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Algonquin Centre for Construction ExcellenceALGONQUIN COLLEGE - TORONTO, ONTARIO

The Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) explores innovative new environments in skilled trades education. The 18,208.996 m2 building is a hybrid, combining construction trades and technical design programs under one roof.

The scheme employs rigorous structure, extremely efficient planning, ample natural light, and generous public spaces – a combination that yields new opportunities for synergy between students of skilled trades and design technology. The structure vividly demonstrates a comprehensive approach to sustainability to inspire and educate students and the public alike about the way forward in green building solutions.

ACCE has achieved its target of LEED Platinum certification.

Sustainable Design Strategies:

1. A high efficiency building envelope with vertical solar shades2. A hybrid hydronic heat pump system3. CO

2 sensor controlled ventilation system served by a make-up air unit with heat recovery4. A rainwater harvesting system and low-flow plumbing 5. A biofilter living wall integrated with the mechanical system

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Bridge between Theory and Applied Education

East Elevation along Woodroffe Avenue

“Vegetative Ribbon”works

hops

classrooms/

officescafé

STRATEGIC DECISIONS

ACCE sought to address a looming shortage in Ontario in the skilled trades and to train the next generation in sustainable building practices. The building is meant to be an instructional tool in and of itself. Exposed structure, ductwork, plumbing, piping, electrical services and lighting, together with wall and floor assemblies are revealed in place. The living laboratory features are experienced as central to the design concept, not just as peripheral elements.

In combining trades and design technology learning, ACCE provides ample opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange. The need for informal learning inspired the terraced seating, study pods, roof amphitheatre and configuration of the cafe to be a big part of student life and to serve as a symbolic bridge between the academic tower and the trades wing.

The design concept for ACCE explicitly embraces nature. Bio-philic concepts support the positive experience of integrating natural systems in the constructed environment. The plazas, garden spaces, undulating green roof, and bio-filter wall form a single system of connected outdoor and indoor spaces. Each element enriches student experience, enhances bio-diversity, uses natural processes to reduce storm water run-off, reduce energy consumption and urban heat islands and to cleanse the indoor air.

bio-filter wall

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ACCE

landscaped plaza over transit tunnel

main campus

bridge to campus

WOODROFFE AVENUE

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1 Atrium2 Public Concourse3 Café Concourse

Public Concourse upper level with views into workshops

A. Longitudal Section through Public Concourse and Atrium

future bridge

future bridge

COMMUNITY

ACCE is fully integrated with a public transit hub and has 19 transit routes nearby. Zones for the public, college/public interaction and private use by students and faculty are clearly delineated allowing the public to have full view of the trade shops, the exhibits, the bio-filter living wall and the atrium. In doing so, the objective of the Centre - to inspire and to educate - is made possible without compromise to safety or operations.

ACCE anticipates further campus expansion; two additional second-storey bridges will connect to the LRT and bus

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Workshop adjacent to public concourse and outdoor assembly area

terminals, to the west and south, respectively, providing comfortable four-season access and seamless public access through the facility. The site is also located in close proximity to many community amenities including a large commercial plaza (with grocery store) a major chain home improvement center, and the Centrepointe Theatre.

The project site has a very small parking footprint (16 parking spots) with preferred parking for VRTUCar (an Ottawa car-share program). Bicycle storage is provided.

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WOODROFFE AVE

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Landscaped Plaza overTransit Tunnel

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Future Bridge Link

FutureTransitStation

Bridge Link

ArrivalPlaza

WestEntrance

SouthEntrance

NorthEntrance

OutdoorAmphitheatre Green Roof

Green Roof

Green Roof

South-West Plaza

Site Plan

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SITE ECOLOGY

The biodiversity of the site, a former transit berm, has been increased by 300 percent realizing the objective to have more square footage under cultivation upon project completion than what existed before.

Fully 57 percent of the roof is planted using self-irrigating felts. Sloping surfaces and perimeter plantings make the vegetation visible at grade. Non-vegetated surfaces apply highly reflective materials (concrete pavers with an SRI of greater than 29) to further decrease the heat-island effect. The green roof, landscaping and pervious pavement reduce storm water runoff.

Some areas of the green roof are accessible, creating a new meeting place, teaching space and relaxation area.

Green Roof above Workshops

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Outdoor Amphitheatre adjacent to Café Concourse

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WATER CONSERVATION

A 66,000-gallon cistern connected to roof drains captures rainwater for reuse for non-potable water requirements and supplies 100 percent of irrigation needs. High-efficiency fixtures are used throughout the facility. Exterior landscaping is native and adapted requiring minimal irrigation.

• projected potable water consumption: 3,400 m3/occupant/annum• reduction in potable water use over the LEED baseline: 56%• reduction in peak precipitation discharge rate: 90%• using rainwater for flushing offsets more than 50% of the potable water

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LIgHT AnD AIr

Air quality is enhanced through the use of a decoupled ventilation system. The ventilation system delivers outdoor air as required to maintain healthy levels of CO2 in each space.

The 72-foot-high biofilter living wall - a focal point of the atrium - is an active part of the air system, filtering undesirable VOCs and CO2, improving indoor air quality and reducing HVAC operating costs.

Strategically placed perimeter windows optimize daylight and energy with minimal glazing to control envelope losses. Vertical sunshades that incorporate variations of the College’s green colour scheme reduce glare and solar loads while maintaining appropriate daylight conditions.

Circular skylights are distributed over the trade training spaces to provide natural light to internal spaces that traditionally receive very little daylight. The tower includes interior windows in core spaces facing the sky lit atrium.

Photo-sensors and highly efficient LED and compact fluorescent lighting fixtures are used.

• projected annual energy consumption of the lighting system: 34.5 kwh/m2

• 75% of regularly occupied spaces receive between 250 Lux and 5,000 Lux of daylight

A Green RoofB Composite Steel Structure 12m SpansC Roof Assembly: R-50 ValueD Wall Assembly: R-32 Value

SUSTAINABLE FEATURES:Wall Section

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E Three Panel Glazing: R-8 ValueF Solar ShadingG Hydronic Floors

March 21st 12:00 p.m. September 21st, 12:00 p.m.

1st Floor

2nd Floor

Analysis GridRAD IlluminanceContour Range: 0 - 2500 LuxIn Steps of: 300 Lux© E C O T E C T v 5

Analysis GridRAD IlluminanceContour Range: 0 - 2500 LuxIn Steps of: 300 Lux© E C O T E C T v 5

Analysis GridRAD IlluminanceContour Range: 0 - 2500 LuxIn Steps of: 300 Lux© E C O T E C T v 5

Analysis GridRAD Illumina nceContour Range: 0 - 2500 LuxIn Steps of: 300 Lux© E C O T E C T v 5

Analysis Grid - RAD IlluminanceSecond Floor

March 21st 12:00 p.m. September 21st, 12:00 p.m.

1st Floor

2nd Floor

Analysis GridRAD IlluminanceContour Range: 0 - 2500 LuxIn Steps of: 300 Lux© E C O T E C T v 5

Analysis GridRAD IlluminanceContour Range: 0 - 2500 LuxIn Steps of: 300 Lux© E C O T E C T v 5

Analysis GridRAD IlluminanceContour Range: 0 - 2500 LuxIn Steps of: 300 Lux© E C O T E C T v 5

Analysis GridRAD Illumina nceContour Range: 0 - 2500 LuxIn Steps of: 300 Lux© E C O T E C T v 5

Studios/Labs

E-Classrooms

Offices

GreatHall

East Facade

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ENERGY PRESENT AND FUTURE

Heating and cooling are delivered primarily through a hybrid hydronic heat pump system. A make-up air unit with heat recovery serves the independent C02 sensor-controlled variable air volume 100% outdoor air distribution system. This combination of systems provides efficient and controllable heating, cooling and ventilation.

An important building feature is a high performance envelope that not only reduces energy costs for the building’s new life span but also improves occupant comfort.

Throughout the design, five energy simulations were produced at key stages. This allowed the team to use energy modeling as a design tool to influence decisions with the integrated design process continuing through design and into construction.

The project includes a small educational demonstration solar hot water heater and solar photovoltaic, which save approximately $1,100 in operational costs per year, but more importantly are a demonstration for future students to study.

• projected annual electrical energy consumption for the building: 505 MJ/m2/yr• energy consumption savings against the MnECB: 71%• energy cost savings against the MnECB: 60%

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A Green RoofB Composite Steel Structure 12m SpansC Natural LightD Solar ShadingE Natural Ventilation

SUSTAINABLE FEATURES:

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J 230m3 Cistern connected to roof drainsK Demonstrations: •SolarPV•SolarThermalL Demonstrations: •SolarWall

F Hydronic FloorsG HRV - Super High EfficiencyH Heat PumpsI Bio Filter Wall - Air Polishing

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B. Atrium and Great Hall Section

Atrium

Great Hall

Studios/Labs

E-Classrooms

Offices

Multi Purpose

Classrooms

Studios/Labs

E-Classrooms

Offices

Mechanical

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Atrium - The Biofilter Wall is integrated with the mechanical system providing pre-tempered supply

air thus lowering operating costs.

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LIFE CYCLE CONSIDERATIONS

ACCE Achieved the prestigious LEED durable building credit (Mrc8) which is not pursued on many projects. To Meet the owners building service life requirements, a building envelope specialist was included in the project team who focused on durability throughout the design and performed construction reviews.

A life cycle analysis was performed for multiple structural systems at the preliminary design stage. The steel structure selected was chosen because of its low embodied carbon and embodied energy. This analysis was performed using Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings.

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

Materials and finishes were selected to limit the impacts on the indoor environment. Only low-emitting wood, carpet, paints, adhesives and sealants are used. Fully 55% of the wood products are FSC certified. In total, 34% of the materials used in ACCE are from local sources and recycled content makes up 16%. Fully 99% of construction waste was diverted from landfill.

Atrium with Living Wall, glass elevator, and seating pods

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EDuCATIOn AnD InFOrMATIOn SHArIng

ACCE was developed utilizing an Integrated Design Process. This collaborative model involved structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, sustainability consultants along with the active participation of the client. Through this process, the objective to strive for LEED Platinum was realized and put into place. The funding mechanism from governments to complete the project in under two years added to the challenge, for which the IDP facilitated expediency and the decision-making process. The Design-Build team implemented a fast-track construction method with sequential tendering, erecting the building while the design was still on the drawing boards. This required

the utmost coordination and cooperation between the trade contractors and the design team.

ACCE was designed to be a ‘living laboratory’ with cut-away reveals and interactive performance monitoring that allows students and the public to understand the invisible forces and processes at work. Examples include public, real-time energy monitoring of the building water consumption, envelope heat transfer and structural loading. The public has access to mechanical rooms, the green roof and renewable energy demonstrations. The building is part of the curriculum.

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fixed building feature: isolated metal panel cladding

steel outrigger

steel sag rod

glass display case

insulated metal panel with core exposed

steel wind-girt

C. Cross Section through Café Concourse

Café Concourse acts as a student hub between the academic tower and the trades wing.

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1 Café Concourse2 Workshops3 Green Roof4 Office and Classroom Tower

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1 Atrium2 Seating Pods3 Terraced Seating4 Learning Street and Workshops

1 Great Hall2 Atrium and Biowall3 Multi-Purpose Room

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Ground Floor

Second Floor

0 50m

1 Atrium2 Studios/Labs3 Outdoor Amphitheatre4 Green Roof

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Third Floor

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5 Classrooms6 Staff Lounge7 Offices8 Administration

5 Café concourse6 Classrooms7 Bridge link to Main Campus8 Future bridge links to Transit Stations

4 Learning Street and Workshops5 Outdoor Construction Area6 Loading

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1 Atrium2 E-Classrooms

Fourth Floor

1 Atrium2 Staff Lounge3 Offices4 Administration

Fifth Floor

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bio-filter wall

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Terraced Seating looking to Great Hall

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6 Study Pods7 Terraced Study Area 8 Café Concourse9 Workshops10 Green Roof

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1 Mechanical2 Offices3 E-Classrooms4 Studios/Labs5 Great Hall

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D. longitudinal section through great hall and workshops

Study Pods

Workshop with Circular Skylights

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south entry

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lgonquin College - O

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