Materials Testing Facility

Location

900 E. Kent Ave

Vancouver, BC

Canada

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Completion Date
1999
Site/ building area:
Building: 397 m2
Budget
$550,000
Certifications & Awards
  • 2001: Innovation Award, Architectural Institute of British Columbia
  • 2001: Honorable Mention, International Design Resource Awards
  • 2000: Award of Merit, Consulting Engineers of British Columbia
  • 2000: What Makes it Green? Architectural Institute of America
Project Team
  • Owner: City of Vancouver
  • Architect: Busby Perkins+Will (formally Busby + Associates)
  • Structural Engineer: Fast + Epp
  • Mechanical Engineer: Stantec (formerly Keen Engineering)
  • Electrical Engineer: Reid Crowther
  • Landscape Architect: City Staff
  • Project Manager: David Desrochers, City of Vancouver
  • Construction Manager: Ken King & Associates

Summary

Key Sustainability Features

  • Building comprised of 90% recycled material
  • Local salvaged materials
  • Onsite stormwater management
  • Natural ventilation

The City of Vancouver's Asphalt Plant and Materials Handling Facility, located on the north shore of the Fraser River, accommodates aggregate handling and asphalt manufacturing activities. The on-site two-storey Material Testing Facility houses laboratory facilities, associated offices, and amenity spaces. This building is comprised of 90% recycled content, successfully demonstrating the economical use of recycled and reused materials in construction. The extensive use of recycled materials resulted in a savings of $140,000.

 

The decision to incorporate such a high percentage of recycled materials shaped the design process. Usually a building is designed first and the materials are then specified. In the case of the Materials Testing Facility the building was designed based on the materials that could be found. Some of the salvaged materials include roof trusses from old warehouses on site, heavy structural members, existing lab and mechanical equipment, plumbing fixtures, walls, insulation, light fixtures, and furniture. Floors are constructed out of salvaged glulam beams and glazing was created from salvaged glass and millwork. Structural and mechanical systems were left exposed to reduce resource use.

The Materials Testing Facility places no additional burden on the City's stormwater drainage system. All stormwater runoff is handled on site. It passes through an oil/water separator, a settling pond, and finally flows to a 106 m planted swale.

The building reduces energy use through a natural ventilation strategy that consists of operable windows and cross ventilation. The building maintains high indoor quality by ventilating lab areas separately so that toxins do not enter office spaces. Operable windows supply fresh air, daylight, and views to the Fraser River.

This project proves that a building made of salvaged material can provide a healthy working environment and still be aesthetically pleasing.

Tours: Available upon request, call: 604-310-0354

 

This post was imported from the 'Greater Vancouver Green Guide', it's part of the 'Green Guide Portal' to the Green Building Brain