Kwantlen Polytechnic University has added another LEED building, at its Langley campus.
The Sustainable Horticulture program’s lab achieved LEED gold status.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized standard.
Kwantlen also has a LEED gold library at its Surrey campus and gold certification at its Cloverdale campus.
“As part of its Climate Action Plan, B.C. has required all new provincially owned or leased government buildings to be built to a minimum of LEED Gold or equivalent standard since 2008. Congratulations to Kwantlen for achieving LEED Gold certification for the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture lab. It’s particularly challenging to obtain the standard on laboratory facilities, so this is quite an accomplishment for all involved,†said Polak.
While building KPU’s state-of-the-art lab, over 75 per cent of construction waste was diverted from landfills and landscape water usage was cut in half. For the first two years, the building was also designed to acquire 50 per cent of its energy from renewable sources.
“The achievement of LEED Gold for a small research lab was only possible through the design team’s expertise, persistence with exploring creative alternatives and commitment to creating a highly sustainable building,†said Karen Hearn, executive director of KPU’s facilities.
The Institute for Sustainable Horticulture works to advance sustainable horticulture development through collaborative research and innovation. ISH’s research includes eco-friendly pest management, food sovereignty through urban agriculture and energy-efficient greenhouse construction methods.
Part of the lab’s new research facility includes Canada’s first microbial insect pathogens incubator, where the university’s bio-controls research group explores environmentally friendly pest management systems.