The Cora Group has announced that it has been awarded Zero Carbon Building - Design certification by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) for evolv1. A new commercial multi-tenant office building now in construction, evolv1 is one of 16 elite projects across Canada to be selected by the CaGBC to participate in a two-year pilot of its new Zero Carbon Building Standard. It is also the first building to earn the Zero Carbon Building - Design certification.

In order to receive this certification, evolv1 had to demonstrate zero carbon design excellence, showing that it has: modeled a zero carbon balance for future operations; incorporated a highly efficient envelope and ventilation system to meet a defined threshold for thermal energy demand intensity; and designed onsite renewable energy systems capable of providing a minimum of 5 percent of building energy consumption.

This certification positions evolv1 as an industry leader and prepares the building for the inevitability of a future where carbon will be far less accessible and accepted. 

"We are incredibly honored that evolv1 has been recognized as the first building in Canada to earn Zero Carbon Building - Design certification", says Adrian Conrad, COO, Cora Group. "This has been a building several years in the imagining, planning, and making. It is the result of a collaborative effort by The Cora Group, our design partner Stantec, and our many stakeholders. It is extremely satisfying for all involved to have our work nationally recognized. evolv1 represents a project that goes well beyond 'building sustainably.' We firmly believe it sets a new benchmark for green building design and construction. 

"CaGBC's Zero Carbon Building Standard is an innovative made-in-Canada solution that supports industry efforts to reduce GHG emissions and grow the low-carbon economy," says Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council. "As the first project to earn Zero Carbon Building - Design certification in Canada, evolv1 stands out as an innovator and a true leader for the industry. It is setting a tangible example for building owners and policymakers across the country that zero carbon buildings are technically feasible and economically viable right now. The shift to zero carbon buildings is a critical step in reaching our climate change goals in Canada. Through innovative projects like evolv1 the building industry can lead the way in the fight against climate change."

Setting a new benchmark for sustainable building design and construction

The evolv1 vision is a collaboration between The Cora Group, Sustainable Waterloo Region, The David Johnston Research & Technology Park, and anchor tenant E&Y. The building, designed and engineered by global design firm Stantec and constructed by Melloul Blamey, is also targeting LEED ® Platinum certification and will produce more energy than it consumes when complete. Stantec's highly integrated design process incorporates active and passive systems to optimize value against construction cost. The high-performance building envelope incorporates triple glazing, a solar wall for preheated ventilation, a geo-exchange/VRF HVAC system, three-story green wall, and a combination of photovoltaics. Due for completion in Summer 2018, evolv1 will also become home to Waterloo tech company, TextNow. 

"We are proud of how evolv1 expands the definition of sustainability. This project advances the business case and economic model for sustainable design in a multi-tenant building. It's a building that supports human health and wellness, important characteristics for today's premiere tenants and their employees," says Richard Williams, principal with Stantec.

Over the course of the first 12 months of operation, evolv1 will monitor performance to demonstrate that it has achieved a zero emissions balance in order to earn Zero Carbon Building - Performance certification. To learn more about CaGBC's ZCB program, visit cagbc.org/zerocarbon.

The Cora Group | www.coragroup.com