Sustainable Design
Sustainable design means more than creating a high performance building. At its essence, our objective is to mitigate environmental impacts via the considerations of context, community, landscape and building form. This is achieved by engaging our clients in defining sustainability goals. Through a collaborative and integrated design process, the most appropriate and innovative technologies and building systems are applied.
We are at the forefront of this rapidly developing field and, as a consequence, have an extensive portfolio of highly regarded sustainable building projects. To further advocate, educate and to enhance this activity, we are committed to the 2030 Challenge to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions for all our new and renovated buildings.
living walls
Diamond Schmitt Architects pioneered the commercial application of the biofilter living wall. This technology developed by NEDLAW Living Walls reduces demand on mechanical systems to heat, cool and humidify internal air. Living walls are a visually striking addition to atria and can be upwards of five-stories high. Anecdotal evidence attributes higher productivity, lower absenteeism and an improved sense of well-being to these installations. Indoor air is cleansed of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other pollutants by the exposed roots of tropical plants. The air is then recycled through the building’s mechanical system, which lowers the energy costs associated with treating outside air. We have designed 14 biofilter living walls to date.
“LEED Platinum..... It’s not business as usual.”
Matt Richardson
EllisDon, LEED co-ordinator
for CANMET Materials Technology Laboratoryopened 2011 in Hamilton, Ontario