University of Ottawa
IN-2: Innovation 2

The University of Ottawa recently finished the construction of its Faculty of Social Sciences building which is seeking LEED gold certification and features the tallest living wall in North America, at six storeys, which regulates humidity and acts as the building’s air purification system.

Let me document the many innovative aspects built into our new FFS Hall housing the Faculty of Social Sciences. This LEED Gold facility is on track to fulfilling its net zero heating promise and as such will not cause our campus’ central plant to burn one additional unit of fuel and therefore will not increase our direct (scope 1) Green House Gas emissions. With the bulk of the heating system behind us we were able to observe the 230,000 ft2 facility not importing any centrally generated heat as low as -18 C (0 F)! Some of the innovations supporting this breathtaking leap in performance include: 90% efficient air to air heat recovery eliminating any heating associated with the ventilation of the space, the 100 foot tall Living Wall acting as a Bio-filter/air washer/humidifier to all the ventilation air required by the 6 story atrium, the green roofs, abundant day-lighting and the fact that our corporate data center provides 40% of the buildings heating on a peak heating day which is only possible through the design of its Ultra low heating water loop which never exceeds 45 C! The building will also export its excess heat when outdoor temperatures are between 8 and 15 C to serve other less efficient buildings on our campus hot water heating network. Thanks for your interest. Pierre de Gagné, P.Eng. Directeur, Ingénierie et campus durable | Director, Engineering and Campus Sustainability Service des immeubles | Physical Resources Service Université d'Ottawa | University of Ottawa - 613.562.5800 x 6619, 141 Louis Pasteur, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5 -