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Whole Life Zero: The Design of High-Performance Buildings Across Climate Zones

This webinar is part of the RAIC 2022 Virtual Conference on Architecture, now available to stream!

Topics:ÌýSustainability / Climate

Length:Ìý1 hour |ÌýWhat's Included:ÌýVideo, Quiz, andÌýCertificate of CompletionÌý

As the focus on climate change continues to intensify, sustainability, climate resilience, occupant health and comfort, and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly significant design considerations for architects, building owners, and developers. Buildings currently account for approximately 40% of all energy consumption in North America and up to 30% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and recent climate events have highlighted the need to assess future climate impacts on buildings. As a result, there is a clear need to design, construct and operate highly efficient, climate-resilient buildings with a lesser environmental impact and meet the needs of their occupants. The case for comfortable, climate-resilient and energy-efficient buildings comprises the need to curtail climate change AND the increasing operating costs of operating less efficient buildings in the future.

As governments mobilize to tackle issues related to climate change, the feasibility of projects will be impacted by building operational costs, mandatory energy reporting, carbon taxation and increasingly rigorous building codes. To change the performance of buildings, we need to understand how to integrate design solutions that ultimately deliver occupant comfort, are climate-resilient and eliminate the carbon impact. Municipalities are beginning to mandate sustainable and resilient design strategies and methodologies for new buildings and the retrofit of existing buildings, such as thermal comfort targets, the Passive House standard, low or zero-carbon designs, the use of mass timber, and building electrification. Social housing providers and private developers are increasingly investigating strategies to mitigate the future impacts of climate change on buildings and their future occupants. How these principles and strategies apply across the country is varied.

Learning Objectives:

By the completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify the key steps and strategies that are required to design and execute a climate resilient building plan, from pre-design to post-occupancy.
• Describe various options for achieving climate resilience, occupant comfort, and a low or zero carbon building.
• Explain the benefits of delivering occupant comfort including thermal comfort, visual comfort and good indoor air quality.
• Identify different techniques for providing natural ventilation using solar chimneys, water walls, and atria.

Subject Matter Expert:

For over 15 years, Chris has been passionately working with clients to deliver cost effective and sustainable mechanical engineering solutions. He draws on extensive industry experience within the Canadian construction market, and further afield in Europe, where sustainability is at the forefront of building design. Chris’ areas of expertise includes detailed mechanical system design of high performance buildings, and neighborhood energy master planning and system design. Chris is well-versed in all aspects of sustainable building design across a number of sectors including institutional, mixed-use commercial developments and district energy systems. Some of his noteworthy projects include a Class AA museum gallery, and a multipurpose building on a university campus that incorporates assembly, retail, cafeteria and offices spaces. Chris strives to truly understand the needs of his clients, and he always places a high importance on nurturing valuable relationships.

Mike Godawa
P.Eng., LEED AP BD+C
Director of Engineering Services - Canada East, Integral Group

In his 30+ year career as a Mechanical Engineer, Mike has continually endeavored to find new and innovative ways to design buildings that raise the bar in energy efficiency. A licensed engineer in six Canadian provinces, his breadth of experience spans multiple sectors including healthcare, education, sports & recreation, justice facilities, laboratories, and commercial buildings. Mike has always supported finding innovative and more energy efficient waysÌý Ìýof designing buildings. He has guest lectured at many events including the University of Toronto’s School of Architecture, Construct Canada and the Ontario Chiefs of Police Conference.

Pricing A-La-CarteÌý