BuildGreen Solutions led an integrated design process (IDP) for Algonquin College’s new Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE, currently under construction).  This $70 million, leading-edge building will house the college’s programs in construction trades, interior design and architecture, and engineering and building sciences.  Sustainability was one of the foremost objectives in the design and programming of this project: the building will be used for students as a living laboratory, to see, touch and experiment with different construction techniques and technologies.  The design-builder, Ellis Don, has targeted LEED Platinum, using on-site renewable energy generation, a green roof, rainwater capture and reuse, sustainable materials choices and a variety of other green strategies.

Aerial view of exterior courtesy of Algonquin College.

BuildGreen played a key role in the design process for this building.  We led the client from initial concept – creating a vision, guiding principles and objectives – through a series of workshops and charrettes to inform the RFP for design-builders.  BuildGreen helped the College create a means to score submissions and participated in the selection of the design builder.  BuildGreen also advised on sustainability issues ranging from use of renewable energy sources to materials choices, to the use of LEED as a tool for achieving sustainability objectives.

This LEED Platinum building was developed following a unique design-build process – one intended to extract the most out of an intensive integrated design process, and provide detailed, methodical criteria to guide the Design Builder.  Algonquin’s compliance team, lead by GRC Architects, continues to refine the Design Build process to ensure delivery of high-performance buildings.

Algonquin College continues to engage BuildGreen Solutions in a further series of projects, including the overall campus plan, the new Student Commons building, the Perth, ON campus renewal, and a relocation of the campus in Pembroke, ON.  Our team advocates environmental sustainability as an integral aspect of the College’s long-term economic viability, functionality and place-creation, and advise on renewable energy sources and campus energy planning.  In this role, we are a force for creativity and unconventional solutions on the design team.