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 Category Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy & Atmosphere Materials & Resources Credits/Points 8 credits / 14 points 3 credits / 5 points 6 credits / 17 points 7 credits / 13 points

Indoor Environmental Quality 8 credits / 15 points

Innovation & Design Process 2 credits / 5 points

LEED Rating Levels

LEED Designation Total Possible Points LEED Platinum LEED Gold LEED Silver LEED Certified Required Points 69 points 52+ points 39 51 points 33 38 points 26 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 3rd 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
Financial Benefits of Green Buildings (per ft2)
Category Energy Value Emissions Value Water Value Waste Value (construction only) 1 year Commissioning O7M Value Productivity and Health Value (Certified and Silver) Productivity and Health Value (Gold and Platinum) Less Green Cost Premium Total 20-year NPV (Certified and Silver) Total 20-year NPV (Gold and Platinum)
Source:

20-year NPV $5.79 $1.18 $0.51 $0.03 $8.47 $36.89 $55.33 ($4.00) $48.87 $67.31

The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings A Report to Californias Sustainable Building Task Force October 2003

Financial Benefit Breakdown

Percentage Breakdown of Green Building Financial Benefits
Energy 11% Emissions 2% Water 1% Waste 0% Reduced O&M 16%

Productivity & Health 70%

Source:

The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings A Report to Californias Sustainable Building Task Force October 2003

Capital Cost Premium

Source:

The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings A Report to Californias 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: 52,000m2 / 560,000ft2 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 CO2 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 http://www.cagbc.org/ US Green Building Council http://www.usgbc.org/ UBC Campus Sustainability Office http://www.sustain.ubc.ca/