Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex - the gold star on The University of Winnipeg's downtown campus

The four-storey atrium is the heart of the new Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex, with 9 living trees and natural light. Hundreds gathered for the grand opening on June 27.

The University of Winnipeg opened the latest of its new energy efficient buildings in downtown Winnipeg. The Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex will house the University's departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies, as well as 2,000 students in September 2011.

The new facility is a model of green building technology, leading the university's mandate to continuously reduce overall energy demand, minimize waste, and work towards zero net emissions of greenhouse gases from energy use. It will also be home to the University Sustainability Office and Research in Public Policy Initiatives associated with sustainability.

The Richardson complex uses approximately half the energy of a conventional building, making it one of the most energy efficient educational laboratory buildings in North America. It incorporates more than 30 research and teaching labs, a vivarium, and a 1,127 square foot rooftop greenhouse.

Significant energy savings are realized through the extensive use of:

• natural daylight flooding through energy-efficient double glazed argon-filled windows;
• energy-efficient lighting with daylight and occupancy sensors;
• a programmable air flow system for ventilation efficiency;
• a heat recovery wheel which cleans and filters lab air and re-circulates warm air;
• low flow water fixtures on taps and shower heads;
• dual flush toilets and waterless urinals to reduce water consumption.

"The world is watching," said Dan Hurley, Associate Vice-President of External Affairs, at the grand opening celebration on June 27, in reference to the building's leadership in green building technology and sustainability initiatives. The University of Winnipeg is targeting a LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Standard designation to head the many LEED Silver buildings it has recently unveiled.

Across Portage Avenue stands the Buhler Centre and Plug-In Institute of Contemporary Art, opened in 2010 as home to The University of Winnipeg's Faculty of Business and Economics and Division of Continuing Education. The 4-storey eco-friendly building, built to Silver LEED standards, is approximately 50,000 square feet. Features include a 4-storey interior atrium space with natural light, a third floor terrace space, and interconnected sky-lit student lounges.

Adjacent to The Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex is a Power Smart designated building, McFeetors Hall Great-West Life Student Residence. The residence opened in 2009, is also a LEED Silver building with a range of leading-edge environmental technologies to foster sustainability and energy efficiency.

The building's housing units offer 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with kitchens, living and dining areas to accommodate University of Winnipeg and other local students with families. Additionally, 176 dorm-style beds accommodate students in single and double bedroom suites.

McFeetors Hall has been designated as a Power Smart building in recognition of its various energy efficient building design features, including:

• superior insulation in its roof and walls;
• south facing windows with glazing to maximize solar gains and natural daylight;
• ground source heat pump heating/cooling in the south lobby;
• energy efficient lighting controls;
• Energy Star appliances and laundry facilities;
• operable windows;
• dual flush toilets and water-conserving fixtures.

Watch our University of Winnipeg Power Smart video profile featuring McFeetors Hall and The University of Winnipeg Students Association (UWSA) Day Care, a preschool and infant child care centre which is also a LEED Silver building. See all Power Smart Video Profiles.

Learn more about Power Smart for Business.

Visit the University of Winnipeg website.

Read about LEED on the U.S. Green Building Council website.

Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Winnipeg, accepts a Power Smart plaque recognizing the energy efficiency of the UWSA Day Care and McFeetors Hall from Rosann Wowchuk, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Province of Manitoba, and Lloyd Kuczek, Vice President Customer Care & Marketing, Manitoba Hydro.

Posted July 5, 2011