Eco Factor: Energy-efficient building for LEED Platinum Certification.
Diamond + Schmitt Architects have unveiled the designs of the new $77 million Environmental Demonstration Center for Construction Trades and Building Sciences at Algonquin College’s Ottawa campus, which according to the designers will demonstrate ingenuity and design excellence in sustainability.
The new 180,000-square-foot building will consolidate all of the college’s education programs under one roof, where the students are offered hands on approach to learning. Designed to act as a “Living Laboratory”, the building’s allows the students to monitor its performance with automated control systems.
The unique form of the building blends into the landscape and uses color to animate the facades. With parks and garden spaces for added greenery, the building also features an undulating green roof that covers over 50 percent of the surface. This green wall enhances bio-diversity and reduces storm water run-off, conserves energy and reduces urban heat island effect.
Via: Diamond + Schmitt Architects
