PAGE C6 – January 2008 – The Ottawa Construction Ne ws
Simmonds’ Work with RVCA Welcomed
When the Rideau Valley
Conservation Authority
(RVCA) had to build a new
building, they wanted en-
ergy efficiency, a reflection
of their role as an environ-
mental organization, and in-
tegration with the
surrounding park.
With the building now
complete and those criteria
in mind, Christopher Sim-
monds Architect provided
an excellent opportunity to
fulfill each one.
“He was the right archi-
tect for this job, and we are
convinced of that,” said
Cliff Craig, project manager
on the new RVCA building.
“We have accomplished all signed to maximize energy the RVCA building was ex- cuik said of Simmonds’ RVCA employees “will be Chair Alan Arbuckle. “Our
of those objectives we had efficiency and blend well tremely well received by all work. “Everybody was into able to see the water flow member municipalities felt
going into the project, and with the environment parties, said Mark Lucuik, it, and everybody under- when it rains,” Simmonds it was important that the
we are certainly happy with around it. LEED and Building Enve- stood what Chris had in said. Conservation Authority
the architect.” “We had a number of lope Consultant. Lucuik, mind.” Beyond that, the build- show leadership in environ-
The building, which criteria to make it fit into the who is also vice-president Of particular interest to ing also incorporates a mental matters starting with
will, once certified, be the park setting and we wanted of the Ottawa chapter of the the RVCA was water con- state-of-the-art rain water the construction of our new
first LEED registered pub- it to reflect the type of envi- Canada Green Building servation and management. collection and grey water office space.”
lic building in Ottawa, is a ronmental organization that Council, said Simmonds To address this, Simmonds management system. All of For Simmonds, the
multi-use office building for we are,” Craig said. “The made the LEED point-gath- designed the building to the water on site will be col- building provided another
the RVCA and visitor centre LEED certification that ering process very easy. shed water from the roof lected, treated and some of excellent opportunity to
to Beryl Gaffney Park in Chris proposed really fo- “The concept of step- into a man-made stream and it reused in the buildings showcase his principles of
South Ottawa. Like much of cused in on that.” ping lightly on the earth has an onsite pond. With large toilet system, which will environmentally-friendly
Simmonds’ work, it was de- Simmonds’ outlook on really carried forward,” Lu- overhangs from the roof, flow to a highly efficient, design. But he was also
demonstration septic system very praising of the role of
adjacent to the building. All Scott Hayward as project
water will be managed on architect, and the role of
site. Kristina Leaning, who has
The building also incor- done many renovations and
porates the use of natural won a heritage award for
light to reduce the amount some of her work.
of electric light that is “Scott brought in an
needed. The southern expo- enormous amount of dedi-
sure of the office building cation and continuity to
allows for natural light make sure this project came
throughout the day, while together,” Simmonds said.
deep overhangs prevent “He helped lead our staff in
MP Lundy Construc-
overheating in the summer. the office and saw the proj-
“Staff members have ect all the way through to
been commenting about the the end.”
tion, Ltd.
amount of natural light that For the RVCA, it is an
they receive,” explained excellent way to showcase
Craig. “They have been their role in the Ottawa area,
4 x 90
very happy and I have heard and take a leadership role in
a lot of comments about conservation and the envi-
(360 Lines)
staff loving the building and ronment; and they could not
the natural light.” be happier about the build-
In order to meet LEED ing.
1/3 page
requirements and gain “From a team and
LEED points, the building morale-building point of
also incorporated recycled view, our staff members are
and regional materials. so far very satisfied with
More than 15 per cent of the their workspace,” Craig said
materials used in construc- of the reaction after just
tion are made of recycled moving into the building in
material and an additional December. “[Chris’] whole
20 per cent were extracted philosophy about the busi-
or manufactured locally. ness of sustainable design
“Building to LEED stan- and sustainable building is
dards costs more money at something that is very
first, but the payback comes friendly to the occupants.”
very quickly in energy sav-
ings alone,” said RVCA
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