Sustainability Report

The core strategy for embodied carbon (carbon footprint of materials used) is the predominant use of engineered timber products derived from sustainably grown New Zealand radiata pine.

• Mass Timber Structure: The gravity and lateral framework is a three-level Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) diagrid structure, paired with a lightweight Composite CLT and LVL floor system and CLT partitions. The use of wood results in significant carbon sequestration (418 tonnes of carbon stored).
• Embodied Carbon Zero: The project achieved embodied carbon zero at the time of completion, as assessed by Etool.
• Material Efficiency: Innovative design, such as the laminated LVL structural nodes with seismic fuses, reduced the structural size of the timber members by about a quarter, minimizing material use.
• Prefabrication: Extensive prefabrication and coordination of timber components, including simplified diagrid assembly (diamond and triangles), were used to promote repetition and simplify site erection, which typically reduces waste and associated emissions.

Operational strategies focus on significantly reducing energy consumption through passive design and efficient systems.

• Mixed Mode Ventilation: The building uses a mixed mode ventilation system controlled by a user-controlled "traffic light system."
• Double-Skin Façade: The double-skin east-facing glazed façade is used for solar preheating in winter and de-stratification, regulating internal temperatures and loads.
• High-Performance Glazing: Low-e performance glazing with a fritted pattern (increasing density on north/west facades) is used for thermal strategy and to regulate internal temperatures.
• Natural Light: Extensive glazing allows an abundance of natural light to limit the use of active lighting.
• High-Efficiency Systems: Utilizes low energy lighting and low water usage sanitary fittings.
• Future Energy Upgrade:  The building is designed to facilitate a future transition from the current gas boiler to a woodchip-fueled boiler. This switch will further reduce operational emissions from 11 kg CO₂/m² per year to 5 kg CO₂/m² per year.
• Measurable Outcome: The modeled energy usage is 80 kWh/m²/year, representing a 34% reduction in operational impacts compared to a baseline building. The reduction improves to 56% when the woodchip boiler is implemented. These values are based on energy use modeling data, indicating that the building consumes only 80 kWh/m²/year of energy.

Strategies were implemented to extend the building's lifespan and simplify maintenance and future upgrades, reducing lifecycle emissions.

• Repairable Structure: The design is described as a resilient and repairable structure, notably with the seismic fuse in the LVL nodes that can be replaced after an earthquake.
• Flexible Service Reticulation: Services are routed through raised acoustic floor systems in the workspaces and in the subfloor space beneath the raised timber roof. This design allows for easy relocation, addition, or complete upgrading of wired services and building systems in the future with no structural disruption.
• Accessible Systems: The placement of services in the subfloor and below the roof enables simple access for rework or replacement over the building's lifespan.