The Centre For Interactive Research On Sustainability

The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability. Vancouver, British Columbia. Perkins + Will. Heatherbrae Construction. Fast + Epp. Stantec. Core Groups Consultants. Isela Liu The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) is designed to be the greenest building in North America and its continual development in sustainable practices has allowed the building to be an internationally recognized leader. Thus, it is certified LEED Platinum. The CIRS has been a UBC project since 1999 – as it went through several iterations, location, inhabitants and owners over the period of time. Simultaneously, significant advancements were made in sustainable technology, public awareness and green building policies. Therefore, the design†¦show more content†¦The site conditions, microclimate, surrounding context, accessibility of the site and campus, building program, inhabitant comfort, circulation, and construction were put into consideration during the development of the design of the CIRS building. The CIRS has an urban relationship to the site as the building stretches out to the edge of all sides and creates opportunity to provide rain pro tection through overhangs along the sidewalks. The adjacent street, Sustainability Street, is a mix of landscape and urban infrastructure project; it combines transportation infrastructure, accessible pedestrian travel, native planting, storm water retention, bio-filtration and ground water recharge. Passive design for heating, cooling and ventilating was put into consideration during the design process of the CIRS. The building relies significantly on natural ventilation when the outside conditions allow it. The central atrium uses the â€Å"stack effect† due to the automatic vents on the curtain walls and skylight. Windows are shaded on sun-facing sides of the building in order to block excess glare and heat gains. The permanently occupied spaces in the building have full access to natural light and outside views, which reduces the amount of artificial lighting and energy. Photovoltaic panels are located on the atrium skylight and on the window shades and they transform sunlight into electricity. Tall windows allow lots of natural light to reach the