Hamilton, ON

The Woodward Avenue Environmental Laboratory and Administration Building

Opportunity 

The City of Hamilton’s central sewage treatment plant required a new environmental laboratory building, a dedicated space to support its staff in the testing and monitoring of the municipal water and wastewater. The renovation provided the opportunity to upgrade its surroundings as well as incorporate the latest technology.

Response

The one-storey building consists of four distinct laboratory zones along with administration offices for Plant Operations and the Compliance and Regulation Divisions. The floor plan and program allow for future flexibility as staff requirements increase, technology and space needs evolve. Work continued in later years with a feasibility study exploring a mechanical and electrical systems overhaul to meet increased demand.

Sustainability

LEED Silver Certified, the Woodward Environmental Lab was the first LEED building completed by the City of Hamilton. The high-performance envelope prioritized indoor air quality and sun controls, with underfloor air distribution. The design filters 99% of all site water back into the ground, reduces potable wastewater use by 100% with a rainwater harvesting system, and reduces water use for the entire building by 65%, supported by drought resistant landscaping. All new materials were vetted for high post-consumer recycled content, and low VOC. Models estimate the design reduced annual energy costs by 30.6%. It was recognized with a Green Building Design, Thinking Outside The Box award for its innovation in wastewater technologies.

Services

Architecture, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering

Sectors

Civic, Science & Research

Team Leaders

Greg Sather
Michelle Austin
Mary Georgious

Partners & sub consultants

Watson MacEwen Teramura Architects (associate architect and laboratory design)
Keene Engineering - Mechanical & Electrical
Stantec - Structural
Wendy Shearer Landscape Architect - Landscape
AquiCon Construction - Contractors

Size

25,800 SQ. FT.

Sustainability:

LEED Silver Certified

Awards

2007 Green Building Design Award, Outside the Box Awards
2007 Award of Merit, City of Hamilton Urban Design and Architecture Awards