SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS A New Approach to Building CAUBO 2006 John Metras, P.Eng. University of British Columbia

Overview What is a sustainable or “green” building? What is LEED ® ? Why build green? How much does it cost? Case Study: UBC Life Sciences Centre Challenges Keys to Success

What is a sustainable building? Uses key resources more efficiently – energy, water, materials and land Reduces ecological loading – greenhouse gases, ozone-depleting substances, wastes Creates healthier environments for people to live, work and learn Has lower overall lifecycle costs

What is LEED ® ? Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Rating system for developing high performance, sustainable buildings Voluntary, consensus-based, well recognized Developed by US Green Building Council Adapted by the Canada Green Bldg Council

LEED ® Point System Performance CategoryCredits/Points Sustainable Sites8 credits / 14 points Water Efficiency3 credits / 5 points Energy & Atmosphere6 credits / 17 points Materials & Resources7 credits / 13 points Indoor Environmental Quality8 credits / 15 points Innovation & Design Process2 credits / 5 points

LEED ® Rating Levels LEED DesignationRequired Points Total Possible Points69 points LEED ® Platinum52+ points LEED ® Gold39 – 51 points LEED ® Silver33 – 38 points LEED ® Certified26 – 32 points

Applications for LEED ®

Why use LEED ® ? Provides a common and consistent framework for defining a “green” building Is relatively simple to implement Is not overly prescriptive Can be adapted for local climates and standards Provides legitimacy of 3 rd party certification Is gaining momentum as the accepted rating system

LEED ® Projects in Canada

Positioning of LEED ® in the Market

Green Building Benefits 25-60% energy savings 30-50% water savings CBIP financial incentive Improved worker productivity – due to improved lighting and thermal comfort Reduced sick time from allergies, asthma & respiratory illness Lower life-cycle costs

Financial Benefits Source:The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings A Report to California’s Sustainable Building Task Force – October 2003

Financial Benefit Breakdown Source:The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings A Report to California’s Sustainable Building Task Force – October 2003

Capital Cost Premium Source:The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings A Report to California’s Sustainable Building Task Force – October 2003

Case Study: UBC Life Sciences Centre

UBC Life Sciences Centre Architects: Bunting Coady/Diamond & Schmitt Construction Manager:Ledcor Area:52,000m 2 / 560,000ft 2 Cost:$110 million Occupants: 2,654 staff, researchers, students Energy:28% less than standard building Water:50% less than standard building LEED ® Rating:Gold

UBC Life Sciences Centre Sustainable Site Brownfield site Bicycle storage & changing facilities No new parking spaces Re-vegetated 87.5% of landscape with native and adapted plants Erosion & sediment control during construction

UBC Life Sciences Centre Water Efficiency Dual-flush toilets Waterless urinals Sensor-controlled faucets 87.5% of irrigation system to be de-commissioned after 1 year plant establishment period

UBC Life Sciences Centre Energy Efficiency 28% better than ASHRAE 90.1 standard Annual energy savings of 6.4MWh, equal to $180,000 Heat recovery systems Demand ventilation Maximum natural lighting Motion sensor lighting controls

UBC Life Sciences Centre Materials & Resources Local building materials, 10% recycled content 80% of construction waste recycled or salvaged Green housekeeping practices Comprehensive recycling and composting program

UBC Life Sciences Centre Indoor Environmental Quality Low-emitting materials CO 2 monitoring BMS for environmental control and monitoring Displacement ventilation Maximum natural lighting Green housekeeping program

Other Green Buildings at UBC CK Choi Building (1994) Liu Centre (1999) Technology Enterprise Facility III (2003) - LEED ® Silver Certified ICICS Building (2005) Frederick Kaiser Building (2005) Aquatic Ecosystems Research Lab (2005) - LEED ® Silver Certified Buchanan “D” Block Renewal (2006) - LEED ® Silver (planned)

Challenges High expectations of building performance Acoustics Waterless urinals & dual-flush toilets Motion sensor activated lighting Operating systems at optimal level

Keys to Success Incorporate green principles at the beginning of the design process Involve operations staff early in the design process Avoid unmanageable complexity in building systems Undertake a thorough commissioning process Ensure staff are properly trained in building system operation

Summary Why Build Green? Proven environmental & health benefits Minimal initial cost premium Life-cycle cost savings

Further Information Canada Green Building Council US Green Building Council UBC Campus Sustainability Office