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Okanagan College Health Sciences Centre

Okanagan College’s Health Sciences Centre (HSC) is an integrated learning facility offering programs to train the next generation of health and social development professionals, who are in high demand across the province of British Columbia. The client engaged EcoAmmo to manage three certifications across the new facility, which includes offices, program delivery spaces, teaching labs, and student gathering spaces integrated throughout the building’s three floors.

At a Glance

Okanagan College, GEC Architecture
Kelowna, BC
Education
2,822 m2 (30,375 SF)
Okanagan College (Owner)GEC Architecture (Architect)Stuart Olson (General Contractor)
LEED New Construction, v4 (Gold)WELL Educational Facilities Pilot Program Silver (targeting)Zero Carbon Building Standard - Design (Certified)
  • LEED Consulting
  • WELL Consulting
  • Whole-building Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Services
  • Zero Carbon Consulting

Note: This project was completed by EcoAmmo Sustainable Consulting. As of May 1, 2024, EcoAmmo has joined Stok.

The Challenge

The project is one of the first to combine three leading–edge certifications: LEED, WELL, and Zero Carbon Building Standard. EcoAmmo acted as the sustainability consultant for all three certification pursuits to bring this next-gen educational space to life. Specifically, EcoAmmo: 

  • Managed the LEED, WELL, and Zero Carbon certifications in concert, identifying opportunities for efficiency to streamline the triple certification pursuit.
  • Provided energy and carbon consulting to reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency, and deliver a high-performance building.
  • Provided LEED consulting to strengthen the project’s sustainable design.
  • Provided WELL consulting to enhance occupant health, comfort, and experience.
“Stok’s collaborative spirit and dedication to win-win-win solutions for our project, team, and goals largely shaped the success of this project. As technical experts, they skillfully identified synergies between all three certification pursuits to strategically streamline our efforts, as well as expertly navigated the new Zero Carbon Building Standard, making Okanagan College Health Sciences Centre one of just 14 pilot projects of the standard. Stok’s creative problem solving, grit, and determination were instrumental in driving our complex and ambitious project over the finish line.”

By the Numbers

Energy reduction below baseline
48%
Water reduction below baseline
35%

The Solution

STREAMLINED TRIPLE CERTIFICATION PURSUIT

As the sustainability lead across all three certifications, EcoAmmo identified synergies between LEED, WELL, and Zero Carbon Building Standard to align the pursuits. The project team evaluated design strategies through a unique, comprehensive, and integrated approach that accounted for environmental sustainability, human health, and carbon neutrality. Indigenous communities, including representatives from the College’s Indigenous Committee as well as members of the Westbank First Nation, were also involved in the design process as part of the holistic approach. 

HOLISTIC DESIGN ELEMENTS

The Okanagan College HSC pushes the envelope of high-performance buildings through holistic design elements to achieve the project’s bold three-pronged goal. 

    • Carbon neutrality was met in part through the use of renewable energy systems and a district energy system, as well as reduction in embodied carbon through the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and other sustainable materials. 
    • Energy and environmental design was achieved through ideal location and transportation accesses, high indoor water efficiency, optimized energy performance, and excellent construction waste management. 
    • Design methods applied to maximize human health and comfort include enhanced indoor air and water quality strategies, operable windows, and maximized daylight, as well as locally sourced sustainable products and materials for low toxicity and aesthetics. 

Photos courtesy of Okanagan College

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