CASE STUDY
JIM PATTISON
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
The Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building
Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation in Penticton,
BC is one of the world’s greenest buildings and one of the largest
buildings pursuing the Living Building Challenge.
Applied Engineering Solutions provided Electrical Engineering design
services for the Centre, which is a teaching and demonstration lab
for trades students. Its design allows students to see cutting-edge
systems in action and helps them understand how a building can be
designed and built in a highly sustainable manner. The building also
provides business development, research and development facilities,
as well as amenities for students, staff and the community, including
a gymnasium and fitness room.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES, SOLUTIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence
in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy
Conservation was to create a building that is highly sustainable,
and that will serve as a benchmark for innovative design for students for years to come.
The project was funded through Industry Canada’s Knowledge
Infrastructure Program (KIP), which helps universities and
colleges enhance their current infrastructure. To meet KIP funding
requirements, buildings must be designed to meet LEED® Gold
certification standards under CaGBC. Okanagan College wanted
to exceed this requirement with an objective of the building being
designed to reach LEED® Platinum and Living Building Challenge
requirements. Okanagan College also wanted to use the building as
a teaching and demonstration lab for its trades students. Through
its unique design, students can see how its systems work, and how
a building can be designed and built in a highly sustainable
manner. The ultimate goal is for students to take away what they
learn from this building, and apply it to other buildings that they will
work on throughout their careers.
SOLUTIONS
Electrical engineering design was key for this project to meet
its sustainability goals. Meeting the client’s objective of a highly
sustainable building, while staying within the established project
schedule and budget, required creative solutions to reduce the
building’s carbon footprint and operating costs.
Applied Engineering Solutions (AES) first considered the needs
of the other project team members, such as the architectural and
mechanical teams, and how their system and design selections
would ultimately affect overall energy usage. Working together in
an integrated environment, AES proposed the question: “What
can be done to lower energy usage?” “Can you put on a sweater
instead of turning up the heat?” “Can you work in an environment
where lighting levels are slightly lower than if the lights are on?”
Looking at the project from this perspective helped find solutions
that would meet the criteria for LEED® Platinum and Living
Building certification.
Through constant communication and discussion, the project
team was able to find the balance between energy usage and
each discipline’s individual design needs. Energy-saving selections
at the start meant fewer electrical system components being
required, which in turn left funds available to select other components
that would not normally have fit into the project budget. The end
result is a building that is highly sustainable, and that was delivered
to the client with no additional costs.
APPLIED ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS LTD.
APPLIEDENGINEERING.CA [email protected]
ACHIEVEMENTS
Working together with the project team on their system selections
resulted in a lower energy load for the building, and the need
for fewer electrical systems. This allowed $400,000 from the
electrical budget to be transferred to the architectural budget to
purchase triple-glazed windows, which allowed for more daylight in
the building without affecting energy loss through the windows.
This collaboration with the building’s design team has resulted
in a building that will be Net-Zero by the end of 2012.
The end result is a highly-sustainable building that meets both
LEED® Platinum and Living Building certification criteria. It is
anticipated to be verified and then further certified in approximately
one year.
Project management was key to keeping the project on schedule
and on budget. KIP funding meant that the project schedule was
accelerated, reducing the design process from 18 months down
to just 12 months. To meet this timeframe, the project had to
be designed in multiple packages; the below-slab package was
designed in May 2010, well in advance of the systems inside the
building, while the second package contained the remainder of
the project design. AES worked in a construction management environment, working with contractors who could advise
what materials would be available in time to fit the schedule. The
prime consultant’s project schedule and AES’s internal deadlines
allowed the project to reach substantial completion by March 31,
2011 as per Ministry requirements. The remainder of the project was
completed shortly thereafter, with the building opening for classes
in September 2011.
APPLIED ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS LTD.
APPLIEDENGINEERING.CA [email protected]
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION
In order to meet the client’s requirements for sustainability, AES sought
out a number of cutting-edge innovations that are not typically seen in
traditional building design. Working with the architect and other team
members, AES was able to provide systems that take advantage of natural
lighting, lessening the lighting load and energy generation on site.
DAYLIGHTING
AES installed two different systems that are designed to capture
natural lighting and divert it to provide natural light to interior spaces.
The first is the Solatube Daylighting System. Installed in every
workshop, the Solatube system starts with a domed skylight
mounted on the roof of the building. Its smart technology
redirects low-angle light in the morning or afternoon hours and
rejects overwhelming mid-day sunlight, providing consistent lighting
throughout the day. Light is then funnelled through a tube that
connects to a dual lens array fixture mounted in the ceiling below,
which diffuses light throughout the space, eliminating the need for
lighting during daytime hours.
WIRELESS SWITCHES
The school’s Audio/Visual workshop features two completely
glass walls, which posed a challenge for electrical controls. The
AES team decided on self-powered, wireless switches for lighting
control, which convert kinetic energy from each button press into
electricity to power the wireless signal. The advantages of using
wireless switches include fewer materials being required
because there is no installed conduit or wiring involved, and
that there is less embodied energy in the building. And since the
technology is brand new, it serves as a showcase component for
students who are studying the building.
OCCUPANCY AND DAYLIGHT SENSORS
Light fixtures in common areas, as well as open and enclosed
spaces, have built-in occupancy and daylight sensors. These sensors
will automatically turn off lights if there is no one in a room, and will
dim lighting if there is enough natural light available to illuminate
the space.
The second daylighting feature selected by AES is sun-tracking
light pipes, which were used to provide daylighting to other areas in
the building where Solatube technology could not be used. Light
pipe technology can be installed on top of or beside a building,
where a solar tracking device collects light and channels it into piping that
takes it inside and focuses it by a factor of ten. The main advantage of
this technology is that light pipes can be installed on side walls and
directed down corridors, reducing the amount of lighting required
during daytime hours.
APPLIED ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS LTD.
APPLIEDENGINEERING.CA [email protected]
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS
The photovoltaic system was designed for installation in phases.
The first installation of approximately 1,106 modules has been
completed at 259.9 kW with an estimated energy output of 293
kWh. Installing the photovoltaic modules flat on the roof has
provided a significant advantage over traditional installation.
Typically, photovoltaic modules are installed at a 25 to 30 degree
angle to capture optimum sunlight in Penticton, but require more
space so that no stand casts a shadow over any other modules.
Laying the modules flat on the roof, which has a 4% grade,
allows more modules to be installed in the same amount of space,
and only reduces overall output by 10%. The reduction of space
needed allows the addition of up to 40% more modules, thereby
capturing more energy than a traditional installation could.
Living Building criteria includes a “red list” of materials that are
prohibited on projects because of the harm they cause to the environment. AES had to find acceptable materials to replace these
banned items that would meet Living Building certification standards, and yet would also meet local Code requirements.
AES is monitoring the building’s energy usage and generation
from the photovoltaic panels for one year. At that time, the team
will evaluate what is needed to make the building Net-Zero, and
will amend the number of modules and type of equipment that will
best meet that goal. Waiting for one year enables precise observation
of how the building is performing, and allows the team to take
advantage of lowered costs and advances in technology to bridge
the energy gap, if any.
APPLIED ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS LTD.
One example of this is PVC piping, which is normally used
for electrical conduits. After researching a number of different
materials, AES decided to use FRE material in place of PVC.
Another energy-saving alternative used was the installation of
white boards in classrooms instead of traditional blackboards.
White boards reflect more light, therefore result in lower lighting
requirements for the classroom space. AES was able to use 300
lux lighting for classrooms with white boards, as opposed to the
500 lux lighting that would have been required with blackboards.
LED LIGHTING
The use of LED lighting in parking lot areas is advantageous
in that it uses less energy and has less glare than traditional
lighting, thus meeting the client’s sustainability goals. Since LED
technology is “instant on” versus HID, it is also more practical to
implement control strategies to further reduce energy consumption.
APPLIEDENGINEERING.CA [email protected]
ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & AESTHETICS
ENVIRONMENTAL
The project site was limited by two existing buildings
to the west, including a school, and NAV Canada property to the east. The project team had to work with a
number of NAV Canada requirements for their property,
including minimum distances, clearances, the amount
of light that appears on their property, and the amount
of EMI they would have. Construction for the low-grade
site services occurred during the winter months, which
posed a challenge due to the ground being cold or
frozen. Furthermore, the school to the west was kept
open during construction, so any electrical work had
to be completed without interrupting school operations.
ECONOMIC
The project was funded and approved by Industry
Canada’s Knowledge Infrastructure Plan (KIP) in
early 2009.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
The project team took every opportunity to involve the
community in this project. CEI Architecture hosted a
3-day design charrette, which included more than 40
stakeholders consisting of college staff, maintenance
workers, local community members who have an
interest or who are directly involved in the college,
and the local manufacturing and engineering community.
The project team’s preference was to use local firms
whenever possible. Supplier procurement was done
early enough in the design process that suppliers could
see the benefit of having their products featured in a
building that serves to demonstrate sustainability to
students. This included Skyfire Energy, who provided
the photovoltaic system.
AESTHETIC ASPECTS
Great care was taken to ensure that component selections
fit in with the architectural vision for the building. Exterior
lighting was chosen to match existing structures and the
surrounding landscape. Building-mounted lighting was
installed so that it is concealed within the wood and concrete
piers, and at night appears to glow as part of the wood
ceiling. For the light pipe system, AES worked together
with the architect and supplier to change typically boxy
and industrial looking reflector patterns into attractive and
practical lighting styles for each space. The overall effect
is that the structure’s lighting is both seamless and
aesthetically interesting.
APPLIED ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS LTD.
APPLIEDENGINEERING.CA [email protected]
PROJECT FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATION LAB
Right: The building itself has been designed as a
teaching and demonstration lab. Sections of the ceiling
have been left open, exposing conduit and cabling.
This allows students to see how mechanical and electrical
systems work, and understand the application of
sustainable design.
INTEGRAL OCCUPANCY SENSORS
Below: Luminaires feature built-in occupancy and
daylight sensors, ensuring each individual fixture supplies
light as needed and at appropriate levels to supplement day
lighting within the space.
TRIPLE-GLAZED WINDOWS
Below: Collaboration with the design team on system selections resulted in
a savings of $400,000 allowing for the purchase of triple-glazed windows in
the gym, which enable more daylight without affecting energy loss through
the windows.
LIGHTING DESIGN
Below: Enclosed passage ways feature a unique
lighting installation which adds visual interest by
creating the illusion of natural rays of light reflected
on the wall.
PROJECT FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
SOLATUBE DAYLIGHTING SYSTEM &
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
Below: Every workshop is outfitted with the Solatube Daylighting
System, eliminating the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours.
Above: The Solatube Daylighting System collects light through
domed skylights mounted on the roof of the building. Its smart
technology redirects low-angle light in the morning or afternoon
hours and rejects overwhelming mid-day sunlight, providing
consistent lighting throughout the day. Flat installation of solar
panels allows for 40% more modules than traditional layout.
SUN TRACKING LIGHT PIPES
Right: Solar tracking devices collect sunlight and channel into
pipes, focusing light by a factor of ten before illuminating interior
spaces.
Below: Sun-tracking light pipes can be installed on side walls and
directed down corridors, reducing the amount of lighting required
during daytime hours.
PROJECT: JIM PATTISON CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Electrical Engineer:
Project Owner / Client:
Architect:
Photographer Credit:
Applied Engineering Solutions Ltd.
Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence
CEI Architecture Planning Interiors
Ema Peter
APPLIED ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS (AES)
We offer a full spectrum of electrical engineering
services including:
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Power Distribution
Architectural Lighting
Life Safety Systems
Communication Systems
Audio Visual Systems
Security Systems
Daylight Modeling
BIM
Acoustic Modeling
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Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M7
TEL: (604) 569.6500
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Victoria, BC V8T 5A4
TEL: (250) 381.6121
FAX: (250) 381.6811
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