Sun Youth Multi-Purpose Centre
Client: Sun Youth
Project description
The project involves the construction of the new Sun Youth Multi-Purpose Centre, an inspiring, mixed-use, sustainable community building. Located on Saint-Laurent Avenue across from Jarry Park, the 2,500 m² facility is designed to achieve carbon neutrality and obtain the CAGBC’s Zero Carbon Building (ZCB v3) certification. The design adheres to the standard’s requirements and draws on LEED-inspired principles to maximize sustainability and performance.
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Characteristics and Impacts
Sustainable Performance and Certifications
As a result of the implemented measures, the building has achieved:
- 54% reduction in energy consumption
- 54% reduction in GHG emissions
- 42% reduction in potable water use
The building is in the process of obtaining the ZCB-Design v3 certification, confirming its position as a leading model of sustainable development.
Innovations
- Innovative 100% electric heating and cooling: A four-pipe geothermal heat pump system meets simultaneous heating and cooling needs, with the capacity to discharge to the geothermal field during seasonal peaks. The geothermal system provides full heating and cooling coverage, with an electric boiler for backup.
- High-efficiency fresh air heat recovery system: Fresh air is preheated using counter-flow heat exchangers, achieving approximately 90% efficiency in winter and 80% in summer.
- Photovoltaic panels: Beige panels, seamlessly integrated into the facade on Saint-Laurent Avenue, generate renewable energy while maintaining the building’s clean aesthetic.
- Embodied carbon: Close collaboration between the architects (Kanva) and structural engineers (Leroux+Cyr) resulted in an over 20% reduction in embodied carbon, primarily through the use of a glued-laminated timber structure.
- High-induction architectural ducts: These visible ducts provide ventilation, heating, and cooling for community spaces while optimizing energy performance and air quality, and enhancing the space’s aesthetic by highlighting the exposed wood structure.
- Project in a dense urban environment: Since over 80% of the site was occupied by the building, the geothermal wells had to be installed beneath the structure. This proved to be both a technical and logistical challenge, requiring the drilling work to be completed before the structural work and within a tight schedule.