The Centre for the Built Environment

Project Description

The Centre for the Built Environment is a place of learning, exploration, and discovery, about the relationship between the built environment and the natural environment. The design and construction of the facility embodies and demonstrates ecological design principles and practices that are regenerative and restorative of natural ecosystems and that reflect the potential for buildings and nature to co-exist in a harmonious and mutually supportive relationship. The planning and design of the project is open-ended and adaptive to change so that, as a “living building” that has the capacity to “learn” and evolve over time, the CBE can continue down the path towards long-term goals such as “net zero energy”, “zero footprint”, and “carbon neutral” as new technologies and solutions mature and are incorporated.

The composite structural steel system for the CBE was the best fit for the project on the basis of environmental merit, construction expedience, and design versatility. The selection of steel as the primary structural system for the project reflected a convergence of benefits and incentives for the design, engineering, construction, and management of the unique and innovative building. The planning and design of the project is open-ended and adaptive to change so that, as a “living building” that has the capacity to “learn” and evolve over time, the CBE can continue down the path towards long-term goals such as “net zero energy”, “zero footprint”, and “carbon neutral” as new technologies and solutions mature and are incorporated.

The sustainable design agenda for the CBE is extensive and varied, befitting a building that has been officially designated as Nova Scotia’s public demonstration building for environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. The project has recently applied for LEED certification at the high end of the “Gold” standard, on the basis of 48 targeted credits.