Green Building

Designed under the LEED rating system, this project is expected to receive a "gold" rating. We were required to carry out waste management and VOC monitoring according to specifications, but took it upon ourselves to attend the LEED Institute training to better understand green building requirements.

This project's green design includes:

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

On the KeyArena project in Seattle, PCL incorporated a recycling program as an integral part of the project, with the following results:

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

One of the owner's goals for this project is to obtain a LEED Gold Rating certified by the US Green Building Council. Unique features to obtain this rating include

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

A documented construction debris recycling program is also required. This project is a design-assist project as the design documents were 65% complete and we were hired to assist in completing them with our knowledge of LEED.

Working with the construction manager and the contractors, the project team identified suitable recyclers in the area. Together they were able to divert 89 percent of construction material from the landfill, surpassing the provincial target for the year 2000 of 50 percent diversion and the owner's original target of 30 percent.

Even when material had to be taken to the landfill, innovation played a key role. About $81,000 in landfill charges was saved by recycling terracotta tiles as clean fill.

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

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

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

Construction Phase

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

Using Sunlight

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

Using Natural Resources in Innovative Ways

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

Interior Finishes

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