LEED gold to second campus building

The Canada Green Building Council has conferred gold-level status in its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating program on UVic’s Engineering/Computer Science Building (ECS). This is the second building on campus to receive LEED gold status. The Medical Sciences Building was the first. As well, UVic’s Vancouver Island Technology Park is rated gold. In all, UVic owns three of the seven LEED-certified buildings in Victoria.

“UVic’s green building and renovation program is one part of its broader commitment to sustainability,” says UVic’s Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability Neil Connelly.

The 8,975-sq-m $25-million ECS building helps to address a serious space shortage on campus. The six-storey building contains lecture theatres, teaching labs, research labs and administrative and support space for graduate students, faculty and staff. The main floor classes are available to students from other departments and for public lectures and events.

Sustainable features of the ECS building include a dual plumbing system that uses recycled water from the nearby outdoor aquatic research facility, a partial green roof planted with natural grasses, natural landscaping to promote storm water retention, and extensive use of recycled materials.

The building is 25 per cent more energy efficient than the Model National Energy Code. It uses a heat recovery system from re-circulated waste water, has showers for cyclists and pedestrians, bike parking and bike lockers, and low-flow toilets and faucets. It optimizes daylight—the majority of occupied spaces have access to natural light. It also uses locally sourced materials and is built on a former parking lot. As well, the building is fully accessible by people with physical disabilities.

UVic’s Department of Facilities Management managed both the construction of the building and the LEED application process which resulted in gold certification. The building was officially opened in October 2006 by Minister of Advanced Education Murray Coell.

The university is also aiming for LEED gold status for two new buildings—the recently constructed Social Sciences and Mathematics Building and the First Peoples House, which should be completed by the summer of 2009.

The Support Services Building, which is scheduled to open later this year, is expected to receive LEED silver status. All new building projects on campus, regardless of LEED status, feature a number of sustainability features including high energy and water efficiency, locally sourced materials, natural landscaping, storm water management systems and enhanced indoor air quality.