evolv1 earns Canada’s first Zero Carbon Building-Design certification

evolv1, a multi-tenant commercial office building under construction in Waterloo, Ont., was awarded Zero Carbon Building – Design certification by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). It is the first building to earn this award.

In order to earn the certification, evolv1 needed to show it has modeled a zero carbon balance for future operations, incorporated a highly efficient envelope and ventilation system to meet a defined threshold for thermal energy demand intensity, and designed onsite renewable energy systems capable of providing a minimum of 5% of building energy consumption. Over the first 12 months of operation, evolv1 will monitor performance to demonstrate it has achieved a zero emissions balance.

The high-performance building envelope incorporates triple glazing, a solar wall for preheated ventilation, a geo-exchange/VRF HVAC system, a three-story green wall, and a combination of photovoltaics. The building is also targeting LEED Platinum certification and will produce more energy than it consumes.

The Cora Group developed the project, which is slated for completion in summer 2018, Stantec designed and engineered it, and Melloul Blamey is building it.

The new elements of the facility now include: efficient lighting with day-lighting controls and occupancy sensors, a high-efficiency HVAC system used in conjunction with a newly constructed thermal envelope to help reduce energy consumption, and the installation of low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption.

The building is 27% more energy efficient than similar buildings, uses 21% less

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