A CASE STUDY OF INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence

in Sustainable Building Technologies
and Renewable Energy Conservation
A Case Study of
Innovative Sustainable Design
The Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building The inspired, ambitious design of the
LEED Platinum building broke new
Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation—on the campus
ground as one of the largest ever to
of Okanagan College in Penticton, British Columbia—is a shining pursue the Living Building Challenge—
example of what integrated design and sustainable innovation can the most rigorous sustainability standard
on the planet. To achieve net-zero
be: a custom solution shaped by its site, the curricula it teaches, and
energy and water consumption, a
those for whom it was designed. Conceived to meet the urgent need three-pronged approach to energy
for tradespeople, site managers, and construction workers who are and water use was adopted: conserve,
capture, and create. Passive strategies,
skilled in sustainable building practices, the structure itself is used
which aid in optimizing active and
extensively as part of the teaching curriculum and is highly-adaptable renewable strategies, were prioritized
to future changes in technology and education. and “bundled” together to ensure
synergistic efficiencies.

Since opening in 2011, the Jim Pattison

Centre has received numerous
awards and accolades recognizing its
achievements in innovative, sustainable
design. It was one of three buildings,
in North America, cited by the New
York Times Knowledge Network as
a leading example of carbon-neutral
campus architecture; and has received
honors from the Canadian Green
Building Council, the Green Good Design
Awards, and the Applied Science and
Technologists and Technicians of British
Columbia. Additionally, the Centre
received top honors, among university
and college buildings, in a recent ranking
of Canada’s greenest buildings by the
2016 Green Buildings Review.

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A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE
EDUCATION AND DISCOVERY
The Centre was designed to not only
provide teaching spaces, but also
to serve as a living laboratory for
sustainable building and alternative/
renewable energy technologies,
processes, and education. To that end,
the structural, mechanical, and electrical
systems are exposed throughout the
building. Students studying these
systems have complete access to them
and experimentation is encouraged.
Live building data is available on a
web-based interface and the accessible
rooftop allows for study of experimental
technologies, including solar chimneys,
solar tubes, wind turbines, and
photovoltaics. The green roof is also
equipped with a viewing gallery so
visitors to the facility can see sustainable
technologies up close. representatives, city planning and The structural, mechanical, and
engineering, community groups, and electrical systems are exposed
The highly adaptable design easily local residents and businesses. Day throughout the building. Students
supports new technologies to ensure 1 of the charrette focused identifying studying these systems have complete
relevance and currency with a changing participants’ needs and concerns, and access to them and experimentation
curriculum. Start-up companies can Day 2 was dedicated to implementation is encouraged.
prototype new green technologies strategies. During an open house
in the synergistic environment of on Day 3, the design team stepped
the embedded Okanagan Research back, allowing local representatives to
Innovation Centre. Flexibility for answer questions and lead discussions.
change in program and space use Participants were impassioned and
is accommodated by using an open empowered in their conversations
plan configuration for all office space supporting the design, attesting to the
and a standardized module for future success of this inclusionary process.
classroom needs
Local sports groups, non-profits, and
COMMUNIT Y INTEGR ATION community groups use the Centre on a
It could be said that the Jim Pattison weekly basis. It is a celebrated gathering
Centre was born in a spirit of community place for the community and was
integration and input beginning with recently selected by Canada’s National
a three-day design charrette involving Women’s Hockey Team for its summer
over 60 stakeholders including: the training camp.
design team, college staff and students,
municipal and provincial government

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A Closer Look at Performance
In 2015, the International Initiative for
a Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE)
Canada—an independent, nonprofit
group of Canadian engineers, architects,
and researchers who seek to promote
sustainable environments—published
the results of a building performance
evaluation conducted at the Jim Pattison
Centre (Chu et al., 2015). The aim of
the evaluation was to compare actual
building performance with predicted
performance, and identify and report
lessons learned to the sustainable
building industry. The findings of the
iiSBE research are uniquely valuable
because current green building rating
systems (e.g., LEED and GreenGlobes)
typically focus on predicted performance
established during design. The goal
of this case study is to describe the
sustainable design features used in the
Centre and to provide insight as to how
the features performed, in practice,
based on the iiSBE research. While not
part of the iiSBE evaluation, the Centre’s
impact on community integration, and
sustainable education and discovery are
also discussed.

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The aim of the International Initiative for a
Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE) Canada
evaluation was to compare actual building
performance with predicted performance, and
identify and report lessons learned to the
sustainable building industry.

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Energy Reduction Strategy

DESIGN SOLUTIONS RESULTS “Occupancy values are difficult to

To conserve energy, a super-insulated According to the iiSBE Canada predict and record for multiuse buildings
building envelope; consisting of R28 performance evaluation, the building with changing occupancy numbers
walls, an R40 roof, and triple-glazed, outperformed typical multiuse throughout the year.”
argon-filled windows was created in the buildings in the area. Analysis of energy
Centre. Additionally, brise soleil enabled consumption data (for the two years While the building is outperforming
the Centre to utilize more efficient, included in the study) revealed the actual predictions, an interview with the facility
low intensity HVAC systems, such as energy use intensity (EUI) of the building manager revealed that opportunities for
radiant slabs with a dedicated outdoor was 74% lower (76 kWh/m2 per year) energy performance improvement still
air system (DOAS) and CO2 controls than a typical academic building in this remain. For example, fine-tuning the
for ventilation. location, and 22% lower than energy automated schedules and algorithms
modeling predicted for the building for the heating and cooling pumps, to
Energy capture is facilitated by vacuum during design. Possible explanations for reflect the actual hours of operation
tube solar panels, which satisfy the the results include less than predicted of the building, could save electricity
building’s domestic hot water needs electricity consumption during winter during weekends when the building is
and supplement the radiant floor and spring, and occupancy patterns unoccupied. The building performance
heating. An open-loop, ground source that were different than expected. evaluation concluded: “In general, the
geothermal system provides heating According to iiSBE Canada researchers, implementation of innovative systems
and cooling throughout the floors and has been successful in this building.”
in the walls of the gymnasium. Daylight
is optimized throughout the building
and is supplemented by high efficiency
lighting, controlled with both occupancy
and daylight sensors. Solar ventilation
chimneys improve airflow for natural
95%
predicted EUI reduction
ventilation, enhancing the stack effect from national baseline
with glazing on the south side for
increased solar gain.

The 300 kWh/year grid-tied

photovoltaic (PV) array was installed 92%
actual EUI reduction from
on the roof of the Centre to generate
national baseline
energy. A nontraditional flat installation
decreased panel efficiency by 10%, but
allowed 40% more panels to be installed
on the roof. Surplus energy, generated
from the PV array during the summer, is
either transferred to adjacent campus
24%
energy supplied by
buildings or exported to the local electric photovoltaics
grid to achieve a net-zero balance. The
system was believed to be the largest
non-utility array in Western Canada, at
the time of installation.

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 1

11
4 13
14 13 3
2 9

11 14 10
7

2 12

2
7 7

1 Ventilation chimney to 5 Photovoltaic panels 11 Super insulated walls

improve stack effect for 6 Vacuum tube solar and roofs
natural ventilation panels 12 Occupancy and 4
2 Operable windows 7 Radiant in floor heating daylight sensors 6
with red/green lights to and cooling 13 High efficiency lighting 5
indicate when outside 8 Open loop ground to supplement daylight
conditions are best source geothermal as required
3 Clerestory windows system 14 Triple glazed, argon 10
with light shelves in 9 Sun tracking light filled windows
larger spaces panels for Suncentral®
4 Solatube® daylighting lighting system
system 10 Brise soleil

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Water Reduction Strategy

DESIGN SOLUTIONS RESULTS However, occupancy predictions (used

The Centre’s strategy to reduce Overall, heavy reliance on local to determine water use intensity) were
water use is comprised of three recyclable water sources has facilitated a higher in modeling estimates than
main components: significant reduction in the use of potable measured in practice and did not account
water from the municipal water system. for very low occupancy (nearly zero)
1. The City of Penticton’s wastewater Evaluation results confirmed the actual during the summer months.
treatment plant (located municipal water use intensity for the
approximately 600 m from the Centre was very low (0.03 m3/m2 per Additionally, the facility manager
Centre) provides chemical-free, year) because water for toilet flushing, estimated water usage could be reduced
treated effluent water (TEW) to the mechanical system, and irrigation by 15% to 30% with the installation
the Centre for sinks, showers and came from well groundwater and treated of submetering systems (e.g., for
kitchen use. Grey water is exported effluent water provided by the City’s irrigation and toilet flushing). Having
back to the treatment facility and an wastewater treatment plant. Since the more information about water flows
equivalent volume of treated effluent building only requires potable water for would provide building operators
is returned for toilet flushing, green sinks, showers, and kitchen uses, the needed information to improve
roof, and site irrigation. In the winter, actual potable water use intensity per conservation solutions.
transfer from the treatment facility is occupant was 67% lower than expected.
not available as the water line is too
high and freezes; therefore, water
from the open-loop geothermal
system is diverted for toilet flushing.
2. Low-flow fixtures have been installed
0%
potable water used
89%
water use
throughout the building. for irrigation reduction
3. The use of xeriscaping principles in
the landscape design (e.g., drought-
tolerant indigenous plants, mulch)
reduced the need for supplemental
irrigation. Subsurface drip irrigation is
provided where irrigation is needed. 100%
wastewater
81%
water consumption
generation reduction from greywater

100%
rainwater managed
on site

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 3

1
4
1 3
6
2 5 2
7 7
1 6
3 2

1 Potable water is supplied for sinks,

511,945 Baseline Case FLOW + FLUSH FIXTURES
showers and kitchens
e Coupled 2 Greywater from sinks, showers
m 171,712 Design Case FLUSH + FLOW
and kitchens is exported to the
Ultra Efficient Fixtures
20.23 Storm + Gray Water
advanced wastewater treatment plant
overy 0 Irrigation Treatment for Toilet + (AWWTP)
Urinal Flushing
3 Treated effluent is imported from
the AWWTP for flushing toilets and
53,074
0 Irrigation
s Actual FLUSH + FLOW
entilation
irrigation
Water Use 4 A corresponding volume of biomass
Annual Gallons
is imported from the AWWTP for
fertilizer
neys
5 Blackwater from the toilet flushing is
returned to the AWWTP
6 In the winter, groundwater from open
loop geothermal system is diverted
for use in toilet flushing
7 Process water for the open loop
geothermal is drawn from a
groundwater well and returned
through an infiltration well

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Preservation of the Surrounding Ecosystem and Site

DESIGN SOLUTIONS The project was designed to capture, RESULTS

The site for the Centre had been store, and return to the ground 100% According to the iiSBE Canada
previously developed and was used of the storm water that falls on the site evaluation, taken together, these efforts
mainly for access to two existing using a complex system of drywells, significantly reduce impacts on the
buildings to the north; including an perforated pipes, bio-filtration swales, surrounding ecosystem: “This building
access road, walkways, and a parking and surface storage (i.e., ponding on aimed to be highly adapted to its site,
lot. Due to the large amount of existing grass covered areas and the green climate, and context.”
paving, the project team was able to add roof). The bio-filtration swale, built
the building to the site without increasing between the parking areas, cleans storm
the amount of hardscape. When the water before it enters the municipal
building footprint is subtracted, 50% storm drain.
of the remaining site area has been
protected or restored with native and
adaptive vegetation. The remaining
pavement, on the other 50% of the site,
36%
amount of landscaped
was repurposed for 268 parking spaces area before and after
and two plazas in front of and alongside addition of new building
the building.

Efforts to reduce the heat-island effect

included a vegetated green roof covering
10% of the roof area and a high-reflective
50%
of the site area was
membrane covering another 72% of the protected or restored
roof. The accessible green roof has been (building footprint not included)
planted with local flora creating a natural,
pesticide-free habitat for indigenous

94%
fauna, such as the Sandhill Skipper—a
butterfly on the local Red List of at-risk
and threatened species. amount of landscaped area
with the native or climate-
appropriate plants

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 Existing Building

Existing Building

1 1
1 1

Dashed Line
Indicates 3 Story
Height Limit due to
Navigation Canada Site Navigation Beacon

1 Green roofs support local fauna such as 3 Biofiltration swale

the sandhill skipper butterfly on the local 4 Highly reflective roof
endangered species list
2 Irrigation limited to college green area:
high efficiency sub-surface drip irrigation

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Indoor Environmental Quality

DESIGN SOLUTIONS RESULTS

A key design goal for the Centre was Occupant satisfaction with indoor
to create a healthy environment for environmental quality was assessed in
students, staff, and visitors. To fully the iiSBE Canada building performance
realize this important goal, shallow floor evaluation. Survey results indicated
plates were included throughout most that 85% of respondents were satisfied
of the building allowing for natural cross with the building environment, as a
ventilation and daylighting. Operable whole. Occupants were satisfied with
windows, with light indicators showing lighting, temperature, and air quality,
when to open/close for optimal heating but were dissatisfied with speech noise
and cooling, also were utilized in the and privacy. More specifically, survey
facility. In larger shop and classroom results indicated:
spaces, clerestory windows with internal,
high-level opaque glass light shelves •• 71% rated lighting favourably.
help bounce light further into the space. The majority of the complaints
Since the Centre is designed to help were about inadequate lighting on
advance new sustainable technologies, overcast days and in winter months,
two types of daylighting—Solatubes and and excessive glare in the summer
sun tracking light pipes—were included. months. Some occupants also felt
For the few areas of the building where it they had little control over lighting,
was not possible to achieve daylighting, although this may have been due
LED lighting was designed into the walls to a preference for daylight versus
to create the illusion of natural light artificial lighting.
reflecting off the surfaces. •• 72% of occupants were satisfied with
indoor temperatures. Dissatisfaction
came from being slightly too warm
or feeling cold drafts, as well as
a perceived lack of control over
thermal conditions.
•• Air quality was rated positively
by respondents.

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Daylight Analysis

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Reducing Carbon Impacts through Materials Selection

DESIGN SOLUTIONS Wireless switches were incorporated locally available, Red List-compliant
Careful attention was given to reducing into the project, as part of the electrical materials. This proved to be difficult for
the carbon footprint for the project design. These innovative switches electrical products, especially PVC-
through materials selection. As part of are self-powered, converting kinetic coated conduit products. In the end,
pursuing the Living Building Challenge, energy—from each button push—into fiberglass-reinforced epoxy conduit
research was conducted to find power for the wireless signal. There is no was used.
materials available within the region installed wiring or conduit, resulting in
(high-density materials within 500 km, less material and lower embodied energy RESULTS
medium-density within 1000 km, and for the project. The iiSBE Canada reported that
light materials within 2000 km). Timber the building incorporated regional
frame, made with FSC wood from British The Living Building Challenge Red List materials (23% by cost), as well as
Columbia’s Kootenay Region and local (the worst-in-class materials commonly recycled materials (8% by cost). Design
pine beetle killed wood, was chosen as used in the building industry) was used documents indicated that 79% of
the main structural system. to assess materials to be included in the construction waste was diverted
the Centre’s construction. A significant from landfill.
While pine beetle kill wood is often amount of time went into researching
used in ceiling treatments, the project’s
structural engineer was able to take
it one step further and successfully
incorporate it into the overall structure.
Additionally, the design team was
79%
construction waste
53.5
lbs/ft 2 CO2
successful in advocating for the use of
diverted from landfill
pine beetle-kill wood as an alternate
to FSC wood, allowing for support of
the local forestry industry, and thereby
helping to alleviate some of the economic
hardship that the beetle infestation
had caused. 10%
recycled content
386
$/ft 2
In the gymnasium, a pioneering system
of composite wood and concrete panels
was designed to accommodate the need
for radiant heating, which could not
be in the floor due to the sprung wood
system. The panels were much lighter
and used less material than traditional
23%
materials extracted
panels, which also helped reduce the and manufactured
carbon footprint. within 540 km

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3

1 500km radius for sourcing

high-density materials
2 1000km radius for sourcing
medium-density materials
3 2000km radius sourcing light
materials

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Informing the Future of Sustainable Design

Since its opening the Centre has received The design team has been able to
visitors from the U.S., Brazil, Columbia, share this project with the design and
India, China, Germany, Scotland, Kenya construction industry both locally and on
and South Korea. Okanagan College the world stage, presenting the project
also hosted the Annual Conference of at conferences in Helsinki, Finland and
Canadian Community Colleges during China. Recently, the College signed a
which 600 delegates visited the facility. New Memorandum of Understanding
Numerous conferences have been with the British Columbia Institute
hosted within the building including the of Technology (BCIT) to create joint
first TED Talk in the region. programming and research opportunities
in building sciences, sustainability
education, and energy management.

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“We could not be more pleased with the way the building
has attracted people here to learn, work, and collaborate—
from students and staff, to members of the community,
to visitors from all over the world. This is a building that
students love to learn in, that staff enjoy working in, that
the community loves to use, a building that continues to
impress visitors,” says Donna Lomas, Okanagan College’s
Regional Dean of the South Okanagan-Similkameen. “And
it’s doing all that with a tiny footprint on our environment.”

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 REFERENCES
Chu, A., Ebrahimi, G., Scannell, L., Save, P., Hodgson, M., Bartlett, K., &
Gorgolewski, M. (2015). Building performance evaluation for Jim Pattison Centre of
Excellence in sustainable building technologies and renewable energy conservation,
Penticton, British Columbia. International Initiative for a Sustainable Built
About HDR’s Environment (iiSBE) Canada. Retrieved from
Sustainability Experience
http://iisbecanada.ca/umedia/cms_files/Report_-_JPCOE_Final_Feb2015.
pdf
With over 500 LEED Accredited
Professionals, HDR has been at the Okanagan College. (2016, April 11). Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence named
forefront of the movement to implement greenest post-secondary building in Canada for 2016 [Press release].
an industry standard for green buildings Retrieved from
and was the first architecture firm to join
the USGBC in 1994. https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/Campus_and_Community/employees/
publicaffairs/news.html?BlogEntryID=37463
For more than 20 years, we’ve
championed the belief that sustainability
isn’t just about achieving a solitary target
or end goal, it’s about changing values,
culture, and processes. Using a “whole
building” approach to design, we have
adopted high-performance sustainability
requirements for all of our projects and
have endorsed the Architecture 2030
Challenge to achieve dramatic reductions
in greenhouse gas emissions. We explore
and challenge long-held assumptions to
find new ways to reduce energy demand
by 50 percent and more in the complex
buildings we design.

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We practice increased use of sustainable

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