A new 96,000-sf building designed by B+H Architects and mcCallumSather will provide students of Ontario’s Mohawk College with solar-powered state-of-the-art labs, workshops, open study spaces, and a lecture theater when construction completes in 2018.
The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation will become one of the first net-zero energy institutional buildings in the region. The architects worked with manufacturers and building scientists to develop a new curtain wall system that incorporates isolation gaskets in order to achieve the energy conservation targets. This new curtain wall system has an effective R20 thermal performance.
Rendering courtesy of B+H + mcCallumSather.
The new building will be powered by solar panel “wings” on top of the four-story structuure. “We really wanted to elevate the concept of capturing the sun’s energy and making it a design feature as opposed to a series of panels that are going on the roof,” says Joanne McCallem, Director and Co-Founder of mcCallumSather. These solar wings become the most distinctive aspect of the design.
Inside of the building, a large atria flows into modular classrooms that are organized around a central common area. The layout encourages social learning. The architects want the design to make people aware of the energy they use and force them to change their habits. For example, visitors will not be able to leave their laptop plugged in for hours on end throughout the day.
Rendering courtesy of B+H + mcCallumSather.
The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation is expected to be ready for students for the fall 2018 term.
Rendering courtesy of B+H + mcCallumSather.
Related Stories
Urban Planning | Nov 11, 2021
Reimagining the concrete and steel jungle, SOM sees buildings that absorb more carbon than they emit
The firm presented its case for a cleaner built environment during the Climate Change conference in Scotland.
Sustainability | Nov 9, 2021
The future of regenerative building is performance-based
Why measuring performance results is so critical, but also easier said than done.
Sustainability | Oct 28, 2021
Reducing embodied carbon in construction, with sustainability leader Sarah King
Sustainability leader Sarah King explains how developers and contractors can use the new EC3 software tool to reduce embodied carbon in their buildings.
| Oct 14, 2021
The future of mass timber construction, with Swinerton's Timberlab
In this exclusive for HorizonTV, BD+C's John Caulfield sat down with three Timberlab leaders to discuss the launch of the firm and what factors will lead to greater mass timber demand.
Green | Oct 6, 2021
My reaction to the UN IPCC Climate Change 2021 report: Ugh!
The recent report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is not a happy read.
Data Centers | Sep 22, 2021
Wasted energy from data centers could power nearby buildings
A Canadian architecture firm comes up with a concept for a community that’s part of a direct-current microgrid.
Sponsored | Sustainability | Sep 20, 2021
A Beginner’s Handbook to LEED Building Design and Construction
Sponsored | Sustainability | Sep 17, 2021
The Benefits of Investing in ESG Sustainable Business Practices
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices are a hot topic in the corporate world. Here’s why you should prioritize them in your business.
Sustainable Design and Construction | Aug 20, 2021
Latest UN IPCC report on climate change should be cause for concern among AEC professionals and the real estate industry
The UN IPCC report on climate change is a must-read for architects, engineers, contractors and developers.
Sponsored | Sustainability | Aug 20, 2021
Measuring Sustainability: Determine Where You Stand and What to Do Next
Measuring sustainability operations is necessary to prove your sustainable facilities practices. To measure your success, there are two key factors you need.
