Sustainability Report

Embodied carbon strategies

• The project is targeting LEED v4 Schools Silver certification and aligns with the PACC 2020 (Plan for a Green Economy) framework.
• The project achieves an embodied carbon intensity of 272 kg CO2 eq/m², as determined through a full life cycle analysis (LCA). This figure is below the average for comparable school buildings in the Carbon Leadership Forum’s benchmark database.
• The mixed steel–concrete structural system reduces overall building mass, responding to soil bearing capacity while lowering embodied carbon.
• The LCA guided material selection based on recyclability and proximity to production sites, favouring locally sourced products.
• The aluminium envelope panels are fully recyclable and manufactured locally through a research partnership with AluQuébec, supporting Quebec’s regional industrial ecosystem.

Operational emissions strategies

The building achieves energy savings of 23.7 percent compared with the CNEB (National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings) 2011 reference model.

It operates on 100 percent electric energy, eliminating fossil fuel use and meeting Quebec’s PACC 2020 energy efficiency criteria.

Key systems contributing to low operational emissions include:

• Heat recovery from exhaust air and chillers to preheat fresh air and domestic water.
• Heat pumps for year-round heating and cooling.
• Magnetic centrifugal chiller and thermosiphon cooling (passive heat exchange based on natural convection) in winter to reduce mechanical loads.
• Variable frequency drives on fans and pumps for energy modulation.
• Solar wall integrated with the food service ventilation system.
• Perforated aluminium panels used as sunshades to provide passive solar control.
• Radiant hot and cold floors in the sports complex ensuring thermal comfort in line with ASHRAE 55.
• Energy-efficient lighting and a high-performance envelope with triple glazing and reinforced insulation.

A green roof and large green wall further improve comfort and indoor air quality, while reducing heating and humidification demand.

Material longevity and durability guided design decisions, ensuring efficient use of public funds across the building’s life cycle. Materials were selected for strength, low maintenance, and environmental responsibility.