Oak Ridges Library Receives LEED Silver Certification!
An important update from Perkins&Will Senior Sustainability Advisor, Zeina Elali:
"Yesterday the Oak Ridges Library received it’s LEED Silver certification! Just as was targeted. Congratulations to all who have worked on this project on this wonderful achievement.
Notable sustainability and wellness features include:
- Mass Timber construction, significantly reducing the embodied carbon footprint of the facility (embodied carbon: Energy and carbon associated with extracting, manufacturing, and transporting the building materials)
- Innovation point for integration of Biophilic Design! Biophilia (meaning love of nature) focuses on human’s innate attraction to nature and natural processes. It suggests that we all have a genetic connection to the natural world built up through hundreds of thousands of years of living in agrarian settings. Biophilic design can reduce stress, enhance creativity and clarity of thought, improve our well-being and expedite healing; as the world population continues to urbanize, these qualities are ever more important.
- Innovation for development of Green cleaning policy and a Sustainable Purchasing Policy of Reduced Mercury Lamps, to ensure green practices continue through into operations.
- Development Density and Community Connectivity – channeling development to urban areas with existing infrastructure protects greenfields and preserve habitat and natural resources.
- Limiting Parking Capacity, to not exceed local zoning requirements. This is achieved through alternative modes of transportation strategies to limit the use of vehicles.
- Mitigation of Heat Island effect from roof through use of materials with high solar reflectance index - to minimize impact on microclimates and wildlife habitats.
- Potable water use reduction of 37.09% through low flow fixtures
- Efficient irrigation resulting in more than 50% potable water savings
- Energy reduction of 26%
- Engagement of Commissioning Authority, ensuring systems are optimized and operating as intended to reduce energy use, lower operating costs, reduce contractor callbacks
- An impressive 82.5% of construction waste diverted from landfill
- Another incredible achievement of 27.5% of recycled content and 54.27% regional content in materials installed, earning the project innovation points!
- 78.82% of all wood used on the project is Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) certified to encourage environmentally responsible forest management
- Use of materials which are low to non-emitting, including adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, flooring systems, composite wood and agrifibre products – to reduce indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and harmful to both the installers as well as eventual building occupants"
CFMS is proud to have been part of an outstanding team, providing commissioning and helping to ensure the success of achieving LEED Silver Certification for Oak Ridges Library!