All posts by Giulio

Ideas

Q&A: Crystal ball gazing for 2015

Leave a comment

Leading expert at Canada Green Building Council talks about what to expect in the year ahead

by Greg McMillan

As we head into a new year, Green Building & Sustainable Strategies (GBSS) magazine decided take a look at what the future might hold for the green building industry.
Someone with his finger on the pulse of change is Mark Hutchinson, the director of green building programs at the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).
He participated in a Q&A interview with GBSS magazine, taking us through everything from green building products to green building certification to predominant energy technologies.
When you look back over 2014, what would you consider as some of the notable green building developments in Canada?

In 2014 the 5,000th LEED project was registered in Canada, and I am very happy to see how the Canadian market has been adopting green building practices. We also saw the first comprehensive Canadian study of green building growth, drivers, obstacles, and impact on tenants and occupants, with the release of a Canada green building trends study conducted in conjunction with McGraw Hill Construction.

The CaGBC launched Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs) and other tools for the newest version of LEED, version 4. We also provided education on different aspects of the new rating system. I feel the Canadian market is now better positioned and prepared to take the next step towards transforming how we design, build, and operate our homes and buildings.
In 2015, what do you see transpiring for builders and their desire to seek LEED certification for buildings?

Our McGraw Hill Construction study points to continued growth of the green building movement in 2015, and our expectation is that interest in LEED certification will continue to be strong. There is strong recognition of the value of LEED certification as a tool to provide accountability, transparency, and better outcomes. On October 29 we announced that the current set of LEED rating systems would continue to be open for registration until October 31, 2016, and I expect that 2015 will be a transition year, as the market continues to learn about LEED v4 and the very first teams begin to apply it to their projects.

Do you predict there will be an influx of alternate green building certification programs that will begin to take hold in 2015? If so, please describe. If not, why not?

The Canadian marketplace has used LEED as a common language and assessment tool for green building practices, and indeed LEED is an international platform that allows us to collaborate in moving the industry forward in over 150 countries. I think the Canadian market is prepared to welcome other rating systems so long as they help push market transformation forward in a meaningful way. By this I mean they establish credible and meaningful objectives, and are supported by a rigorous third party evaluation process. Programs like the Living Building Challenge and Passive House are examples of such programs.

What are some of the green building products you foresee becoming used more prevalently in the coming year?

It will take time, but manufacturers are preparing for LEED v4 and we will see an increasing number of products with health product declarations (HPDs), environmental product declarations (EPDs), and certification to programs like Cradle to Cradle and GreenScreen. We spend 90 per cent of our time indoors, surrounded by materials we have created, and it is very exciting to see the transformation that is taking place.

What energy technologies do you see becoming more prevalent within the building industry (for example: solar, wind, geothermal, etcetera) and why, during the next 12 months?

On-site solar is popular and more economical than ever, although its impact on a building’s energy footprint will vary as a function of the configuration of the building. It’s certainly a very visible hallmark of sustainability. Geothermal has been adopted by a segment of the green building industry, and has many merits.

What are some of the general green building trends that you see developing, or growing, in the year ahead?

In the new construction field, people continue to strive towards significantly reduced energy consumption. As they aim for even lower energy consumption, the building envelope and the integrated design process are becoming of greater importance.

Materials and wellness are also now front and centre. The launch of the WELL building standard (which is designed to operate alongside LEED, and looks at a space’s effect on human health)

is a sign of just how much the impact of buildings on the health, productivity and happiness of occupants is being recognized.

Is there anything you can see putting a damper on the current growth of green building practices in Canada? If so, please describe. If not, please say why.

Green building is becoming more and more accepted, and the knowledge, tools and products needed are increasing every day. There are so many reasons to build greener buildings. It’s hard to see this trend reversing. I think the questions are really:
1) What will be the pace of market transformation?

2) What aspects of green building will be emphasized? For example, energy will always be key, but materials and wellness are also increasingly important.

3) To what extent will leadership recognition programs like LEED drive the market, as opposed to building codes, greater code enforcement, education around codes, mandatory benchmarking, and other efforts aimed at raising the bar of building practice?

Mark Hutchinson

Mark Hutchinson has worked with the Canada Green Building Council for the last six years. As Director of Green Building Programs, he oversees the strategic direction and operation of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building certification program in Canada. He participates on the LEED International Roundtable and collaborates with the LEED Canada Steering Committee as well as the USGBC’s LEED Steering Committee.

Architecture, Building Envelope, Green Energy, HVAC, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

A fine line along the cutting edge

Leave a comment

Centra Homes incorporates green features that blend newest techniques with consumer demands

Centra Homes may be a relatively “young” company, but its president has already learned a very valuable lesson – never settle for the status quo.
“With each project we build, we are seeking to implement newer and more effective green building strategies,” says Paul Lorusso, President of Centra Homes, with head offices in Toronto. “The green building industry is always on the cutting edge of green initiatives, however some of these initiatives may not have been adopted, or accepted yet, by the home-buying market.

_G5Q7143

“Our goal is to implement the newest initiatives available while still maintaining a sense of what our customers are seeking in a new home.”
With over 500 homes built to its credit, Centra Homes also tries to utilize a blend of contemporary design and materials, while maintaining an old-world craftsmanship. The company, which operated earlier under the banners of Braidwood Homes and Green Hill Homes, has keyed on creating communities, such as the now-open Mills Collection in Richmond Hill, the coming-soon Village Square Condominiums in Oakville and Royal York Shores in Etobicoke.
The Mills Collection, for example, features detached surrounded by an established executive community, close to Richmond Hill’s amenities. That way, the company says, homeowners can enjoy the best of life, with schools, shopping, entertainment, libraries and community centres – all within easy reach.

086_Kitchen

So The Mills Collection combines the best of two worlds – exciting new home designs located in the heart of an established, vibrant urban town.

On the cutting edge of design, some of the features offered include:

  • Poured concrete basement walls with drainage membrane for a water-tight finish and proper drainage.
  • Maintenance-free vinyl casement windows throughout.
  • 200 AMP electrical service.
  • High efficiency forced air gas furnace with electric ignition and HRV unit.

The TARION Warranty Program covers all homes as follows:

  • Seven (7) year warranty for major structural defects.
  • Two (2) year warranty for defects in workmanship and materials on electrical, plumbing, heating and building envelope.
  • One (1) year warranty for defects in workmanship and materials.

_G5Q7129

And all their low rise homes are currently Energy Star rated – which is the mark of high-efficiency products in Canada, says Lorusso.

“We also take the extra steps to install equipment in our homes for rain water harvesting,” he says. “This will permit our homeowners to reduce water consumption for outdoor use, which is especially important in the first year of a new home when frequent watering is needed for freshly laid sod.”

026_ExteriorFront(2)

Furthermore, he says, Centra Homes takes an extra step by providing accessibility for future solar panel installation.

“We encourage our buyers to take advantage of this feature, once they take possession of their home,” he adds.
Web:
http://centra-homes.ca

Centra Homes and its affiliate Centra Developments are multi-disciplinary companies with expertise in land development, new home construction, condominium construction, and commercial development. Centra Homes and its principals have been in the residential home building industry since 1985. Their communities and projects are at the forefront of design, functionality, and locations most coveted by today’s most discerning new home buyer. With over 500 homes completed by its principals to date, Centra strives to implement a high level of customer service and personal devotion to each home they build.

Architecture, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Top Stories, Trends

Making waves

Leave a comment

Waterfront Toronto gaining international attention for green building, sustainable strategies

By Greg McMillan

While it’s likely a given that the main buzz about green building and sustainable strategies has only been picking up speed in the past couple of years, many of the heart-and-soul initiatives have been steadily growing for much longer than that.

One has to look no further than Toronto – Waterfront Toronto, to be more specific – to notice that. 

Back in 2001, three levels of government – municipal, provincial and federal – contributed seed money of $1.5-billion to see to it that the waterfront of Canada’s largest city would be subject to strategic revitalization and sustainable development.

And, according to Lisa Prime, the current Director of Environment & Innovation for Waterfront Toronto, the original vision is true to its mandate today, with constant attention being paid to transforming the area into a “marvelous public destination with vibrant public and cultural spaces capable of providing a variety of experiences and amenities.”

Gushed a public relations missive: “Four times the size of Monaco, the now $4.4-billion, 1,977-acre, 40,000-residence Toronto waterfront revitalization project is in full gear, and is poised to position the city and province of Ontario as world leaders in creating sustainable communities, with buildings and neighbourhoods that aim to be among the greenest on the planet.”

The word is spreading. At the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building – Greenbuild 2014, held in New Orleans – it was obvious to those in attendance that the Toronto area has caught the eye of international investors and business people.

Sean Dyke, Chair of the Ontario Clean Technology Alliance, said he talked to companies that already had customers in the province and were very interested in the possibility of expanding their businesses in Ontario.

“In New Orleans, we heard repeatedly that Ontario is a strong market for the green building sector, and that the Toronto market, in particular, with its penchant for contemporary design and style, along with an environmental conscience, is one that most companies are eyeing,” he explains.

That’s good news for Prime. She likes to hear stories about how Toronto and its green waterfront initiatives are separated from the pack.

“By employing the best global practices and made-in-Toronto solutions, the city’s new waterfront communities will protect and enhance our natural environment,” she says. “Ultimately, we’ll be given further recognition as global models for innovation and sustainability.”

She says the organization has developed a number of strategies to achieve those objectives (most which utilize metrics to allow for accurate tracking of performance), including:

The Sustainability Framework (2005).

The Minimum Green Building Requirements (MGBRs).

Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability Report (CSRSR).

The Carbon Tool.

Smart and innovative infrastructure.

Ultra-broadband technology.

“Most recently, the release of our CSRSR as a microsite in 2013 allowed us to share transparent reporting on 21 core performance measures that cut across each of the pillars of sustainability – environmental, social and economic.

That also means that beyond requiring energy efficient buildings, she says, all new waterfront neighbourhoods are being designed and built to promote green and healthy living and the conservation of the environment and natural resources.

At the same time, she says Waterfront Toronto is continuing to innovate in community design and look for opportunities for sustainability. And she pointed to some upcoming green projects as examples. 

“For buildings I would point to our parks and our pavilions, which are small but innovative,” she adds. “In Corktown Common we have an open air pavillion, which features year-round use including a fireplace and movable walls as well as solar panels.

“Sherbourne Common includes LEED Gold certification and a unique UV treatment process integrated into it for the park art and stormwater feature. 

“Our parks in general include a full example of incorporating sustainable practice for water, lighting, natural landscape and multiple social recreational opportunities. “

“Then look at our green building partners – Urban Capital, Great Gulf and Tridel – all of which have great progressive building designs.” 

In a nutshell, it’s onwards and upwards for Waterfront Toronto, says Prime.

“We continually engage our new community, so I think you will continue to see the results realized in future work.”

Web
www.waterfrontoronto.ca

Architecture, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Trends

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

Leave a comment

Multi-use building in Jakarta combines need for green space with higher density development

The developer of a site in Jakarta, Indonesia was confronted with a quandary.

Wijaya Karya, of Benhil Property, wanted to design a building that would combine Jakarta’s need for green space with higher density development. On top of that, respect had to be given to the area’s current urban fabric.

Not an easy task, any way you look at it. But Karya, on behalf of owner banker/printer Peruri, persevered, bringing in architectural teams from the United States and the Netherlands to work hand in hand on the project.

The result has been called Peruri 88, and it’s to be situated on a block formerly used as the government mint right next to a future metro station. Plans for the landmark project were put together by MVRDV, a Rotterdam, Netherlands-based architecture and urban design practice, in conjunction with the Jerde Partnership, a U.S.visionary architecture and urban planning firm.

The mixed-use project features a wide variety of options for usage, from large offices to living/working units. There are lofts, there are townhouses and they range from terraced houses to patio living.

Each of these examples are stacked urban blocks with a semi-public rooftop park, an abundance of gardens, playgrounds, spas, gyms, outdoor restaurants and swimming pools. In short, a little bit of everything, to be enjoyed by both residents and office employees.

Partway up the 400-metre tall building, a luxury hotel takes over, and on top, at the 88th floor, there will be a panoramic restaurant and viewing platform.

A commercial area that extends to the 7th floor has both retail and shopping sections connected by a series of escalators. This podium also reflects Jakarta’s historic island with reflective bodies of water and landscape leading to the public street levels, while integrating a garden plaza.

About MVRDV

MVRDV was founded in 1993 by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The practice engages globally in providing solutions to contemporary architectural and urban issues. A highly collaborative, research-based design method involves clients, stakeholders and experts from a wide range of fields from early on in the creative process. The results are exemplary, outspoken projects, which enable our cities and landscapes to develop towards a better future.

Architecture, Building Envelope, Ideas, Style, Technology, Trends

STUDIO CACHOUA TORRES CAMILLETTI

Leave a comment

Should all skyscrapers have the same language? Should they always be cladded in glass?

Studio CACHOUA TORRES CAMILLETTI started out by trying to envision what a skyscraper should be in the future era, by letting go of many ingrained preconceptions about the way tall terraces have an important semiotic and symbolic significance in culture in countries such as China, and they are spawn by the need to sow seeds vertically. In addition to the formal beauty inherent to these terraces, they are a source of plastic inspiration and a living example of the respectful change of nature by humans, who do not pose any environmental aggression, and are both respectful of nature and of a man. Studio CACHOUA TORRES CAMILLETTI finds such richness of the meanings and interactions that it was decided that rice should be the crop of choice for the Skyscraper.

After defining the program, the team proceeded to search for the ideal spatial scheme for the building. After experimenting with several options, they reached a final scheme that included two towers.  This choice was made due to three main reasons.

The first reason is a poetic one. The towers embody in a way, a battle that represents Hong Kong, a battle between the historical and cultural pride of a city that has passed through time, and it’s many contemporary architectural languages that do not necessarily belong to it’s culture and that are not from concepts rooted within the city.

Secondly, and in a more pragmatic motivation, was the realization that multiple use towers are now commonplace, but they ignore in their morphology the individual character of each use.  Therefore, why not go back and question this ingrained assumption? Why shouldn’t the building have an unique character for each of the uses it houses, or better yet, give each use a different form? The team wanted the building to be able to show in the exterior it’s mixed-use character. Thusly they split the two towers in their uses.  The larger tower is for commercial use with offices, retail, entertainment, etc., and the thinner tower is for residential use.  This way it can actually be seen where the living spaces are, and where the commercial and production happens and each can have its own character pertaining their use.

4

The last reason has to do with the shape itself. We wanted a design with sculptural characteristics that were not arbitrary, and had a full connection to the whole concept. So, we designed a scheme in which the building flows from the base, in a metaphorical sense it would be like the building protruded from the ground in a tectonic way, and following this conception it split in two to form a canyon.  The team at Studio CACHOUA TORRES CAMILLETTI was inspired by the idea of natural rock canyons, and found poetry in their contours and in the way that they generate their duality, a male and a female shape, which could be joined together.  The two resulting towers create in between them a protected gorge of lush and fertile gardens. The tower bodies are scattered with “rice terraces”, which grow atop their bouldering shapes.

The choice of form, although it is a creative process, and in a way artistic, it generally must take in to account the conditions dictated by the environment, such as predominant winds, sun orientation, views, structural design, interior function, and only then can it allow for artistic expression.

5

Even while Studio CACHOUA TORRES CAMILLETTI decided that the final scheme would be comprised of two separate towers, the project continues to be a unit that works holistically, and in actuality, it is a single structural system that supports and joins both bodies together. They compensate and stabilize each other’s mass by the means of braces, trusses and bridges, to work effectively as a single building.

In terms of function, the architects believe that building design should seek the improvement of the experience of the user, and, vertical transportation is one of the most dreaded experiences in high rise towers. That is why the residential building works as several small residential buildings stacked on top of each other, each with a lobby that is accessed by a transparent bridge from the larger commercial tower and reached by a dedicated high speed lift, separated from the ones that serve the commercial tower. In this way the amount of elevator shafts and time spent in them is greatly reduced, and the experience of living in such a high scale tower is brought down to a smaller more approachable residential size. Each residential tower segment is then a relatively small apartment complex with fewer neighbors, making it possible to create a sense of community between them in such a big building.

 

6

Regarding the energy requirements for such a tower, the team at Studio CACHOUA TORRES CAMILLETTI believes that the building they are proposing could be entirely powered by renewable energy but at this time it might not be economically feasible.  They believe that in order for this or any other sustainable building to become a reality, it has to be economically viable.  The first alternative that was studied for this purpose was geothermal energy, but given the building’s position, the depth of the water table, and the depht at which the target temperatures could be reached in Victoria Harbor, it turned out to be too expensive a proposal. Solar energy is still not efficient enough to power the whole building; it would require much more surface than the whole surface of the tower’s façade.  Wind would not be an option for the whole building since there is no space for large wind turbines.

Fuel cells are still utterly expensive and hydrogen power plants just offset the production of hydrogen to other carbon producing processes such as steam methane reformation that uses natural gas. There is no point in using dirty energy to make clean energy.

7

The architects then turned to nuclear energy, in which they are firm believers, but not necessary in the way it is today, an aging technology, but in the safer and more compact ways that companies such as Mitsubishi and Toshiba are proposing. So, in this sense, this building is betting on the future generation of nuclear reactors such as those defined as 4S (Super Safe, Small and Simple), which are more economically feasible and have the capacity to power the entire structure. They would in a way become a “bridge” technology that would offset the carbon footprint of fossil fuel based power plants, until the time the renewable power technologies are able to fully power a building such as this.

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

The ultimate in luxury

Leave a comment

Man-made floating Orsos Island combines the mobility of a yacht with the comfort of a mainland home

By GREG McMILLAN
It’s not a stretch to admit that, at one time or another, probably everyone has had a daydream about being the owner of a private island somewhere in a far-flung exotic locale.

More often than not, though, that dream quickly fades when various costs and logistics are factored in.

But there are other options available for those with the cash flow, not the least of which is the availability of a floating man-made island combining the natural experience and mobility of a yacht with the comfort of a mainland home.

Called Orsos Islands, the concept has been developed by an Austrian group to provide a luxurious living space that can travel anywhere in the w


And that’s an alluring mix, says chief architect/engineer Csikós Mihály, of Csikós Terv Architect Ltd.

“This project is a transition between a building and a ship,” Mihály tells Green Building and Sustainable Strategies magazine. “On the one hand it has the habitable comfort and aesthetic of a building and on the other hand the dangers and inconvenience arising during shipping can be avoided. It is placed on the water surface and, because of the proximity to water, it implies the feeling of relaxation and holiday.”

Tired of one location? Owners could simply weigh anchor and move their “island” elsewhere. And although there are none currently completed, Mihály says the project is well underway.

“The permit procedure is in progress right now,” he says. “The European-Chinese co-operative company, ORSOS Island Asia Ltd., is dealing with the further development of this project, and all production will probably be done in China.”

So, what, exactly, would future owners be getting with an Orsos Island?
orsos_071_010


For starters, each 37-metre-long vessel unit would have room for six bedrooms, complemented over the 1,000-square-metre living space by minibar, dining room, aquarium, barbecue, Jacuzzi, games room and, of course, sun loungers.

Not to be overlooked are the sustainable features, which are many … and varied.

From an energy standpoint, an Orsos Island would be environmentally friendly, powered by 160 square metres of solar panels, as well as wind generators that would produce more than enough power for a the daily consumption of a family household, according to Mihály, who was responsible for the interior and exterior design.

In addition, energy generated by the craft could power both air-conditioning and heating systems. The “island” has been outfitted with its own desalination system, as well, capable of converting saltwater into suitable drinking water.

Monitoring the advanced energy management process would be a “smart” computer network. This feature also makes sure a regular power supply would be maintained.

No sustainable design, however, would be complete without attention to waste disposal and plant use. And that’s the case with the Orsos Island, as Mihály points out that every level conveys a “nature” feel, with the utilization of diverse plants and a special irrigation system. Garbage is collected, he says, in a chilled depot, then compressed, and stored in an odour-free manner, which could be removed at any time.

Compared to a real island or oversized gigayacht – with price tags often over $1-billion – an Orsos Island seems to be an absolutely bargain basement option at less than $7-million.

Still, getting beyond the design stage has been slow, although Mihály is encouraged that the company is currently in production preparation.

“It has to do with the permit process,” he adds. “The facility classification is a new concept. The Corsos Island is more than a houseboat, but less than a ship.

“Furthermore, there are specials rules regarding its properties and placement procedure. According to various permits, it could be placed only close to shore or in bays due to its height, plus any movement is only allowed using tugboats.”
While ironing out the approval wrinkles, Mihály is confident the original vision of Hungarian entrepreneur Orsós Gábor remains on track – an affordable “green” luxury living option for the mega-rich who want to try something different.
Web

orsosisland.com

Uncategorized

BRE Innovation Park at The Living City Campus – a showcase for innovation in urban sustainability

Leave a comment

By Glenn MacMillan

Set among protected forests, fields, rivers and wetlands, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) The Living City Campus at Kortright is a centre of excellence for urban sustainability, a hub for learning, research, demonstration, and inspiration. Its unique natural setting acts as a reminder of the importance of harmony between human behaviour, technology, and nature. The Living City Campus allows visitors of all ages and backgrounds to experience sustainability solutions through real-world demonstrations. These demonstrations include permeable pavement demonstration and test sites, soil management best practice test plots, photovoltaic performance verification and wind turbine test sites, and the Power Trip Trail, a walking trail showcasing renewable energy options along its route. Perhaps the most high profile demonstration to-date is the Archetype Sustainable House, which celebrated its fifth anniversary this year. Acting as a ‘Living Laboratory”, the house showcases the best and latest sustainable building practices and technologies, and has been the focus of research for several Masters theses and PhD dissertations. The Living City Campus is also part of the Canadian ETV Program, a consortium of leading research, development and testing organizations across Canada led by Globe Performance Solutions. As the stormwater, renewable energy, and green building testing and verification centre for ETV, TRCA provides independent verification of technology performance claims so that users, developers, regulators, and other parties can make informed decisions about purchasing, applying, and regulating innovative technologies. Additional information on the Canadian ETV Program is available at www.etvcanada.ca.

BRE Scotland Innovation Park – Ravenscraig

The Living City Campus was borne out of TRCA’s “The Living City” vision. The vision challenges the organization and its partners to make the Greater Toronto Region one of the most sustainable, livable areas in the world. To build upon the success of the Archetype Sustainable House, accelerate the Living City vision, and elevate the Campus’s international profile, TRCA has partnered with the UK’s Building Research Establishment (BRE) to develop the BRE Innovation Park at The Living City Campus. One of the world’s largest building research, certification, and training organizations , BRE launched its “Innovation Park” concept in 2005 to assist the British construction industry in delivering new building code standards aimed at achieving net-zero carbon targets. In addition to net-zero energy and carbon, the Innovation Park demonstration buildings also feature innovative construction methods and technologies, sustainable landscape design, and also support the delivery of industry targeted education initiatives, acting as a hub for networking and knowledge exchange. Besides the first Innovation Park at Watford, four other parks are currently in the design or construction stages at Ravenscraig, Scotland; Beijing, China; Brasilia, Brazil; and Portland, USA. The BRE Innovation Park at The Living City Campus will be Canada’s Innovation Park, and along with other proposed and existing locations, will be part of the international BRE Innovation Park network.

The BRE Innovation Park at The Living City Campus aims to accelerate the commercialization and adoption of green building products and services into the Canadian mainstream and provide a vehicle for international recognition and acceptance. It will create a platform for the Canadian construction industry to demonstrate innovative solutions to achieve low carbon buildings and sustainable neighbourhood development using local skills, expertise and products.

Seven additional demonstration buildings will be constructed next to the Archetype Sustainable House. Buildings will be constructed to meet key design themes selected to suit the Canadian market: Accessibility, Assisted Living and Health; Affordable Sustainability; Climate Change Resiliency; Design for Deconstruction; Envelope First; First Nations Housing; Interactive Buildings; Low Impact Construction; Modern Methods of Construction; Net-Zero Energy; Off-Grid Design; Passive House; Refurbishment; Small-Scale Commercial; Towards 80% Energy Reduction; and Water Efficiency. In addition to meeting requirements for targeted design themes, each building will be required to meet minimum performance benchmarks set above current required levels. Minimum performance benchmarks will be set for energy, indoor water, indoor air quality, materials, and waste. Like the Archetype Sustainable House, the new demonstration buildings will feature plug-and-play and data collection capabilities to monitor, test, and verify new building products, energy system, and water reuse and treatment systems. A district energy system and smart grid demonstration project are also planned for the park.

The first Innovation Park project with be the refurbishment of an existing 1950’s residential building on the Kortright property. Targeted design themes for the refurbishment project include affordability, energy and water efficiency, climate change resiliency, accessibility, assisted living and health.

Proposed operational activities at the Innovation Park will include building and product monitoring, training and education programs aimed at public and industry, post-secondary research, events facilities, in-situ testing and evaluation, and educational and technical tours. The Innovation Park framework will foster research that will position Ontario and Canada as leaders in urban sustainability and influence future policy direction at municipal, provincial and federal levels.

All demonstration buildings and infrastructure in the Park will follow a measurement and monitoring program through design, construction, and operation phases. Research related to building process will include performance monitoring, user interactions, durability, buildability, life cycle costing, and economic analysis through design-to-operation and end-of-service life. Evaluations of construction-related risk, efficiency and improvement, and process and programming are also proposed, as well as investigations into supply chain interaction and user interaction.

The infrastructure design for the Park is currently underway and will be completed this fall. Construction of the infrastructure is anticipated to begin in Spring 2015 and the first building constructed in Fall 2015. A diverse group of build partners have been secured for all seven demonstration buildings, and design themes and performance benchmarks are currently being identified for each of the buildings. A number of local colleges and universities have also expressed interest in being involved with Innovation Park research projects, as well as including the Park in their curriculum.

Support from all industry and government sectors is crucial to the development of the BRE Innovation Park at The Living City Campus. TRCA is seeking support through cash sponsorships and in-kind contribution of services, materials, and construction labour for the development of the Park. For more information, please contact Glenn MacMillan (gmacmillan@trca.on.ca or 289-268-3901) or visit online at www.thelivingcitycampus.com/bre-innovation-park.

Glenn MacMillan is the Senior Manager of Water and Energy with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

Building Envelope, HVAC, Sustainability, Technology, Trends

As promised

Leave a comment

Projections for building’s energy performance from Ledcor Renew retrofit right on the mark

By Greg McMillan

Ledcor Renew probably went out on a limb when providing both construction and energy performance guarantees before undertaking the retrofit of an office building at 77 Bloor Street West.

But now, after the renovation and optimization of the 21-storey building in the heart of Toronto’s downtown business district, a six-month period of monitoring and assessment has taken place and the results have been as originally foreseen.

“After six months, the building has been through an extremely cold winter and part of a moderate summer,” says Morgan McDonald, Director of Operations with Ledcor Renew. “Our analysis shows that we are right on track to meet the nearly 40 per cent energy reduction that we predicted.

“Verifying performance is a challenging but vital part of our work. After 12 months, we will repeat the process, striving to improve on the input data so that we can reduce the uncertainty in our calculations.”

A spokesperson for Morguard Brokerage, Renew Ledcor’s client for the project, shared in McDonald’s satisfaction with the entire process.

“We are extremely pleased that the performance guarantee is moving ahead as we envisioned,” says Tullio Capulli, Morguard’s Vice President, Property Management Office & Industrial, “and the energy savings for our HVAC in the past six months has decreased 36%, taking into account adjustments related to weather and occupancy.

“With electricity costs increasing yearly we are extremely happy with the savings to date and [anticipated] in the future.”

Moving ahead, McDonald says the building will be pursuing LEED for Existing Buildings, targeting a Gold classification.

Ledcor

When the project began over four years ago, Ledcor Renew, which specializes in retrofitting existing structures, got the ball rolling by demonstrating to Morguard that a business case could be made showing how the site would be rejuvenated for another 25-plus years.

During the retrofit, finished in September 2013, a number of special challenges arose – not the least of which was doing all the work while the building was fully occupied.

Looking back, McDonald says Ledcor Renew offered a fixed price construction guarantee as well as a performance guarantee to the client.

“Not knowing what is possible can sometimes be a barrier to decision making,” he says. “But this is part of our service offering; working with our clients to develop, design, build, and perform deep green retrofits on aging buildings in our urban centres.”

34179-B-04-L

He says evaluating performance began back when the project was still a concept on paper.

“We had to anticipate all of the changes we would make as a result of our project, as well as the changes to the building that might take place independent of our project, so that we could isolate, forecast, and later verify, the energy savings attributable to our project alone.”

Energy modeling for the project, he says, was done by M&E consultant, Enermodal Engineering (now part of MMM Group.)

“Post retrofit, we gathered data on energy conservation, weather, building occupancy and any changes to how the building is being used since the original energy model was created,” McDonald points out. “Our method follows the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) Option C, which is for a whole-building retrofit using real data as opposed to just the energy model.”

BIM HVAC Progress

This innovative project at 77 Bloor Street West included the renovation and optimization of a 21-storey office building with ground floor retail at the corner of Bay and Bloor Streets, one of Canada’s most prominent retail shopping districts. Amenities included are shopping, dining (including on-site), entertainment, galleries, art dealers, banking, convenience store and two levels of underground parking. The goal was to reposition the building as Class A calibre, improving the overall long-term returns as well as tenant comfort and retention. Ledcor Renew, a Ledcor Group business division that specializes in retrofitting existing structures, was chosen as a partner to help measure, examine, analyze and implement a building retrofit to achieve those goals.

Web
http://www.ledcor.com/renew

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

The Transformer

Leave a comment

Louie Santaguida makes it his business to take building development to another level

Luigi (Louie) Santaguida was looking at alternative building techniques and technologies long before his contemporaries.
So it comes as no surprise to the Ontario developer – the founder/CEO of Stanton Renaissance – that his peers are now beginning to follow his lead.
“I believe the development community, including low-rise, high-rise mid-rise, commercial, retail, industrial and institutional,” says Santaguida, “are having to notice the concern/demand of homeowners, end users, renters and investors.
“And that concern/demand is the topic of lower operating costs, with cleaner living environments and better design. This is forcing the development and building community to look at alternatives.”
Those alternatives, it turns out, have been utilized by Stanton Renaissance for quite some time now. 
“We have been on the cutting edge of this phenomenon,” says Santaguida. “We’ve been leading the way. We are an advocate of best technology practices, with no environmental impacts, lower operating costs and increased quality of living – all the while managing favourable and ergonomical living.”
With Santaguida leading the way, Stanton Renaissance has forged ahead as more than a development company in southern Ontario; taking brownfield properties and transforming them into useable emerging communities. Part and parcel to that approach is the will to take dysfunctional areas and maximize their unrealized environmental, social and economic potentials.

It’s this vision that sets him apart.

A quick look at some of the major projects/developments undertaken by Stanton Renaissance provides ample proof of Santaguida’s distinctive approach.

On The Go Mimico

 

It should come as no surprise that On The Go Mimico offers Toronto’s only residential condominiums directly connected to the GO Transit system from the exterior lobby entrance; the Santaguida touch, if you will, but it doesn’t stop there. One of the most noticeable features is that the project will incorporate an integrated geoexchange and cogeneration technology that will help residents save up to 30 per cent on utility costs over a seven-year period.

The Connolly

Working with the City of Hamilton, Stanton Renaissance is designing this 30-storey mixed use development to preserve the building’s heritage and its unique architectural qualities. And, again, there’s a big environmental upside – revolutionary geothermal and cogeneration technologies are being utilized, with new high-efficiency parking lifts.

The JunXion Condos

 

This residential development in the St. Clair and Keele Junction area of Toronto will be a complete revitalization with space for the arts, local business and a farmer’s market, office and retail. This will also be the first development in Canada to incorporate not one, but three, methods of sustainable heating, cooling and power – geoexchange/cogeneration, solar energy and wind power – all in one master-plan community.

Wychwood Place

Another transformation of a historical church, this time in Toronto’s Bathurst and St. Clair, Wychwood community. With heritage preservation and conservation, the latest green and clean technologies are in place at the Wychwood Davenport Presbyterian Church, with plans to re-energize the property with a boutique condominium lifestyle in the heart of Toronto. This will include residential and retail, as well as commercial units.

On The Go Guildwood 


An eight-storey affordable condominium residence with over 100 units transforming a tired Kingston Road area, with standout environmental features and stellar lifestyle amenities. It will also be employing Stanton Renaissance’s state of the art, Sustainable Central Cooling Heating Power (CCHP) plant.
If you notice a trend in the aforementioned Stanton Renaissance projects, it’s understandable.  It’s more of Santaguida’s feel for the future.
“The [green building] movement is now becoming an industry standard,” he tells Green Building and Sustainable Strategies magazine. “The industry is looking at more technology-based solutions that will impact lower operating costs in the areas of heating, cooling, power generation, environmentally-sound finishes and exterior wall systems.

“We believe that consumers and end users are not necessarily looking for LEED solutions, but going beyond that – something that Stanton Renaissance is providing.”
Always looking for a competitive edge, Santaguida has also embraced a working relationship with Mike Holmes, the professional contractor and creator/host of the popular television series Holmes on Homes. Working with the real estate division of The Holmes Group, and its Holmes Approved Homes program, Stanton Renaissance is able to integrate proper building practices and cutting-edge products and technology.
“Once The Holmes Group got wind of the clean and sustainable technology we were using – the combination of geoexchange and cogeneration,” says Santaguida, “their directors approached us.
“Being the first Canadian developer using this system in a high rise caught their attention. As it turns out, the two parties are both passionate about sustainability, and that brought them together. The plan is to evolve from project to project, working together to provide the best of clean and sustainable living for their residents.”
Santaguida and Holmes have now forged ahead from that starting point, forming a new quality and standard under the brand “Stanton Holmes Approved” communities. Sounds like more of the Santaguida touch – a visionary if ever there was one.

Web
stantonrenaissance.com

_G5Q7047

Did you know?
Louie Santaguida is very philanthropic. “I am a big supporter and donor for Sick Kids and AGO, Covenant House, and children’s charities in general. I am also a very big advocate of a clean Earth. I am also passionate about protecting animals.”

Santaguida begins his developments with Visionization™ – clean living in the real world. 
“Visionization is the next tier in sustainable, green initiatives, based upon the theory that if we can dream it, we can make it happen,” he says. “Science and technology have reached such an apex of possibilities that as we harness their components to create new abilities, we in fact create new, clean structures that have a minimal impact upon our air and our water, our bodies and our future.  At Stanton Renaissance, Visionization™  is changing the world we live in; one condominium at a time. The future is happening right now in a Stanton Renaissance building.”