Located underneath the Campus Commons
Second largest in North America
Serves all campus buildings
392 closed loop boreholes extend 200m below the surface of the commons
The individual loops are manifolded together into 28 modules in 4 zones, allowing for a high level of real time management
Provides 2000 tonnes of energy efficient heating and cooling

General displacement ventilation HVAC system

The atriums in each of the 5 academic buildings serve as the main return air duct
The system works with the raised floor access system
Excess heat harvested in atria with a heat wheel
With this system, no return air ducts are necessary

Other measures

High efficiency mechanical equipment
Mechanical equipment designed in modular arrangement to allow for flexibility
Concrete structure of buildings is exposed to allow the concrete mass to store and moderate thermal energy

Building Envelope

PHOTO: Steven Evans

Exterior walls – R value 25

Roof – average R value 35

Vegetated roofs cover 40% of the total roof area:

reducing unwanted heat gain from solar energy
combating heat island effect
increasing biodiversity & encouraging rainwater absorption
providing higher quality air for mechanical systems due to intake air being drawn over vegetated roof surface

Windows – R8

High-performance sealed unit windows use a heat mirror inner film

Solar Shading, Daylight & Lighting

PHOTO: Steven Evans

Each building is designed around a central atrium that provides natural light through all floors. Orientation specific solar shading is used to reduce solar gain.