Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation

Location

583 Duncan Avenue West

Penticton, British Columbia

Canada

V2A 8E1

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Certifications & Awards
  • LEED Canada for New Construction and Major Renovations (registered)
Project Team
  • Client: Okanagan College
  • Architect: CEI Architecture
  • Construction Manager: PCL Contractors Westcoast Inc.
  • Sustainability: Recollective

Summary

The Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation at Okanagan College is one of the greenest buildings in the world. It was designed and constructed as an innovative, sustainable post-secondary facility that is highly adapted to its site, climate and context. The facility supports a syllabus with a focus on sustainable building technologies and processes, as well as research and development of alternative and renewable sources of energy. As such, the innovative features of the building itself will be used as a teaching tool to help train the next generation of tradespeople in green construction practices.
The Centre of Excellence has been designed to meet the ambitious targets of not only LEED Platinum, the highest level of LEED certification, but also the Living Building Challenge, the greenest rating system in the world – requiring net-zero energy and water consumption, as well as several other Imperatives. At 6,780 square meters, this project is the largest in the world to target the Living Building Challenge. The Centre of Excellence has used passive design strategies and leading edge renewable energy technologies in order to pursue its goals of net zero energy and water while providing a high quality learning environment and an inspiration for green building designers. Maximizing the use of wood for structure and finishes, the two-storey, multi-purpose facility accommodates expanded trades and technology training and professional development, focused on sustainable building technologies and processes and on the use of alternative and renewable energy sources. It houses amenities for students, staff and the community at large, which includes: a gymnasium, fitness room and kitchen/cafeteria space. The Centre of Excellence also provides space for incubation facilities, as well as research and development led by, and in partnership with, industry and not-for-profit organizations. Companies working on cutting-edge technology involve students in their research leading to curriculum that meets ever changing needs. Sustainability Highlights:
  • Targeting Living Building Challenge and LEED Platinum
  • Largest photovoltaic array for a non-utility organization in Canada
  • Expected to consume less energy than a typical LEED Gold building
  • Sun-tracking light pipes magnify sunlight by a factor of ten
  • Vacuum tube solar panels supply hot water needs
  • Accessible green roof planted with local flora attracts local species
  • Nearly 100% B.C. wood, including local pine beetle-kill and FSC timber