BBC StoryWorks Series – Building a Better Future

November 19, 2020

In April 2020, TRCA submitted an expression of interest to participate in the World Green Building Council and BBC StoryWorks Series – Building a Better Future.

The series explores the profound effect buildings have on the quality of people’s lives and the role the green buildings movement can play in tackling the climate emergency. The intention of the series was to look at case studies and projects occurring within organizations that translate rhetoric into action. By shining a light on the most interesting examples of best practice from across the sector, the series hopes to increase awareness and understanding, and drive change in the ways in which buildings are designed, built and operated.

TRCA’s submission to the series was successful as the selection committee felt TRCA’s overall work in the larger community in combination with the effort to achieve a more sustainable new administration building would be a compelling story. Over the course of the summer and fall, staff worked closely with the BBC production team to produce a short film that tells the story of the work that TRCA does within the watersheds of the GTA with a particular focus on how the new administration building will showcase the use of mass timber as a way of making the building more sustainable. The documentary is now completed and will be launched as part of the Building a Better Future event.

The series is being promoted across several social media sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook as well as on its own website. The documentary can also be viewed on the BBC website. The series has been sent to over 2,000 members and supporters of the World Green Building Council and is being circulated to decision-makers to help inform them of some of the valuable work we do in partnership with government, industry, and individual citizens for the benefit of our communities.

TRCA’s administration building project continues to meet the highest standards in sustainability and design:

• LEED Platinum
• WELL Silver
• Zero Carbon Certification
• Toronto Green Standards Tier 2

The project design team led by ZAS Architects and Bucholz McEvoy Architects in joint venture have produced a truly innovative building that is both technically innovative and aesthetically sophisticated. Despite the challenges of schedule, budget, and approvals, the project is meeting the original goals enumerated in the concept design process:

• Architecture to respond to ravine context, mission of TRCA
• Adaptability, durability, flexibility critical aspects of design
• Physical and visual connection to nature important
• Sustainable design to be demonstrated throughout
• Architecture to facilitate internal collaboration, and allow open welcoming interface with public
• Ground floor uses to be public in nature
• Upper office floors to be interconnected visually and physically to encourage daily physical activity
• Workspace design to adhere to current best-practices while accommodating a range of working styles (open office, private rooms, meeting rooms and lounge areas)

Exterior rendering of the new TRCA administration building

Features that the design team have brought to the project include:

• Passive heating and cooling through a double layer of glass and operable windows
• Four “Waterwalls” delivering tempered air through a raised floor plenum
• Two large atria spaces delivering natural light to interior spaces and fresh air
• Ceiling mounted radiant hydronic panels efficiently providing additional heating and cooling
• Exterior window blind system to dramatically reduce solar gain and therefore the need for costly air conditioning
• A landscape and stormwater management design that dramatically reduces water egress from the site adjacent to a ravine

I am excited to share the final documentary with you today and hope you take the time to see how our organization is perceived internationally.

I would like to thank staff involved in our submission including Jed Braithwaite, Amanda Yip, and Bernie McIntyre as well as staff who are featured in the short film including Darryl Gray, Matt Johnston, and our Chair Jennifer Innis.

Sincerely,

John MacKenzie, M.Sc.(Pl) MCIP, RPP
Chief Executive Officer
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)