2012 Canadian Green Building Awards jury citation

The Canadian Green Building Awards (SAB Awards) recognize excellence in the design and execution of Canadian residential and non-residential buildings of all types, including new construction, renovations and interior design projects. A jury consisting of Helen Goodland (Brantwood Consulting), Stephen Teeple (Teeple Architects) and Eric Pelletier (Eric Pelletier Architects) selected the Centre for Green Cities (CGC) at the Evergreen Brick Works along as one of seven winning entries from 56 submissions.

This is a fine example of the reclamation and remediation of a large industrial site that successfully integrates architectural and environmental concerns. The retention and reuse of a disparate collection of existing structures gives the redevelopment a rich and unique character reflective of its industrial heritage. The new Centre for Green Cities building successfully combines a variety of passive design strategies most notable of which is the innovative approach to natural ventilation.

Evergreen Brick Works officially opened in 2010

The Evergreen Brick Works project transforms an abandoned industrial site in Toronto’s Don Valley into an environmentally-themed community landmark that engages visitors in diverse experiences connected to nature and the city.

Evergreen Brick Works was officially opened in September 2010 as Canada’s first community environmental center. It is a place for people to share ideas and explore best practices related to sustainability: bringing together nature, culture and community. In addition to revitalizing the heritage buildings, Evergreen’s headquarters in the newly constructed Centre for Green Cities (CGC) is designed to become LEED Platinum certified.

The venue enables the exploration of global issues, including the green economy, urban ecology, transportation, water, energy, waste management, agriculture and food, building design and land-use planning. The site’s use of a wide range of green technologies will help make it a national hub for urban sustainability. For the family and community, Evergreen Brick Works offers year-round programs and activities that include a sustainable garden center, a farmers’ market, demonstration gardens, and kitchens, conference and event facilities, youth leadership and children’s camps, community bike space, family programming and programs for youth.

The project was financed via the Evergreen Brick Works USD 54 million capital campaign, a contribution of USD 20 million from the Government of Canada, and a further USD 10 million through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Government of Ontario.

World Environment Day host city headquarters

The center was honored to be the headquarters of the host city of Toronto for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Environment Day 2011 in North America. Evergreen was selected as the headquarters and events were held in celebration on June 5-7.

Holcim Canada contributes to sustainable construction through the Evergreen project

Holcim Canada has been involved with the project since the “Evergreen Brick Works Site Revitalization Project” won an Acknowledgement prize at the 2008 Holcim Awards competition for sustainable construction projects and visions. “The Brick Works was essentially a quarry and this transformation demonstrates how such sites can be rehabilitated to create an ecological and community legacy,” said Paul Ostrander, Holcim Canada President and CEO.

All three of the site’s parking lots were built by Holcim Canada’s subsidiary, Dufferin Construction – two using conventional concrete while the other is made of a specialized pervious concrete that is porous. The pervious concrete allows storm water to filter through more easily, and thus enables groundwater to be replenished. Recycled concrete aggregate was used as base material for the parking lots and backfill around the rest of the site.

Holcim Canada supplied the materials and services for the construction of large concrete planters that provide the public with shade and seating, in addition to the foundations for the newly-built Centre for Green Cities, several of the restored buildings and the base of the Evergreen Garden.

Sustainable City Innovation Network

Investing in the development of clean technology will help Ontario continue to turn the corner, help economic growth and create the next generation of jobs. The Evergreen Brickworks as part of the Sustainable City Innovation Network supports the Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan to get Ontario off dirty coal-fired power and replace it with cleaner sources of electricity – like wind, solar and bio-energy.

The new Sustainable City Innovation Network will:

• Connect leading innovators, city builders, entrepreneurs, researchers and others so they can collaborate on developing and implementing clean technologies
• Host an annual EXPO series to promote and showcase Ontario’s innovative clean industries
• Serve as a national hub for information about sustainability in cities
• Strengthen Ontario’s position as a leader in the global clean economy.

Project background

The revitalization of the Don Valley Brick Works in the industrial fringe of Toronto is an initiative of a Canadian charity, Evergreen, that aims to engage citizens in restoring degraded and abandoned urban places through active participation. The project consists of the revitalization of an industrial heritage site as an education center focused on sustainable cities. 

The key issues to be developed and communicated to the broad public encompass environmental and community health, “brownfield” redevelopment, heritage conservation, sustainable design and the need for innovative public-private partnerships. This very broad approach to the complex task of urban transformation combined with an efficient management of the urban metabolism, driven by a strong partnership between citizens and authorities are the outstanding merits of this project.

Project performance
(Source: SABMag Jul/Aug 2012)

• Energy intensity (building and process energy) = 494 MJ/m2/year
• Energy savings relative to model building under MNECB = 50 %
• Potable water consumption from municipal sources = 4,307 L/occupant/year
• Potable water savings relative to model building = 60 %
• Reclaimed and recycled materials [by value] = 23 %
• Regional materials [800 km radius] = 46 %