Dalhousie First University in Atlantic Canada to Achieve LEED* Gold Certification

The Mona Campbell building (1459 LeMarchant Street) has received LEED* Gold certification for new construction from the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC). It is the first university building in Atlantic Canada to become LEED* Gold certified based on the six categories examined by the CaGBC within the new construction category: sustainable sites; materials and resources; water efficiency; indoor environmental quality; energy and atmosphere, and; innovation and design process. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED*) is a third-party certification program and internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The Mona Campbell building is home to the College of Sustainability, PCPC, the College of Continuing Education, the School of Social Work and research labs for the Faculty of Computer Science.

Key Points:

• The Mona Campbell building, which opened September 2010, is the first University building among the 11 universities in Nova Scotia, eight universities in New Brunswick, and universities in PEI and Newfoundland to achieve LEED Gold certification.

• It is also the first University building in the Atlantic Provinces to use Bubbledeck technology. Bubbledeck flooring uses hollow, plastic balls, reinforced by steel within concrete slabs to reduce the amount of concrete used while maintaining the structure’s strength. The result is a lighter, equally as strong, more environmentally friendly structure.

• Key sustainability features of the Mona Campbell include: o Cistern to collect non-potable water; rainwater collected from the roof and gutters used to flush toilets o Low-flow fixtures in the bathrooms o Green roof, planted with drought-resistant sedum and grasses o “OptiNet” air quality sensors that measure and monitor humidity, carbon dioxide and small particles o SolarWall system to preheat ventilation air o Water loop heat pump system that allows rejected core heat to be used for perimeter heating in the winter months o High-efficiency lighting with sensors that detect when a room is in use or not o FSC-certified maple paneling

• According to Dalhousie’s Green Building Policy, all new buildings designed and built after 2011 will be built to LEED* Gold standards.

Pull Quotes:

• "The Mona Campbell building sets the standard for all new buildings being built at Dal and shows the community the ‘art of the possible’; anyone can incorporate green building principles when upgrading or creating a new building" – Rochelle Owen, director of Dalhousie's Office of Sustainability

• "Dalhousie has been focused on sustainability since the 1990’s. With the creation of the Office of Sustainability, the Student Office of Sustainability and College of Sustainability in 2008, and the resulting Green Building Policy, Climate Change Plan and Sustainability Plan, Dalhousie is becoming one of the most sustainable campuses in the country." – Rochelle Owen, director of Dalhousie's Office of Sustainability

• "Dalhousie is incredibly proud to be the first university in the Atlantic Provinces to achieve LEED* Gold certification from the CaGBC. All new buildings will be built according to LEED Gold standards. We’re also trying to incorporate as many green building principles as possible in our retrofits." – Ken Burt, VP, Finance & Administration, Dalhousie University

• "This was an exciting, yet challenging project since it was the first of its kind on campus; we implemented leading edge technologies and managed to complete the project on time and under budget." – Omar Khartabil, Senior Project Manager, Dalhousie University

Images:

Mona Campbell Building, exterior Download Hi-Res

Videos:

Dalhousies Greenest Building - The Mona Campbell Building Download high resolution version (broadcast ready).

Contacts:

• Charles Crosby, APR, Senior Advisor, Media, 494-1269, charles.crosby@dal.ca