Sustainability Report

Embodied carbon strategies

• The LEED certification framework played a significant role in shaping the project from the early design stages, serving as a guiding reference for objectives related to site development, energy performance, water consumption reduction, and material selection. This approach anchored the project within a structured framework for sustainable performance.
• Material selection emerged as one of the areas most directly influenced by LEED criteria. A key strategy involved repurposing rock excavated directly from the site for use within the project, eliminating the need for off-site disposal and reducing transportation-related emissions. This material was reused in the form of gabion walls, aligning with sustainable material strategies encouraged by the certification process.
• Locally sourced materials were prioritised to further reduce embodied carbon while supporting the regional economy. These include Nordic Lam glued-laminated timber (glulam), using locally sourced wood for portions of the structure and articulated as an exposed wood ceiling along the pavilion’s circulation path. Granite sourced from Stanstead, Quebec, was used throughout the project, significantly limiting transportation-related emissions.
• By cost value, 15.54 percent of project materials contain recycled content, while 30.62 percent are locally sourced.
• Construction and demolition waste management supports long-term environmental performance, with 99 percent of waste diverted from landfill.

Operational emissions strategies

• Several measures were implemented to reduce the building’s operational carbon footprint. The project achieves an estimated 33 percent reduction in energy consumption by cost, translating directly into lower emissions associated with building operations.
• This performance is largely driven by the integration of geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling, which leverage Montreal’s subsurface thermal inertia. Additional measures include heat recovery from exhaust air to preheat incoming fresh air, variable flow systems equipped with variable speed drives, CO2 sensors, occupancy detectors, and high-efficiency lighting.
• HVAC systems were selected to ensure refrigerants do not contribute to ozone depletion and comply with the maximum global warming potential thresholds established by LEED v3.
• Site development strategies were also shaped by long-term environmental considerations. Stormwater management became an integral compositional element, with permeable surfaces increased from 31 percent to 44 percent of the site. These measures are complemented by vegetated rooftops and native plantings, reinforcing continuity between the built environment and Mount Royal’s landscape.
• Parking was reconfigured and reduced from 415 to 339 spaces, reflecting a shift towards prioritising landscape quality and active transportation while supporting long-term adaptability of the site.