Green buildings
Vision
A campus where all facilities are built or renovated to meet current green building standards and act as physical tools of education for both the campus and broader community.
Sustainability action plan goals
- 100% of all capital building projects and major renovations will utilize an integrated approach to building planning, design, construction and operations.
- 100% of all new buildings will be constructed and certified as LEED Gold facilities.
- 50% of all major renovation projects registered in the LEED EB (existing buildings) program.
- 100% of all building spaces are cleaned with green cleaning techniques and products by 2011.
- To maintain and maximize the utilization of our physical infrastructure.
In the spring of 2006, UVic adopted sustainable development guidelines to assist decision making related to sustainability in new buildings and renovations. These guidelines essentially provide options for meeting the academic mission of the university in a manner that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.
The guidelines promote green buildings, which emphasize responsible construction and building practices, feature recycled materials and renewable resources, minimize impacts on natural areas, accommodate more floor space within a smaller building footprint, utilize systems that emphasize water and energy conservation and efficiency, and enhance indoor environmental air quality.
Green building features
All buildings built since 2006 include features such as:
- Erosion and sediment control plans
- Construction Waste reduction plan that is designed to increase the amount of material reused and recycled and reduce the amount of waste sent for landfill disposal
- Stormwater management approach using rainwater capture and on-site retention pond
- Compact, efficient building with modest footprint
- Natural ventilation system
- Low-E reflective glazing to minimize heat gain on the south façade
- Occupancy sensors in classrooms
- Treated waste water reuse initiative for toilets and urinals
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Green Power investments to off-set building energy consumption
- Green cleaning system
- Water-saving plumbing fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and sensor faucets
- Carpet made from recycled material
- Sheet goods flooring made of marmoleum
- On-site bike parking
- Use of concrete with high fly-ash content
- Use of permeable paving for access driveways
- Centralized recycling stations
- Native plant landscaping
- No ozone-depleting refrigerants as part of the mechanical refrigeration plant
- Cyclist shower and change room facilities
- Close proximity to transit
- Use of locally sourced building materials (esp. concrete and fill)
- Topsoil has been salvaged and will be used for other grounds projects
- Use of permeable paving
Buildings built after 2009 will integrate additional green features as outlined in the LEED rating program.
Green buildings on campus
Since the green building guidelines were adopted in 2006, every building the University of Victoria has constructed has incorporated sustainability into design, construction and operations.
The Medical Sciences Building was the first building on campus to earn Gold Level Status in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The Engineering Computer Science Building, Social Sciences and Mathematics Building, Administrative Services Building, the First Peoples House and the South Tower residence have all been certified LEED Gold since.
For a complete listing off all UVic buildings, see the UVic maps and buildings.
Green roofs
Several UVic buildings feature green roofs - roofs designed to support soil and plants.
The Social Sciences & Math Building has two roofs and several patio gardens with sumac and maple trees, strawberries and roses and lawns of native meadow mix. Grey water is used for watering.
The Engineering & Computer Science Building has a small (330 square meter) green roof and light-coloured gravel ballast (1200 sq. meters) was installed on the rest of the roof reducing absorption of solar radiation by the building, minimizing the heat island effect and reducing the cooling load within the building.
The First People's House has a green roof and storm retention pond.
