Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre

Integration of the project into the Montréal Botanical Garden was handled masterfully, in terms of both the shape of the building and its placement, which made it possible to preserve existing elements with ecological value, such as red oaks and large cedar hedges, as well as create a courtyard affording a quality environment. The site was regenerated with a native xeriscape (ground and roof). There is very little impermeable surface, and rainwater management is incorporated: recovery, permeable surfaces and infiltration basin. Recovered rainwater is reused for the cooling pool in the courtyard and for toilets.

The project includes laboratories and conservation areas requiring controlled humidity and temperature, yielding exemplary energy efficiency.

In fact, achieving a performance of over 45% above the NECB (37% based on costs) is a challenge for any type of building. This was accomplished using a combination of technologies and the mechanical efficiency of the envelope. For example, the project includes a solar wall to preheat fresh air from a portion of the building envelope made of microperforated zinc. Despite the laboratories and conservation areas, the building has several rooms with windows that open to admit abundant natural light.

Despite the constraints due to the laboratories and conservation area, the Biodiversity Centre achieves optimal energy consumption by means of ingenious applications of mechanical infrastructures that reduce energy costs by 37%. The energy savings resulting from the installation of a passive solar wall, heat recovery from exhaust air, variable speed drives on HVAC equipment, optimized equipment performance, geothermal heating and an efficient density of lighting fixtures.

The Biodiversity Centre is located on a previously developed site that was decontaminated, allowing for the full restoration of the outdoor spaces.

To encourage the use of alternative transportation, no new parking spaces were added. Additionally, the building is located less than 630 metres from a metro station and less than 400 metres from several bus routes and a bike path. Fourteen bicycle parking spaces have been added, along with a shower. The heat island effect is reduced through the installation of a green roof and light-coloured impermeable surfaces. Lastly, nighttime lighting has been designed to minimize light pollution.

In addition to being indigenous, the plants selected for the project are drought-resistant and do not require watering or irrigation systems.

The water basin in the central garden, fed by rainwater, provides natural air cooling on hot days. In addition, much of the rainwater on the roof is recovered for flushing toilets and urinals, which have a reduced flow rate. By combining these two approaches, the reduction in drinking water consumption in the building amounts to around 60% annually. Unrecovered rainwater percolates through the site, reducing the load on the municipal network and allowing natural infiltration into the water table.