September 8, 2010

Architecture Canada 2030 challenge promotes energy efficiency

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The Architecture Canada RAIC 2030 challenge committee has undertaken a project to identify, publish and promote the best examples of energy-efficient commercial, institutional, industrial and multi-residential Canadian projects that have been completed in the past decade.

In a recent edition of its e-bulletin newsletter, the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) said the main objectives are to promote the work of Canadian architectural firms and to encourage clients to adopt challenge objectives for their future projects.

It is hoped 20 projects can be identified that satisfy the intent of the 2030 challenge, the Ontario architects’ association said.

The challenge sets targets for reduction in fossil-fuel emissions in buildings. By 2030, buildings should be carbon-neutral, using no fossil fuel, greenhouse-gas-emitting energy in their operations.

The OAA said the first publication of the case-study project will prepare and present work on the Architecture Canada 2030 website. Some of these projects may be showcased in the institute’s advocacy magazine Architecture.

The detailed building information may also be used to supplement some of the institute’s continuing education courses.

“This may be the perfect opportunity for members wishing to showcase and promote their firm’s work,” the OAA said.

Submissions should include a brief description of the project as well as drawings and photographs that illustrate the quality of the building.

In addition, each submission must include building performance results data from the NRCan screening tool for new building design or from actual energy-use records.

The architectural quality of the submission combined with the energy performance results will be used to select projects for publication, the OAA said.

The projects will be reviewed and up to 20 selected to be developed as case studies. Successful participants will be asked to provide a concise written description, publication-quality photographs and drawings (site plan, floor plans, section and enclosure details) as well as actual energy performance data for each of the case-study projects

For each project selected, Architecture Canada will provide $500 to help offset the costs of fully developing a case study.

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