The SW1 Gateway Building, a three-story structure and courtyard infill that includes office, study and gathering space, is the first BCIT building to achieve LEED® Gold Certification!
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized rating system based on principles and practices that make building construction and operations more sustainable. The certification process typically takes around three years after construction is complete during which the Canadian Green Building Council, who oversees LEED certification in Canada, conducts a series of project reviews. These reviews include ongoing building systems monitoring to ensure building performance.
The LEED rating is based on a point system (out of 100 possible points). SW1 Gateway achieved points in following categories:
Sustainable Sites
- Convenient public transportation access
- Bike storage and changing room facilities
- Electric vehicle charging station
Water Efficiency
30% less water use compared to market design by including:
- Low flow toilets, faucets and shower heads
- A landscaping water system that uses less than 50% of the water used in typical market design
Energy and Atmosphere
- Optimization of daylight and reduction on lighting power density (LPD)
- Use of Smart Controls on pumps and fans (variable frequency drives, occupancy sensors, etc.)
- Windows and shading designed to minimize heat gains in summer and heat losses in winter
- Use of high performance wall and roof insulation, as well as a section of ventilated double façade, to minimize heat gains in summer and heat losses in winter
- Use of chilled beams within the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
- Advanced metering giving real time energy consumption feedback to occupants and building operators
- Full building commissioning and measurement and verification
- Geo-thermal exchange heating source
Materials and Resources
- More than 75% of construction waste diverted from the landfill (eg. re-use of crushed concrete from the demolition)
- At least 15% of the material had a recycled content, more than 20% recycled, and more than 25% regional including:
- Recycled material salvaged from demolished west wing building
- Recycled carpet tile and interior fixtures from 2010 Olympics
- Crushed concrete used as fill
- Trees and boulders relocated to other locations onsite
Indoor Environmental Quality
- Low emitting adhesives and sealants, paints and coating, carpet, composite wood and laminate adhesives
- Temperature monitoring and ASHRAE compliance for thermal comfort
Innovation & Design
- Use of certified wood
- Green Housekeeping Program
- Integrated Pest Management Program
The official LEED Gold certification plaque was installed this week and can be viewed in the main entrance hall of SW1 Gateway.
For more information about SW1 Gateway including the detailed project sheet and LEED scorecard, visit the BCIT : : Facilities and Campus Development : : SW1 Gateway Project webpage.
NB: This article was written by Gerald Narciso.