Pacific NationalExhibition into a community park. This park is ashowcase for sustainable practices in stormwatermanagement and wildlife habitat restoration. Thesite was restored using native plants to enhancethe ecology of the previously developed site, andit has reduced demand for water andmaintenance.

Reducing the Need for Irrigation Chapter 4.1


4.1 Reducing the Need for Irrigation



Zeroscaping is the replacement of vegetationwith mineral materials, such as gravel and rocksthat require no water. However, this strategy

also eliminates the evaporation process fromvegetation that considerably contributes to thehydrological cycle.

For new construction on undeveloped sites, theretention of existing native vegetation maintainsthe evaporation process and minimizes waterdemand. Providing native vegetation respectsindigenous ecosystems and increases biodiversity,a significant improvement over “mono-planting”landscapes such as the typical lawn.

In addition to reducing water consumption, the

selection of native plants is the right strategyfor other reasons. This choice reduces weeds andmaintenance requirements, supports a diverseanimal and insect habitat, and eliminates theneed for pesticides. Across Canada, we enjoythe richness, delicacy and abundance of thenatural wild landscape. Instruct the landscapearchitect to design a “clearing in the forest” forall projects.


• Include a landscape professional on yourdesign teamwho is knowledgeable aboutwater efficient designs.

• Complete a soil analysis for better nativeplant selection.

• Use native and drought-resistant plants.

Case StudyHastings Park Restoration PlanPhillips Farevaag Smallenberg, Vancouver, BC

Resources

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series www.sustland.umn.edu

US EPA Green Landscaping with Native Plants www.epa.gov/ greenacres

Water Efficient IrrigationSystems

Objective• to provide water efficient irrigation systems

for landscapes that require occasionalwatering.

In general, the specification of irrigationsystems should be avoided in favour of waterefficient systems. The available technologiesconsist of micro-irrigation systems such as dripirrigation, moisture sensors and weather databasecontrollers. These technologies are available offthe shelf, but may result in a higher initial capitalcost.

Collecting rainwater for landscape irrigation is anexcellent alternative to irrigation systems thatdraw on the public supply of water. By applyingdrought resistant landscaping strategies, thestorage requirements can be kept to a minimum.Also, collecting and storing rainwater onsite helpscontrol runoff and increases onsite infiltration.

The storage container can be incorporated intothe landscape design as a water feature and asan amenity for the building users. Rainwatercan also be stored on roofs (by ponding), indetention ponds (in conjunction with stormwaterretention strategies), in landscaped or “eco”roofs, or in cisterns deliberately constructedwithin the building or buried in the landscape.Cisterns can be constructed of concrete or plastic.Cisterns should be sized for maximum droughtperiods; typically they are surprisingly small.Reclaimed and reused wastewater can also beused for landscape irrigation, as described in theinnovative wastewater section below. At the


Chapter 4.1 Reducing the Need for I rrigation

The Hasting Park site was restored using nat ive plantsto enhance the ecology of t he previously developedsite, as well as reduce water and maint enancerequirements.



University of British Columbia in the CK ChoiBuilding, graywater from sinks is cleaned anddisbursed through a biofilter located in front ofthe main façade. This eliminates the demandfor landscape irrigation, and at the same timeit filters the graywater. Furthermore, it provides

an attractive vegetation feature at the buildingentry.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Provide water efficient irrigation systems

appropriate for the local climate and for localplants.

• Collect and store rainwater for landscapeirrigation.

• Provide graywater irrigation systems.

Case StudyCK Choi, Institute for Asian ResearchMatsuzaki Wright Architects Inc., Vancouver, BC

ResourcesCanada Mortgage and Housing Corporation www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

US EPA Office of Water www.epa.gov/ OW

Waterwiser: the Water Efficiency Clearinghouse www.waterwiser.org

The Irrigation Association www.irrigation.org

Reducing the Need for Irrigation Chapter 4.1


For the UBC CK Choi Buildi ng, graywater from sinks iscleaned and dispersed through a biofil ter located infront of the buildings main façade.




4.2 Water Use Reduction4.2 Water Use Reduction



Advocacy and Awareness

Water Efficiency Fixtures and Appliances



Objective• to reduce fresh water demand within

buildings.

Urban development increasingly challengesour ability to protect our water resources.Conventional design and building practices do notinclude water conservation strategies; instead,they tend to contribute to excessive waterconsumption and wastewater production. Thegeneral adoption of water-efficient strategiesfor buildings can achieve at least a 30%savings in the water consumption of a region ormunicipality.

Reducing demand for the use of fresh waterwill not only protect water resources but alsoconsiderably reduce energy consumption,materials and costs related to water supply andwastewater treatment pumping and infrastructure.

Reducing water consumption can be achieved inboth new construction and renovation projects by:

• promoting awareness of the limits andfragility of our water resources; (Clients andthe general public must understand the needfor water conservation in order to modifycommunity water consumption patterns.)

• specifying water efficient fixtures;• incorporating wastewater reclamation.

The quality of water needed for various usesis an important part of water conservation.Not all activities require fresh potable water.

Toilet flushing, landscape irrigation and exteriorwashing can be done with lower quality water.

By reducing the demand for all water use,wastewater reclamation systems, supplementedwith rainwater, become viable alternatives. Thisapproach will be described in the innovativewastewater section below.

Advocacy and Awareness

Objective• to reduce fresh water demand in buildings by

modifying consumption patterns, values andbehaviour.

Advocating for water conservation during theinitial stages of a project influences the clientand authorities having jurisdiction and helps thedesign teamto achieve its sustainability goals.

By including clients and key building users in thedesign process, the design team demonstratesthe importance of water conservation with a viewto influence users’ behaviour during occupancy.Currently in Canada, water is either provided freeor at very low cost to the consumer. There willlikely be higher water utility prices in the future.By designing water efficient buildings for clients,architects will be providing themwith savings in

operating costs.

After occupancy, the design teamshould providea building manual that highlights and explainsthe water conservation strategies incorporatedinto the building. This assists users’ awareness oftheir water consumption and leads to even furtherreductions.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Advocate water conservation strategies at

the early stage of the project to clients andauthorities having jurisdiction.

• Propose lower municipal development feesfor projects being designed with lowerwater consumption, as these developmentswill result in cost savings for municipalinfrastructure.

Water Use Reduction Chapter 4.2


4.2 Water Use Reduction



ResourcesEnvironment Canada Water Page www.ec.gc.ca/ water


Water Education Foundation www.water-ed.org

Water Efficiency Fixtures andAppliances

Objective• to decrease water demand, thereby reducing

demand on existing and future municipalinfrastructure.

The following provides an overview of the majortypes of water efficient fixtures and appliancesavailable to design teams.

ToiletsSome manufacturers of conventional residential(tank flush) and commercial (flush valve) toiletsprovide water-conserving fixtures. There arethree basic types of water conserving toilets:

• Gravity flush (gravity-flush toilets, likeconventional residential toilets, use theweight of water flowing down fromthe tankto clear the toilet bowl);

• Pressure-assisted or flush valve (pressure-assisted toilets require air compressed and/orpressure in the water lines to force waterinto the bowl and clear waste); and

• Vacuum-assisted (vacuum-assisted toiletshave chambers inside the toilet tank to pullwater and waste from the bowl with vacuumassistance).

Ultra low flush toilets are available for the threebasic types of toilet. They use 6.0 litres perflush compared to almost 20 litres per flush forconventional toilets.

In general, pressure-assisted toilets effectivelyremove liquid and solid waste but tend to benoisier than other types, and they are moreexpensive. Some of the newer, more innovativedesigns may have higher maintenance costs dueto specialized parts. Dual flush toilets, recently

introduced to Canada fromAsia, are an alternativeto conventional fixtures. They are simple andeffective, providing a two level flush that cancontribute to significant water savings.

Composting toilets are an alternative to water

flush fixtures in that they do not use water.However, they are not compatible with all waterreclamation systems (such as the Solar Aquaticssystem). Another constraint of composting toiletsis that the technology requires a considerableamount of space on two levels, at and below thetoilet. They also require a change in consumerattitude as their function is significantly differentand they require periodic maintenance. Theadvantage of composting toilets is that no watersource is required and biomass is produced. whichis usable as garden fertilizer. Composting toiletsare ideal where municipal sewage systems are not

available because they do not require septic fieldsystems. When combined with ventilation fansdriven by photovoltaic energy, composting toiletscan be pleasant to use as they are usually warmin the winter.

The CK Choi building at UBC uses compostingtoilets.


Chapter 4.2 Water Use Reduction

The CK Choi bui lding at UBC addresses it s watercycle by providing composti ng toilets and reusing thebuilding’s graywater for landscape irrigati on.



UrinalsWall hung and stall urinals are usually forcommercial applications, although residentialmodels do exist. Urinals are either manual flushor automatic (electronic or battery powered).

Their water flow can be controlled by automated

systems. Some models offer infrared sensorcontrolled flushing. Ultra low flush urinalsuse between 1.9 litres and 3.8 litres per flush.Waterless models do exist; however, most modelsuse a chemical treatment process that may offsetany environmental merits of water conservation.

Washing Machines The most water efficient washing machines arefront-loading horizontal axis types. These modelscan be loaded like a dryer, and the tub rotateson the horizontal axis. Clothes tumble in ashallow pool of water at the bottom of thetub, while baffles scoop up water and sprayit on the clothes. Water levels automaticallyadjust based on the water absorption rate ofthe clothing. Front loading washers use up to40% less water and up to 50% less energy thanconventional top-loading (vertical axis) machines.Also, without the agitator found in top-loadingmachines, front-loading machines accommodatelarger capacity loads. The high-speed spincycle of a top-loading appliance extracts 30%more water from clothes, resulting in less dryingtime. Although reduction in operating costs andwater consumption are extensive, front-loadingmachines are generally more expensive thanconventional models. Front-loading machines areavailable in standard (side-by-side with dryers)and smaller, stackable models.

DishwashersWater-conserving dishwashers currently availableuse between 12.3 litres and 25.1 litres of hotwater, compared to approximately 35 litres usedby conventional dishwashers. These models arealso energy efficient on normal washing cycles.Some models offer sensors that adjust the water

level according to the amount of dirt on thedishes; that is, the cleaner the dishes, the lesswater needed. Some models include featuresfor washing on the top rack only. Models withstainless steel interiors resist discolouration overtime and prolong the life of the dishwasher.

ShowerheadsShowering accounts for almost 17% of domesticwater use in Canada. Water saving showerheadsrestrict flow rates to a maximumof 9.5 litres perminute. Conventional fixtures operate at 20 litresper minute.

FaucetsWater-conserving lavatory and gooseneck faucetsare available for commercial and residential use.

The faucets have either manual or automaticcontrols (battery or low voltage powered).Some models operate using infrared sensors forincreased water conservation. A few manu-facturers produce metered, pneumatic- controlfaucets. Depending on the model, temperaturecontrol may be internal or external. Watersaving faucets have aerators with maximumflowsranging from 1.9 litres to 8.3 litres per minute.By comparison, a flow of 13 litres per minute isstandard for conventional faucets.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Advocate water conservation strategies to

clients and authorities having jurisdiction.• Specify water conserving plumbing fixtures

and fittings.• Specify water and energy conserving

appliances.

Case StudyCK Choi, Institute for Asian ResearchMatsuzaki Wright Architects Inc., Vancouver, BC

ResourcesEnvironment Canada Water Page www.ec.gc.ca/ water


US Department of Energy – Energy Star www.energystar.gov/ products

Water Use Reduction Chapter 4.2





4.3 InnovativeWastewater Treatment

4.3 InnovativeWastewater Treatment



Water Demand and Wastewater Production

Wastewater Reclamation



Objectives• to reduce negative impacts of wastewater

by incorporating innovative wastewatertreatment strategies.

• to use wastewater reclamation to reducefresh water demand.

The treatment and disposal of wastewater isa significant negative impact of buildings.Municipal sewage treatment invariably pollutesthe receiving ecosystem. At a smaller scale,septic systems can contaminate localgroundwater.

In order to reduce these negative impacts ofwastewater treatment, strategies with lowimpacts on the environment must be selected.Consideration should be given to developingmultiple purification systems that will allowbuilding systems to adapt to future changes.

A possible benefit from wastewater treatment isenergy production. During the treatment process,significant amounts of energy can be harvestedthrough heat recovery systems.

Water Demand and WastewaterProduction

Objectives• to understand the difference in demand for

water in buildings (potable and non-potable

water).• to recognize the two types of wastewaterproduced by building occupants (blackwaterand graywater).

Water RequirementsIn most residential, commercial and institutionalbuildings, the needs for non-potable water aresignificantly greater than the needs for potable

water if potable water is used only for foodpreparation and personal hygiene. Toilet flushingcan use water of a lower quality. I n a typicalbuilding, flushing of toilets accounts for 50%of the water demand. I n other building types,such as office buildings, the non-potable waterrequirement can be an even higher percentage.

This demand can be met with lower quality, non-potable water. Lower quality water can also be

used in landscape irrigation. A study of the waterrequirements in a project can demonstrate thepossibility of a design solution using a dual watersystem. The key concept of “potable” versus“non-potable” water must be considered wheninvestigating innovative wastewater treatmentsolutions.

Types of WastewaterWastewater can be classified in two categories:blackwater and graywater. Typically wastewateris treated through septic systems for low-densitydevelopments, or through large-scale wastewatertreatment facilities for entire communities.

Blackwater is the wastewater produced by toiletsand urinals. It requires significant treatmentbefore being reused, recycled or disposed of.Regulatory requirements may include the needto provide conventional wastewater treatmentsystems. Also, development on sites adjacent towastewater treatment facilities may be restricteddue to possible contamination. Blackwatertreatment systems require significantly moremaintenance than graywater systems.

Graywater is the wastewater produced fromsinks,showers and laundry. Treatment requires lessmaintenance and less infrastructure than thetreatment of black water and it may be achievedby means of a landscape biofilter. Landscapebiofilters can be incorporated as an amenity orlandscape feature such as a marshland. Biofilterscan also provide other ecological and socialbenefits. Treated graywater may be recycled,

Innovative Wastewater Treatment Chapter 4.3


4.3 Innovative Wastewater Treatment



reused for irrigation and toilet flushing, used forlandscape irrigation or dispersed on site.

An advanced house, ‘La maison des marais’,located in proximity to a marshland, uses Quebectechnology called ‘Le biofiltre Ecoflo’ to filtrate

the house’s wastewater and avoid contaminationof the surrounding sensitive ecosystem.

Although blackwater is more challenging to treatand dispose of, incorporating innovative waste-water treatment systems offers the potential toreduce the negative impacts of buildings.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Assess the different water needs of the

building users.• Determine the level of water quality needed

(potable or non-potable) based on its use.• Incorporate innovative wastewater treatment

systems.

Case StudyAdvanced house comparable to R-2000‘La maison des marais’R. Monnier, Architecte, QC

ResourcesCanadian Water and Wastewater Association www.cwwa.ca

Greywater Central www.greywater.net

Greywater Information www.greywater.com

Wastewater Reclamation

Objectives• to reduce freshwater demand by applying

wastewater reclamation strategies.• to reduce the negative impacts of

wastewater.

The impact of buildings on water resources can beminimized by recycling and reusing wastewater.Using reclaimed or non-potable, lower qualitywater can dramatically reduce freshwater demand.

Wastewater reclamation usually requires a dualpiping system to deliver the potable water andthe reclaimed water. A dual piping systemmay require modifications to existing plumbingregulations and it will cost more.

Two options are available for wastewater

reclamation systems: recycling and reuse.Wastewater RecyclingWastewater recycling recirculates blackwater andgraywater many times through a reclamationsystem. These systems use controlled applicationsof natural absorption materials and in-line filters.

They are commonly known by trade names, such asSolar Aquatics, Waterloo Biofilter Living Machines,and Cycle-Let technologies. Each time wastewaterpasses through a reclamation system, a percentageof water is absorbed by the system. The initialamount of water is reduced during each successivecycle through the system. Water is absorbed bythe system’s living organisms that feed off thenutrients in the reclaimed water. Wastewaterrecycling is the most efficient type of reclamation,because it uses a closed loop system.


Chapter 4.3 Innovative Wastewater Treatment

An advanced house ‘La maison des marais’, located inproximity to a marshland, uses a Quebec technologycalled ‘Le biofilt re Ecoflo’ to fi lt rate the house’swastewater and avoiding contaminat ion of thesurrounding sensit ive ecosystem.



Water recycling has the potential to concentratecertain pollutants. The water is recycled manytimes; if the system does not remove allpollutants fromthe water, those left in the waterafter treatment accumulate in the system. Thisproblemcan be identified with a comprehensive

monitoring system and resolved by providing aseries of different consecutive treatments in orderto remove all pollutants. Combining differenttreatments increases the efficiency of the system.

Innovative onsite wastewater recyclingtechnologies require extensive maintenance. Theyalso may require modification of certain healthregulations to be implemented. However, areduction of up to 85% in the use of water can beachieved by using recycled water for non-potablewater uses. Complete onsite wastewater recyclingcould eliminate loads on wastewater treatment

facilities, because a building or development withsuch a systemwould output no wastewater.

A leading biological wastewater treatmenttechnology is Solar Aquatics. Under controlledconditions, Solar Aquatics duplicates the naturalprocess of fresh water streams, meadows andwetlands. Sewage flow passes though a seriesof water tanks filled with algae, plants, bacteriaand aquatic animals. The process can takebetween 2 to 4 days depending on the level oftreatment. One installation in Errington, BC,features an odourless pleasant greenhouse, whichprovides wastewater treatment for a mobile homecommunity. It is an amazing experience to seewastewater coming out of the greenhouse asclean, clear water after four days of treatment!

Another technology that can be used to filterwastewater on-site is a Living Machine. TheBody Shop Canada’s Home Office and ProductionFacility in Don Mills, ON, was equipped with aLiving Machine for onsite wastewater treatment.A system of water tanks and plants provides the

treatment. The water coming out of the systemispassed through an ultra-violet filter to “clean” itenough for reuse.

Wastewater recycling technologies are costly andshould be used when municipal infrastructure isunavailable. Central larger municipal wastewatertreatment plants may be more cost effective andsustainable than these on-site technologies.

Wastewater ReuseWastewater reuse is a process that does notinclude the complete recycling of wastewater.

These systems treat wastewater sufficiently topermit its reuse as lower quality water. Forexample, water from showers and baths can betreated and reused for toilet flushing. Comparedto full wastewater recycling, reuse strategiesproduce a larger amount of wastewater and are

usually less successful in reducing overall waterdemand.

Although the reduction in water demand is not asgreat as with wastewater recycling, wastewaterreuse is simpler, more economical and probablymore acceptable -- the Canadian public may notbe ready to use wastewater for daily bathing andshowering.

Innovative Wastewater Treatment Chapter 4.3


I t i s an amazing experience to see after four days,and aft er use, clean, clear water coming out of t hegreenhouse.

The Body Shop Canada’s Home Office and Producti onFacilit y in Don Mil ls, ON, was equipped with a LivingMachine for on-sit e wastewater t reatment.



TechnologiesMany innovative wastewater treatment systemsare available to Canadian design teams. Allnew systems will require the involvement andsupport of the building users because they mayneed an explanation of the function of thesystem. Moreover, ongoing maintenance will berequired to ensure the proper functioning of thewastewater treatment system.

Each system has different advantages andtradeoffs. Some commonly used wastewater andseptic tank treatment technologies are ClivusMultrum Greywater Filter™, Waterloo Biofilter™,polishing filter, ultraviolet disinfection, ozonedisinfection, Alascan™ wastewater system,Biogreen™wastewater system, Biokreisel™, CleanFlush™ System, Cycle-Let™, Hydroxyl Systems™,and Rotordisk™.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Advocate for wastewater reclamation to

clients and authorities having jurisdictionat the early stage of a project.

• Allow for modular, plug-in purificationsystems for building adaptability inthe future.

• Use graywater for landscape irrigationand toilets.

Case StudiesBeausoleil Solar AquaticsECO-TEK Wastewater Treatment, Errington, BC

Body Shop (Canada) HeadquartersColborne Architectural Group, Don Mills, ON

ResourcesOcean Arks International www.oceanarks.org

Ecological Engineering Associates (EEA) www.solaraquatics.com

Living Technologies Inc. www.livingmachines.com


Chapter 4.3 Innovative Wastewater Treatment



Authorities having jurisdiction have thepotential to improve water efficiency in the builtenvironment. Changes in legislation and policycan promote conservation and provide leadershipin water management. At the national level,initiatives that target the built environmentinclude:

• establishing standards for efficient fixtures;• imposing efficient water use amendments to

building codes;• promoting and studying wastewater

technologies; and• adopting and enforcing provincial, regional

and municipal water conservation policies,regulations and by-laws and legislation.

Regional water and wastewater managers caninstitute residential and commercial pricing,which promotes water conservation, and reduceoutdoor water use by means of legal restrictions.Municipalities can stipulate landscape designguidelines for new developments in order toreduce irrigation needs. Broader waterconservation measures for both interior andexterior water use include water rights allocation;purchase and transfer; licensing; water qualityregulation; educational programs; and economicinstruments.

All new or amended legislation and policiesshould encourage stewardship of our waterresources. This requires collaboration with allwater resource stakeholders. Cooperation willreduce duplication of effort, prevent contradictorylegislation and promote integrated resourcemanagement.

Furthermore, legislation and policy must be

realistic and enforceable. Because there are manyperceived and actual regulatory barriers related towater conservation and wastewater reclamation, itis good practice for design teams to hold detaileddiscussions with regulatory authorities in the earlystages of projects. These discussions will establishallowable practices, acceptable costs and providesufficient timing for approvals. For example, some

jurisdictions do not allow non-potable water intoilets, because pets may drink it.

Regulatory changes will require experimentation,testing and approval. In light of the well-

publicized concerns about Canada’s water supplysystems, particularly post-Walkerton, theseapprovals may be difficult to obtain.






5.0 Energy andAtmosphere

5.0 Energy andAtmosphere



Energy and Atmosphere Chapter 5.0


Overall Objectives• to understand and minimize detrimental

environmental impacts of energy use.• to design buildings that use less energy.• to select energy sources having the lowest

possible environmental impacts.

Approximately 40% of worldwide energy use isfor the cooling, heating and supply of power tobuildings. There are two strategies for reducingenergy use:

• the selection of low impact energy sources;• the application of energy efficient solutions

to building design.

Energy consumption produces damagingenvironmental impacts through resourceextraction, energy production, transportation,inefficient distribution and emissions. Lowimpact renewable energy sources can overcomesome of these problems. The low impact energysupply sector is growing and there are now newtechnologies available.

Through their entire life cycle, buildingsconsume energy for construction, operation anddeconstruction; however, it is the operationof buildings that consumes the most energy.Numerous methods are available to minimize theoperational energy consumption of buildings,including passive systems and energy efficientdesign strategies.

Energy and Atmosphere



Chapter 5.0 - Energy and AtmosphereChapter 5.0 - Energy and Atmosphere

5.1 Energy and Pollution5.1 Energy and Pollution



Polluting Emissions

Factors Affecting Pollution



Objective• to understand and minimize the detrimental

environmental impacts of energy use.

It is critical to minimize the negative impactsassociated with energy production, transpor-tation, inefficiency, emissions and energyconsumption in buildings.

Energy consumption is connected to the globalproblem of air quality and climate change. Inorder to minimize pollution, the design teammust include the reduction of energy consumptionas a criterion for design decisions.

When selecting an energy source, factors tobe considered include cost, feasibility andregulations. Unfortunately, sometimes Canadiandesign teams cannot choose the energy source;however, the design team can use production,transportation and the efficiency of energy as

selection criteria.

Polluting Emissions

Objective• to minimize the amount of polluting

emissions from energy use.

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are by-productsof energy production and consumption. Forexample, coal burned for electricity production

and fossil fuels burned for automobile use bothproduce greenhouse gases (GHG’s) such as CO 2.Energy production is the largest activity thatproduces GHG emissions in Canada, accountingfor approximately 34% of the total emissions.Greenhouse gases cause global warming, which isdamaging ecosystems.

The 1997 Kyoto Accord identified targets forthe reduction of GHG emissions. Over the last

few years, Canada has continued to increaseemissions by moving further away from thistarget. Green buildings can play a key rolein meeting the Kyoto objectives. It has beencalculated that by reducing the GHG emissions by25% from renovated and new buildings, architectsand design teams have the power to achieve15% of Canada’s Kyoto commitment within 5years. Ultimately, the construction industry must

shoulder the responsibility for 40% of Canada’sKyoto commitment – our proportional share oftotal national energy consumption. To attainthat target, we need greater energy efficiencies innew buildings and we have to renovate a higherpercent of the existing building stock.

Other emissions can be damaging for theenvironment and for a growing portion of thepopulation. One example is airborne sulphurdioxide, a byproduct of coal fired electricityproduction that leads to acid rain and smog.

The design team must avoid the use of certaintypes of refrigerants that damage the ozone layer.Ozone occurs in two layers of the atmosphere.The 10 km deep layer surrounding the earth’ssurface is the troposphere. In this layer, ground-level ozone, a key ingredient of urban smog, isan air pollutant that harms humans, animals,vegetation, among other things. Above thetroposphere is the stratosphere, which containsthe protective ozone layer; it extends upwardfrom about 10 to 30 km and protects life on earthfrom harmful solar ultraviolet rays (UV-B).

Refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s),hydrofluorocarbons, (HFC’s), hydrochlorofluoro-carbons (HCFCs) and halons used in HVAC systemsand refrigeration equipment are also harmful andcan add to urban smog. Upon rising into theupper ozone layer, they form chemical bonds anddestroy the protective ozone layer that preventsglobal warming. Each refrigerant has differentimpacts on smog and global warming. The 1987

Energy and Pollution Chapter 5.1


5.1 Energy and Pollution



Montreal Protocol dictates that ozone-depletingsubstances be phased out and ultimatelyeliminated. These chemical compounds are alsopotent greenhouse gases.

In Europe, the use of these chemicals in

HVAC equipment is outlawed. North Americanregulations are not as stringent. Mechanicalengineers who are committed to not specifyingCFC’s, HFC’s, or HCFC’s should be engaged on allprojects. Alternatives do exist – for example, theMountain Equipment Co-op store in Ottawa hasHVAC equipment and building materials withoutCFC’s or HCFC’s.

In brief, the selection of low impact energysources can reduce damage to the environment,depletion of the ozone layer, and consequenthuman illnesses (e.g. UV-B exposure can causeskin cancer, eye damage).

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Specify building products manufactured

with no damaging refrigerants such asCFC‘s and HCFC’s.

• Phase out existing CFC based refrigerants

when retrofitting existing buildings.

Case StudyMountain Equipment Co-op Linda Chapman Architect and ChristopherSimmonds Architect in joint venture, Ottawa, ON

ResourcesClimate Change Solutions www.climatechangesolutions.com/

english/default.htm

David Suzuki Foundation

www.davidsuzuki.org Rocky Mountain Institute www.rmi.org

Factors Affecting Pollution

Objective• to minimize pollution associated with energy

consumption.

Energy ProductionEnergy production has serious environmentalimpacts – examples include drilling for fossilfuels in ecologically vulnerable areas andflooding of large areas of land for large-scalehydroelectricity production. Small scale, lowimpact systems such as solar collectors, windturbines, geothermal energy, and small scaledistributed electrical generation for communities(co-generation and fuel cells) should beconsidered.


The distance between an energy productionfacility and the energy user should be kept to aminimum. Large distribution systems:

• are inefficient (transmission losses accountfor over 50% of total hydro electricitygenerated);

• occupy a considerable amount of land; and• consume great quantities of natural

resources.

The construction of oil and gas pipelinessignificantly disrupts ecosystems and animalhabitats. Canadians are familiar with rights-of-way for energy transmission lines that scar thelandscape and damage ecosystems.


Chapter 5.1 Energy and Pollution

In the design and construction of the MountainEquipment Co-op store in Ottawa, HVAC equipmentand building materials without CFC’s or HCFC’s were

selected.



EfficiencyMost energy production plants are relativelyinefficient and waste heat that is released intothe air. Cogeneration plants can capture thiswasted energy and use it for heat and power,thereby improving efficiency. The forecast is

for increases in energy demand, population andconsumption; hence, greater energy efficiency isnecessary for a sustainable future.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Minimize the distance between the project

and the energy source.• When possible, select low impact efficient

energy sources.

Resources

Natural Resources Canada www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyNetwork www.eren.doe.gov

Energy and Pollution Chapter 5.1





5.2 Reducing Embodiedand DeconstructionEnergy

5.2 Reducing Embodiedand DeconstructionEnergy



Embodied Construction Energy

Deconstruction Energy



Objective• to minimize the amount of energy contained

and released in construction and demolition.

A building consumes considerable energyduring its entire life cycle. Design teams mustreduce energy consumption for all stages of abuilding’s life cycle: construction, operations anddeconstruction. Each phase must be targeted foroverall reduction in energy demand and use ingreen buildings.

This section discusses initial embodied energyand deconstruction energy contained in buildings.However, the greatest return on investment isachieved by reducing “operational” energy. Minorimprovements in the daily energy efficiency of abuilding can lead to enormous savings after 50or 100 years of operation. When considering theentire life cycle of buildings, operational energy isthe largest factor, more important than embodied

and deconstruction energies.

The reduction of embodied and deconstructionenergy does not necessarily result in a costpremium; however, when specific solutions docost more, it is possible that these costs may beoffset by savings in operating costs.

Embodied Construction Energy

Objective

• to minimize embodied construction energy.Minimizing the initial amount of energy used forthe construction of a building can be achieved byspecifying building products with low embodiedenergy and low life cycle environmental impacts,as well as by using systems, materials andconstruction techniques that do not require heavymachinery and energy-intensive construction.

The embodied energy of a building product isthe amount of energy required to produce it,from raw material extraction to installation, andfinally disposal. Similarly, the process of LifeCycle Assessment (LCA) provides data on theenvironmental impacts of products. Generally,materials in more natural states (wood, slate, etc.)have lower embodied energy than materials thatare more highly refined or manufactured.

The reduction of embodied energy and anassessment of life cycle requires a rethinking of theentire extraction, manufacturing, and distributionprocess related to material selection. Organizationssuch as the Athena Institute can provide embodiedenergy and LCA data about many building products.

The use of building materials that require humanrather than mechanical labour can reduce theinitial construction energy. For example, oneor two workers can construct a wood framehouse, as compared to the number of workers

needed for building a house using concrete orheavy steel members. Straw bale houses canalso be constructed easily with manual labour.Additionally, straw is a by-product of agriculture,making it a building material with very lowembodied energy. Straw bale houses can alsoprovide high thermal performance, as exemplifiedby the R-40 straw bale house designed by JuliaBourke, Architecte in Montreal.

Reducing Embodied and Deconstruction Energy Chapter 5.2


5.2 Reducing Embodied andDeconstruction Energy

Straw bale houses can be constructed easily withmanual labour.



The potential long life of concrete or steelresulting in longer building life may validate theselection of those materials for many projects.Aluminium is a very high embodied energymaterial; however, it is easily recycled with littlenew added energy.

Design teams must be aware of these tradeoffs.In all design decisions, it is crucial to considerissues such as the energy used for operatingbuildings, material efficiency and indoor airquality. Successful green design requires theright balance of these issues for a particularproject and location.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Specify materials with low embodied energy

and low life cycle impacts.• Use design solutions and construction

techniques requiring low use of heavymachinery and energy-intensive construction.

• Provide natural materials that are locallysourced.

• Evaluate embodied energy in relation torecycling potential for various products.

Case StudyStraw bale house in an urban environment Julia Bourke, Architecte, QC

ResourcesAthena Sustainable Material Institute www.athenasmi.ca

SETAC Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) Advisory Group www.setac.org/lca.html

Deconstruction Energy

Objective• to minimize the energy required to

deconstruct buildings.

Designing for demountability can reduce energyuse and the consumption of new materials.Demountability allows for reuse or recyclingof the energy embodied in existing buildingelements. The principles of demountabilityinclude:

• designing for easy access and exposedconnections;

• simplicity of construction and design details;• independence of assemblies to reduce

damage during deconstruction;• minimizing onsite alterations and

“compositions”.

When composite systems (such as wallassemblies) are constructed using nails, gluesand other adhesives, in a way that alters thecomponents, they become hard to recycleor salvage. It is much easier to disassemblea building when materials are used withoutalteration. Pure wood, steel, and rigid insulationcan be reused or recycled. When materials arefused together they often end up in the landfill.

A good example of designing for deconstructionis the MEC store in Ottawa, the structure ofwhich incorporates visible screwed and boltedconnections that facilitate the future reuseof structural elements. A future fundamentaldecision to renovate and reuse will minimize theamount of energy necessary for deconstruction,

and conserve materials and resources.


Chapter 5.2 Reducing Embodied and Deconstruction Energy

The MEC store in Ottawa has a structure with visible screw connections, facilitating the possible future reuseof structural elements.



Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Provide design solutions with connections

and details that facilitate deconstruction.• Reuse and/or recycle existing buildings where

possible.

Case StudyMountain Equipment Co-opLinda Chapman Architect and ChristopherSimmonds Architect in joint venture, Ottawa, ON

ResourcesCMHC - Designing for Disassembly www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Institute for Self Reliance –Building Deconstruction www.ilsr.org/recycling/builddecon.html

Reducing Embodied and Deconstruction Energy Chapter 5.2





5.3 Reducing OperationalEnergy Consumption

5.3 Reducing OperationalEnergy Consumption



Objective• to reduce energy consumed to operate

buildings.

In order to minimize operational energy, considerthe following:

• Compact and efficient buildings save energy,materials and water.

• Energy efficient equipment and products usedfor HVAC systems, lighting, and appliances,further reduce energy consumption.

• Optimum building orientation improvesthermal performance, allows for passivesystems and saves energy.

• Passive systems for heating, cooling,ventilating, thermal mass storage,and lighting further reduce negativeenvironmental impacts of buildings.

• Investigate “free” energy sources.

Compact and Efficient BuildingsObjective• to minimize detrimental impacts of a

building on energy, water, air and othermaterials.

Reducing energy demand requires a new approachto design. The rationale for all design decisionsmust be confirmed in the context of reducing anydetrimental impacts of buildings.

One key objective is to design compact efficientbuildings. Small efficient buildings reduceimpacts on the site, consume less water, lessenergy, and fewer materials and resources.

“La Petite Maison du Weekend” is a minimaldwelling in a recreational setting. It can beinstalled on any outdoor site and is virtually self

sufficient, generating its own electricity,collecting and distributing rainwater, andcomposting human waste. “La Petite Maisondu Weekend” encourages us to consider therelationship between housing, consumption,technologies and the environment.

Repetitive modular systems can also produceefficient buildings that reduce environmentalimpacts through their simple economical designlogic. Green buildings are simple and elegant,rarely complex and elaborate.

Challenging the energy needs for programmedspaces can also help improve buildings. Roomtemperature variations and ventilation rates canbe designed with energy conservation in mind.For example, some low occupancy areas maybe able to accommodate larger temperaturevariations than others. Design teams should workwith clients and users to establish environmentalperformance targets and energy budgets forspecific building areas and uses – significantoverall savings can accrue. The energy wasted on

Reducing Operational Energy Consumption Chapter 5.3


5.3 Reducing Operational EnergyConsumption

“La Petite Maison du Weekend” provides us witha reflection on the relationship between housing,consumption, technologies and the environment.



unoccupied, or underoccupied, areas of a buildingcan be reduced or eliminated. For the unbuiltEarth Science Building at UBC, a 50% energysavings in operational energy will be achieved byallocating energy budgets to specific areas andneeds:

• 90% to laboratories (worker comfort andsafety);

• 35% to classrooms and lecture spaces(energy required only early in the day);

• 15% to circulation spaces (high temperaturerange tolerance);

• 10% to faculty and graduate student offices(where an individual can effectively moderateand control the passive systems in his or herown space).

These approaches to increased energy efficiencycan and should influence the development offunctional programming for all buildings.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Design compact efficient buildings to

minimize operational energy.• Explore ways to make more efficient use of

programmed areas.• Use simple, lean design approaches.• Coordinate energy consumption budgets with

building users.• Establish temperature tolerance guidelines

with the client.

Case StudiesLa Petite Maison du Weekend Patkau Architects Inc., Vancouver, BC

UBC Earth Science Building Busby + Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

ResourcesThe Guide to Resource EfficientBuildings Elements www.crbt.org

Energy Efficient Products

Objective• to specify energy efficient products to reduce

energy demand and use during buildingoperation.

Specifying energy efficient building productshelps reduce the demand and use of energy. Themain areas targeted for energy efficiency areheating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)systems, lighting, appliances and equipment.

HVACThe energy required to heat, ventilate and coolbuildings is considerable. Even if natural systemsare employed, additional mechanical systems

may be needed to achieve the performancerequirements of the client. The most efficientsystems must be specified, not necessary thosewith the least initial capital cost. Some of themore efficient systems are indeed smaller andoffer capital cost savings. Efficient systemsreduce the potential for pollution resultingfrom the operation of larger HVAC systems.A mechanical engineer who thinks “small isbeautiful” is an asset to the design team!

Numerous factors increase the efficiency of HVACsystems:

• installing appropriately sized ducts and othercomponents;

• providing high performance components suchas chillers, boilers, fans and pumps;

• variable speed motors;• reducing or recovering heat loss in systems;

and• providing an effective energy management

and control system.


Chapter 5.3 Reducing Operational Energy Consumption

For the Earth Sciences Building at UBC (unbuilt),a 50% savings over operational energy savings wasachieved in the building design.



Sensors and monitoring systems can furtherincrease the efficiency of building systems.

LightingThe evolution of artificial lighting has movedfrom direct-fired fuel light sources such as gas

lamps and candles, to the commonly accepteduse of 100% artificial lighting. Lighting levelshave evolved with the advent of better types ofillumination and inexpensive electrical power,from a 30 foot-candle level in the offices of the1920’s and 1930’s to a 100 foot-candle level inthe 1950’s and 1960’s. The current trend is toreturn to ambient lighting levels in the 20 to 30foot-candle range, augmented by more precisetask illumination of 70 foot-candles. These levelscan be achieved by integrating task lighting inall work areas, thus reducing lighting levels andtherefore, energy consumption.

When this approach is integrated with daylightingstrategies, the result is a reduced lighting load ontotal building energy consumption. Daylightingis logical; however, energy efficient lightingtechnologies must continue to improve fornighttime lighting as well.

Energy efficient lighting equipment results ina speedy payback. Recently in North America,compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and energyefficient linear fluorescent lamps, such as the T-8,have been integrated into mainstream design toreduce energy consumption. Fluorescent lightingis 75% more efficient and lasts 10 times longerthan incandescent lighting. European fluorescenttechnologies, such as the linear T-5, are nowbeing used in lighting design in North American.The T-5, and more recently T-5HO technologies,offer a smaller, more efficient light source withhigher output, better lighting control, betterlight distribution, reduced power consumption,and fewer lamps per office. Fewer lamps meansless material and less manufacturing, hence lessenvironmental impact.

Unnecessary lighting of unoccupied spaces canbe reduced by lighting management software,light sensors, occupancy controls, and automaticdimming. User controls also increase indoorenvironmental quality. Lighting efficiency can beenhanced with pendant light fixtures that providegeneral (reflected) low-glare uplighting, and task-oriented, downlighting components, all from asingle source. Exterior lighting should be solar

powered, or use low energy lamps such as metalhalide, high-pressure sodium and low-temperaturefluorescents.

Emerging technologies such as light emittingdiodes (LED’s) are very energy efficient, have

an extremely long life (80 years), and have verylow heat generation. LED’s are made of semi-conductor material that changes electric currentinto light of a certain wavelength (colour). LEDtechnology is being applied to emergency systemlights for long life and low energy use, and totraffic lights. Lighting designers are hard atwork applying LED technology to office lightingequipment – these products should soon beavailable. Induction lamps and silicon phosphorsmay also hold future promise for lighting.

Energy efficient products are also available for

residential lighting. Dimmable, self-ballastedcompact fluorescents operating with standardbase sockets are available and provide an energyefficient alternative to the residential customer.Although these units are expensive, growingawareness and marketing techniques are leadingto an increase in their use.

Appliances and EquipmentIn Canada as well as in the USA, programs arein place to promote minimum standards for theenergy efficiency performance of new products.Also, the appliance manufacturing industryhas begun responding to demands for reducedenergy consumption. New, smaller energy-efficient designs, adapting technologies fromenergy efficient manufacturers in Europe, are nowpenetrating the marketplace. The promotion ofvoluntary standards, both within and outside theappliance industry, is expected to generate evenmore efficient appliances.

Although residential appliances are becomingmore energy efficient, the development ofefficient commercial equipment is not keepingpace and efficiency gains are somewhat offsetby the rapidly growing number and size ofappliances. Microwave ovens, clothes washersand dryers, dishwashers, personal computers, andsmall appliances are more and more prevalent.Appliances such as refrigerators have generallybecome larger, with more features such asautomatic defrost and icemakers. To facilitatethe task of specifying energy efficient appliances,the Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency





publishes an appliance directory which listsenergy consumption ratings.

Today’s typical offices are a network of faxmachines, photocopiers, computers, scanners,printers, and plotters – all of which have been

designed to improve our productivity. Theproliferation of these energy consuming machines,many of which are left on for 24 hours a day,has had a profound effect on total office ‘plugloads’ over the last ten years. Designs for5 and 6 watts per square foot are not uncommon.Whereas the overall power input requirements ofthe devices has remained relatively constant, theembedded material and energy costs are beingconsiderably reduced. The change in technologyfrom cathode ray tube screen displays to LED flatscreen will yield a significant energy reduction.For example, the replacement of a 15" monitor

using 95 watts with an equivalent 35-watt LEDflat screen, will save approximately 150 kwh perworkstation per year.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross CanadaHVAC• Select energy efficient HVAC equipment.

Lighting• Design to low interior lighting levels and

incorporate maximum daylighting.• Provide light levels appropriate to the task

at workstation locations, instead of highambient light levels.

• Minimize the number of fixtures.• Use suitable, high efficiency fixtures

(such as fixtures with T5 and T5HO lamps).• Incorporate lighting controls, including

photocell sensors to monitor daylight andoccupancy.

• Develop “plug-in” designs that allow forflexibility in fixture location and fixture type.

Appliances and Equipment• Minimize appliance use, or use smaller, more

efficient appliances.• Specify energy efficient equipment.• Promote LCD/LED screens for computers and

televisions.

ResourcesConsumer Reports www.consumerreports.org

Energuide energuide.nrcan.gc.ca

The National Lighting Product InformationProgram (NLPIP) www.lrc.rpi.edu

EPA Energy Star www.energystar.gov

Building Orientation

Objective• to orient the building to take advantage of

solar and localized climatic conditions.

Proper building orientation and perimeter designcan reduce energy consumption by permittingpassive and active solar power to reduce:

• energy use;• the amount of mechanical equipment; and• levels of artificial lighting.

Ideally in Canada, buildings incorporate south-facing glazing for increased winter solar gain(well shaded to mitigate summer solar heat

gain). On the east and west elevations, the sunneeds to be controlled with more comprehensivesystems (such as louvres) to avoid large heatgains and glare. This is due to the low anglesof the sun, entering deep into the spaces. Solarcontrol strategies need to be designed for eachspecific location. The north elevation of buildingsshould be well-insulated with less glazing. Whenthe ideal orientation is difficult to achieve dueto existing street patterns, other solutions suchas photovoltaic panels should be used to benefitfrom the sun.

At the York University Computer Science Facility,the east elevation is designed to let in morningsun in the winter, but to exclude morning sun inthe summer. The west elevation is designed toeliminate solar gain year round. South elevationscapture winter passive solar gain.





Case Studies York University Computer Science Facility Busby + Associates Architects, in association withVan Nostrand diCastri Architects, Toronto, ON

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

Busby + Associates Architects, Merritt, BC

ResourcesSustainable Buildings Industry Council www.sbicouncil.org

Advanced Buildings technologies and Practices www.advancedbuildings.org

Thermal Performance

Objective• to increase thermal performance in order to

reduce operational energy use.

Improving the thermal performance of all elementsof a building – the floor, roof, glazing andwalls – will significantly improve the energyefficiency of a building. It is critical to reducinglong and short-term operational energy andsystem costs. In addition, improved thermalperformance facilitates the use of passivesystems. Some techniques include:

• increasing overall thermal performance of thewalls and windows;• minimizing thermal breaks and heat loss

through the envelope;• using high performance glazing; and• restricting and optimizing the use of glazing

while maintaining benefits of light, air andviews.

Possible recommendations for insulation include:

• R30/40 (Wall and Roof) for Canadianmaritime regions;

• R40/60 for central regions; and• higher for northern communities.

Scandinavian practice already uses these levels.Because rising costs are anticipated in a futurederegulated energy industry, such levels ofinsulation will result in a payback from improvedthermal performance. The insulation levelarchitects specify today is intended to last 50 to75 years.



The first double skin building in Canada (only oneother in North America dating 1980) is the Telusoffice in Vancouver, where a new outer wall was

suspended around an existing building.



“Double wall” glazing systems are gainingpopularity in Europe, particularly in Germanywhere approximately 20 buildings with doublewall glazing have already been constructed. Thisstrategy creates a 500 mm to 1.2 m ‘greenhouse’or thermal buffer around a building, which yields

opportunities for passive strategies (such as, heatgain, natural ventilation and cooling). The firstdouble skin building in Canada (there is only oneother building in North America, dating to 1980)is the Telus office in Vancouver, where a new outerwall was suspended around an existing building.The energy consumption figures for the Telusbuilding are very low.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Increase thermal performance (insulation or

R-values) of the building envelope.• Specify high efficiency glazing (there are

several Canadian suppliers).• Use details that contribute to thermal

performance.

Case StudyTelus Office Building Busby + Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

ResourcesSustainable Buildings Industry Council

www.sbicouncil.org The Building Thermal EnvelopeSystems & Materials Program

www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls

Institute of Research In Construction www.nrc.ca/irc

Passive Systems

Objective• to use the natural attributes of the site to

reduce environmental impacts.

Passive systems can minimize or eliminatemechanical systems for heating, cooling andventilating buildings. The design of passivesystems requires an integrated design approach(IDA). Therefore, it is essential to involvemechanical and electrical engineers early inthe design process, particularly for decisionsrelated to building location, orientation, form,daylighting, and shading. As the sun is the onlytrue sustainable energy source on earth, passivesystems should be encouraged whenever possiblebecause they produce no emissions or pollution.

The design team should specify passive systemsthat are simple, accessible and easy to maintain.Moving parts should be avoided. Additionally,flexible and adaptable approaches are importantto accept future technologies. Traditionaltemperature “regimes” for different activities androom types should be reviewed and challenged.

Natural VentilationNatural ventilation is not well understood but itcan offer significant environmental advantagesfor all Canadian climates. It can perform wellin moderate climates and has been used for

centuries in hot climates. Natural ventilation canreduce the total annual consumption of energyin all climatic zones in Canada, and thereforesignificantly reduce GHG emissions and pollutantsinto the atmosphere. It reduces heating andcooling loads and maximizes fresh air cycles, thusimproving indoor environmental quality. Mostbuilding users enjoy the opportunity to opena window – taking control of their own localenvironmental conditions, and gaining access tofresh air.





There are five factors that influence naturalventilation:

• quality of air intake;• ventilation mechanisms;• building form;• building orientation; and• special interior arrangements.

The quality of intake air should be maximized.Outside air can be filtered or not, depending onthe system design. Outside air intake shouldnot be located in proximity to parking lots, highvolumes of automobile traffic, garbage disposalareas or loading docks.

Ventilation mechanisms should permit user controland require minimum maintenance. Examplesof ventilation mechanisms include: operablewindows, trickle vents and drum ventilators.Good practice for successful natural ventilationis the development of individual and overallbuilding ventilation protocols. These can beplaced in a building user’s manual and/or theycan be part of an automated control system.

Building orientation and building form can maximizethe use of wind for cooling and ventilation, andcan minimize heating requirements in the winter.Wind creates high pressure on upwind faces andlow pressure on downwind faces. Suction ondownwind faces creates the best opportunity

for ventilation. The effectiveness of the systemdepends on the existence and configuration ofupwind obstructions. If the shape and size ofthe site allows it, orient the long face of thebuilding perpendicular to the prevailing wind inorder to create the greatest pressure differencebetween the windward and leeward faces, allowingcross ventilation across the building’s depth.Orientation for the best wind may conflict withthe orientation to optimize passive solar systems.The design team must assess all tradeoffs andsynergies which exist in green building design.

Natural ventilation can take many forms. TheWalnut Grove Aquatic Centre provides a seriesof glazed overhead doors that provide naturalventilation. By opening mechanically operatedvents, fresh air is pulled into the facility andexhausted naturally through the roof.

For the upper levels of a building to enjoy thebenefits of natural ventilation it is sometimesnecessary to create temperature differentials byadding ‘stacks’ to the roof (shapes with voidsthat create a “stack effect” and draw air out ofthe building).

The York University Computer Science Facilityuses stack effect chimneys to facilitate thenatural ventilation of the building. This buildinghas no ventilation ducts; instead, three large-scale atriums, ventilation chimneys and plenumsare used to naturally air-condition the facility.

The following principles are important in theconsideration of natural ventilation:

• Spaces that have windows on only one wallcan be ventilated with high level and lowlevel windows if the depth of the space isless than 3 or 4 times the room height.

• Greater room depths require cross ventilation,preferably to an interior atrium or circulationspace.

• Stack effects of multi-storey interior spacesforce natural ventilation more effectively.Stacks also provide great pools of heat andconditioned air to draw upon in winterheating conditions.



The Walnut Grove Aquatic Centre provides a seriesof glazed overhead doors that contribute to naturalventilation.



• Underfloor air distribution systems anddisplacement ventilation mechanical systemswork well with natural ventilation strategies(heat rises).

• Nighttime ‘flushing’ of buildings (in summer)enhances natural ventilation by completelyexhausting heat gained during the daytime,and by drawing in cooler nighttime air.

Natural ventilation strategies and resultantinterconnected spaces can create difficulties inbuilding code compliance and fire separationrequirements. These can be overcome withpermitted “equivalencies”. A code specialist inthe green design will be familiar with accepted

equivalencies. At the Architectural Centre inVancouver, home of the Architectural Instituteof British Columbia (AIBC), equivalencies wereobtained for cross-ventilated fire-separatedtenancies and for an interconnected atrium spacethat utilizes stack effect natural ventilation.

Passive Solar HeatingThe sun is a source of free, nonpolluting energy.Passive solar heating uses solar radiation toheat interior spaces or hot water systems and itsignificantly reduces the size and energy needsof mechanical systems. In order for passivesolar energy strategies to work, a significantamount of thermal mass needs to be includedin the building. Thermal mass captures heatduring the day for future release, thus reducingnighttime heating and daytime cooling demands.Passive solar systems must be designed for lowmaintenance and user control.



The York University Computer Science Facility uses stackeffect chimneys to facilitate the natural ventilation ofthe building. This building has no ventilation ducts- three large scale atriums, ventilation chimneys and

plenums are used to naturally conditioned the facility.

At the Architectural Centre in Vancouver (home of the AIBC), equivalencies were obtained for cross ventilated fire separated tenancies and an interconnected atrium space that utilizes stack effect natural ventilation.

Interior special arrangements can aid or hinder naturalventilation.



Passive design strategies can be modeled usingcomputer simulation programs or a sunchart.With proper knowledge, both professional andamateur solar designers can use the sunchart toefficiently and easily design and optimize passivesolar buildings.

The Eco Residence of the McDonald Campus ofMcGill University is a student housing projectusing solar “green houses” for passive solarheating. The building reuses a concrete, 1960’sera building. Solar green houses constructed ofsalvaged doors and windows are used to capturethe sun energy and to preheat and filter theoutside air.

DaylightingDaylighting has numerous benefits. It providesenergy savings by eliminating or reducing theneed for artificial lighting, with energy andmaterial consumption reduced accordingly.Additionally, it improves environmental qualityfor building occupants by providing naturallight for work, play, and living spaces. Accessto daylight improves the quality of space foroccupants and may improve access to views.European studies have shown significantimprovements in the effectiveness of hospitalsand schools using daylighting strategies. Studiesdocument that productivity in the workplaceincreases as a result of improved access todaylight.

Narrow floor plates, interior courtyards andatria are design approaches that lead to betterdaylighting. Useful daylight from a typical

window can reach up to 4.5 m to 7.5 m deepinto spaces with a 2.4 or 2.5 m floor to ceilingheight. Highly reflective interior materials can bespecified to facilitate daylighting. Light shelvesand clerestory windows can be used to furtherincrease the penetration and effectiveness of

natural light into buildings.

When providing daylighting in buildings, thedesign team should consider solar control,shading and glare and their respective effects onheating and cooling loads. Glare control shouldbe carefully considered. Glare in the workplacecould lead to a significant loss in comfort formany building users. Minimizing glare in theworkplace begins with:

• 100% shading co-efficient toexterior glazing;

• indirect lighting to the workstations; and• increased user control.

The Association of Professional Engineers andGeoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC) HeadOffice in Burnaby, BC, is an example of successfuldaylighting strategies – lots of natural daylightfills the spaces of this building. Exterior, glass,sun-control louvres limit heat gain and providesuccessful glare control.



The Eco Residence of the McDonald Campus of McGillUniversity is a student housing project using solar“green houses” for passive solar heating.

The Association of Professional Engineers andGeoscientists of British Columbia, (APEGBC) head officein Burnaby, BC, is an example of successful daylighting

strategies. Large amounts of natural daylight fill the spaces of this building. Exterior glass sun-controllouvers limit the heat gain and provide successful glarecontrol.



Solar control should maximize sun penetrationduring colder months to minimize heating loads,and minimize penetration during warmer monthsto decrease cooling loads. Controls shouldbe coordinated with street orientation andneighbouring buildings or trees. Heat loss should

be avoided by minimizing glazing on the northfaçade. Computer simulation software is availableto help design teams assess various solutions.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross CanadaNatural ventilation• Release hot air to the exterior in summer and

recirculate warm air in winter.• Maximize the use of external air in temperate

“swing” seasons (spring and fall).• Use wind pressure differential, stack effect,

and air paths through the building tofacilitate natural ventilation.

• Shape the building to make use of naturalventilation.

• Orient the building to take advantage ofprevailing winds.

• Design landscapes that work with naturalventilation strategies.

• Provide operable windows.• Develop solutions for nighttime cooling.• Provide temperature regimes appropriate to

varying activities.

Passive Solar Heating• Use thermal mass to capture heat during the

day for release in off-peak hours to reducedemands for nighttime heating and daytimecooling.

• Seek low maintenance and simplicity in usercontrols.

• Review and challenge traditional temperaturerequirements for different activities androom types.

Daylighting• Design interiors with good access to natural

light, using narrow floor plates, courtyardsand atria.

• Redirect daylight with light shelves to extendnaturally lit spaces deeper into buildings.

• Limit or angle west elevation glazing awayfrom direct western light.• Limit shading on east elevations to allow for

morning solar preheating.• Shade south elevations.• Limit glazing on the north elevation to

reduce heat loss.

Case StudiesEcoResidenceDaniel Pearl and Mark Poddubiuk Architectes,Montreal, QC

York University Computer Science Facility Busby + Associates Architects, in association withVan Nostrand diCastri Architects, Toronto, ON

APEGBC Head Offices Busby + Associates Architects, Burnaby, BC

Walnut Grove Aquatic Centre Roger Hughes + Partners Architects, Langley, BC

AIBC offices, 440 Cambie Street Busby + Associates Architects,Pioneer Consultants Ltd. (Code Consultant),Vancouver, BC

ResourcesAdvanced Technologies for Commercial Buildings www.advancedbuildings.org

Solar Energy Society of Canada www.solarenergysociety.ca

MIT’s Natural Ventilation Case Studies naturalvent.mit.edu






5.4 Energy Sources5.4 Energy Sources



Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable Energy Sources



Objective• to select energy sources with the lowest

possible environmental impact.

One strategy to reduce the negative environ-mental impacts of buildings is to select a ‘green’energy source. Modern society has becomeextremely dependent on a very few forms ofenergy - electricity, gas and oil. However,depending on the site, many different sources ofonsite renewable energy are possible. Priorityshould be given to renewable, low impact,decentralized, locally supplied, flexible energysystems. When choosing an energy source, thedesign team is faced with two choices: non-renewable or renewable energy sources.

Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Objective• to provide maximum efficiency when using

non-renewable energy source.

The most common forms of non-renewable energyare fossil fuels such as fuel oil, natural gas,gasoline and coal. Fossil fuels are associated withthe release of pollution and GHG emissions. Fossilfuels can be used as primary fuels or as secondaryfuels to produce electricity which heat buildings.Gas offers higher site efficiency and the potentialfor use in cogeneration (thermal and electricenergy produced from the same source – a more

efficient choice). Fuel oil, natural gas, gasolineand coal release various levels of emissions intothe air. In the case of non-renewable energyuse, the design team should focus on energyefficiency.

For example, instead of specifying conventional80% efficiency gas boilers, design teams shouldspecify mid-efficiency boilers at 85% efficiencyor even high-efficiency condensing boilers thatoperate at efficiencies between 90-95%. This isan example of a green strategy that can be easilyachieved.

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices which

convert fuel energy directly into electrical energy.They are classified with non-renewable sourcesbecause, although they do not create emissions,they do consume fuels. Fuel cells operate muchlike continuous batteries when supplied withfuel. Possible fuels are hydrogen, natural gas,and methanol. Fuel cells eliminate the creationof wasted energy by eliminating combustionheat. Instead, fuel cells chemically combinethe molecules of a fuel and an oxidizer withoutburning, avoiding the inefficiencies and pollutionof traditional combustion. Low emissionsfrom fuel cells (water and oxygen) and their

high efficiency contribute to the reduction ofdetrimental environmental effects. Fuel cells arenot readily available in the marketplace. However,a few large-scale test projects are underway.Global Thermoelectric (Calgary) is working onfuel cells for residential applications (2-3 yearsaway). Ballard is concentrating on stationarypower plants (some have been installed) andvehicular applications (1-3 years away). Fuel celltechnology is still expensive to harness.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Use non-renewable energy sources in a very

efficient manner.• Plan for fuel cell applications in the near

future.

Energy Sources Chapter 5.4


5.4 Energy Sources



ResourcesAdvanced technologies for Commercial Buildings www.advancedbuildings.org

The Energy Efficiency +Renewable Energy (EREN) Database

www.eren.doe.gov NRCan Energy Sector www.nrcan.gc.ca/es

Renewable Energy Sources

Objective• to select low impact renewable energy

sources whenever possible.

Renewable energy sources have varying degrees ofenvironmental impact. Large-scale hydroelectricpower generation releases no emissions; however,this power source damages host ecosystems andthe physical environment. Dams and transmissionfacilities destroy vast areas of natural habitat.New technologies provide low impact renewableenergy; these energy sources are increasinglyavailable, and are now feasible for certainapplications. Renewable energies are “cleaner”energy sources and can provide the possibility ofonsite generation, with little or no transmissionloss. Sources of renewable onsite or offsite energy

are solar, low impact hydro, tidal, wind, wood,biomass, geothermal, and alternative fuels.

Solar EnergySolar energy is the source of all energy onthe planet. The sun’s energy produced fossilfuels, and is responsible for the functioningof all natural systems. Plants produce 300billion tonnes of sugar a year from solar energy;mankind’s ability to harness solar energy isimmeasurably small by comparison.

Solar energy can be used directly to produce

electricity with photovoltaic (PV) cells, orindirectly, as passive solar heating or hot waterheating. Photovoltaics are gaining momentum asa source of energy in Europe and their popularitywill spread to Canada soon. New technologiesfor utilizing photovoltaics permit the design ofbuilding envelopes that create energy. BuildingIntegrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are already beingproduced for applications in roofs, window

systems and cladding. These envelopes can react

and change to seasonal variations, to become a“living” building skin.

Solar energy can be used in passive designsor with solar collectors and photovoltaicpanels. Solar collectors offer approximately70% efficiency versus the 10-15% efficiency ofphotovoltaic panels. In the Telus Office Buildingin Vancouver, when the sun is out, PV panelssupply energy to fans that assist the naturalventilation system.


Chapter 5.4 Energy Sources

The sun’s energy has produced fossil fuels and isresponsible for the functioning of all natural systems.

The Telus Office Building in Vancouver utilizes arational application that works best when needed most.When the sun is out, PV panels supply energy to fansthat assist the natural ventilation system.



HydroelectricHydroelectric power is free of emissions and it isrenewable. In order to be of low environmentalimpact, the system must have short transmissiondistances and be appropriately scaled to the hostwatershed or shoreline. Transmission losses from

large hydroelectric projects are over 60%, whichis not very ‘green’. Priority should be given tosmall-scale systems that have lower detrimentalenvironmental effects.

Wind Power The Washington-based Worldwatch Institute callswind power “the world’s fastest growing energysource” for the fourth year in a row. Worldwide,wind power capacity has increased by 35% during1998. 20% of Denmark’s power is provided bywind. Mechanical energy from wind turbines is anold technology experiencing renewed popularity,as evidenced by a number of recent projects inQuebec and Alberta. Pincher Creek is the largestwind turbine farm in Canada – it powers Calgary’stransit system. However, the impact of windturbines on bird populations is a concern andstudies are currently being undertaken in the USAto alleviate this problem.

Alternative FuelsIn the near future, the “carbon era” of fossil fuelsshould be replaced by the establishment of the“hydrogen era” of nonpolluting fuels. Alternativefuels such as hydrogen and biomass can be usedto provide electricity, heat and transportation

fuel. For many years now, hydrogen has beenrecognized as a potential source of fuel. Currentuses of hydrogen are industrial processes, rocketfuel, and spacecraft propulsion. With increasingresearch and development, hydrogen could serveas an alternative source of energy for heatingand lighting homes, generating electricity, andfueling vehicles. When produced from renewableresources and technologies, such as low impacthydro, solar, and wind energy, hydrogen becomesa “renewable” fuel. Biomass is composed ofvegetation-based refuse such as tree cuttings,garden waste, grass and crop cuttings. Usingbiomass as a fuel could divert significant amountsof material from landfills, where no compostingfacility is available. However, the burning ofbiomass emits GHG’s such as CO2, decreasing itsenvironmental merits.

GeothermalGeothermal energy is harvested from below theearth’s surface. It has a high associated capitalcost, but can have a reasonably fast payback time.Capital costs are increased by the onsite geologicaltesting and drilling required to determine thepresence of a geothermal heat reservoir. In thecase of a large reservoir, the system could be madeto accommodate growth or phased construction.Groundsource heat pumps are the most efficientdevices for harvesting geothermal energy. Despitetheir high cost, there is an increase in the use ofgroundsource heat for buildings. Although heatpumps tap geothermal energy, they still consumeelectricity to operate. They work best in climateswith higher temperature extremes (central andnorthern Canada), exploiting the temperaturedifferentials between air and ground. They havebeen widely utilized in the prairies for years and are

considered energy efficient.

The presence of aquifers greatly enhances systemperformance and efficiency because they arehighly conductive. Low conductivity soils, difficultdrilling conditions and the high cost of drillingwells for expanding developments are factorsthat can make this energy source inappropriate.

Energy Sources Chapter 5.4


Pincher Creek is the largest wind turbine farm inCanada and it powers Calgary’s transit system.



A commercial mixed-use development inVancouver, BC, demonstrates the use of thermalenergy harnessed with heat pumps. The projectprovides geothermal hot water heating as well asa combination of geothermal heating and energyefficient gas fireplaces.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• When possible, select low impact energy

sources.• Design with the entire energy infrastructure

in mind.• Choose source, transmission and storage

systems that require a minimum number oftransformations that reduce efficiency.

• Design buildings and developments thatsupply energy as well as consume it.

• Match energy source output with appropriateneeds for electric or heat power.

• Use connections to the grid for onsiteelectricity generation which can “wind back”electricity meters with excess power, therebyreducing total consumption.

• Design for adaptation to future and more

sustainable technologies.

Case Studies2211 West FourthHotson Bakker Architects, Vancouver, BC

Telus Office Building Busby + Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

ResourcesCanadian Renewable Energy Network www.canren.gc.ca

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systemsin Canada www.newenergy.org

Solstice: Renewable and Alternative Energy www.crest.org

Renewable Energy Deployment Initiative nrn1.rncan.gc.ca/es/erb/reed

Canadian Earth Energy Association earthenergy.org


Chapter 5.4 Energy Sources

A commercial mixed-use development in Vancouver, BC,demonstrates the use of thermal energy harnessed withheat pumps.




5.5 Regulations,Linkages andTradeoffs

5.5 Regulations,Linkages andTradeoffs



Energy used in buildings is linked to all aspectsof green building design. Many green buildingstrategies contribute to the overall reduction of abuilding energy use. The selection of an urbansite minimizes infrastructure and transportationenergies. Water efficiency saves energy fromexpanding infrastructure for water systems.Selecting green building materials minimizesembodied energy. Daylighting, user controls and

natural ventilation also save energy. In brief, aholistic approach to green building design resultsin a multitude of synergies.

Tradeoffs also happen when designing greenbuildings for low energy consumption. Forexample, daylighting strategies and naturalventilation may reduce the thermal performanceof buildings. Using rating systems and standardssuch as LEED™, the Model National EnergyCode for Buildings, and ASHRAE 90.1 1999can take into account these anomalies andensure optimization of the total environmental

performance of buildings. The design team,clients and authorities having jurisdiction canthen agree on the strategies that best suit a givenbuilding.

There are a few regulatory hurdles to overcomewhen using renewable energy sources. However,there is still one important impediment to siteenergy generation in many parts of Canada– it is still very difficult to “wind back” anelectricity meter with onsite generation and geta reasonable credit for the energy supplied to thegrid. Utilities should be lobbied to remove thisimpediment; site generators should be lauded,

not hindered.






6.0 Materials and

Resources

6.0 Materials and

Resources



Materials and Resources Chapter 6.0


Overall Objectives• to reduce the demand for materials and

resources.• to maximize the use of green building

products.• to minimize waste during construction.• to minimize demolition.

Buildings and natural resources are closely linked.Considerable natural resources are extracted forthe purpose of constructing buildings; in fact,about 40% of the world’s raw materials are usedin the construction industry. This extractionmeans that ecosystems are damaged, energy isconsumed, and water quality is reduced. Miningand manufacturing processes produce significantpollution to their host ecosystems. Waste andpollution from manufacturing can be very toxic.

The transportation of construction materials todistributors and building sites also producespollution. Many materials, once installed, release

toxic gases, affecting occupants health. Cleaningand maintenance requires more energy and theseactivities can produce toxic waste or causehealth risks. Finally, after the end of their usefullife, building products will need to be reused,salvaged or discarded. Disposal prevents thepotential reuse of recoverable resources, increasesthe demand for landfill sites, and can lead tofurther pollution. All of the environmentalimpacts resulting fromcertain choices of buildingmaterials can only be understood when thefull “upstream and downstream” history of theproduct is considered.

The design team must understand andacknowledge that most natural resourcesharvested for building construction are finite.Consumption of these resources must notcompromise the use of the same resource byfuture generations. For example, the rate ofharvesting of renewable resources (such as wood)must permit the ongoing, long-term sustainableregeneration of these resources. Two major green

building concepts are important when choosingbuilding materials:

• striving for material efficiency;• selecting green building products.

Materials and Resources



Chapter 6.0 - Materials and ResourcesChapter 6.0 - Materials and Resources

6.1 Material Efficiency6.1 Material Efficiency



Building Reuse or Renovation

Material Reduction and Efficiency

Design for Flexibility

Construction Waste Management

Designing for Deconstruction



Objective• to reduce the demand for new materials by

reusing materials and renovating buildings,by increasing material efficiency, and bydesigning flexible buildings for futureadaptation.

Building Reuse or RenovationObjective• to achieve materials, energy and cost savings

by reusing or renovating existing buildings.

Reusing and renovating buildings offersmaterial and resource efficiency by avoidingthe construction of new buildings. The reuseof buildings is a very effective way to reducedemand for new materials. Buildings areconstructed with a hierarchy of building elementsand systems, such as, 1. structural components,2. envelope, and 3. interior finishes. Reusingonly the structure can save 20-30% of newbuilding costs and avoid massive additions tolandfills (30% of Canadian landfill sites consistof construction wastes). In some instances, itis feasible to save only the structural elementsand to replace the building envelope and interiorfinishes. In other cases, a “cosmetic” renovationmay require replacing only interior finishes.Designing buildings with structural systems thatlast and performwell over time is a first step tofacilitating the future reuse of a building.

The office of Busby + Associates Architects islocated in a 1950’s era concrete warehouse.

The structure was seismically upgraded. Simpleopenings have been cut for atriums andventilation. Natural ventilation, daylightingand material efficiency are some of the designstrategies employed in this recycled facility. “As

found” materials are the final finishes. Thisproject, completed in 2000, demonstrates asuccessful reuse and adaptation of a robust andflexible structure that now has greater value. Anidentical building, two doors down the street, wasdemolished this year for a “new development,”creating over a thousand tonnes of landfill, andapproximately the same amount in unnecessarygreenhouse gas emissions.

The Angus Locoshop project in Montreal is astunning example of larger scale recycling andupgrading of industrial properties – with excitingarchitectural results.

Material Efficiency Chapter 6.1


6.1 Material Efficiency

Our off ice is located in an old concrete warehouse builtin 1951. Simple openings have been cut for at riumsand venti lat ion st rategies.



Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Reuse and/or renovate buildings when

feasible.

Case StudiesTelus Office BuildingBusby +Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

1220 Homer StreetBusby +Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

Angus LocoshopÆdifica, Montreal, QC

ResourcesSustainable Architecture Compendium www.css.snre.umich.edu

Material Reductionand Efficiency

Objective• to provide design solutions that reduce

material and resource demand.

Material reduction can significantly reduce the

consumption of new resources. This can beachieved by:

• designing compact spaces;• using material-efficient construction

techniques;• avoiding superfluous materials such as

unnecessary finishes; and• using standard material dimensions to avoid

waste during construction.

In addition to material reduction, these strategiescan also help the architect to meet the client’sbudget.

Responding to the functional programby providingcompact and efficient spaces reduces energy

use and capital costs, and conserves materialsand resources. An example of this is efficientwood framing and careful detailing. By avoidingfinishing materials and by specifying productsthat do not require the use of paints andcoatings, resource consumption is reduced andthe future reuse of natural materials is facilitated.Designing using a module facilitates throughrepetitive construction techniques, possibleease of disassembly and reuse, and reduction ofonsite waste during construction. Usingstructural modules can also permit incrementaladditions to buildings, thereby increasing their

adaptability over time.

In the Strawberry Vale Elementary School, PatkauArchitects consciously limited the finishes usedthroughout the building. Strategies includedavoiding gypsum board in the corridors andlibrary areas, and exposing the polished concretefloor. In this project, numerous other greenbuilding design features include high levelsof natural light in the classrooms, nativelandscaping in the schoolyard, and on-sitestormwater management.


Chapter 6.1 Material Efficiency

I n t he Strawberry Vale Elementary School, PatkauArchit ects consciously l imited the amount of fi nishesused throughout t he building.

The Angus Locoshop project in Mont real is a stunni ngexample of larger scale recycling and upgrading ofindustri al properties – wit h excit ing archit ecturalresults.



During the operation of most buildings, theoccupants produce waste. The design teamshould plan for central, adequate and convenientrecycling, sorting and composting facilities toassist in reducing material waste.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Minimize the quantity of materials used.• Look for synergies within the functional

programto reduce building areas.• Maximize use of materials that do not require

finishes and avoid the unnecessary use offinishes.

• Design with precut and engineeredconstruction products to minimize waste.

• Fabricate modules based on ‘no cutting’ panelsizes.

• Develop structural systems based uponbuilding industry modular sizes.

• Plan buildings with facilities for recycling,sorting and composting.

Case Studies1220 Homer StreetBusby +Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

Liu Centre for the Study of Global IssuesArchitectura, in collaboration with ArthurErickson, Vancouver, BC

Strawberry Vale Elementary SchoolPatkau Architects I nc, Saanich, BC

La Petite Maison du WeekendPatkau Architects Inc, Vancouver, BC

ResourcesGuide to Resource Efficient Building Products www.crbt.org

Design for Flexibility

Objective• to prolong the life of buildings using flexible

design solutions.

Buildings should be designed with the longestpossible useful life. In order for buildings to fullyaccommodate their changing functions over time,flexible spaces must be provided. The goal shouldbe to increase a building’s lifespan and to make itadaptable.

Lifespan The CSA Standard S478-95, Guidelines onDurability in Buildings, analyzes the lifespanof interior materials for an office building over60 years. The design service life of finishesis defined as 5 years for painted materials,

10 years for carpet and floor finishes, and 20years for partitions, gypsum board and masonrysubstrates. For longer useable lives, buildingsmust be designed for maximum flexibility, withthe knowledge of these differing lifespans.Building designs must accommodate for the factthat components with shorter lifespans need tobe replaced without compromising or damagingcomponents with longer lifespans. Architectsmust create details for easy access, removal andreplacement of various building components. Theuseful life of these removed components can beextended by subsequent reuse or recycling.

AdaptabilityAdaptability is a fundamental concept forthe design of green buildings. The design ofconventional buildings dictates their energy andresource consumption as well as their wasteproduction for their entire life cycle. Conventionalbuildings can be “technological time capsules”,locked into consumption profiles based on thedesign approaches and technologies prescribedat the time of their design and construction.Since sustainable designs must take the long-term view and respond to different uses andneeds over the entire lifecycle of a building, itis important that a building evolve and that itbe readily adaptable to different uses and newsustainable technologies.

Green buildings should accommodate changesin use, new systems, and ease of maintenance.Contiguous service zones should be providedfor increased adaptability of existing systemsand as support for future new technologies,such as solar panels, fuel cells, vehicle chargingstations, etc. These new technologies may need

to be incorporated either in the service zonesor externally. Flexible buildings should be ableto provide both internal and external plug-inconnections. Non-zoned schemes are much lessflexible for accommodating future unanticipateduses and room configurations, for additionalsystems, and for future distribution needs.It is difficult to predict future technologies;nevertheless, the green design teammust providefor future adaptability to the extent possible.





Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Consider the varying lifespans of building

systems and components.• Design primary structural elements for an

extended life span.• Provide structural systems with minimumfire

ratings, which may be easily upgraded.• Design secondary structures, such as non-

loadbearing walls, guards, and infill floorpanels to be demountable, using adaptablematerials.

• Develop adaptable plug-in service connectionpoints with easy access.

• Use standard modules.• Develop a module based on available

materials and in sizes that are capableof being relocated without sophisticated

equipment.• Develop a modular systembased on localstandards in which components can be re-used and reassembled.

• Plan using a module size that will satisfy avariety of space planning criteria.

• Design modular interior elements to permitfuture alteration (move, remove or recycle).

• Develop easily demountable connectiondetails.

• Design flexible spaces that can accommodatethe maximumnumber of uses.

• Provide service zones to accommodate future

upgrading of systems.

ResourcesModular Building Institute www.mbinet.org

Advanced Technologies for Commercial Buildings www.advancedbuildings.org

Construction Waste Management

Objective• to reduce the amount of waste occurring

during construction.

Proper construction waste management provides anopportunity to recycle and salvage materials. Notonly is the construction industry the single largestuser of natural resources, it is also a large producerof waste. Construction waste management can

save considerable amounts of materials and reducecost for materials and landfill. One of the greatestchallenges for construction jobsite recycling is toeducate the contractors and subcontractors aboutsalvage and recycling programs. In the GreaterVancouver Regional District, for example, studies

have shown that jobsite recycling of constructionwaste can divert up to 45% of materials fromthelandfill to recycling facilities. For the RichmondCity Hall project, a jobsite recycling programsavedthe project $10,000. This figure includes costsavings for new materials, expenses related todisposal fees, and additional labour costs.

Designing with module-based building productsreduces on-site cutting and fitting. The use ofmodular products can:

• increase savings in both material and time;• reduce construction waste; and• minimize purchases of new materials.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Design using raw material unit dimensions.• Use modular materials and thoughtful

detailing to reduce waste.• Reuse or recycle waste material fromthe

construction process.• Train construction personnel to implement

a jobsite recycling program.• Require recycling of construction waste in

specifications and construction contracts.• Find uses for recycled waste close to site.• Consider waste as a resource.



For the Richmond Cit y Hall project , a job sit e recycli ngprogram saved the project $10,000.



Case StudiesRichmond City HallHotson Bakker Architects and Kuwabara PayneMcKenna Blumberg Associated Architects,Richmond, BC


ResourcesGreater Vancouver Regional District -Sustainable Design and Construction www.gvrd.bc.ca/ services/ garbage/

jobsite/ index.ht ml

C&D Waste Web www.cdwaste.com

Designing for Deconstruction

Objective• to reduce demolition and deconstruction

waste.

Designing for building deconstruction (demoun-tability) helps minimize the negative impacts ofbuildings on the environment. The constructionindustry is a large producer of demolition waste -approximately 30% of Greater Vancouver RegionalDistrict landfill waste originates from demolitionand land clearing. The remaining waste isfrom the institutional, industrial and commercialsectors (50%) and the residential sector (20%).

It is possible to change an industry. Following a1996 law, German cars must be “deconstructed”into separate types of material with less than fivehours labour. Current demolition usually involvesmixing large quantities of valuable materials withless valuable materials, contaminated or ruinedin the demolition process. This valuable materialcould be diverted from the waste stream bydeconstructing buildings rather than demolishingthem. Careful disassembly during deconstructionpermits the reuse of salvaged building materialsin new construction.

Architects and owners must allow sufficient timefor deconstruction. The labour costs and extendedtimeframe required for deconstruction can beoffset by income generated from selling salvagedmaterials, savings in the purchase of fewer newbuilding products and savings in landfill (tipping)

fees.

Design teams should provide construction detailsthat facilitate deconstruction. Materials shouldbe easily removable from their assemblies forrecycling. Demountable connections promotethe reuse of structural components such asheavy timber. Bolts or screws should be usedinstead of other damaging industrial fasteners.Power-actuated industrial fasteners, such asHilti fasteners, should have threaded inserts.Adhesives and composite structures should beavoided whenever possible. Modular access

floors, carpet tiles, suspended light fixtures,and demountable metal or wood partitions areexcellent choices.



The MEC store in Ottawa was designed t o faci li tatedisassembly by providi ng screwed and bol tedconnections for the ent ire structure.



Designing for disassembly has the potential tosignificantly reduce the amount of materialswasted and deposited in landfills. The MountainEquipment Co-op (MEC) Store in Ottawa wasdesigned to allow disassembly by using screwedand bolted connections throughout the entire

structure. Many of the structural elements in thisbuilding had already been salvaged once – theheavy timbers were from old log booms and thesteel structure consists of columns, beams and

joists fromthe former building on the site.

The Concord Pacific Sales Pavilion in False Creekwas designed to be easily demountable andtransportable in order to be reused over a 20-year“site buildout” program. It has already beenmoved twice, with a minimumof effort, materialsand energy.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Design structures to be demountable.• Require the deconstruction of existing

buildings in all construction contracts.• Use modular materials and thoughtful

detailing to facilitate deconstruction.• Train demolition personnel to deconstruct.• Reuse salvaged materials close to the site.• Consider waste as a resource.

Case StudiesConcord Sales PavilionBusby +Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

Mountain Equipment Co-opLinda Chapman Architect and ChristopherSimmonds Architect in joint venture, Ottawa, ON

ResourcesCMHC - Designing for Disassembly www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca



The Concord Pacif ic Sales Pavili on i n False Creek wasdesigned to be easily t ransportable and demountable,facil it ati ng reli able reuse over a 20-year sit e buildoutprogramme.




6.2 Selecting GreenBuilding Products

6.2 Selecting GreenBuilding Products



Life Cycle Assessment and Embodied Energy

Energy Efficient Building Products

Material Efficient Building Products

Certified Products

Building Products with Low Emission



Objectives• to select building products that have minimal

impact on the environment and buildingoccupants during their full life cycle.

• to select resource-efficient building products.• to select energy-efficient building products.

When choosing building products, the designteam must take into account energy and waterand resource use during harvesting, productionand transportation of the material. A comp-rehensive list of selection criteria provides thenecessary information for responsible environ-mental selection.

Life Cycle Assessment andEmbodied Energy

Objective• to select building products that have low

embodied energy through their full life cycle.• to select building products that have minimal

environmental impacts through their fulllife cycle.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a process thatdocuments the environmental impacts of the fulllife cycle of a building product. For example, theLCA data for a building product such as a masonryunit considers the following environmentalimpacts:

• raw resource extraction;• manufacturing;• transportation;• installation;• use; and• disposal.

The list of potential environmental impactsincludes water and air pollution, toxic releases,chemical combinations, greenhouse gas (GHG)

emissions, energy consumption, landfill impacts,recycled content, recycling potential, etc. LCAinformation is not yet available for most buildingproducts. However, LCA data introduces thebuilding industry to the notion of full life cycleenvironmental impacts and will identify areasof environmental problems. In order to remaincompetitive, building product companies havean interest in improving the weaknesses of their

products. Architects should become advocatesfor full life cycle assessment and insist thatsuppliers provide all the necessary data.Sound environmentally-based reasons will leadto certain materials not being selected. Theconstruction industry will react and ultimately betransformed.

Embodied energy is another measurement of thedetrimental environmental impact of buildingproducts. Embodied energy can be defined asthe amount of energy consumed by all of theactivities directly or indirectly associated with the

full life cycle of a building product. The conceptof measuring embodied energy is similar to lifecycle assessment, except that it focuses solely onenergy.

These two methods provide information tomanufacturers and design teams about theimpacts of building products. When possible,these methods should be used to selectbuilding products. However, because full datais not readily available for all materials, partialinformation and less quantifiable criteria areoften used in practice. In the medium term,materials should be classified into three maincategories:

• energy efficient building products;• material efficient building products; and• products that have benign impact on

building users.

Selecting Green Building Products Chapter 6.2


6.2 Selecting Green Building Products



Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Specify materials that have low associated

energy costs for their full life cycle.• Specify materials that have a minimal

environmental impacts for their full lifecycle.

• Request full data frommanufacturers andadvocate for full life cycle assessments ofbuilding products.

ResourcesAthena Sustainable Material Institute www.athenasmi.ca

Life Cycle Assessment Links www.life-cycle.org

Environmental Resource Guide (ERG) www.e-architect.com

Energy Efficient BuildingProducts

Objective • to reduce the energy demand associated with

building products.

In order to reduce the energy use associatedwith building products, the design team canspecify local and regional materials, therebyreducing transportation energy and providingsupport for the local economy. Using localmaterials enhances “regionally-differentiated”architecture; for example, the use of a local stoneor other cladding materials can define a regionalarchitectural characteristic.

Products that reduce operational energy useshould be incorporated. As mentioned in theEnergy and Atmosphere section, energy savingscan be obtained by specifying products thatminimize operational energy, such as energy-efficient appliances, lighting and HVAC systems.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Specify locally available materials that

are durable, repairable and require lowmaintenance.

• Research and maintain a resource list oflocally available “green” products, salvagecompanies, trades, businesses, etc.

• Specify building products that contribute tothe reduction of operational energy.

ResourcesUS EPA Comprehensive ProcurementGuidelines (CPG) www.epa.gov/ cpg/ index.ht m

EPA Energy Star www.energystar.gov

Energuide energuide.nrcan.gc.ca

Material Efficient BuildingProducts

Objective• to specify only building products that are

material efficient.

A green building material should demonstratematerial and resource efficiency through its entirelife cycle. The environmental selection criteriathat can be used for selecting efficient greenbuilding products include resource efficiency,renewable materials, salvaged materials,recycled content, and materials selected for lowmaintenance characteristics.

Renewable MaterialsWhen specifying a building product, the designteam may be faced with the selection of eitherrenewable products, non-renewable products ora combination of the two. Renewable buildingproducts, if sustainably harvested, offer theadvantage of conserving other building productsmade fromfinite resources. The use of renewablematerials can be sustained for many generationswithout compromising the current global stock.Some products, such as bamboo and straw, rapidly


Chapter 6.2 Selecting Green Building Products



regenerate; this rate of sustainable regenerationincreases their potential application in greenbuildings. Bamboo flooring products andwheatboard (an alternative to MDF) are readilyavailable in Canada. Biodegradable renewableproducts such as cellulose insulation offer an

added attraction because they generate no toxicwaste after disposal.

The finite resources available limit buildingproducts made of nonrenewable resources;therefore, many environmentalists view theconservation of materials and resources as acautionary measure to ensure use for futuregenerations. Efficiency, recycling and reuse ofmaterials should be the foremost considerationwhen selecting building products.

Salvaged Materials The use of salvaged building material minimizesdemands for new materials and resources,reduces pressure on existing landfills, and offsetsthe negative environmental effects from theproduction of new materials. There are manymaterials that can be reclaimed from existingbuildings. Reclaimed, large dimension lumberis usually high quality, clear wood that is verydifficult to obtain new today. It should beremilled and used in ways that demonstrates itsinherent natural beauty in applications such asmillwork or furniture.

A number of significant challenges face designteams wanting to use salvaged building products.Many of these challenges were overcome in designof the City of Vancouver Materials Testing Facility,which is constructed of 80% salvaged buildingmaterials.

A normal design/tender/build process should notbe used, as few bidders care to identify and locatethe materials to be salvaged, or contractors mayinflate their bids to cover any risks associatedwith salvaging materials. The architect shouldassist the client in locating and selectingmaterials prior to determining the process forconstruction procurement.

Salvage yards are a rich resource; architectsshould incorporate products found at salvageyards into their designs. The results will be a

saving in materials costs, offset by more labourin the design and construction process. Theend product, as the Materials Testing Laboratorydemonstrates, can be very satisfying in terms ofthe quality of materials used.

Websites with inventories of salvaged materialsare being developed now in several Canadiancities.

Recycled Content and Recyclabilityof MaterialsRecycling can divert waste destined for landfills,thus reducing the demand for new materials.Some building products already contain wastefrom post-consumer, post-industrial or post-agricultural processes. Two examples of productswith high recycled content are Isoboard andconcrete with high contents of flyash. Isoboard,used as equivalent to particleboard, is made ofstraw, an agricultural waste product. Using flyashin concrete instead of Portland cement is anotherexcellent example. Concrete made with replace-ments for Portland Cement is known as EcoSmartfConcrete The production of Portland Cementproduces a significant amount of CO

2, at the rate

of one tonne of CO 2 for each tonne of cementproduced. Therefore, using flyash significantlyreduces greenhouse gas emissions and helpsCanada meet its Kyoto commitment.



The Cit y of Vancouver Materials Test ing Facilit y isconstructed of 80% salvaged bui lding materials.



Many existing materials have a large contentof recycled materials, and the list is growing.Reinforcing steel or “rebar” is composed primarilyof scrap steel. Subject to environmentalprotection regulations in certain jurisdictions,the drywall industry has started to establish

a sensible, industry-wide recycling programrequiring the supplier to take responsibility forrecycling (gypsumcannot be put in landfills). Thepaint industry is moving in the same direction.Concrete can be recycled easily. Some asphaltpaving has a high content of recycled tires.Flooring made of recycled tires is attractive anddurable. Architects must do the research andestablish minimum targets of 20-30% recycledcontent in new buildings, a standard that isrelatively easily achieved today in Canada.

Low Maintenance MaterialsMany exterior and interior finishing buildingproducts require a lot of maintenance duringtheir useful life. By specifying low maintenancematerials, considerable amounts of energy,cleaning products (usually chemical-based), andmaintenance costs can be saved over time. Lowmaintenance materials can be left in their naturalstate and paints and coatings with a short lifeshould be avoided. Polished surfaces are easyto clean (glass, stone, metal). Durable finishesare low maintenance (anodized powder coated).Also, materials that require chemical cleanersshould be avoided because these cleaners arepollutants.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Select products that use less material to

performthe same function.• Specify salvaged, recycled and/or recyclable

building products.• Specify building products that come from

renewable sources.• Set targets, such as the use of 20%-30%

salvaged or recycled products in all new

buildings.• Understand the maintenance requirements of

specified materials.

Case StudiesCity of Vancouver Materials Testing FacilityBusby +Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

Liu Centre for the Study of Global IssuesArchitectura, in collaboration with Arthur

Erickson, Vancouver, BC

ResourcesEcoSmart Concrete Project www.ecosmart .ca

Used Building Material Associations (UBMA) www.ubma.com

Used Building Materials Exchange (UBM) I ndex www.build.recycle.net

Certified ProductsObjective• to specify certified products to ensure

minimumenvironmental performance

There are third party associations that will certifythe environmental merits of certain products.In the case of sustainably harvested wood,two organizations undertake such certification:the Silva Forest Foundation and the ForestStewardship Council (FSC). Numerous labeling

programs are also available such as EcoLogo,Energy Star Label, and Terrachoice. Certificationand labeling is growing rapidly and there arelikely to be ‘green labels’ on most products in thenear future. In the meantime, architects shouldrequest the data and backup reports for all ‘eco’labels on products specified.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Select certified building products.• Specify certified wood fromsustainably

managed forests.• Promote the use of certified products to

manufacturers and clients.• Request data and backup reports.• Develop a library of certified products for use

in all designs and specifications.


Chapter 6.2 Selecting Green Building Products



ResourcesForest Stewardship Council www.fscoax.org

UPA Energy Star www.energystar.gov

Green Seal www.greenseal.org

Silva Forest Foundation www.silvafor.org

Building Products WithLow Emissions

Objective• to specify building products with little or no

negative impact on building users.

Most building products contain compounds thatadversely affect indoor air quality and contributeto the poor outdoor air quality of our urbancentres. Many manufactured materials emitVolatile Organic Compounds or VOC’s (woodnaturally emits VOC’s). All indoor environmentshave a certain percentage of VOC’s. Adhesives,sealants, composite wood products, paintsand many carpets have high levels of VOCemissions. The green design team must specifymaterials with low VOC emissions. Certificationor labeling programs are in place to provideminimumperformance standards, such as EcoLogoCertification Criteria fromEnvironment Canada.

Materials with low VOC emissions, such as lowtoxicity paints and finishes are readily availablein Canada. Many projects exemplify interiorenvironments designed using these materials,such as the Urban Strawbale House, designed by

J ulia Bourke Architecte.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Use materials and equipment with low

emission finishes to minimize indoor airpollution.

• Select non-toxic materials that minimize oreliminate off-gassing of VOC’s.

• Develop a library of products having lowemissions of VOC’s.

Case StudiesStrawbale house construction in

an urban environment J ulia Bourke, Architecte, QC


Low Cost Dwelling for the EnvironmentallyHypersensitivePhillip Sharp Architect Ltd, Ottawa, ON

CK Choi, Institute for Asian ResearchMatsuzaki Wright Architects Inc., Vancouver, BC

ResourcesEnvironmental Building News Product Catalog www.buildingreen.com

OIKOS Green Building Source www.oikos.com

Canada’s EcoLogo www.environmentalchoice.com



The Urban Strawbale House, designed by Juli a BourkeArchit ecte, i ncorporates many materials wit h lowemissions.



Regulations have significant influence ondesign strategies related to materials andresources. Close coordination with authoritieshaving jurisdiction may be necessary, suchas the incorporation of salvaged buildingmaterials in new construction. Municipalitiescould also encourage this practice by grantingdeconstruction permits faster than demolitionpermits. Such a policy would help encourage the

time-consuming disassembly of building materialsin order to optimize the use of salvaged buildingmaterials.

A reduction in the consumption of materialsand resources leads to savings in energy andwater associated with harvesting, production andtransportation of new materials. The selection oflow-toxicity building products, that do not off-gas airborne contaminants, contributes to healthyindoor environments. A healthy indoor environ-ment will also increase the marketability of greenbuildings by increasing occupant comfort and by

reducing operating costs.

The marketplace is a powerful tool for change inthe construction materials industry. Architectsshould:

• always look for green labels;• require manufacturers to provide green

product data;• advocate for green labeling standards in the

construction industry; and• support manufacturers of green products.






7.0 Indoor EnvironmentalQuality

7.0 Indoor EnvironmentalQuality



Chapter 7.0 - Indoor Environmental QualityChapter 7.0 - Indoor Environmental Quality

7.1 Indoor Air Quality7.1 Indoor Air Quality



Outdoor Pollutants

Indoor Pollutants

Fresh Air and Ventilation



Objective• to provide the highest possible Indoor Air

Quality (IAQ) throughout the building.

Indoor air pollutants are contaminants foundin the air emitted from interior sources. Thesepollutants can take the formof allergens, VolatileOrganic Compounds (VOC), fumes, high levels ofCO

2, inert gases (such as radon) and microbial

and bacterial particles of many kinds. Outdoorair pollutants are better known, including afull range of noxious gases and particulatesemitted by industry, vehicles and all forms ofcombustion (smog). Design teams can controlindoor air quality by carefully preventing outdoorcontaminants from entering buildings, byminimizing indoor pollutants, and by providingadequate ventilation systems. Ventilationsystems, natural or mechanical, should bedesigned to eliminate potential health risks andto minimize the dissemination and growth of

contaminants in circulated air.

Outdoor Pollutants

Objective• to minimize the penetration of outdoor

pollutants into buildings.

The presence in outdoor air pollutants isexacerbated by various activities located inthe immediate vicinity of buildings. Outside

activities such as high traffic, idling vehicles atloading docks and industrial processes nearbycan introduce contaminants into a building’sventilation systemor through operable windows.Contamination from outdoor air pollutants canbe effectively mitigated by the proper locationof outdoor air intakes and the orientation anddistribution of operable windows.

Outdoor air intakes should be located to avoidproximity to building exhaust fans, cooling towers,automobile traffic, standing water, sanitaryvents, loading docks, and garbage collectionareas. Design teams should study the prevailingwinds and nearby sources of emissions includingexhaust air, chimneys and fume hoods. It maybe necessary to conduct a wind study and,possibly, build a model. An authority on wind

models recognized worldwide is a Canadian firm,Rowan Williams Davies and Irwin Inc., located inGuelph, ON.

Airflow into operable windows is not easy tocontrol. It is necessary to observe and determinesources of pollution and noise in adjacent streets.

The wind rose and prevailing seasonal windpatterns for the site must be studied. Windowlocations should be determined on the basisof both distribution and orientation. Windowslocated on the leeward (downwind) side aresuccessful at enhancing airflow patterns within

buildings. Adjacent areas of natural vegetationand landscape buffers prevent outdoor pollutantsfrom mixing with the air through operablewindows. Plants are great natural air scrubbers.

Buildings must not themselves contribute tooutdoor air pollution. It is important to specifyscrubbers on all stacks, chimneys and fumehoods. Architects should advocate to clients forthe installation of scrubbers.

Indoor Air Quali ty Chapter 7.1


7.1 Indoor Air Quality




• Avoid air intakes close to polluting activitiessuch as automobile traffic.

• Study wind patterns and site conditions

to determine the correct locations for airintakes and operable windows.• Provide landscape buffers to protect operable

windows frompollutants.• Ensure the building does not contribute to

air pollution.

ResourcesASHRAE 62-1999 “Ventilation Standards forAcceptable I ndoor Quality” www.ashrae.org

Health Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Indoor Pollutants

Objectives• to minimize the contamination of indoor air

during construction and during operation.

• to reduce or eliminate the use of materialsthat emit contaminants or pollutants toindoor air.

Indoor air pollutants can be introduced byvarious construction processes, interior activities,inadequate maintenance and by materialsspecified and used in buildings.

Compounds introduced during constructionand renovation can contaminate the indoorenvironment and lead to long-termproblems withindoor air quality. HVAC systems are especially

vulnerable to contaminants such as dust, VOC’s,and micro-organisms. Contaminants can remainin HVAC systems for long periods of time, causingserious health problems to building occupants.Strategies to minimize contamination duringconstruction include:

• isolating HVAC systems;• isolating work areas to minimize overall

contamination;

• cleaning frequently during construction; and• cleaning thoroughly after construction but

before systemstartup.

During construction or renovation, it is importantto schedule the installation of pollutant-absorbing

materials as late as possible in the constructionprocess. Some materials, such as fabric-coatedpartitions, carpets, insulation, ceiling tiles andgypsum products will absorb VOC’s from paintsand sealants used during construction. Byinstalling these products at the end of theprocess, VOC’s have nowhere to be absorbed, thusresulting in a better IAQ. Finally, the allocationof sufficient time (at least two weeks) forsystems operations prior to occupancy, permits acomplete flushing of building air, thus improvingindoor air quality. However, the release ofcontaminants from the building reduces the

quality of outside air and contributes to smog.

After occupancy, common office equipment (suchas photocopiers and fax machines) producevolatile organic compounds that contaminate therest of the building. Design teams should provideadequate measures to prevent the transmissionof these VOC’s to the entire building by providingHVAC solutions that isolate this equipment, bylocating exhaust air vents to serve them or byproviding separate ventilation systems.

Many manufactured materials emit VOC’s; includingadhesives, sealants, composite wood productsand carpets. PVC and vinyl products also emit arange of atmospheric pollutants. The best designstrategy to reduce the amount of VOC and othercontaminants in the indoor environment is tospecify low emission materials. (Refer to theMaterials and Resources section).

Certification or labeling programs are in placeto provide minimum performance standards.For example, Environment Canada’s EcoLogoCertification Criteria for paints and surfacecoatings stipulate that a product must not beformulated or manufactured with formaldehyde,halogenated aromatic solvents or heavy metalssuch as mercury, lead, cadmium or chromium.Paints and stains must not contain VOC’s in excessof 200 grams per litre and varnishes in excess of300 grams per litre.


Chapter 7.1 Indoor Air Quality



Indoor air contaminants are particularly harmfulto allergy sufferers. The design of environmentsfor hypersensitive occupants is a specialty ofsome Canadian architects. A housing projectin the Ottawa region demonstrated that a lowtoxicity indoor environment can be achieved with

no premiumon construction costs.

Buildings usually have cleaning and maintenanceroutines associated with them. The selectionof low maintenance natural building productsmay reduce the use of chemical cleaning productsor maintenance materials such as paints. TheLiu Centre at the University of British Columbiaillustrates the use of low toxicity finishesrequiring minimal maintenance.

The maintenance and cleaning of indoor air supplyand distribution ducts is important. Therefore,easy access to ducts and shafts for periodiccleaning must be provided. Concealed ductsshould be avoided whenever possible. An underfloor air system with access floors provides for

easy and economical cleaning. The interior ofan air supply duct that has not been cleanedfor 25 years is a frightening sight, as evidencedby this duct with a 10mm layer of organic andbacterial “growth” contaminating all the air thatflows through it.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Minimize HVAC systemcontamination during

construction.• Provide for an adequate period to flush thebuilding before occupancy.

• Isolate areas and activities that generateVOC’s such as photocopiers, and storageareas for cleaning and maintenance supplies.

• Specify low emission materials that minimizeor eliminate off gassing.

• Specify low maintenance materials to reducethe use of chemical cleaning products.

• Prior to selecting a product, determinethe level of emissions of VOC’s fromthemanufacturer.

• Specify certified products that meet aminimumstandard.

• Provide maintenance access to all air supplyand distribution systems.

Indoor Air Quali ty Chapter 7.1


A housing proj ect in the Ottawa region demonstrat edthat low toxicit y indoor environments can be achievedwith no premium on capital cost.

I nterior of duct that has not been cleaned.

The Liu Centre at the Universit y of Brit ish Columbi ail lustrates a minimal use of overall fi nishes.Low toxicit y and low maintenance were primaryconsiderati ons for t he selecti on of fi nishes.



Case StudiesLow Cost Dwelling for the EnvironmentallyHypersensitivePhillip Sharp Architect Ltd, Ottawa, ON

Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues

Architectura, in collaboration withArthur Erickson, Vancouver, BC

ResourcesCanada’s EcoLogo www.environmentalchoice.com

OIKOS Green Building Source www.oi kos.com/ products

Building Materials for theEnvironmentally Hypersensitive, CMHC www.cmhc.ca

Public Works and GovernmentServices Canada, IAQ www.pwgsc.gc.ca/ rps/ iaq

Fresh Air and Ventilation

Objectives• to provide fresh air and ventilation

appropriate for diverse uses within buildings.• to minimize the distribution of pollutants

with the ventilation system.

Adequate ventilation rates should respond to thefunctional program, building use and occupancy.Satisfactory levels of air change are a result of theeffectiveness of the distribution of outside freshair throughout the building. The ideal ventilationsystem is balanced to optimize ventilationeffectiveness and energy efficiency. Design teamsshould consider potential changes of use during abuilding’s life cycle and incorporate strategies forflexibility when designing the ventilation systems.

A good indicator of adequate ventilation is thelevel of CO 2 in the building. CO 2 monitoringsystems maximize indoor air quality (IAQ) byensuring interior CO 2 levels are similar to exteriorhealthy outdoor levels. A CO 2 monitoring systemwill increase initial capital costs; however,it can prevent health problems and increaseproductivity. Systems are most effective whenthey are installed throughout a building and arecapable of monitoring CO 2 levels for all conditions

and activities in the building. These monitorscan be linked to the automated control systemto affect HVAC operations. The monitoringsystem, together with calibration informationand other requirements, should be included inthe commissioning plan and the building manual.

CO2 systems consume energy, but they alsoprovide significant energy savings by ensuringthat the HVAC systemoperates efficiently.

Rates of fresh air input into buildings are measuredin CFM/person. ASHRAE standards were 15 CFM/person prior to the 1970’s oil crisis. In the mid1970’s, ASHRAE lowered these levels to 5 CFM/person and convinced a generation of mechanicalengineers to eliminate operable windows. “Sickbuilding syndrome” was the result and by 1989,ASHRAE restored the former 15 CFM/personstandard. (All airflow measurements are based

on a system’s “minimum” mode, (i.e. in Canada,during the winter.) Adequate air input is currently15 CFM/person for children and 20 CFM/personfor adults. Some recent “high-quality” officeshave pushed the fresh air input to 30 and40 CFM/person. Architects should ensure thatmechanical engineers design to higher standards.Energy can be recaptured with heat exchangerson exhaust loops. Furthermore, the HVAC systemshould have the ability to provide 100% fresh airwhen outdoor air temperatures allow.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Provide effective ventilation.• Provide a CO 2 monitoring system.• Ensure frequent inspection and cleaning of

HVAC systems.• Design for 30-40 CFM of fresh air per person.• Ensure frequent inspection and cleaning of

HVAC systems.• Include operable windows everywhere

possible.

ResourcesASHRAE 52.2 “Method for TestingGeneral Air Cleaning Devices forRemoval Efficiency by Particle Size” www.ashrae.org

USEPA Indoor Air Quality Division www.epa.gov/ iaq

Canadian Lung Association www.lung.ca


Chapter 7.1 Indoor Air Quality



Chapter 7.0 - Indoor Environmental QualityChapter 7.0 - Indoor Environmental Quality

7.2 Occupant Controland Comfort

7.2 Occupant Controland Comfort



Controllability of Systems

Thermal Strategies

Lighting Strategies



Objective• to provide maximumability to control

systems by the occupants.

Providing maximumoccupant control in both HVACand lighting systems increases the productivity,comfort and well-being of building occupants,in addition to offering potential energy savingsthrough the elimination of unwanted cooling,heating or lighting. Conventional buildings,particularly those with inoperable windows,are usually completely disconnected fromtheir surroundings and offer occupants limitedor no control over their indoor work, play,and living environments. These limitationscontribute to a reduction in the well- beingof occupants and eliminate the possibilityto use natural systems to control the indoorenvironment.

Controllability of SystemsObjective• to provide maximum“controllability” for all

building systems in order to produce energysavings and increase comfort.

There are two main advantages for installingsystems that occupants can control or adjust:

• enhancing occupant comfort and well-being;and

• improving the energy efficiency of buildingsystems.

By allowing individuals and groups to customizetheir microenvironments, the overall comfort,satisfaction and related productivity of occupantscan be improved. Conventional HVAC and otherbuilding systems are often designed in a “firstcost”, efficient manner, with large zones andfew controls. The cost of providing additional

controls and smaller zones is offset by theadvantages listed above.

More individual controls can have beneficialeffects on energy conservation. Energy usecan be decreased if occupant controls permitadjustments to unwanted air conditioning orheating during occupancy and offset settings atnight or during long periods out of the home or

office. A green building design can and shouldinfuse the building occupants with an awarenessof energy efficiency. Building cleaners, securityand maintenance personnel should check windowsand lights, in the appropriate seasons, on theirnightly rounds. Building user manuals, on-goingcommissioning, and education can maximizethe benefits from occupant controlled systemsthroughout the life cycle of the building.

At the Telus Office Building, flexible airflow Troxdiffusers, adjustable by the occupants withoutthe use of tools, were specified and installed.

Trox diffusers can be located anywhere occupantswish, and the numbers of diffusers can beadjusted to suit personal preferences.

Occupant Control and Comfort Chapter 7.2


7.2 Occupant Control and Comfort

At t he Telus Off ice Building, f lexible airf low Troxdif fusers that can be adjusted by the occupantswithout the use of t ools, were specif ied.



At the Revenue Canada Building in Surrey, BC,two levels of occupant control froma pressurizedunderfloor air systemwere provided.

System ZonesOccupant control strategies can be applied toeither perimeter or interior HVAC zones.

In perimeter zones, the most important issueto coordinate with other green design goalsis the size and functionality of windows. Theintent of the fenestration and window design,window sizes, and operable opening sizes, mustbe discussed with the team members. Windowsaffect many things in a building including naturalventilation, daylighting, thermal performance,views and solar control strategies. Artificiallighting and daylighting strategies requirecoordination to optimize both systems.

In interior zones, air distribution and artificiallighting are the main factors to consider. Systemsshould provide small zones and individualcontrols. This allows for the implementationof Personal Environment Control (PEC) systems.

There are specialized furniture systems availablethat are capable of providing controls and airdelivery locations within the furniture itself. In

office buildings, these systems can offer optimaloccupant controls at each workstation.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Provide maximumoccupant control for

increased comfort.

Case StudiesRevenue Canada Office BuildingBusby +Associates Architects, Surrey, BC

Telus Office BuildingBusby +Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

ResourcesBest Practice to Maintaining IEQ www.ipmvp.org

ASHRAE Indoor Air Quality Position Document www.ashrae.org

USEPA Indoor Air Quality Division www.epa.gov/ iaq

Thermal Strategies

Objective• to provide maximumthermal comfort for

occupants

• to maximize energy savings.


Chapter 7.2 Occupant Control and Comfort

At t he Revenue Canada Buildi ng, Trox dif fusers can belocated anywhere occupant s wish, and the numbers ofdiff users can be adjusted for people who are chronicallyhot or cold.

Thermal comfort supports the well-being of buil dingoccupant s and increases energy savings by providingeffi cient heating systems.



Thermal comfort supports the well being ofbuilding occupants and increases energy savingswhen efficient heating systems are used.

To reduce the overconditioning or overheating ofspaces, building occupants need to be educatedabout the systemand the environmental goals of

the building.

Levels of activity, clothing, humidity levels,air temperature, radiation exchange and aircirculation all affect an individual’s thermalcomfort in a given space. All of these, exceptclothing, can be controlled by the buildingsystems. An assessment of these factorsis necessary to provide thermal comfort. TheIntegrated Design Team must evaluate manysystems and factors simultaneously. For example,in a naturally ventilated building, the rate offresh airflow can affect the thermal comfort

of an occupant. Recent literature has shownthat natural building system strategies such asincreases in thermal mass and air velocity controlwill modify conventional comfort zones. It isimportant to look for synergies and to documentand share results of successful designs.

The Intuit Canada Headquarters in Edmonton,AB, Alberta has an 18-inch access floor thatprovides building occupants with better controlof heating within their work environment. Grillesin the flooring supply air at locations near theoccupants rather than at ceiling levels, and alsotake advantage of natural air currents. The gridof access flooring, covered by easily removableand replaceable carpet tiles, permits access to thepressurized air cavity for ease of maintenance.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Design thermal environments that suit the

functional program• Specify building systems that can be

adjusted to meet the occupants’ needs.

Case StudiesTelus Office BuildingBusby +Associates Architects, Vancouver, BC

Intuit Canada HeadquartersManasc Isaac Architects Ltd., Edmonton, AB

ResourcesASHRAE Thermal Comfort Standard

www.ashrae.org

Lighting Strategies

Objective• to provide adequate lighting levels for

increased energy savings and occupantcomfort.

Lighting design represents an opportunityto improve the indoor environment throughincreased occupant control, improved daylighting,reduced glare, and a better visual connection withthe outside. When using daylighting strategies,glare control should be carefully considered.Increased energy savings are a result of theincreased use of natural daylight and reduced useof artificial lighting.

The BC Gas Operation Centre is full of naturally litspaces. Here, light shelves increase the amountof daylight entering the spaces and facilitatesolar control.

Increasing the level of control over lightingincreases the satisfaction of building occupantsand eliminates energy consumption fromunnecessary lighting. Individual lighting controlsvary in complexity and “intelligence”. Roomand task light switches are simple and effective,and occupancy sensors and photocells increasethe reliability of lighting controls. New, moresophisticated products for task and roomlightingfeature occupant controls that can be operatedfrompersonal computers, allowing adjustments to

Occupant Control and Comfort Chapter 7.2


The Intuit Canada Headquart ers in Edmonton, Albertaprovides an 18 inch access fl oor that al lows thebuilding occupants to better control t he heati ng oftheir work environments.



light levels and hours of operation. These controlscan also be linked to automated building controlsystems for even more energy efficiency.

Summary of Strategies for Useacross Canada• Provide maximumoccupant control for

increased comfort.• Provide light shelves to increase light

penetration.• Provide design solutions for glare control.• Use roomand task light switches, occupancy

sensors and photocells as energy efficientoccupant controls.

Case StudiesRevenue Canada Office BuildingBusby +Associates Architects, Surrey, BC

APEGBC Head OfficesBusby +Associates Architects, Burnaby, BC

Resources Tips for Daylighting with Windows windows.lbl. gov/ daylight ing/

designguide/ browse.ht m


Chapter 7.2 Occupant Control and Comfort

Light shelves are in place to provide solar cont rol andincrease the amount of dayli ght entering t he spaces.



There are very few regulations that inhibit thedesign team from producing excellent indoorenvironments. However, design teams and clientsare not always aware of the factors that affect orreduce indoor air quality (IAQ).

If building occupants are not educated to besensitive to the environment, an increase in thenumber and accessibility of controls can conflict

with energy efficiency measures. Educationis essential for the optimum performance ofoccupant-controlled systems. The objective ofrealizing a high-quality indoor environment isconsistent with other green design goals, suchas increasing energy efficiency, facilitating theuse of passive systems and reducing the use ofmaterials that compromise IAQ.






8.0 LEED™ in the

Canadian Context

8.0 LEED™ in the

Canadian Context



LEED™in the Canadian Context Chapter 8.0


Overall Objective• to introduce the LEED™rating systemto

Canadian architects.

The Sustainable Building Canada Committee(SBCC) is currently reviewing the merits of theLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED™) as a potential Canadian assessmenttool for green buildings. The LEED™ Rat ingSystem was developed by the United States GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) in an effort to provide abenchmark for the rating of green buildings. Itspurpose is to accelerate the implementation ofgreen building policies, programs, technologies,standards and design practices. It is probablethat this assessment tool will become the NorthAmerican standard.

LEED™in the Canadian Context



Chapter 8.0 - LEED™in the Canadian ContextChapter 8.0 - LEED™in the Canadian Context

8.1 LEED™Green BuildingRating System

8.1 LEED™Green BuildingRating System



Objectives• to provide background information regarding

the history and evolution of the LEED™Rat ing System .

• to present a brief overview regarding theapplication of the LEED™ Rat ing System .

• to provide information related to thepotential implementation of LEED™inCanada.

History of the LEED™Rating System The USGBC has developed the LEED™ programto provide a benchmark for buildings and toprovide guidelines for the development ofsustainable projects. The USGBC, a Washington,DC - based organization, was formed in 1993with a mandate to be “ the centre for debate andaction on environmental issues facing t he multipleint erests of t he building indust ry ”. The USGBC hasgrown to include various construction industryplayers such as product manufacturers, building

owners, environmental leaders, design and otherbuilding professionals, general contractors, tradecontractors, utilities, government agencies,building control sub-contractors, researchinstitutions and leaders in the financial industry.

This wide representation provides a “uniqueand ideal platform for carrying out importantprograms and activities”.

Overview of the LEED™Rating System The LEED Green Bui lding Rat ing System™ is avoluntary, consensus-based, and market-drivenbuilding rating system based on existing proven

technology. Using a series of criteria, the systemevaluates environmental performance over abuilding’s life cycle. LEED™is based on acceptedenergy and environmental principles and aimsto strike a balance between existing acceptedpractices and new sustainable technologies.

LEED™is a self-assessing systemused for ratingnew and existing commercial, institutional andhigh-rise residential buildings. It is also afeature-oriented systemwhere credits are earnedfor satisfying each criterion. Different levelsof certification are awarded based on the totalcredits earned. LEED™ Version 2.0 is currentlyused. Version 2.0 allows for the possibility toobtain a total of 69 points with four possible

ratings:• LEED™Platinum(more than 52 points)• LEED™Gold (between 39 and 51 points)• LEED™Silver (between 33 and 38 points)• LEED™Certified (between 26 and 32 points)

This SDCB 101 Manual is organized in accordancewith the LEED Green Building Rat ing System™ environmental categories:

• Sustainable Site Design (14 possible points)• Water Efficiency (05 possible points)• Energy and Atmosphere (17 possible points)

• Materials and Resources (13 possible points)• Indoor Environmental

Quality (15 possible points)• Innovation and

Design Process (05 possible points)

These categories not only have credits but alsonumerous prerequisites which support the pointsystem. The following document offers a detailedbreakdown of the various prerequisites and creditsincluded in the LEED™ Rat ing System . For moredetailed information on the rating system, referto the LEED™ reference guide at the USGBCwebsite ( www.usgbc.org ).

LEED™Green Building Rating System Chapter 8.1


8.1 LEED™Green Building Rating System



LEED™in the Canadian Context The LEED™assessment tool and rating system isgaining momentum in North America. It is verypossible that this assessment tool will becomethe North American standard. The potentialto implement a Canadian adaptation of LEED™

is being considered by a subcommittee of theSustainable Building Canada Committee (SBCC).In order to implement LEED™in Canada, Canadianequivalencies must be determined for the seriesof American performance standards which arereferenced in the LEED™ document. A reporton these adaptation issues has been funded byvarious federal agencies and is being conductedby Nils Larsson of NRCan and the AthenaInstitute. The report should be available by theend of 2001.

Momentumto adopt the LEED™systemis buildingacross the country, especially in British Columbia.An ad hoc group composed of the City of Vancouver,the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the BritishColumbia Building Corporation and the GreenBuilding BC - New Buildings Programwas formed todiscuss LEED™. The committee has recommendedrapid adoption of LEED™Version 2.0 for BC andCanada. It also has recommended that BC andCanadian stakeholders participate in the shapingof LEED™Version 3.0. The City of Vancouver isthe first Canadian jurisdiction to formally adoptLEED™ on a trial basis for a new sustainablecommunity being developed at False Creek. Thisuse is dependent on a LEED™ BC ApplicationStudy which should be completed by late 2001.

The Municipality of Whistler is also recommendingimplementation of this tool.

“LEED™ Accreditation” is now available toCanadian architects and engineers through thecomputer based LEED™Professional AccreditationExam. A number of Canadian professionalshave already received accreditation. The USGBCwebsite provides an up-to-date list of accredited

professionals.

The Sustainable Building Canada Committee(SBCC) is proceeding with the translation ofLEED™ Version 2.0 into French.

ResourcesUnited States Green Building Council www.usgbc.org

BREEAM GREEN LEAF Rating System. www.breeamcanada.ca

SBCC and National Assessment Tool www.raic.org


Chapter 8.1 LEED™Green Building Rating System



Chapter 8.0 - LEED™in the Canadian ContextChapter 8.0 - LEED™in the Canadian Context

8.2 Applying LEED™Version 2.0

8.2 Applying LEED™Version 2.0



9.0 Regional Perspective9.0 Regional Perspective



10.0 A View to the Future10.0 A View to the Future

RAIC Vision

As members of t he Royal Archit ect ural I nst i t ut eof Canada, we beli eve t hat archit ect ure isint rinsic to our nati onal cult ure, and t hati t must be experienced, di scussed, and respect edt o st imulat e it s development and to defi ne

our heri t age.

We beli eve t hat excellence in t he pract i ceof archit ect ure embodies envi ronment al andsocial responsibi li t y, t he excepti onal resolut ionof buil t form and funct ional requirement s,and t he abili t y to li ft t he human spirit .



A View to the Future Chapter 10.0


Introduction

The 20th century was undeniably America’scentury. The USA emerged as the world’s mostpowerful and affluent nation – a status builton an insatiable appetite for natural resourcesderived both domestically and globally. The 21 st

century will be shaped not by the unconstrainedconsumption of resources, but by the dictates ofsustainability. Those countries that flourish will bethe ones that make the transition to a sustainablepattern of production and consumption thatoperates within the biological capabilities andlimits of the planet. Clearly the economic costof transforming infrastructures, industries andthe built environment will be enormous andthat cost will have to be borne by everyone.That cost will only be surpassed by one othercost - and that is the cost of inaction. Thecost of such inaction will be borne by future

generations - our children and our grandchildren.

Climate change will remain the most significantenvironmental issue that we collectively face.This will be directly and indirectly evident inalmost every human endeavour. However, it willalso be impossible to isolate any discussionon green buildings, now or in the future, fromother profound changes that are occurring orlikely to occur. There will be inevitable paralleldevelopments, with technological sophisticationand cultural expectations that will ultimatelyshape the way and the rate at which we changebuildings and infrastructure in response tomounting environmental issues.

Information Technologies

Developments in information and communicationstechnologies now dominate industry, commerceand recreation and, as such, dictate the paceof almost all human activity and expectation.Romm et al. (1999) suggests that informationtechnology has redefined the way that “virtuallyevery product and service is designed, produced,and operated” and reshaped productivity byallowing rapid and significant increases in theefficiency with which materials, labor, and capitalare used throughout the economy.

In addition to significantly transforming productdesign and manufacture – including buildings –the widespread adoption of informationtechnology will transform human settlementthrough “demobilization” and “dematerialization.”(Mitchell, 1999)

Demobilization: The Internet holds the prospect ofreducing “transportation energy intensity” by:

• Replacing some commuting withtelecommuting.

• Replacing some shopping with teleshopping.• Replacing some air travel with

teleconferencing.• Enabling digital transmission of a variety

of goods.• Improving the efficiency of the supply chain

management, thereby reducing inventory

warehousing.• Increasing the capacity utilization of theentire transportation system.

In short, Romm, et al. (1999) suggest thatthe Internet has the potential to “break thehistorical relationship between communicationsand travel.”

A View to the FutureRaymond J. Cole, PhDSchool of Architecture, University of British Columbia



Dematerialization: Information technologiesoffer the promise of satisfying a wide range ofhuman needs without construction - employingelectronic services in place of physical builtfacilities. The social and behavioural implicationsof widespread adoption of Information

Technologies are currently uncertain, but theywill profoundly alter our perceptions of time andspace and, one can speculate, the perceived limitsof human possibility.

Decarbonization

Energy production and use are central to thecurrent environmental problems and to anydiscussion of sustainability.

A “decarbonization” of energy has occurred overthe past 150 years, reflecting greater conversionefficiencies and the substitution of fuels thatare progressively lighter in carbon - from wood,to coal, to oil, and now to natural gas. Currentdiscussions see solar and other renewable energytechnologies emerge as the logical alternativeto fossil fuels, either harnessed centrally orcaptured locally. But alternative paths havebeen posited. Ausubel (1996), illustrates thatgrowth of per capita energy consumption hasalso been historically keyed to the adoption ofcleaner fuels and that in the past, per capitaenergy consumption “tripled before the energyservices desired outgrew the old fuels or portfolioof fuels”, whether the limits were economic,social, technical, and / or environmental. Hesuggests that we are on a steady trajectorytoward a methane, and eventually hydrogen,economy. Solar and renewable technologies wouldeventually be used to generate hydrogen thatwould then be the primary storage medium,capable of fulfilling human need without theadverse environmental consequences associatedwith the combustion of fossil fuels. The promisesuggested by Ausubel is for yet another seemingly

unconstrained increase in energy use.

World Views

The key question is not what will be the nature offuture building, but what value set or “worldview”will prevail and the extent to which it embracesand engenders environmental responsibility

across a range of diverse cultures. The way thatthe broader technological and other contextualchanges may shape this worldview over the nextcentury is critical.

There are two current conflicting worldviews.One is a recognition of ecological constraint;the other is shaped by the perceived freedomspermitted by new technologies:

• At the centre of an ecological-basedworldview is that humans are an integral partof the natural world and are constrained by

its production and assimilative abilities. Theunderlying message in environmental debateover the past two or three decades, aboveall, has been about respecting natural limitsand understanding how to live within them.

• The emergence of the Internet and thepromise of a “New Economy,” a new “EnergyEconomy” – the “Hydrogen Economy” – ,may well change human preference,expectation and action. Any answer tothe question of the future of greenbuilding must start with anticipatinghow the seemingly unlimited capability of

information technologies and the potentialof abundant clean energy within a hydrogeneconomy may affect human aspirations.

Not only are they about constraint andfreedom, but they are also about fundamentallydifferent time frames of reference. Ecologicalresponsibility is about accepting the long-termview and yet emerging information technologiesare shortening our time horizons of thinking.How we react to either long-term or short-term demands of these information technologies,will indirectly but profoundly transform ourunderstanding of energy and environmentalproblems, future environmental policy, thestrategies that we implement, and what andhow we build.


Chapter 10.0 A View to the Future



Embracing Sustainability

The shift from green performance to sustainablelevels of performance may well require a conceptualleap. Whereas we can define “green” and even“greener” as well as the incremental process for

improving performance, it is difficult to currentlyenvision a sustainable future – either in generalterms or as related to the configuration of humansettlement. As such it is more difficult to identifysustainable targets for individual buildings and the“individual” building is a too constraining level todefine “sustainable” practice. While greater leapsin building performance may be perceived morerisky and more challenging for clients and thedesign team, they will not necessarily be moreexpensive. Greater and more comprehensive leapsin performance enables the creative integrationof systems and strategies. Further, a morecoordinated effort by the design team can providea greater opportunity for trade-off of one costitem against another.

Shifting From “Product” to“Service” Oriented Industry

Current industrial production is based on thethroughput of resources – raw materials enter,goods are produced and waste discarded.

Industrial Ecology seeks the application of

ecological theory to industrial systems or theecological restructuring of industry to reducingenvironmental burdens by optimizing the totalmaterial cycle from virgin material, to finishedmaterial, to component, to product, to obsoleteproduct, and to ultimate disposal. (Graedel andAllenby, 1995)

Sustainable design will require a fundamentalrethinking of the services that buildings offer andour approaches to providing them. The currentnotion of building production centres on buildingsas products. Within this prevalent ‘product provider’business model, profits within the building industry

are directly linked to the quantity of product sales.Maximizing the quantity of materials, with littleperceived benefit from closing the production-use throughput, clearly inhibits the acceptanceof industrial ecology. In the future, the notionof the building industry as a ‘service provider,’where industry can profit by providing ‘services’that generate convenience, comfort, security andvarious benefits embodied with function andperformance of buildings, will gain prominence.(Tomanari, 2001) The service provider model assignsresponsibility for environmental performanceto manufacturer and generates incentives for

fundamental improvement of resource productivityin construction.

References

Ausubel. J.H., (1996) Can Technology Sparethe Earth? American Scientist , Vol. 84,March-April, 1996, pp167-179

Graedel, T.E. and B.R. Allenby, Industrial Ecology,Prentice Hall, 1995

Mitchell, W.J., (1999) The Era of the E-topia:the right reactions to the digital revolutioncan produce lean and green cities, ArchitecturalRecord , March 1999, pp35-36

Romm, J., Rosenfeld, A., and Herrmann,S., (1999) The Internet Economy and GlobalWarming: A Scenario of the Impact ofE-commerce on Energy and the Environment, The Center for Energy and Climate Solutions,A Division of The Global Environment andTechnology Foundation, Version 1.0,December 1999

Yashiro, T., (2001) Incentive for IndustrialEcology in Building Sectors. Paper presentedat OECD/IEA Joint Workshop: The Design ofSustainable Building Policies, OECD, Paris,28-29 th June 2001.

A View to the Future Chapter 10.0




GlossaryGlossary



Glossary SDCB 101


BiodegradableCapable of decomposing rapidly under naturalconditions.

Blackwater Blackwater is the wastewater produced by toiletsand urinals.

BrownfieldsBrownfields are areas of land previously used forindustrial activities. These sites are usually incentral urban locations, and they are usuallycontaminated.

CommissioningCommissioning is a systematic, documented andcollaborative process that includes inspection,testing and training conducted to confirm that abuilding and its component systems are capableof being operated and maintained in conformancewith design intent.

DaylightingThe method of illuminating building interiors withnatural light.

Daylighting ControlsDevices that allow for user or automated changesin the amount of artificial lighting within interiorspaces designed for daylight such as electricalswitching controls, exterior or interior louvers,and dimming devices.

DepletionDepletion is the result of the extraction ofresources from the environment faster than theycan be created. Depletion can be subdivided intoabiotic depletion and energy depletion.

EcolabelOfficial award granted to a number of productalternatives in a product group conforming tothe environmental criteria as set for that group,usually on the basis of a life cycle assessment.

EcologyTotality or pattern of relationships betweenorganisms and their environment.

EcosystemThe complex of a community and its environmentthat functions as an ecological unit in nature.

Efficient DetailingDesign detailing that eliminates or reduces theamount of materials used. For example, designingwith a module to reduce cutoff waste or leavingstructural material or mechanical systems exposedto eliminate finishing costs or superfluousfinishes.

Embodied EnergyThe total energy that a product “contains”,including all energy used in growing, extractingand manufacturing it plus the energy used totransport it to the point of use. The embodiedenergy of a structure includes the embodiedenergy of its components plus the energy used inconstruction.

EmissionDischarge of entities (such as chemicals, heat,noise and radiation) to the environment from thesystem studied.

Environmental LCAPart of a broader LCA in which only environmentalconsequences are considered.

ExtractionUse of materials or resources obtained directlyfrom the environment by an economic process.

FiltrationTreatment process for removing solid particulatematter from water by passing it through porousmedia such as sand or artificially produced filters.This process is often used to remove particles thatcontain pathogenic organisms.

Glossary



Fossil FuelA fuel such as coal, oil and natural gas, producedby the decomposition of ancient (fossilized)plants and animals.

Freshwater Naturally occurring water having a lowconcentration of salts. It is generally accepted assuitable for extraction and treatment to producepotable water.

Global Warming (greenhouse effect)Environmental problem caused by pollution.Global warming potential is defined as theamount of CO2 (in kg) emitted. Mostly caused asa result of the burning of fuels, and by emissionof CH4.

Graywater Wastewater that does not contain toilet wastesand can be reused for irrigation after simplefiltration. Wastewater from kitchen sinks anddishwashers may not be considered graywater inall cases.

Green DesignDesign which focuses on environmentalconsiderations.

Hazardous WastesWastes with toxic, infectious, radioactive orflammable properties that pose a substantialactual or potential hazard to the health of humansand other living organisms and the environment.

Heat IslandThe additional heating of the air over a city as theresult of the replacement of vegetated surfaceswith those composed of asphalt, concrete,rooftops and other man-made materials.

Hydrological CycleBiogeochemical cycle that collects, purifies anddistributes the earth's fixed supply of water from

the environment to living organisms, and thenback to the environment.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)According to the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) and National Institute of OccupationalSafety and Health (NIOSH), the definition of goodindoor air quality includes (1) introduction anddistribution of adequate ventilation air; (2) controlof airborne contaminants; and (3) maintenance of

acceptable temperature and relative humidity.According to ASHRAE Standard 62-1989, indoorair quality is defined as “air in which there are noknown contaminants at harmful concentrationsas determined by cognizant authorities andwith which a substantial majority (80 percent

or more) of the people exposed do not expressdissatisfaction”.

Life CycleThe consecutive, interlinked stages of a product,beginning with raw materials acquisition andmanufacture, continuing with its fabrication,manufacture, construction and use, and concludingwith any of a variety of recovery, recycling orwaste management options.

Non-Renewable ResourceResource that exists in a fixed amount (stock)

in various places in the earth’s crust and hasthe potential for renewal only by geological,physical, and chemical processes taking placeover hundreds of millions to billions of years.Examples are copper, aluminum, coal and oil.

Overall Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)Study of many aspects of a product process,considering the complete life cycle through arange of aspects such as the environment, costsand safety.

PhotovoltaicThe generation of electricity from the energy ofsunlight, using photocells.

Quality of LifeNotion of human welfare (well-being) measuredby social indicators rather than by “quantitative”measures of income and production.

Recyclable MaterialsMaterials that are capable of being recycledare typically made of a single component or ofmaterials that can be separated.

RecyclingTo collect and/or process waste from a systemthat results in a useful application in the same orin another system.


SDCB 101 Glossary



Renewable EnergyEnergy resources such as wind power or solarenergy that can keep producing indefinitelywithout being depleted.

Resource EfficiencyA term used to describe the efficient use ofmaterials in design and construction. Forexample, design strategies that reduce materialuse or enable materials to be salvaged, reused orrecycled.

Runoff Portion of rainfall, melted snow or irrigationwater that flows across the ground’s surface andis eventually returned to streams. Runoff canpick up pollutants from air or land and carry themto receiving waters. Impervious surfaces suchas asphalt, concrete and rooftops significantlyincrease runoff in urban areas.

Scrubber Air pollution control device that uses a spray ofwater or reactant to reduce or remove pollutionfrom air.

SedimentationSettling of matter to the bottom of a liquid orwater body, notably a reservoir.

SewageOrganic waste and wastewater produced byresidential and commercial establishments.

Sewer Channel or conduit that carries wastewater,sewage and storm water from their source to atreatment plant or receiving stream. A sanitarysewer conveys household and commercial wastes,a storm sewer transports rain run off and acombined sewer is used for both purposes.

SmogCombination of smoke and fog in which products

of combustion such as hydrocarbons, particulatematter and oxides of sulphur and nitrogen occurin concentrations that are harmful to humanbeings and other organisms.

Stormwater ManagementThe process of collecting, storing and treatingrainwater, especially rainwater runoff that occurs inthe first few minutes of a storm event. This initialrainwater contains the highest concentrations ofcontaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons or

particles from erosion or other sources.

SustainabilitySustainability is a state in which interdependentnatural, social and economic systems prosper todaywithout compromising their future prosperity.

Thermal MassMass in a building (furnishings or structure) thatis used to absorb solar gain during the day andto release the heat as the space cools in theevening. Thermal mass can assist in the properfunctioning of passive systems.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s)Organic compounds that evaporate readily andcontribute to air pollution mainly through theproduction of photochemical oxidants.

WasteMaterials without any positive commercial valuecreated by an economic process. (Sometimes aby-product with a low value or one, which makesonly a small contribution to the total revenue,is also considered as waste). A distinction canbe made between waste that is re-processed inthe economic system with resulting emissions,and final waste, which is introduced into theenvironment.

WatershedAn area of land that, as a result of topography,drains to a single point or area.

Water TableLevel below which water-saturated soil isencountered. It is also known as groundwatersurface.

Glossary SDCB 101




BibliographyBibliography



O’Cofaigh, Eoin, and Eileen Fitzgerald. 1999. A Green Vitruvius: Principles and Practice of Sustainable Architectural Design . New York. James and James Science Publishers.

Peck, Steven and Monica Kuhn, B.E.S., B.Arch, O.A.A. Design Guidelines for Green Roofs. May 2001.Ottawa: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Projet de société: Planning for a Sustainable Future. Ottawa, ON. Canadian Choices for Transitions toSustainability . Volume 5, (Revised Draft) 1995.

Rees, William. 1989. Planning for Sustainable Development: A Resource Book . Vancouver, BC.:Info Vancouver and the UBC Center for Human Settlements.

Rees, William. 1998. The Built Environment and the Ecosphere: A Global Perspective .Conference Proceedings Green Building Challenge. Vancouver, BC: Natural Resources Canada.

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). Ottawa, ON. Micro, Metro, Global: Architecture andthe Environment . 1994

Steele, James. 1997. Sustainable Architecture: Principles, Paradigms, and Case Studies .

New York: McGraw Hill.

United Nations Environment Programme. Industry and Environment. Cleaner Production Programme.Paris, France. Life Cycle Assessment: What it is and how to do it .

United Nations Publications. Combating Global Warming: Possible Rules, Regulations and Administrative

SDCB 101 Bibliography

sdbc 101 sustainable design fundamentals for buildings

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