Location: Vancouver (Surrey), British Columbia
Type: Educational

Approximate gross area: 4,330 m2
Number of floors above ground: 4
Year of completion: 2007

Nominator: Bunting Coady Architects
Architect: Bunting Coady Architects
Energy analysis: Keen Engineering
 

General Description:
Preliminary massing exercises combined with wind studies and energy models shaped the building into a distinct architectural form.
Natural Ventilation Chimneys are clearly visible architectural elements. The large atrium that links the existing administration building with the new Administration Centre provide ample amounts of natural light to the adjacent classrooms and offices.
Based on the desktop analyses of the microclimate and weather data logged during the schematic design stage, it was determined that the prevalent wind flow was from the S, SW, and Westerly direction between the months of May to July. To take advantage of this phenomenon, the atrium roof was sloped up towards the North. This allows the architectural form to harness wind pressure effects caused by winds from the South.Relief louvers were also placed in the North Face of the Atrium. As the wind rises over the sloped roof it produced negative pressures assist in drawing the exhaust air up and out of the building.Mechanically operated relief is also included on the east and west building faces.
The primary focus of this project was to reduce energy consumption and over-reliance on mechanical systems. Emphasis was placed on developing a passive design, optimizing the building orientation, utilizing the microclimate, providing a high performance envelope and employing natural ventilation.

The mechanical plan consists of a geothermal field and water source heat pumps. Circulating pumps distribute the heating/cooling water throughout the building while the thermal storage capacity (mass) of the opaque elements stabilizes temperatures within the spaces. This provides a considerable reduction in cooling and heating energy requirements. By optimizing thermal mass in combination with nocturnal pre-cooling techniques, a significant portion of the cooling load can be provided. Internal mass has also be used to absorb heat during the day and release it at night. The effects of buoyancy, stack, and wind pressure provide three naturally occurring, reliable options for utilizing free wind energy. The lower two floors are fed with 100% out door air through operable windows and louvers. Abiding by the three natural effects listed above, the air will flow into the corridors on each floor , then into the atrium where it will be exhausted through the top, via a wind towers.

In addition, by supplying 100% outdoor air into the occupied spaces and exhausting/relieving polluted air without recirculation, superior air quality can be achieved within the building. CO2 levels will be monitored throughout the interior spaces, and ventilation intake dampers within the louver system will open if levels exceed set points.

Melbourne, Australia - SBC08 Kwantlen University College Building, Surrey, B.C Poster 7.5 Mb