LEED® Consultant - Advicas Group Consultants Inc.

Introduction

The University of Victoria is pursuing LEED® Gold for the new Social Sciences & Mathematics Building. One of the fundamental objectives established in the Programme of Requirements was the incorporation of sustainable design principals to the greatest extent possible. The University desired to inform both the campus and the broader community of its commitment to a healthy environment and a sustainable future. Those long-term, sustainable objectives influenced the building form, components and systems as the design evolved.

This facility houses the administrative offices of four academic departments and three support groups. In addition, the building has research labs, teaching labs, classrooms, 156 offices for academic staff, and four tiered lecture theaters with a total of 610 seats. This building encloses approximately 9,090 m² of space in a structure that varies from three to five levels. The massing of the building creates a courtyard within which additional outdoor teaching spaces and research gardens are accommodated while preserving pedestrian thoroughfares along strong desire lines around the building’s perimeter.

Another fundamental design principal was flexibility. It was acknowledged that during the life of this building, numerous adjustments will be required to accommodate the movements of tenants, changing pedagogical needs and the evolution of technology. To accommodate future reconfigurations, this building features a wide-span modular layout, flat ceilings and readily accessible service networks.

To be truly sustainable, a building must be durable. Therefore, durability was another fundamental objective of this project. Wherever possible, structural elements (walls, columns, ceilings, stair landings, beams and brackets) and service components (piping, ducts, cable trays and wiring) are exposed, with no embellishment or surface treatment. Ease of access for modifications, repairs and maintenance was maximized. Most circulation areas have stained and polished concrete floors. The building envelope includes a rain screen envelope clad with highly durable cementitious panels and a curtain wall glazing system. The hallways of this institutional environment are protected by a wainscoting of MDF panels that were applied with removable fasteners to enable repair/replacement and to provide reconfiguration flexibility. The majority of funding for this $40 million project was provided by BC’s Ministry of Education, with the balance supplied by Environment Canada and the University of Victoria.

Project Highlights

Stormwater Management

The site was previously developed as a parking lot with approximately 3.5 Ha of asphalt paving. The parking lot was surrounded by curbs and no stormwater detention or treatment was provided.

This project provided an integrated stormwater detention system with bioswales, ponds, open-grid paving and vegetated green roofs throughout with plantings of indigenous trees, shrubs, and groundcover. More than 60% of the LPSA was protected or restored with native or adaptive vegetation. The volume of stormwater leaving the site has been significantly reduced and the amount/toxicity of pollution has been lowered significantly by natural onsite treatment processes.

Natural Ventilation

Tenants of this building enjoy individual control of natural ventilation. The narrow building section, operable windows, a centralized thermal chimney and central atrium space combine to promote natural ventilation and air flow through much of this building.

Energy Performance

This building has a high degree of energy efficiency – the energy modeling demonstrating a 33% improved efficiency over the Model National Energy Code. The building design uses extensive glazing to borrow natural light for illumination of interior spaces and hallways, thereby encouraging natural daylighting over artificial illumination in the majority of the building’s regularly occupied spaces. The exterior glazing includes a coating that resists the transfer of heat or cold through the glass. A high-performance exterior envelope, natural ventilation, extremely efficient interior lighting and a green roof all contribute to energy conservation.

Landscaping

This project inspired the School of Environmental Studies to take learning outside of the classroom. The Restoration of Natural Systems Program introduced courses such as "The Propagation of Native Plants." The University’s Grounds Crew audited the course and then began propagating native plants in their greenhouses. Students also grew plant materials for this project and will continue to do so for other campus landscape activities.

The growing medium for all of the soft landscaping, including the vegetated roof, is a blend of composted materials and topsoil that was gathered on campus. The all native landscape and vegetated roof are available for on-going research and learning. To the greatest extent possible, the design team enabled the landscaping and the building to be learning tools that support the University’s pedagogical mission.

Innovation

This project showcases mountain pine beetle wood. The structural roof support beams over the building’s main atrium space demonstrate the potential for integrating “waste wood” in an architecturally significant way. Further value added opportunities for the use of this wood are demonstrated in furniture items like lecterns and benches in and around the high-use teaching spaces. The project also showcases native clay salvaged during the excavation of the site, with artistic panels featured in the main atrium space that contain fired-clay artifacts integrated with various found objects from research performed by the building’s tenants.