A research building at U of T Scarborough has been recognized for its innovative sustainable design by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).
The Environmental Science and Chemistry Building (ESCB) has been awarded the 2018 Institutional Award by the CaGBC, which recognizes high-performing eco-friendly buildings in Canada.
The award was presented to Diamond Schmitt on Monday night before the World Green Building Council conference taking place in Toronto from June 5th to 7th.
Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects and built by EllisDon, the building, which runs on the principles of sustainability and collaboration, officially opened in 2016.
The 10, 000 sq. m building houses laboratories and teaching spaces for the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences that promote collaboration and group discussions with open-concept working spaces. Fitting to its name and location on the edge of a ravine, the five-storey building was inspired by nature.
The LED-lit building includes an earth tube system, where a geothermal heat pump system heats and cools the building from either storing or drawing heat from the ground.
Its roof is even designed to recycle rainwater, where underground cisterns irrigate the surrounding land. The building even uses low-flow plumbing to reduce water consumption.
While this is just a short list of the building’s internal and external elements, its innovation, sustainability and responsible approach has earned its Leadership and Energy Design certification.
The ESCB also received gold certification from the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) in 2016.