Tag Archives: LEED

Canadian LEED growth continues for 2014

The number of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings in Canada is continuing to rise throughout this year, reports Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

In the second quarter of 2014, between April 1 and June 30, there were 124 registrations and 109 certifications. These certifications bring the Canadian total to 1756 buildings.

+ Read More

Alternative compliance paths added for Canadian LEED

Canadian projects seeking certification under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 can now take advantage of Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs).

The eight ACPs provide equivalent means of meeting the new version of the building rating program’s requirements by referencing standards familiar to Canadian design teams.

+ Read More

Far From Conventional: Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s ceiling renovation

When the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC)—home to events like Construct Canada and the CSC Toronto Chapter’s No Frills Tradeshow—decided to renovate its South Building, it sought replacement ceiling panels that offered both a modern look and performance. It was also important the assembly would support its pursuit of certification under Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC’s) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating program.

+ Read More

Think Globally, Act Locally: Net-zero impact development

The phrase “think globally, act locally” is a good way to describe how sustainable design projects are conceptualized. From the building to the community scale, the goal is to minimize the initial and ongoing effects of development by striving for net-zero impact and focusing on ecological restoration. (Net-zero refers to a balance of resource use and restoration on an annual basis—producing as much energy through renewable sources as consumed, sequestering equal or greater amounts of carbon as emitted, or diverting all waste from landfills or other harmful means of disposal).

+ Read More

Preventing ice dams on steep-sloped roofs

Without a properly engineered ventilation system on the roof, ice-damming can threaten a building’s health. An ice dam is a ridge of ice forming at the eaves of a roof, cricket, or valley that prevents melting snow and water from draining off. The water backing up behind this obstruction can refreeze, creating an ice dam. These dams can be the cause of roof failures; once significant amounts of moisture enter the building, there is a high probability mould and other negative impacts can occur.

+ Read More

ICFs and the new green standards

As sustainable building has become the preferred (or, occasionally, required) construction method throughout North America, design professionals are turning to insulating concrete forms (ICFs). When comprising the building envelope, these materials provide occupants with a safe, clean, healthy, and comfortable environment in which to live and work. Whether residential multi-family, commercial new construction, school, theatre, healthcare, or retail, ICF structures also help reduce a building’s carbon footprint—their insulation can mean less energy to heat and cool than is needed in structures built with conventional materials.

+ Read More