Canadian Green Building Awards

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (September 2018)

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The Canadian Green Building Awards are a joint program between the Canada Green Building Council and Sustainable Architecture & Building Magazine (SAB Mag). The Canadian Green Building Awards are awarded annually to both residential and non-residential projects across Canada of excellent and innovative design and execution. Eligible projects range from new construction, existing buildings, interior design projects, and renovations and retrofits. Entry submission kits are available in January of every year, and the judging occurs in March. Winning projects are announced in May, and publicized in the summer issue of SAB Mag, on the SAB Mag and the Ca GBC website, and at the Ca GBC National Conference.[1][2]

## Jury

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The Canadian Green Building Awards typically has a jury of 4 people who work in the architecture industry, specializing in sustainability and energy efficiency. These jury members change annually.

## Notable Projects

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The Canadian Green Building Awards chooses notable projects of all different uses from all around Canada.

## 2015 Winners

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Name of Project | Location | Jury Comments | Project Credits

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Surrey Civic Centre  | Surrey, BC  | "A bold and dramatic building that is nonetheless refined and elegant. A fitting statement for a municipality that is forging a new identity based on the consideration of sustainability at all levels - including transit, civicand community space, and the transparency and accessibility of government. This is a building that will draw the community in. Its performance metrics are equally impressive."[3] | Owner/Developer: Surrey City Development Corporation

Architect: Moriyama & Teshima Architects, Joint Venture Architect Kasian

Project Manager: Pivotal

General Contractor: PCL

Structural Engineer: Read Jones Christoffersen Consulting Engineers

Mechanical/Electrical Engineer: MCW Consultants Ltd.

Landscape Architects: Moriyama & Teshima Planners

Civil Engineer: Aplin & Martin Consultant Ltd.

LEED & Building Envelope Consultant: Morrison Hershfield

Cost Consultant: Gage Babcock & Associates Ltd.

Photos: Emma Peter

Halifax Central Library | Halifax, NS  | "An extraordinary building that is most successful in its drama of architectural form and its public space. The project balances its architectural, social and environmental aspirations and provides a great model for the design of environmentally responsible community buildings. The Halifax Central Library provides an exciting and enjoyable community hub for Downtown Halifax, where building users will also be introduced first hand to key elements of sustainable design."[3] | Owner/Developer: Halifax Regional Municipality

Architect: Fowler Bauld & Mitchell Ltd. with Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Construction Manager: Ellis Don

Landscape Architect: Gordon Ratcliffe

Civil/structural Engineer: SNC Lavalin

Mechanical/Electrical Engineer: CBCL Limited

Commissioning Agent: F.C O'Neill Scriven & Associates Ltd.

Photos: Adam Mork

MEC Head Office  | Vancouver, BC  | "A very high-performance building that does justice to its client's corporate philosophy and aspirations. It includes some wonderful collaborative and social spaces. The project has been tailored to its inhabitants, offering up environmental features as a way to enhance their day-to-day working life. The green roof is not there just to gain a credit, but is a habitable program space for the enjoyment of employees."[3] | Owner/Developer: MEC

Architect: Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc.

Structural Engineer: Fast + Epp Structural Engineers

General Contractor: Ventana Construction

Landscape Architect: Sharp + Diamond Landscape Architecture

Civil Engineer: KWL Associates Ltd.

Electrical/mechanical Engineer: Pageau Morel et Associés

Commissioning Agent: Stantec

Photos: Ed White Photography

Kwayatsut  | Vancouver, BC  | "A challenging project, serving a high needs user group, this building needed to be highly durable as well as welcoming, supportive and environmentally responsible. To have met all these requirements on a tight budget is a considerable achievement. The building is generous and inclusive with elegant, comfortable and welcoming spaces that support and enhance self esteem. Transparency at grade enhances the connection to the community"[3] | Owner/Developer: Vancouver Native Housing Society

Architect: NSDA Architects

General Contractor: Darwin Construction Ltd.

Landscape Architect: Perry + Associates

ElectricaL / Mechanical Engineer: MMM Group

Structural Engineer: Fast + Epp Structural Engineers

Commissioning Agent: CES Engineering

Building Envelope: exp. Services Inc.

Photos: Derek Lepper Photography

Sechelt Hospital Expansion and Renovations  | Sechelt, BC  | "This project is exemplary for its depth of integration at the community and social level. It is also an interesting exploration of how to improve clinical environments with operable windows, natural light and the integration of culture and community through works of art. Achieving such a high level of performance and at the same time strong connections to culture, nature and community is remarkable - particularly in a P3 project."[3] | Owner/Developer: Vancouver Coastal Health

Architect: Farrow Partnership in association with Perkins+Will Canada

Structural Engineer: Fast + Epp Structural Engineers

Electrical Engineer: Acumen Engineering

Mechanical Engineer: Integral Group

Landscape Architect: Sharp & Diamond Landscape Architecture Inc.

Civil Engineer: Stantec

General Contractor: Graham Construction and Engineering

Commissioning Agent: CES Group

Photos: Latreille & Delage

Earth Sciences Building  | Vancouver, BC  | "A highly energy-efficient building that is also exemplary in its use of new wood products and technology. The facades are nuanced in their response to solar orientation and views, and the interiors are warm, welcoming and beautifully lit. The project expresses its intentions very clearly in the arrangement of its program, the transparency of its activities and the high level of refinement in its detailing."[3] | Owner/Developer: UBC Properties Trust

Architect: Perkins + Will Canada

Construction Manager: Bird Construction

Landscape Architect: Eckford Tyacke + Associates

Civil Engineer: Core Group Consultants

Electrical Engineer: Acumen Engineering

Mechanical Engineer: Stantec Consulting

Structural Engineer: Equilibrium Consulting Inc.

Photos: Martin Tessler

George Brown College Waterfront Campus  | Toronto, ON  | "This highly accomplished and elegant building is notable for its strong relationship to site, its accessibility to the public and its 'porous' program of social space. The space flows freely between outside and inside, then through the building in a consistent and understated way. The high level of environmental performance is also achieved without overt expression of sustainable systems. A rare example of an institutional building that is also welcoming to the public and exciting to explore."[3] | Client: George Brown College

Architects: Stantec Architecture and Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects, Architects in Joint Venture

Engineers [structural, mechanical, electrical, civil and sustainability, energy]: Stantec Consulting Inc.

Cost consultant: Hanscomb

Building Code: Leber | Rubes

Landscape: Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg Landscape Architects

Geostructural Engineer: Sherwood Geostructural Engineers

Marine Engineer: SHAL Consulting Engineers

Geotechnical and Environmental Engineer: Trow Associates

Project Manager: Terry Comeau, Nerys Rau

Construction Manager: EllisDon

Photos: Tom Arban Photography and Richard Johnson

Beechwood Deep Energy Retrofit  | Toronto, ON  | "A highly transferable example of how to intensify existing communities, adding to their capacity and improving their energy performance. The ambition to take this rather unremarkable existing house to an exceptionally high level of energy performance is to be applauded, as is the suite of innovative but highly transferable strategies that were used. It is also noteworthy that the project team decided to build upward rather than outward, and to restore previously paved areas of the site to natural landscape."[3] | General Contractor: Greening Homes Ltd.

Architect: Open Architects

Mechanical Engineer: Sustainable EDGE

## 2016 Winners

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Name of Project | Location | Jury Comments | Project Credits

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Dura House  | Terence Bay, NS  | "An exemplary project that responds to the opportunities of its site, while respecting the rigours of the North Atlantic coastal climate. A compact plan, strategically placed thermal mass, airtightness 50% better than Passive House standard and a highly insulated building envelope make this a truly low energy house. Add to this the live/work configuration that will reduce transportation energy and the result is a compelling prototype which combines energy conservation, clever programming and contextual sensitivity."[4] | Owner/Developer: David Coole

Architect: DR Coole Architecture Inc.

General Contractor: David Coole

Structural Engineer: Griggs Engineering

Mechanical Engineer: Equilibrium Engineering

Photos: Elemental Photography

Fort St. John Passive House  | Fort St. John, BC  | "A highly commendable effort by a small and remote municipality to create a prototype residential building to the highest energy performance standards. One of the few single-family houses to be certified to Passive House standards anywhere in Canada, the educational opportunity this project represents is profound - and all the more remarkable because it is located in an area where the economy is dominated by the oil and gas industry."[5] | Architect: Marken Projects

Owner/Developer: City of Fort St. John

General Contractor: City of Fort St. John

Landscape Architect: City of Fort St. John

Mechanical Engineer: Renu Building Science

Structural Engineer: Equilibrium Consulting Inc. [Structure], Jim Jarvis Engineering [Foundation]

Commissioning Agent: D. Bauer Mechanical

Photos: Velvet Leaf Photography

Grange Triple Double  | Toronto, ON  | "A flexible, multi-unit, multi-generational home that provides proof of concept for a new approach to urban intensification. The strategic approach to site planning, building massing, and programmatic flexibility simultaneously addresses the quantitative requirement for increased density, and the qualitative requirement to maintain the physical, social and cultural continuity of the neighbourhood. Passive and Active Design strategies combine to achieve a high standard of building performance."[6] | Owner/Developer: Name withheld

Architect: Williamson Chong

Structural Engineer: Blackwell

Construction Manager: Derek Nicholson Inc.

Millwork: BL Woodworking

Windows: Torp Inc.

Drawings and Diagrams: Williamson Chong

Photos: Bob Gundu

Our House  | Toronto, ON  | "A simple, strategic and highly reproducible series of interventions have completely transformed this modest residence into an appealing family home. Working within the constraints of a 450ft2 footprint, this project is notable for its compelling, well-proportioned spaces conjured out of an existing structure that was virtually unliveable. With close attention paid to airtightness, insulation levels and high-performance triple-glazed windows and skylights, energy performance has been improved by 90%."[7] | Architect: Solares Architecture Inc.

General Contractor: Tomislav Knezic

Interior Finishing Contractor: Paul Drummond

Landscape Architect: R Environs Inc.

Mechanical Engineer: SGA Associates Inc.

Structural Engineer: Katakkar Engineering associates

Commissioning Agent: Blue Green Consulting Group

Photos: Derek Monson

Jasper Place Library  | Edmonton, AB  | "The bold sculptural form makes this library an enchanting focal point in an otherwise visually unremarkable suburban community. The transparent facade and overhanging roof are part of a passive design strategy, while at the same time blurring the distinction between the interior and exterior of the building. The clear span concrete roof facilitates future reconfiguration of the program, while its undulating form serves to articulate interior spaces of differing character. Overall an engaging project that makes a vital contribution to the quality of community life."[8] | Owner/Developer: Edmonton Public Library

Architect: HCMA Architecture + Design in joint venture with DUB Architects

Structural Engineer: Fast + Epp

Mechanical Engineer: Williams Engineering Canada Inc.

Electrical Engineer: Williams Engineering Canada Inc.

Civil Engineer: ISL Engineering and Land Services Inc.

Landscape Architect: Carlisle + Associates [now DIALOG]

General Contractor: Stuart Olson Dominion Construction

Commissioning Agent: Hemisphere Engineering

Photos: Hubert Kang Photography

Groupe Dynamite Atrium  | Montreal, QC  | "Injecting life into a dead space between two large floor plate industrial buildings, this project achieves the greatest possible benefit to the company's employees with the minimum possible intervention. Despite the lack of an overt energy strategy, the atrium addresses issues of community, light and air, wellness, material efficiency and building life cycle - all of which are key aspects of sustainability."[9] | Architect: Aedifica

Owner/Developer: Ciro M. Falluh

General Contractor: Reliance Construction Group

Mechanical Engineer: Aedifica Consultants

Electrical Engineer: Aedifica Consultants

Structural Engineer: SBSA Experts-Conseils

Photos: Francois Descôteaux

Budzey Building  | Vancouver, BC  | "This public sector project is a model for energy-efficient high-rise residential design. The 30% window-to-wall ratio, the high-performance envelope with thermal breaks, radiant in-slab heating and heat recovery ventilation in each suite are strategies all private sector developers should try to emulate. This project is characterized by a remarkable quality and generosity of the interior spaces, making it an example of architecture that could truly transform the lives of its embattled residents."  | Architect: NSDA Architects

Owner/Developer: Budzey Building

Funding Authority: BC Housing

Housing Consultant: Terra Housing Consultants Ltd.

Structural Engineer: Fast + Epp Structural Engineers

Landscape Architect: Perry + Associates

Electrical Engineer: MMM Group

Mechanical Engineer: MMM Group

Geotechnical Consultant: Horizon Engineering

Building Code: LMDG Building Code Consultants

Commissioning Agent: Inland Technical Services Ltd.

Sustainability: Recollective

Building Envelope: exp. Services Inc.

General Contractor: Stuart Olson Construction Ltd.

Photos: Derek Lepper Photography

Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre  | Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON  | "The first Living Building Challenge contender in Ontario, this benchmark project goes beyond net zero energy by meticulously pursuing a range of familiar conservation strategies including: a high-performance envelope with R-40 walls and R-60 roof; a window-to-wall ratio of less than 30%; and triple-glazed windows oriented for optimal solar orientation. A 35kW photovoltaic array contributes to the net positive energy result. Other notable achievements include net zero water, with rain and well water meeting 100% of occupant needs."  | Owner/Developer: The Regional Municipality of York

Architect: DIALOG Ontario Inc. [DIALOG]

Structural Engineer: DIALOG

Mechanical Engineer: DIALOG

Electrical Engineer: DIALOG

Building Envelope: Dr. Ted Kesik

Civil Engineer: Struct-Con Construction Ltd.

Landscape Architect: DIALOG

General Contractor: Struct-Con Construction Ltd.

Commissioning Agent: MMM Group LTd.

Photos: Tom Arban

## References

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1. ^ "Canadian Green Building Awards". www.cagbc.org. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
2. ^ "2015awardwinningprojects.html". www.sabmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h "2015awardwinningprojects.html". www.sabmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
4. ^ "2016 - Atlantic Regional Winner - DURA HOUSE - Terence Bay, NS | Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine". www.sabmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
5. ^ "2016 British Columbia Regional Winner - FORT ST. JOHN PASSIVE HOUSE - Fort St. John, BC | Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine". www.sabmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
6. ^ "2016 National Winner - GRANGE TRIPLE DOUBLE - Toronto, ON | Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine". www.sabmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
7. ^ "2016 - National Winner - OUR HOUSE - Toronto, ON | Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine". www.sabmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
8. ^ "2016 - National Winner: JASPER PLACE LIBRARY - Edmonton, AB | Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine". www.sabmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
9. ^ "2016 - Regional Quebec Winner: GROUPE DYNAMITE ATRIUM - Montreal, QC | Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine". www.sabmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.