VICTORIA – Waymark Architecture, wins 2020 Canadian Green Building award for Charter’s headquarters, poised to be Western Canada’s first Passive House commercial office building. Passive House standard is the world’s most rigorous passive energy performance standards. By designing Charter’s headquarters to this standard, Waymark delivers a high-performance building with an inviting work environment for Charter’s staff while lowering operating and maintenance costs. The success of this project proves that significant improvement in energy performance is achievable in commercial buildings.
“An unusual solution born from the creative response to site constraints, and a practical approach to a Passive House project that was a first-time challenge for all concerned. Covered at-grade parking has the potential to be used for future expansion of the building, or enhanced green space. The wall assembly and construction sequence were carefully considered so that the project could be competitively bid to local contractors. Exposed mass timber makes for an inviting interior,” was one jury comment.
Will King of Waymark Architecture
“Building owners that share a long-term view of their project will recognize that the immense savings in operational costs will quickly surpass the marginal capital cost increases, with exceptional savings for years to come. The reduced carbon emissions are the icing on the cake,” said Will King, Principal, at Waymark Architecture.
Charter’s headquarters is a catalyst for high performance construction in Canada. With design loads of 90 per cent less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings, the building deliveries efficiencies in energy performance. The end result is a building that is energy efficient, quiet, comfortable year-round and has excellent indoor air quality. The building is also one of the most complex cross-laminated timber buildings on Vancouver Island, contributing to an inviting interior and a functional workplace. By pushing the boundaries of the construction industry, Waymark delivers buildings that are at the forefront of sustainable design.
Passive House building techniques require specific skilled trades. Waymark simplified the design and sub-trade requirements to enable local contractors to bid competitively without requiring skilled passive house builders. The design is accessible by creating three simple layers wrapped around each other. The structure is assembled from pre-manufactured heavy timber followed by a layer of insulation and envelope work. The final layer is a protective cladding and roofing membrane protecting the building from the elements.
