HUMBER
CENTRE FOR URBAN ECOLOGY HUMBER ARBORETUM
Located on the grounds of the Humber College North Campus, the Humber Arboretum hosts thousands of visitors each year. In addition to its botanical gardens, the Arboretum provides programs to educate the public about preservation and stewardship of the natural environment, and promotes public interest in horticulture and gardening.
In joint venture with Taylor Hazell Architects, aA replaced a structurally compromised, outmoded structure with a striking two-storey glass building that takes advantage of its spectacular views of the surrounding woods and grounds, while supporting the educational mandate of the Arboretum.
As the focal point of educational programs and special events at the Arboretum’s new Centre for Urban Ecology, the new building acts as a living lab for Humber College students, visitors from area schools and the community at large. It is a demonstration model for sustainable architecture and energy-efficient technologies that are practical and achievable by conventional means of construction. As a result, the College hopes to inspire Arboretum visitors to consider ways in which their own homes, offices and schools might be made more sustainable.
The building has achieved LEED® Gold Certification, incorporating the following ‘green’ features and strategies:
passive solar heat sources, incorporating high performance windows and super-insulation.
vegetated (‘green’) roof for storm water management and passive cooling
biofilter system for sewage and grey water treatment
water conserving toilets
cistern to collect roof top runoff and supply landscape irrigation
natural cooling and ventilating
natural day lighting, high efficiency luminaries, occupancy sensor controls
high efficiency gas boiler
environmentally friendly, and locally sourced building materials
minimization of PVC products, low VOC finishes / sealants
an integrated monitoring and control system to achieve energy efficiency and occupant comfort
and to provide data relating to the effectiveness of green technologies in an urban public building.
HUMBER COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS & TECHNOLOGY
TORONTO, CANADA
2009
$100 MILLION
20,750 m2
Located on the grounds of the Humber College North Campus, the Humber Arboretum hosts thousands of visitors each year. In addition to its botanical gardens, the Arboretum provides programs to educate the public about preservation and stewardship of the natural environment, and promotes public interest in horticulture and gardening.
In joint venture with Taylor Hazell Architects, aA replaced a structurally compromised, outmoded structure with a striking two-storey glass building that takes advantage of its spectacular views of the surrounding woods and grounds, while supporting the educational mandate of the Arboretum.
As the focal point of educational programs and special events at the Arboretum’s new Centre for Urban Ecology, the new building acts as a living lab for Humber College students, visitors from area schools and the community at large. It is a demonstration model for sustainable architecture and energy-efficient technologies that are practical and achievable by conventional means of construction. As a result, the College hopes to inspire Arboretum visitors to consider ways in which their own homes, offices and schools might be made more sustainable.
The building has achieved LEED® Gold Certification, incorporating the following ‘green’ features and strategies: passive solar heat sources, incorporating high performance windows and super-insulation. vegetated (‘green’) roof for storm water management and passive cooling biofilter system for sewage and grey water treatment water conserving toilets cistern to collect roof top runoff and supply landscape irrigation natural cooling and ventilating natural day lighting, high efficiency luminaries, occupancy sensor controls high efficiency gas boiler environmentally friendly, and locally sourced building materials minimization of PVC products, low VOC finishes / sealants an integrated monitoring and control system to achieve energy efficiency and occupant comfort and to provide data relating to the effectiveness of green technologies in an urban public building.
HUMBER COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS & TECHNOLOGY
TORONTO, CANADA
2009
$100 MILLION
20,750 m2