The LEED Canada Gold Certified Library/Classroom Building features a unique energy-efficient design. It has captured national and international attention for its environmentally progressive features and is a landmark on campus and in the community. For information on the Library's vision, annual reports and strategic plan, see About the Library.

Construction start date: June 2005
Move in date: August 2007
Open for business: September 2007

Architects

Teeple Architects Inc. (Toronto) and IBI/HB Architects (Vancouver)

Total Area

Building: 80 000 square feet
Library: 51 000 square feet

Certification and Awards

  • LEED Gold designation (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification based on the Canada Green Building Council's performance standards for environmental responsibility and energy efficiency
  • SAB Award, May 2008, awarded by the Sustainable Architecture & Building magazine
  • Canadian Architecture Award of Excellence 2005 awarded by the magazine Canadian Architecture
  • Holcim Foundation Award 2005 awarded by the Switzerland-based foundation that recognizes sustainable construction projects around the world

Environmental Sustainability Features

Natural Ventilation:

  • Four wind towers pull air upward through the building
  • Undulating concrete roof increases pulling power of wind towers by increasing wind velocity
  • Sensor-controlled windows bring air into the building's heating and cooling

Heating and Cooling:

  • Overall design is based on heat sink principles and features a geothermal loop formed by 78 bore holes drilled to a depth of 250 feet
  • Waste heat is captured from exhaust air
  • Exposed cast-in-place concrete and high-performance glass aid in energy transfer and storage

Energy Efficiency:

  • Natural ventilation and heating/cooling design eliminate the need for conventional air conditioning
  • Expected to be 71% more energy-efficient than the baseline established in Canada's National Energy Code for Buildings Water efficiency.

Water Efficiency:

  • Low-flow washroom fixtures
  • Rainwater harvesting landscaping

Landscaping:

  • Greening of the campus

Learn more about Langara's environmental sustainability.