GEOG 442 – Urban Land Assessment  Proposal for a Sustainable Pilot Building on Campus

Core Project ValuesCore Project Values  Transparency – The design should “speak” the principles of sustainability and responsible accounting to the University and wider community.  Sustainability – This is not a “green” building. This project should be sustainable not only ecologically, but economically and culturally.

Sustainable Design PrinciplesSustainable Design Principles  The use of buildings as educational tools.  Reconnecting humans with the natural environment.  Promoting sustainable values & practices  Increasing public awareness  Communicating the cultural and historical understandings of a site within local, regional and global contexts.

Aesthetics of EntryAesthetics of Entry  Creates a Zone of Transisition  Users leave the world of consumption behind and enter a world where sustainable values are the norm.  Can act as a gateway to the entire campus.  Participatory – Rite of Passage

Prototypes

Slunakov Education Center Czech Republic

Slunakov Education Center - Czech Republic  Educate public about sustainability  Sustainably harvested wood  Geo-thermal heat

Environmental Technology Center - Sonoma State University - CA

 Sustainable building materials  Photovoltaic power generation  “A building that teaches”

What’s best for VIU?What’s best for VIU?  Demonstrate sustainable building techniques and design principles  Serve as a center for a number of sustainable student activities  Educate students, faculty, and professionals about sustainability

Sustainable Building MaterialsSustainable Building Materials

 The concept of sustainable building incorporates a variety of strategies during the design, construction and operation of building projects.  The use of sustainable building materials and products represents one important strategy in the design of a building.

Characteristics  Sustainable building materials are composed of renewable, rather than non-renewable resources.  These materials are environmentally responsible because impacts are considered over the life of the product.  Reduces maintenance/replacement costs over the life of the building by means of:

Goals & BenefitsGoals & Benefits  Energy conservation  Improved occupant health and productivity  Lower costs associated with changing space configurations  Greater design flexibility

Energy SystemsEnergy Systems  Although there are a number of renewable energy systems available for use, because of VIU’s geographic location, there are only certain systems that are complementary to this project.

Suggested Systems:Suggested Systems:  Ground Source  Bio-fuels  Wood Energy  Photovoltaic (PV) arrays  Solar thermal systems  Wind energy systems

Possible Locations

Ideal Site Characteristics  Central  Accessible  Attractive  Level and non-forested  Sufficient surrounding space  Access to solar input

Building Context How the Sustainability Pilot Building interacts with it surroundings Being near the heart of campus Important for many reasons  Easy to access  Appears important and worth while Farmers Market  Something to consider  Planning vers. Organic What the building means to students  Current and future  Practical and Community aspects

Swap Shop  Because of space restrictions we would mostly have to focus on clothes – one or two racks of clothes hangers would be both efficient and feasible.  In warm weather we could possibly have larger swap meets outside, with reused things other than clothes.  If we have a staff member working the information booth, they could also accept/transfer funds for the sustainability pilot building.  Alternative ways of running the shop.  Volunteers  Recycling incentives  Depending on the success of the swap shop, other themed swap shops could be established on campus.

Awnings Fixed Awnings or Retractable Awnings??

Awnings: What Type of Fabric?? PVC Mesh Vinyl-Laminated Polyester Solution-Dyed Acrylic

Accessibility – Wheelchair Stair Lift  Least expensive of all accessibility options.  Initial cost starts at $4000- $6000 and up.  Could impact the total availability of floor space, depending on staircase layout.

Accessibility - Elevator  An elevator allows for versatility in moving people and objects between floors.  Initial install cost is upwards of $20,000.  Provincial regulations require ongoing maintenance for elevators – an additional operating cost to the facility.

Accessibility – Hillside Orientation  Orienting the building on a hillside would allow for access to both floors through the use of ramps, similar to the way this building is laid out.  Most expensive of the 3 options (upwards of $50,000).  Least operating and maintenance cost.

First Floor, Second Floor and Display Board Design Tyler Brown, Constanza Brieba, Deanna Legare

Figure 2: Conceptual first floor design

 Insert Tyler’s colours here

Sustainable Evaluation Framework 1)Front-end assessment and stakeholder interviews 2)Program Observation 3) Goal Setting and Logic Modeling Workshop 4) System Design, Literature Review and Instrument Development 5) Pilot Testing and Revision of System 6) Staff Training and Data Analysis Workshop

Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System for Colleges and Universities  STARS has a scorecard rating system designed specifically for higher education institutions  Does charge a fee to be a part of it  Not perfect, but has principles that could be used or adapted to fit our needs.

Sample Evaluation Categories  Sustainability Related Competition  Sustainability Focused courses  Sustainability Graduation requirement  Sustainability in New Employee Orientation  Departments involved in Sustainability research  Local Food  Fair Trade Coffee  Green Cleaning Service  Organic Campus (grounds)  On Site Combustion with Renewable fuel  Waste Diversion  EnergyStar Purchasing   Commute Modal Split