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Life lessons

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By GREG McMILLAN

It’s often said that experience is the best teacher.

In the case of Matt Gilgan, the eldest son of billionaire homebuilder Peter Gilgan, of Mattamy Homes, truer words have never been spoken.

His learning curve began early on. Born and raised around new home construction, he saw, first hand, the amount of waste of materials that went into traditional development. And, early on, he knew he wanted to do something about that – to promote a more responsible approach to land development and homebuilding.

“I have very unique, and broad, experience within large production construction,” says Gilgan, an artist and green entrepreneur, now promoting himself as a consultant for development of green buildings and/or green communities. “But I also have quite separate extensive research-based knowledge and experience with green building.”

That’s for sure. Back in the spring of 2009, Gilgan and his wife bought a property just a few steps away from Lake Ontario near downtown Oakville, Ontario. It had a neglected, dilapidated 1870s heritage home on it, but that didn’t deter Gilgan.

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He brought in architect Tom Kolbasenko of Milton’s Our Cool Blue, and together they began tackling one challenge after another. The old foundation had to be rebuilt, for one thing. Then, to incorporate Gilgan’s desire for walls made of straw bale, a Peterborough construction company joined the team. Then there were additions such as radiant floors, recycled materials, a geothermal system and passive solar heating.

All in all, the project dragged on for three years. There were snags with the town of Oakville, and Gilgan says his hands were often tied, due to certain restricting bylaws.

“But from the outset,” he says, “my ambition was to do the greenest possible thing.”

And so he embarked on a path that taught him valuable life lessons; lessons he now feels put him in good stead as a consultant or partner for others contemplating similar altruistic green building ventures.

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The end product on Chisholm Street in Oakville is the result of much sustainable experimentation and unexpected financial pitfalls. Gilgan was tremendously schooled, and now he’s keen on sharing his tips.

When construction was finished, Gilgan originally listed the home at $4.5-million. He said it sold for $2.15-million.

“The $4.5-million was to cover actual costs plus a very small administration fee for myself,” he says. “So many elements drove the costs up – tying an historic home to a new build, foundation problems, delays caused by financing and approval nightmares, plus the cost of financing itself. This was a one-of-a-kind experiment, though, and I have learned a heck of a lot from it, including the fact that I now know how to make any future projects more sustainable and financially sound.

“I would very much like to be involved in the planning and visioning of sustainable communities. I would love to work with a developer and/or builder to come up with a holistic community plan that would integrate some of the greatest green techniques and provide an affordable truly environmentally-conscientious option. I know I bring a unique combination of experience that has provided me with a broad understanding of the development mindset, design and approval processes, and implementation into built form.

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“I believe that I could assist a variety of business types, not necessarily just home builders and developers. I can show them a fresh way of thinking about how to behave conscientiously, how to create systems and facilitate improvements of a more sincere and holistic nature than typical green strategies. By taking a more sincere approach, I believe businesses stand to benefit greatly by distinguishing themselves more clearly from competitors, by improving company morale, and becoming a more desirable employer.”
Gilgan has strong views on what constitutes true sustainable building strategies. And he questions many so-called “green advancements” as little, or no better, than the status quo.

“The most advantageous green practices are still largely ignored,” he says. “For example, technological solutions like higher-rated windows, which are made out of environmentally-disastrous petrochemicals, provide way less improvement to a home’s overall insulation value than does straw bale wall construction.

“The use of straw is not patented by anyone, it’s an ancient well-proven technology that uses material we have in abundance around the world, a waste product of agriculture, to create a more durable and incredible building envelope.

“Straw walls breathe, as opposed to current wisdom which traps homeowners inside a plastic bubble to breath in all the toxic fumes that are emanating from the numerous materials used inside the home.

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“Similarly, one of the oldest architectural principals – paying attention to the sun and the way your home is situated relative to the sun – seems to have been long forgotten. New developments could instantly reap enormous energy savings through this one simple step at negligible cost increase.”
Looking ahead, consulting is certainly an option for Gilgan, but it’s not his most ardent goal – not by a long shot.

“I’d be very keenly interested in partnering with an individual, group or company that was wanting to take on a green project of some kind,” he adds. “In fact, I’d probably much prefer that to a consulting gig.”

Web / 55chisholmstreet.ca

Architecture, Green Energy, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories

Much more than green

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Our Cool Blue Architects think outside the box of sustainable design

by Greg McMillan

No workday is ever the same for Tom and Laura Kolbasenko. The co-founders of Our Cool Blue Architects could be looking after clients at a recent project for a multi-national company in Bogotá Colombia, consulting on LEEDTM Gold and Silver projects in Bermuda, visiting project sites in Alberta and Nova Scotia – or tracking dozens of other local Southern Ontario undertakings of various sizes and themes, but at the heart of each and every venture, this couple try to always make a difference through the work they do while applying their company mantra “dedicated to global cooling.”

Both Tom, principal at Our Cool Blue, and Laura, director of design, combine their efforts to create architecture, which reduces the environmental impact of each and every project. Based in Milton, Ontario, Our Cool Blue Architects has been up and running since 2007, stressing the need to consider climate change issues in building design. The company’s passion has extended to many likeminded clients who are seeking what Our Cool Blue Architects has to offer.

“We take on all kinds of projects, big and small,” Tom says. “We work with big corporate clients, with large portfolios of buildings, as well as smaller, one-off projects. But above all, our strong commitment to sustainable design sets us apart from others.”

With every new project, Our Cool Blue Architects tries to exceed local codes and apply more stringent design standards such as LEEDTM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Tom says they are currently working on a variety of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional projects, both domestically and internationally. Among their clients are companies such as Scotiabank, First Capital Realty Corporation, HSBC, Region of Halton, Medtronic, City of Toronto, Canada Green Building Council, Bermuda Hospital Board and Toronto Parking Authority – who all follow the highest environmental standards with their corporate stewardship.
Commercial projects are only one side of Our Cool Blue Architects. Alternately, the firm also goes “beyond green” and is constantly exploring “living buildings and regenerative issues,” such as straw bale. A technology that has been used for centuries but is not commonly practised in Canada, it utilizes bales of straw as the main thermal material in a wall assembly creating more natural building envelopes.
One such venture, for client Matt Gilgan, son of billionaire homebuilder Peter Gilgan, of Mattamy Homes, allowed Our Cool Blue Architects to help turn a time-worn Oakville heritage home into a truly sustainable building. Featuring many of the oldest sustainable architectural principles – such as paying attention to the sun and using straw bale – the house has radiant floors, recycled materials, a green roof, rainwater harvesting, a geothermal system and passive solar heating among other great environmentally-friendly features.
“Overall, we often consider sustainable design in terms of ‘shades of green,’” says Tom. “Depending on the client’s ambitions, site constraints and opportunities, our team adapts to each level of passive, as well as active design elements and technologies.

“Each customized design would suit the desired, or possible, ‘shade of green.’ Some projects, then, would end up as a ‘lighter green’ while the Gilgan house would be categorized as a ‘deep green.’ No matter the project’s scope, we feel a responsibility to educate and work in collaboration with our clients to reduce their environmental footprint, addressing these issues and proposing solutions that respect the natural environment while also meeting their needs.”

A mid-size design and green consulting firm, Our Cool Blue Architects offers full architectural services to the public and private sectors, ranging from the design of individual environments to the master planning of large-scale developments and project management. As the principal of Our Cool Blue Architects, Tom Kolbasenko is a Canada Green Building Council LEED-NC faculty and also a part-time instructor at Ryerson University.

 

Web / ourcoolblue.com

Architecture, Green Energy, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

A no-brainer – virtually

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Switching from a costly traditional trade show to a more affordable cyberspace model

It’s a Catch-22 situation for every business owner – to shell out the expensive investment needed for participation in traditional trade shows … or not.

Until recently, physically setting up a booth, and all the inherent rental and promotion costs, could easily reach $100,000. For the largest firms, perhaps that was manageable, but for small and medium businesses those expenditures were becoming unmanageable.

Now, however, with the advent of virtual trade shows, business owners can instantly get much more bang for their buck – and all from the comfort of their offices, without the financial burden and logistical inconvenience of the traditional option.

In many ways, this shift is an industry game-changer, with more budget-friendly costs, and a green stamp of approval to boot. The virtual alternative eliminates the need for transportation of people and materials; that alone reduces a company’s carbon footprint.

For the uninitiated, virtual trade shows are designed for online use, designed to resemble a convention centre, with lobbies, networking lounges, conference and exhibit halls. There are booths for showcasing products and services. An online attendee can view demos, peruse literature, or chat with sales reps in real time. Often, there are keynote speeches or webinars, videocasts and podcasts, as well.

With companies these days adhering to green, sustainable policies, the virtual trade show concept is catching on in a big way. This year, in fact, Green Building & Sustainable Strategies magazine is presenting the first Canadian virtual trade show for green and sustainable building. Called Green Building Expo, it is utilizing cutting-edge technology. It’s definitely budget-friendly for exhibitors and free for attendees.

Companies, traditionally, participated in trade shows to generate new sales leads. People attended conferences for content and networking. The same results, as it turns out, can be attained by becoming involved in virtual alternatives such as the Green Building Expo.

And in many ways, beyond the financial implications, a virtual show has much more going for it. A physical trade show, to recap, can be a hassle for a large corporation and a major logistical nightmare for small and medium players. At a physical convention, hundreds of vendors and thousands of attendees are jammed into a cramped, noisy space. Often, the “little guy” gets dwarfed by the “big boys,” armed with substantial war chests, premium advertising and booth space, as well as high-profile keynote presentation exposure.

Now, thanks to computer technology, the playing field is level.  There’s no doubt we’ll see explosive growth. It’s not a stretch to suggest that the virtual event market could replace the traditional conference and trade show concept.

Some of the more obvious advantages to virtual trade shows include:

• The green effect:  Not only does the virtual model reduce a company’s carbon footprint on the front end, but it also eliminates the production of materials that will go to waste after an event.

• Making perfect sense: It’s logical to utilize new technologies and trends — after all, that’s what you’re encouraging your buyer to do. So it goes hand in hand with sustainability.

• Tracking lead generation: Virtual trade show platforms make it easy to provide prospects with downloadable materials, and many offer built-in tracking, lead management, and attendee profiles so you know exactly who is downloading what.

• Saving money:  For those who’ve been to trade shows, you know it costs a lot, both to sponsor booths and to attend. Among the expenditures are paying for employee time, travel, lodging, and meals, not to mention the various outlays needed for booths. Then there’s internet, printing, electricity and shipping. There is absolutely no question that exhibiting at a virtual trade show costs significantly less.

• Better time management: Virtual trade shows not only allow you to save time on travel, but they often house your virtual booth for up to a year after the actual event. That means that the money you pay for your space isn’t buying you a few days, it’s buying a more long-term marketing platform.

• The cool factor: Booths can link directly to an exhibitor’s Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube social media accounts. Impossible to dispute the value of that.

• Extended reach: Companies can reach out to a global audience to generate a high volume of leads and prospects.

Moreover, virtual events are quickly evolving, becoming much more user-friendly. No longer do you have to understand complex computer functions to take part. While the basic computer skills of sponsors and attendees have likely progressed over the years, the virtual trade show developers have made the experience much more accessible, as well.

For additional information about the first Canadian virtual trade show for green and sustainable building, contact Executive Managing Director – Giulio Marinescu at 416.250.0664.

Web /  www.green-building-expo.com / giulio@green-building–expo.com

Architecture, Green Energy, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

How to plan a successful virtual trade show – a guide for exhibitors

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Yes, there are substantial savings when switching from traditional physical trade shows to virtual online alternatives – thousands of dollars to be exact.

But that doesn’t mean opting for a virtual event is a walk in the park. Planning and executing a virtual trade show, or online event, is not easy. In fact, it pays to do your homework and well worth the effort to give any virtual show the same level of attention as conventional fairs.

Although there is no physical contact, the virtual shows certainly offer participants the opportunity to connect with clients and business partners without having to meet them in person. As such, while saving time and money, they are able to promote their products or services, exchanging valuable information digitally.

But there still needs to be attention to detail. Successful online trade shows should offer the content, networking and product specifications associated with a traditional fair, with the added convenience, however, of access from any device, anywhere in the world.

If your company intends to set up a booth at a virtual fair, there is a checklist to follow. Sure, there aren’t any of the headaches inherent in traditional options – like booking airline flights, hotel stays, printing, and a myriad of other related expenses – but hosting a virtual booth still requires a marketing strategy.

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Here are a few considerations for those contemplating setting up a booth at a virtual show:

1) Establish goals: Before any plans are put in place, coordinate as a team exactly what you are trying to achieve. It’s the same principle as for a physical event. Next, flesh out the details.

2) Aesthetics: Take the time to create a visually appealing booth. It may not be a skillset your team has traditionally called upon, but good procedures are worth getting in place. Think colorful, high contrast, and high impact – work with the show’s managing director to determine the best way to grab browsers’ attention. Don’t forget to ask about the ‘add-ons’: additional promotional opportunities both inside and outside your booth. This can be anything from banners elsewhere within the virtual show to pre-event e-mail blasts, intended to make your participation even more personal and memorable. And make sure your logo is in a prominent place.

3) Prepare content: With a virtual event, there are fewer limitations to the quantity and quality of the content you can provide. Extended videos are just a click away for any virtual visitor. That said, you’re not just competing with other booths, but with an attendee’s day-to-day workload as well, and if you lose their attention for a moment, attendees can slip away. As such, a virtual booth does not mean you can scale back on the value proposition, but quite the opposite: content needs to be clearer and stronger than anywhere else.

4) Host a social booth: People will stay longer and engage more if attendees communicate with each other at your booth. Rally potential attendees on social media, encouraging them to explore your Facebook or LinkedIn presences. Offer anything from random prizes to advanced games. Provide your audience with a running start and they’ll be much more engaged with your conversations throughout your campaign. Attendees who have engaged will likely return to check buzz around your booth.

5) Give yourself enough time: Things don’t always progress at the pace you’d like. Whether it’s deliverables from an exhibitor, graphics from the creative agency or an e-mail list from your marketing department, insert sufficient wiggle room into the timeline. One of the biggest dangers of virtual event execution is the rush job to get to the finish line.

Before committing to a virtual trade show, however, you can get a feel for the experience by contacting the show’s managing director for more details or a demo walk-through. Once on board, all you’ll have to do is make a quick phone call to lay out the general design of the booth, and then you’ll be able to log in to the show, and upload information, including logos and company materials. 

For additional information about the first Canadian virtual trade show for green and sustainable building, contact Executive Managing Director Giulio Marinescu at 416.250.0664.

Architecture, Green Energy, Ideas, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

Lofty goals

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Times Group recognized as a green leader by practising what it preaches

Every successful movement needs a leader and Times Group fits that bill with environmental stewardship across the Greater Toronto Area.

From smart site planning, to energy conservation, to waste reduction, to water savings, Times Group has maintained a record of excellence across the GTA’s real estate development spectrum.
A premier name in the industry for over 25 years, Times Group was has been honoured with the BILD Award for Green Builder of the Year (High-Rise), a true testament to its green building philosophy.
A firm commitment to the environment and green living is at the heart of every project Times Group undertakes. An example: As an early adopter of York Region’s Sustainable Development Through LEED Program, all Times Group projects there have noticeable environmental benefits.

On winning the BILD award in 2013, it should be noted that it was the company’s first-ever entry. The Times Group was recognized for outstanding leadership in the implementation of green building practices and adoption of sustainable building techniques, from site planning to design, construction and occupancy.

Since the turn of the 21st century, already with a firm footing in the arenas of commercial development and home building, Times Group focused its considerable skills, resources and strengths on high-rise residential condominium development. Again, the company’s core family values of quality, trust and tradition propelled Times Group into completing one successful condo project after another.

By 2015, Times Group was leading the developing industry with over 20 exquisitely designed residential condo residences in the Toronto downtown core, North York, Richmond Hill, Markham and Etobicoke. With a firm commitment to sustainable development, in fact, Times Group pioneered the first and second LEED-certified residential condominiums in York Region, a crowning testament to the company’s dedication to both the environment and the community.

Times Group’s foray into sustainable buildings started with Majestic Court, a 532-suite condo innMarkham. This building achieved LEED Gold in 2011, becoming Ontario’s first LEED-certified, privately developed multi-unit residential high-rise outside of Toronto. With the success, the sustainable strategies employed on Majestic Court have been carried onto all subsequent projects, including Eden Park Phase I and II, and Markham Uptown’s River Park and River Walk.

Majestic Court turned into a real source of pride. The location offers residents numerous transit options, right at their footsteps, including York Region Transit/VIVA routes and GO Train service at the nearby Unionville Go Station. For cyclists, the building is equipped with over 100 visitor and resident bicycle parking spaces (located by building entrances and within designated racks and rooms in the underground parking levels). There are also many nearby parks, parkettes and bike paths to explore. Finally, Majestic Court is walking distance from many exciting shops and restaurants. For music lovers, the Flato Markham theatre is directly across Highway #7.

As a leader in sustainable development and construction, Times Group encourages all its residents to take advantage of every option when choosing a mode of transit, and that means being able to get around without relying on the conventional automobile. In their communities, mobility has never been easier and new transit services and options are made available every year.


Moreover, In 2014, Times Group introduced a new initiative at Uptown Markham designed to promote healthier and more active lifestyles in the community, all the while reducing the time residents spent in their cars. In partnership with the City of Markham and sees Times Group promotes transit, commuting, cycling and other active lifestyle information on its corporate website.

And in its BILD submission for 2015, Times Group can again be seen highlighting its sustainable approach, drawing attention to its commitment to parks – unlike other developers, Times Group often builds its own municipal and private parkland – as well as creating opportunities for active transportation, and promotion of transit integration into its projects.

Shadi Aghaei, Vice-President of Times Group Corporation, says the company has even adopted a new integrated design process (IDP) for a more holistic approach to high-performance building design and construction.


This IDP relies upon every expert member of a project team sharing a vision of sustainability, and working collaboratively to implement sustainability goals. This process enables the team to optimize systems, reduce operating and maintenance costs and minimize the need for incremental capital. IDP has also been shown to produce more significant results than investing in capital equipment upgrades at later stages.

“We also have a carefully thought-out and designed metering system to ensure that our customers benefit from the most cost-effective utility billing systems,” Aghaei explains. “And we continue to offer our customers some of the lowest condo fees.”

Web / timesgroupcorp.com

Times Group is a premier name in the industry with 25 years of business and a record of excellence across the real estate development spectrum of the Greater Toronto Area. Inspired by core family values, Times Group has become a leading player in the land acquisition, planning, design, development and construction of premium-quality commercial and residential properties. With a focus on exceptional quality and enduring value, Times Group is actively engaged in the development of high-rise condominium projects, distinctive homes and condominium townhouses in the GTA.

Architecture, Style, Sustainability, Top Stories, Trends, Wood

A secret place

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The Grotto Sauna is a feat of old-world craftsmanship and new-world sustainability
There’s something striking and arresting – and in this case, mysterious – about the all-wood Grotto Sauna.

All we know – because the owner has requested complete anonymity – is that this sculpted place designed by the PARTISANS group of Toronto is located somewhere at the northwest edge of an island on Georgian Bay.

“Unfortunately, the exact location, budget and client identity are strictly confidential,” says architect Alex Josephson, the co-founder of PARTISANS.

But there’s no mystery about what makes this sculpted space such a sophisticated exercise in building science. Inspired by an Italian grotto – a secret water-filled cave concealed within unsuspecting rock formations – the design pays homage to the extremities of the Northern Ontario landscape.
“Wood is a part of the Canadian ethos and, inevitably, a part of our lives here,” says Josephson, “especially through our cultural connection to the land, the true north, strong and free. It has been an incredibly interesting learning experience.”

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The Grotto Sauna is a highly sustainable structure that established a successful methodology for addressing the challenges of building ambitious architecture in remote and environmentally sensitive regions.

A simple but dignified exterior, built from charred cedar prepared using the traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban method, conveys a weathered appearance – it’s as if the building has been hidden in plain sight for centuries. By contrast, the warm, curved interior emulates Lake Huron’s waves and mirrors the Precambrian shield—a soft, undulating rock surface that has been worn over billions of years.

“We believe that wood is a timeless material that lives beyond trend or fashion,” says Josephson. “In that sense, I believe that sophisticated wood design resonates as a sustainable material purely in its lifespan and resiliency.

“Our office was very committed to using local wood for the grotto, so it was sourced from a Northern Ontario forest that was slated for clear cutting. We made sure that our trees were part of a reforestation program.”

Web / partisanprojects.com

Architecture, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends, Wood

A taste of Spain

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The ‘wood dances’ in the visionary art nouveau design featured at Bar Raval

Some might go to a bar to get a relaxing drink after work.

But at Bar Raval, Toronto’s pintxos hotspot located in the city’s Little Italy district, visitors can expect much, much more – architects from PARTISANS have created an art piece and a space that is quickly becoming a local must-see institution.

Canadian culinary impresario Grant van Gameron and his partner Mike Webster, the Bar Raval owners, entrusted PARTISANS with bringing their ambitious vision to fruition. And they got more than they bargained for.

“From the early, conceptual planning, all the way through to the final stages of construction, they pushed us to envision beyond what we imagined possible,” says van Gameron.

Yes, Bar Raval is a tapas-style bar, fashioned after similar ones found in Spain. However, that’s where the comparison ends, really. The design itself developed out a connection between the formal histories of art nouveau, the plethora of cured slabs of meat, and the anatomy of the chefs themselves – a tattooed group of intellectuals. And the design in a three-dimensional tattoo manifest in sculpted CNC’d mahogany.

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Architect Alex Josephson, the co-founder of PARTISANS, says his team likes to think of themselves as “alchemists.”

“We are committed to constant exploration, no matter what the functional or material challenges,” he explains. “This project and another called Grotto Sauna are testament to our dedication to controlling all sorts of matter; in these cases that happened to be wood carved in totally innovative ways.

“But this is just the tip of the iceberg for us. They just happen to be wooden. In contrast, our other work coming online soon will be completely different.”

He says PARTISANS feels wood is a timeless material that lives beyond trend or fashion.

“In that sense, I believe that sophisticated wood design resonates as a sustainable material purely in its lifespan and resiliency. Saying that, we have had to invent new technologies and methods with working in wood, but it’s been an incredibly interesting learning process.”

Web / partisanprojects.com

Uncategorized

Richcraft Recreation Complex – Kanata

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By Sarah Hicks, Ontario Wood WORKS!

Construction of the Richcraft Recreation Complex – Kanata (RRCK), in the in the north-western part of the City of Ottawa, fulfilled a long-standing need for a major recreation centre in this rapidly growing area. The $43 million, 77,000 square foot complex used a Design-Build construction process to provide the best possible design, value, and return for the City within an accelerated delivery schedule. The facility is considered an emergency shelter so it was designed and constructed to meet post-disaster standards.

At the outset, the City of Ottawa presented a strong sustainable design agenda, requiring high energy performance from the building and low environmental impact from the construction. Residents also wanted a more sustainable facility so the RRCK was designed to meet the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability requirements for LEED Gold certification.

Community input during planning led to a design concept that felt more like a ‘home with a big backyard’ than an institutional recreation complex.   The use of wood played a crucial role, not only in the approach to sustainability, but also in the aesthetic design, and the resulting facility has been embraced by local residents.

“We had tremendous success in our first year of operation,” says Chantal Laporte, Facility Manager at RRCK. “In 2014 we had over 1.3 million visitors and we are expecting growth over the next several years as Kanata North expands further with new home building projects.”

The facility’s mechanical systems include HVAC systems that meet ASHRAE 55-2004 Thermal Comfort Conditions for Human Occupancy, ground source geothermal heating and cooling, a grey water recovery system for the pool and showers areas, and a Building Automation System which monitors and controls all building mechanical systems for maximum efficiency.

In addition to these energy-efficient operating systems, the structure itself has been carefully considered to minimize its environmental impact. Life cycle assessment studies, which assess products from acquisition through to final disposition, have shown that certified wood has the lowest impact on the environment when compared with steel and concrete.

Christopher Williams, Vice President of Timber Systems Limited, the project’s timber fabricator, echoes the importance of life-cycle analysis. “The City of Ottawa’s choice to use wood was not just for appearance’s sake,” he says. “While the wood certainly does look stunning, the long-term efficiency and environmental impact of material choices really matters for structural materials; if more owners considered life-cycle impact, we’d see more uptake in wood’s use.  It is, after all, the only renewable structural material we have!  But construction budget always matters, and the facility’s design and layout lent itself to a cost-effective structure too.”

The facility’s structure utilizes 341 m3 of wood in the form of glulam beams and tongue-and-groove decking. The WoodWorks Carbon Calculator used the volume and species information to estimate the total mass of wood in the building and the associated carbon impacts. The structural wood materials in RRCK sequester 269 metric tons of carbon dioxide and, by using wood instead of another building material, an additional 524 metric tons of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions were avoided. This net carbon benefit of 793 metric tons of carbon dioxide is equivalent to taking 151 cars off the road for one year.

This free calculator can be found online at: http://cwc.ca/resources/online-tools

The structure housing the main lobby, central corridor and fitness areas is primarily composed of glue laminated timbers with a wood roof deck. All recreational activities within the building can be viewed from this central hub. The 38mm and 64mm deep tongue and groove roof deck increases the R-value of the roof assembly. When compared to other roof deck materials, wood has an inherent resistance to heat transference that gives it superior thermal performance.

The natatorium roof is also a heavy timber structure. Humidity problems such as condensation and corrosion, which are a common concern with steel roof framing in pool enclosures, were eliminated by using wood. Although a mechanical system is employed to reduce humidity in the pool area, humidity levels can often still be higher at the ceiling level because the warmer, moister air rises. The humidity levels at ceiling level, however, are not so high that they’d present a durability concern for the wood and because wood is a hygroscopic material, naturally able to absorb and release moisture, the wood roof itself helps moderate the humidity level and improve air quality making wood the best material for a pool enclosure.

The eight-lane swimming pool is one of the most popular aspects of the Complex. Traditionally, city recreational facilities feature six-lane pools but the public was so determined that an eight-lane pool be installed that the local council helped raise $1.7 million to put toward the additional cost. The natatorium’s bright and open double-height space over the lap pool deck overlooks the green roof.

The RRCK is a resounding success, both as a building and as a community centre. Recipient of a Wood Design Award for Green Design from Wood WORKS! Ontario, this award winning building is an excellent example of beautiful, sustainable, municipal infrastructure. “We were fortunate enough to work with such a great client / owner collaborative,” says project architect Gerry Pilon, Salter Pilon Architecture. “Through a shared project vision, a warm and welcoming atmosphere was realized utilizing natural wood elements throughout the facility.”

Looking beyond its sustainable features and impressive energy performance, RRCK is a building that people love, and well-loved buildings endure, often long beyond their projected service life because they are enjoyed, maintained, and even adapted over time to remain relevant to changing user requirements.

The wood products in RRCK do so much. They sequester carbon, increase the energy efficiency of the building envelope, improve air quality and provide a safe, welcoming environment for staff and patrons alike. And, although the RRCK is new today, when it does finally reach the end of its service life many years from now, the wood can be reclaimed for other purposes, extending its useful life and enabling the facility to do one more good thing for the environment.

Carbon Calculation for Richcraft Recreation Complex Kanata

Photos credit: John Kealey Photographs

Architecture, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends, Wood

The Sky’s the Limit – Wood you believe it?!

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By Natalie Tarini

Communication Manager and Canadian Wood Council Secretary

Wood Innovation and Design Center
Photograph by: Ema Peter, Courtesy of Michael Green Architecture, Vancouver BC

When we’re young, we’re encouraged to dream big. But somewhere throughout the process of growing-up, we begin to add limitations to the stretch of our imagination.

In nature people gasp in amazement at the sight of a strong and towering tree that has stood the test of time; but are more apt to shake their heads in disbelief when the topic of tall wood buildings is broached – why is that?

Tall wood buildings are not a new concept – 1400 years ago, wood-frame pagodas 19-storeys tall were built in highly seismic areas of Japan, and remain standing to this day. With advanced construction technologies and modern mass timber products such as cross-laminated timber, glued-laminated timber, and structural composite lumber, building tall with wood is a viable building option that is gaining traction.

One of the best ways to learn, is to follow by example. With the successful completion of tall wood buildings around the world (9 and 10-storey buildings in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, a 14 storey building just being completed in Norway and a 24 storey building to start construction in fall 2015 in Vienna, Austria), tall wood is gaining momentum with design communities in densely populated areas where land for construction is limited. In a country that is experiencing its own challenges with urban intensification and greenhouse gas emission levels, tall wood buildings would seem the obvious choice for Canadians. And yet, there is a lack of education associated with wood construction that hinders the appreciation for the research, technology, and more importantly, the successful examples of tall wood buildings, that prove that wood is a practical option for tall building construction.

The Wood Innovation and Design Centre (WIDC) in Prince George, British Columbia, is presently one of the world’s tallest modern all-timber institutional buildings, at 29.5 m – consisting of 6 storeys with a mezzanine and penthouse. “It’s one thing to read a report with numbers that prove that this is possible,” explains Etienne Lalonde, VP of Market Development for the Canadian Wood Council. “But there’s something more innate about witnessing a live demonstration and experiencing the benefits that this type of construction has to offer – seeing is believing.” Designed by Michael Green Architecture, the WIDC building is about celebrating wood as an aesthetic and sustainable material. To demonstrate the opportunity for similar projects, the WIDC’s design focuses on elements that could be easily replicated rather than serving as a showcase – integrating cross-laminated timber floor panels, glulam columns and beams, and mass timber walls that beautifully display the possibilities that exist for wood cohesion throughout a building.

The benefits of wood construction span beyond durability and aesthetics. In a society that is growing evermore environmentally conscious, there is a case for wood construction and the reduced impacts it has as a building material on the environment. As the only renewable building material, trees sequester harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) from the surrounding atmosphere and wood products release less carbon during the manufacturing stage when compared to other building materials. An example of this environmental benefit can be found at the Mountain Equipment Co-op building in Vancouver, British Columbia. This project used 2,394 cubic meters of lumber and sheathing – for a total potential carbon benefit of 5,393 metric tons of CO2. That’s the equivalent to taking 1,030 cars off of the road for a year or the energy that it takes to operate a home for 458 years. “Today, wood structures continue to deliver as they have in the past, but our understanding of wood has now broadened to include the environmental sustainability benefits and a new found appreciation for emerging wood technologies” explains Michael Giroux, President of the Canadian Wood Council. “The sky’s the limit, and we’re going there.”

Canada has a long and rich history with wood construction. It is now time for the perceptions to catch-up with the scientific advancements that have and continue to be made for wood products. Tall wood buildings is a vision that benefits all of us from an economical and environmental point of view. When it comes to pushing the boundaries of your imagination, sometimes all you have to do to find inspiration is to look up at the trees!