Download CCW 13-087 - County of Simcoe

COUNTY OF SIMCOE
To:
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Section:
Performance Management – Procurement, Fleet and Property
Item Number:
CCW 13-087
Meeting Date:
November 12, 2013
Subject:
Canadian Green Building Council Award
(County Road 90 road improvements)
Recommendation:
THAT Item CCW 13-087, regarding an award received by the architects who designed the County of
Simcoe’s Administration Centre addition, be received for information.
Executive Summary:
Ted Handy and Associates has been awarded the 2013 Canadian Green Building Award for their work
designing the County of Simcoe Administration Centre addition. This Item provides a summary of the
award for Council’s information.
Background/Analysis/Options:
Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine is described as follows on their website:
“The Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine (SABMag) and the SAB Canadian Green Building
Awards together represent one of the most significant sources of sustainable design information,
practices and related products from the Canadian perspective. SABMag covers sustainable nonresidential construction and the SAB Canadian Green Building Awards annually awards the best
Canadian green buildings as selected by a panel of independent design and building professionals. In all
respects, we look at sustainable design and green building through Canadian eyes, with an
understanding of Canadian climatic conditions, and the practices and products that will deliver best
building performance.”
The Canadian Green Building Awards recognize excellence in the design and execution of Canadian
buildings, houses and interiors based on the criteria of sustainable design, architectural merit and
technical innovation. The 2013 award winners were announced on June 4, 2013, at the Canadian Green
Building Council National Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Ted Handy and Associates
received the award for the County of Simcoe Administration Centre addition.
November 12, 2013
Committee of the Whole CCW 13-087
Page 2
The jury awarding the 2013 Canadian Green Building Award made the following comments with regard to
the design of the County of Simcoe Administration Centre’s design:
“The jury was charmed by the clever plan and the aesthetics of this project that succeeded in integrating
the existing and new portions of the building into a cohesive whole. The sinuous form, wrapping around
the existing cross-form typology, creates a series of courtyards that ensure ample natural light throughout
the building. The jury also liked the simple approach and the absence of technical gadgetry. The project
demonstrates the kind of leadership we should expect from our municipalities.
The Simcoe County Administrative Centre on the outskirts of Midhurst, ON serves a population of nearly
500,000 residents spread between Georgian Bay in the west, and Lake Simcoe in the east.
The client’s initial requirements for the project were straightforward: to create additional office space for
the County and to improve the circulation in the entire facility. However, synergies were quickly found
between the programmatic objectives and the various green design strategies that could transform the
existing, dark and inward looking structure into an engaging, light-filled environment for County
employees and the public alike.
The new LEED Gold 6,551 m2, two-storey addition wraps around the existing building, taking full
advantage of the surrounding views, day lighting and natural ventilation and creating a corridor and a
series of interior courtyards between the existing and new structures.
This new accessible corridor becomes a key public space, connecting visitors to the activities of the
Centre. The expansion provides much needed additional office space as well as a strategy for future
growth.
The narrow floor plate of the addition minimizes the impact of the new footprint on the existing
surroundings. The new structure sits primarily on what were previously asphalt areas, resulting in very
little increase to the hard surfaces on the site.
The new facility provides designated carpool parking and easy wheelchair access, making it accessible
to a broader spectrum of county residents. The addition encourages interdepartmental exchange and
provides an enhanced circulation system that integrates new and existing parts of the building.
In accordance with the principles of passive design, solar orientation and predominant wind patterns
were analyzed and the building adjusted to minimize exposure to the western sun. The forest to the north
and west provides a natural wind break.
The metal-clad structure is designed to maximize the reflection of heat, maintain continuous views and
capture natural light. Glazing is carefully planned with overhangs for shading and smaller windows
employed in areas subject to heat gain, while maintaining the maximum views permitted. Insulation
values achieve optimum performance and reduce the overall energy demand.
A high-performance building envelope with R30 exterior foam insulation, a thermally broken cladding
system and superior double-glazed windows reduces overall energy demand, while energy-efficient
mechanical systems harvest available energy for heating and cooling. These systems include water-to-air
ground source heat pumps with reversible chillers, connected to a 54-well geothermal field - as well as
photovoltaic panels that supply 5% of the building’s energy needs.
System choices were made using energy modelling and cost/benefit analysis to determine the pay-back
November 12, 2013
Committee of the Whole CCW 13-087
Page 2
periods for each technology. The building is divided into multiple heating and cooling zones for energy
efficiency and flexibility.
Rainwater is diverted from the roof and directed to a 33,000L storage tank for irrigation purposes. A
Waterloo Biofilter® system is used to treat 100% of all wastewater generated to tertiary effluent quality
criteria before it is discharged to the subsurface in a shallow area bed. A WaterNOx® system provides
enhanced nitrogen removal from the wastewater stream before it is returned to the ground.
The administration centre offers a green education outreach program, as well as in-house monitoring and
display of building performance in real time. The combination of engaging architecture and public
education reinforces the building’s role as the flagship public facility in the county’’.
The press release issued by Ted Handy and Associates reads as follows:
“We`re proud to have received a 2013 Canadian Green Building Award for the County of Simcoe
Administrative Centre expansion. Designed in partnership with Teeple Architects of Toronto, the
expansion is intended to resolve the complex access to the existing building and to take advantage of a
natural site. Public access to 22 different departments are improved though the design of an external
ring, which connects existing spaces and new areas of the building. Along with much needed public
space, the design also includes a new cafeteria and lounge area for staff. The expansion was carefully
sited to minimize the impact to the site. The new addition is LEED Gold certified.”
The award plaque is pictured in Schedule 1 and will be hung in the atrium of the Administration Centre.
Financial and Resource Implications:
There are no financial implications to this Item.
Relationship to Corporate Strategies:
This report is related to Strategic Direction D, Environmental Sustainability.
Reference Documents:
No reference documents are attached to this Item.
Attachments:
Schedule 1 SAB Award Plaque
Schedule 1
13-087.jpg
Prepared By:
Dawn Hipwell, Director, Procurement, Fleet and Property
Approvals:
Date:
Trevor Wilcox, General Manager, Corporate Performance
Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer
October 30, 2013
November 1, 2013