Friday, April 4, 2008

NRC Facility Achieves New Sustainability Standards

Innovative fuel cell technologies propel NRC facility to LEED® Gold
Vancouver, B.C.

The National Research Council Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation (NRC-IFCI), located on the campus of the University of British Columbia, has been awarded the prestigious LEED® Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for new construction certification by the United States Green Building Council. LEED® certification is the globally recognised standard for measuring building sustainability.

Designed by the leading sustainable architectural practice of Bunting Coady Architects, the 71,000 square foot fuel cell research facility incorporates sustainable design, construction and operational features that significantly reduce environmental impact. A unique aspect of the centre is that the technology used to partially power the building was developed by the resident user groups and can be incorporated by the sustainable building industry. The full suite of technologies featured in this progressive facility includes a ground source heat pump to provide natural-source heating and cooling, a 5KW solid oxide fuel cell system powered by natural gas and a photovoltaic array to capture energy from sunlight. The anticipated 34% energy usage savings amounts to an annual reduction of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions of 184 tons - sufficient to power 37 typical Vancouver homes or 26 cars. Green power credit purchases offset 100% of the facility’s regulated electrical usage, thereby contributing directly to the existing renewable energy infrastructure.

Additional features that contributed to NRC-IFCI’s LEED® Gold certification include:

• Careful site selection, which avoided sensitive land types (farmlands, wetlands, habitat and parkland). The open space surrounding the building is larger than the building footprint and NRC has guaranteed its conservation for the lifetime of the building.

• Innovative design techniques minimise light pollution and ensure zero light encroachment to adjacent properties and the surrounding atmosphere. Onsite lighting systems monitor both daylight levels and occupancy use.

• The indoor air standards go well beyond the required provincial non-smoking requirement. Air systems are protected by gateway grills, designed to capture dirt and particulates, while the chemical rooms have dedicated exhaust systems. Carbon dioxide monitoring systems have been incorporated throughout the building to detect elevated levels and increase fresh air to the facility.

• Sixty-one per cent of all materials used in the construction of the facility were produced locally, thereby reducing transportation costs and GHG emissions. Only non or low VOC (volatile organic compound) emitting materials were used in interior adhesives, sealant, paints, carpets, agrifibers and most woods.

• The introduction of drought tolerant native plants has helped to enhance both building performance and site ecosystems. No permanent irrigation system is required for the entire site.

The $20 million centre also promotes alternative transportation options through easy access to public transportation, bicycle storage stalls and shower facilities. There is also a hydrogen refuelling station and parking spaces for car or van pooling.

From conception, the design team worked towards LEED® certification and utilized the Integrated Design Process, as pioneered by Bunting Coady Architects, to incorporate the mechanical, electrical, civil and architectural requirements for the project. Teresa Coady, Chief Executive Officer for Bunting Coady Architects and Principal In Charge of Design, is delighted with the outcome: “This cutting-edge facility works exactly in harmony with nature and provides a sustainable and comfortable working environment. We believe NRC-IFCI to be one of the first market-driven buildings to approach the ‘Living Breathing Building’™ standard.”

Professional high resolution photographs are available upon request

About Bunting Coady Architects:

Bunting Coady Architects (www.buntingcoady.com) is an innovative, full service, architectural practice based in Vancouver BC, Canada. With a reputation for creating high performance buildings and sustainable architecture, our design philosophy is to create ‘Living Breathing Buildings’™. We have won over 50 Awards for design quality and building performance and have been internationally recognized as the only practice to have won the BOMA Earth Award four times. We have more square footage of LEED® NC Gold certified projects than any other architectural firm in North America.
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For further information please contact:

Honor Morris
Communications Manager, Bunting Coady Architects
Tel: 604.979.9930
hmorris@buntingcoady.com

© 2008, Bunting Caody Architects.
www.buntingcoady.com

NRC Facility Achieves New Sustainability Standards
posted by Bunting Coady - Newsroom on Friday, April 04, 2008

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