1.5 ConEd Learning Hours

In the early 2000s, guided by a newly published-rating system, green buildings set out to optimize a new set of performance objectives. Among many other achievements, these developments managed to provide daylight and views for many occupants, while still using less energy than conventional buildings. However, in some cases, lack of consideration for design criterion overlooked by early rating systems—such as glare and acoustics—resulted in buildings that were less productive than conventional designs.

An important lesson learned for the next generation of green buildings is that for any development to be successful, a balance needs to be struck such that all critical performance criteria are identified, defined, and optimized. While this may sound obvious, for many buildings, it is nearly impossible to optimize for every design criterion and therein lies the paradox of green.

This presentation provides case-study-driven examples of designs that strive to optimize for critical building performance criterion including internal and external air quality, acoustics, vibration, and energy performance. The technical depth of the session brings to light the consonance and dissonance found between the discussed objectives, ultimately highlighting the paradoxical challenge of green building design.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the various building design features and benchmarking/modelling methods that can be used to evaluate and optimally balance occupant safety and energy use.
2. Going beyond occupant safety, gain insight into the importance of overall occupant health and wellness and how this will impact the design of sustainable buildings.
3. Understand how to use air quality dispersion modelling to optimize HVAC design, and the benefits of considering dispersion and noise holistically.
4. Gain an understanding of how interior acoustics affect user comfort, and what mitigation strategies are available.

Speaker:

John Alberico, CCEP, WELL AP (principal, RWDI)

John Alberico is one of RWDI’s most experienced consultants, with 33 years of delivering high-performance buildings for residential and commercial developers, higher education, healthcare, public institutions, and public-private partnership (P3) projects. He is known for forming strong, highly functional links across project teams, enabling architects, engineers, planners, and construction firms to deliver excellent, well-integrated results. John is a Canadian Certified Environmental Professional and WELL Accredited Professional. The vice president for Sustainable Labs Canada (SLCan), he is a founding member of the Toronto Chapter of SLCan, and a member of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL).

Mikk Toome, P.Eng LEED AP (senior acoustical engineer, RWDI)

Mikk is a senior engineer in RWDI's acoustics, noise, and vibration group with over a decade of diverse project experience. His work with clients has ranged from helping them refine the acoustic performance of venues such as lecture halls, atria, and other public spaces, to quantifying and mitigating noise and vibration from subways, railways, and machinery. Mikk continually seeks out opportunities to deepen his technical skills, whether by tackling difficult occupant-comfort challenges in existing buildings or by managing acoustic issues in new construction and renovations with comprehensive design solutions.

Mike Carl, P.Eng. (leader [building performance], RWDI)

A senior member of RWDI's Building Performance practice, Michael Carl specializes in high performance ventilation strategies and energy systems analysis. Michael has helped drive excellent results demanding projects, including highly specialized ventilation systems for buildings, healthcare, laboratory, and large assembly settings. Whether he is evaluating the HVAC system for the Grand Mosque in Makkah or assessing the effects of wind and atmosphere on the trajectory of baseballs in the new La Rinconada stadium in Venezuela, Michael impresses clients and collaborators with his deep technical knowledge and an infectious enthusiasm for problem-solving.