CANADA, 21 March – Six buildings will soon be renovated to make them safer, more energy efficient, and more resistant to extreme weather.
Six design teams were selected to create retrofit designs for six low to mid-rise social housing units in Kamloops and Coquitlam.
The Province, BC Housing and the City of Vancouver announced the next phase of the Reframed Lab initiative. It is a building retrofit program that was launched in June 2020.
The six design teams will exchange ideas on cutting carbon pollution (including technological solution such as heat pumps, heat recovery systems and low-carbon material), driving down energy consumption and improving climate-change resilience, and will also explore innovations in seismic upgrades.
Tenants of buildings will not have to move from their homes during renovations. Most of the work will be done on the buildings exteriors. Work is expected to begin in fall 2022.
The 2021 request for proposals process selected the design teams. They will then create solutions for their buildings with the support of dozens more construction-sector partners. Below is a list of design teams, buildings and locations.
- Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. Crossroads Inn, Kamloops, operated under ASK Wellness Society
- Evoke Buildings Engineering, Le Chateau, Coquitlam, operated MVHC
- Williams Engineering Canada: Crown Manor New Westminster, operated under MVHC
- Morrison Hershfield Manor House in North Vancouver, operated under MVHC
- Entuitive: Tikva Housing Society, Dany Guincher, Vancouver
- Low Hammond Rowe Architecture: Medewiwin (Victoria), operated by Pacifica Housing
The Province will support the design and capital costs of the project with funding from the Capital Renewal Fund. This 10-year investment of $1.1-billion is dedicated to the preservation and improvement of B.C.’s 51,000 units.
This initiative was also funded by the Provinces CleanBC Building Innovation Fund, (CBBIF), which provided $460,000. CBBIF Fund provided $9.65 Million to developers, builders, and researchers to help them demonstrate and market new low-carbon and energy efficient building technologies. Their goal is to increase accessibility, affordability, and acceptance of made-in B.C. Building technologies that can be scaled up in order to meet provincial climate targets, prepare for future building regulations, and drive economic development.
The City of Vancouver is providing technical and regulatory support to the work. This aligns with the city’s climate and housing affordability objectives. The cities of Victoria, Coquitlam and New Westminster provide regulatory support for the projects within their communities.
Quotes:
David Eby is the Attorney General and Minister Responsible For Housing
We support these six projects with cutting-edge technology. Our goal is to create a model for deep energie upgrades. We started by retrofitting six B.C. housing buildings. This work will improve air quality as well as energy efficiency, which will help tenants and reduce operator costs.
George Heyman Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Working together with different government agencies, organizations, and orders, we supported innovative new ways to improve housing options. CleanBC was investing in better, more efficient social housing to reduce climate pollution, create new jobs in the clean-buildings sector, and increase resilience so that we are better prepared for a changing world.
Bruce Ralston, Minister for Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
Supporting Made-in-B.C. Innovation in our building sector was key to increasing the B.C. CleanBC goals are being met by the building industry, which will provide good, family-supporting employment. Our goal is to increase the affordability and availability of made-in B.C. Low-carbon building solutions that are easily scaleable to achieve provincial climate targets, and drive economic development.
Kennedy Stewart, mayor, City of Vancouver
Reframed Lab and our partnership show that collaboration is key to tackling climate change. Affordable housing must be more resilient to extreme weather events like the heat dome, which brought record-breaking temperatures to B.C. Last year. Retrofitting multi-unit residential buildings in Vancouver, B.C. and surrounding areas, we prioritize occupant safety and health, while also protecting and improving existing building stock and helping to achieve our climate goals of reducing emissions.
Jill Atkey, CEO, BC Non-Profit Housing Association
“The climate emergency is here and those who live in non-profit housing are most at risk from its effects. The non-profit housing sector is also one of the largest energy users in B.C. These six projects will help us to develop a plan for the future that will ensure that people are protected and that our footprint is reduced.
Tom-Pierre Frapp-Snclauze, B.C. Director, Pembina Institute
B.C. is a leader in the face of a global climate emergency. B.C. has the opportunity to lead the world in local know-how and products that will be needed for the massive renovations required in all cities. Deep retrofits are a smart way to reduce carbon pollution and energy bills. They also have the potential to provide health benefits, resilience against climate risks, and extended life for our vital housing infrastructure.
Quick facts:
- The Reframed Lab is designed to explore the technical feasibility and economic viability ofrenovations which integrate energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and seismic safety.
- Retrofit projects aim at reducing annual energy demand by more then 50% and carbon emissions to an average of 80%.
- Envelope upgrades can reduce thermal heat loss, drafts and moisture, as well as improve indoor air quality and reduce utility costs.
- Fuel-switching strategies can be integrated with envelope improvements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase heating-system efficiency.
- As required, seismic resilience will be integrated and optimized with the envelope to reduce costs.
- Climate adaptation measures are designed to improve indoor air quality and protect residents from heat waves, floods, and forest fires.
- The buildings are available for seniors, families, and people with mental-health, substance-use, or physical disabilities. They range in size from 1 to 50 units.
Learn More
For more information about the Reframed Lab, please visit: https://reframedinitiative.org/lab/
Visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/
Visit: www.cleanbc.ca
Visit:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/clean-buildings
