1.5 ConEd Learning Hours
1.5 AIA LU

Existing buildings are major contributors of emissions in the building sector. Deep retrofits present a significant opportunity to reduce operation carbon, improve indoor environmental quality, and overlap with the needed action on climate resilience. As buildings age, there is an inherent need for repair and capital renewal—an activity seen by most owners as a cost. The climate action imperative transforms the capital planning process, providing architects and consultants an opportunity to inspire building owners with renewal solutions that go beyond like-for-like and accelerate us toward a zero carbon future.

This session explores future-ready solutions for existing buildings, ranging from optimal fuel switching to deep asset renewal. It reviews the policy landscape, and offers case studies to explore the many challenges and opportunities, and highlight key considerations for the design of space, enclosure, HVAC, and renewable energy systems.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand existing building impacts on climate future.
2. Be aware of opportunities for existing building future ready intervention.
3. Explore possible solutions for existing building decarbonisation.
4. Learn lessons from past projects and case studies.

Speaker:

Andrea Yee, P.Eng. (project builder [building science], WSP)

Andrea Yee is an enclosure specialist with 15 years of experience. She has worked on a diverse range of buildings throughout her career, including large buildings within the commercial, residential, and institutional markets. She regularly supports decarbonization initiatives in both new and existing buildings and is continually exploring solutions for clients to help improve their buildings.

Antoni Paleshi, P.Eng., M.A.Sc. (project director [climate change, resilience, and sustainability], WSP)

Antoni Paleshi is the national practice manager for zero-carbon buildings and a member of WSP Canada’s Climate Change, Resilience, and Sustainability team. His 15 years of experience in the field have helped him specialize in the design, simulation, evaluation, and capital planning of building efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures and he has experience leading teams towards cost-effective zero-carbon buildings in all major sectors. Antoni has also worked on a number of community- and portfolio-scale decarbonization studies and policy development efforts for organizations like Public Works Canada and the City of Toronto.