Natural Resources Canada chose to relocate its CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory from Ottawa to Hamilton to be closer to the steel and manufacturing sectors it serves through metallurgical research and testing. LEED Platinum certified, this new project raises the bar for industrial buildings in Canada.
Fundamental to passive strategies for energy reduction is a high-performance thermal envelope for walls, foundations, roof and triple glazing. Orientation of the long axis on the south and north side offers more readily harvested daylight and thermal control through specific solar shading and glazing selections.
Daylight and occupancy sensors automatically phase lighting and blinds to reduce electrical energy use. The glazing and solar shading strategy at the perimeter drives light deep into the space with the use of light-transmitting glass while customized solar shading reduces glare.
The guiding principle to the mechanical, electrical and renewable systems are maximized energy efficiency and reduction of energy waste. The vast roof allowed for extensive renewable source installations, including 209 solar thermal collectors to harvest heat.
Thermal energy, collected in solar tanks within the penthouse, is used for radiant and domestic water heating. Collectively the tanks have 180,000 litres of hot water storage capacity, which equates to three days heating for the building. Any excess thermal energy is discharged to a 152 m deep, 80-borehole, ground source system.
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This was taken from www.sabmagazine.com
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