Waterloo, ON
Emergency Medical Services Headquarters
We were the Prime Consultant for the Region of Waterloo EMS operations centre, a LEED Gold Certified facility completed in two phases.
Phase 1 was completed in 2004, and Phase 2 was completed in 2012. This Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facility is operated by the Region of Waterloo and features administrative and staff spaces, and a vehicle garage.
The EMS project is a benchmark for sustainable design — being the first LEED Gold Certified building under the Canada Green Building Council in Canada. The success of this project convinced regional council to require a minimum LEED Silver standard for all new municipal buildings.
Conceived as an environmental prototype for the Region of Waterloo, the sustainable building features include photo-voltaic panels, hydronic in-floor heating system, energy recovery ventilators, displacement ventilation, desiccant dehumidification, and a rainwater cistern. Over 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfills, and over 20% of the building materials contained recycled content. Additionally, over 30% of the building materials were regionally manufactured.
Services
Architecture
Sectors
Healthcare, Transportation
Team Leaders
Partners & sub consultants
Enermodal Engineering (now WSP) - Mechanical
Rombald Inc. – Electrical
Stantec Consulting Ltd. – Structural
BTY - Cost Consultant
Size
22,000 SQ. FT.
Value
$2,250,000
Sustainability:
LEED Gold Certified
Innovations + Outcomes
- This was the first LEED Gold Certified facility in Canada, certified under the CaGBC.
- Photovoltaic panels provide 10% of the energy demand
- 68% better energy performance than the referenced MNECB building
- Hydronic in-floor heating system for radiant heating of garage floor
- Energy Recovery Ventilators on all air handling systems
- Displacement ventilation and desiccant dehumidification
- Over 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfill
- Over 20% of the building materials contained recycled content
- Over 30% of the building materials were regionally manufactured
- Occupancy sensors to control lighting, with system 30% more energy efficient
- Rainwater cistern to supply water for toilets, clothes washing, and hose bibs
- 60% reduction in indoor water use
- CO2 emissions are reduced annually by 89.8 tonnes
- Average water consumption reduced annually by approximately 2,800 m3
- Earned all 10 Energy Credits under LEED
- $21,000 in natural gas and electricity savings annually