Morrison Hershfield, as the LEED and sustainable design consultant, worked with the architect, Christopher Simmonds, and the rest of the project team to achieve a strong example of green construction. RCVA's new office capitalizes on the opportunity to enhance image and identity, demonstrate technologies and provide community amenities.
The project had a strong focus on water quality, utilizing innovative features such as waterless urinals, dual flush toilets, a grey-water recovery system, and a reduction of over 70% of potable water use from the base case. Further, the project restored a larger surrounding site from a fallow farm field to a more natural undulating landscape with water features and manufactured wetlands.
Originally targeting LEED Silver, through green building design and innovative engineering, the RVCA achieved Ottawa's first LEED Gold certification through the consolidated efforts of the client and the design and construction teams.