The first four months of the year showed strong growth in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in Canada.
The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) saw 135 registrations and 202 certifications between January 1 and April 30, bringing the total number of LEED-certified buildings in Canada to 2252:
- 36 LEED-certified;
- 67 LEED Silver;
- 90 LEED Gold; and
- 9 LEED Platinum.
Two hospitals in Southern Ontario became LEED Silver-certified: Bridgepoint Hospital in Toronto and the Niagara Health System’s St. Catharines site. The 63,174-m² (680,000-sf) Bridgepoint Hospital experienced 29 per cent energy cost savings. It features a smart irrigation system, which connects to local weather stations. Niagara Health System incorporated a high-performance building exterior to keep the interior temperature cooler in the summer. The facility saw a 35 per cent reduction in water use.
“Given their function, hospitals must dispense public services in an environment that is as healthy as possible—both physically and psychologically,” said Chris Gower, executive vice-president of PCL Constructors Canada, the firm that managed the design and construction of both hospitals. “Evidence-based design studies have shown that access to natural daylight and views contribute to patient rehabilitation and recovery, feelings of well-being, comfort, and wellness for building occupants, and increased productivity for staff and caregiver,” he explained. “By their nature, hospitals are not efficient buildings. When designing these facilities, it was essential to balance energy efficiency with patient comfort. This included maximizing the quality of the indoor environment and providing access to daylight.”
