April 30, 2012

ELIZABETH GYDE

The Centre for Green Cities received the green design award in the 2012 Green Toronto Awards. Above is the Young Welcome Centre.

Diamond Schmitt, Sunnybrook hospital get Green Toronto awards

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The Centre for Green Cities at Evergreen Brick Works has garnered Diamond Schmitt Architects the green design award in the 2012 Green Toronto Awards.

“The Centre for Green Cities is more than a green building that is targeting the first LEED Platinum heritage status in Canada,” the city said.

“The building at Evergreen Brick Works is a testament to sustainable design and practice, embodying creative design to lower its carbon footprint.”

Constructed by Eastern Construction Co. Ltd. and completed in 2010, the centre is the only new building on the industrial site, nestled in the city’s Don Valley. The five-storey building houses a welcome centre, retail and amenity space, administrative offices and workspace for program partners.

To capture the spirit of the historic site and its industrial heritage, the centre knits the new building into and around the existing elements on the site. Old brick walls, steel structures, and metal sheds are retained and define the building’s footprint.

“The Centre for Green Cities shows by example what can be accomplished to promote energy efficiency and historical preservation while designing a versatile, engaging space,” the city said.

The project previously received a Canadian Institute of Steel Construction award of excellence in the green building category in 2011.

The green design award was one of nine presented in the city’s annual environmental awards of excellence, recognizing individuals, organizations and companies “helping to lead the way to a cleaner, greener” Toronto.

The awards are presented in partnership with Green Living Enterprises. Other winners included:

Green Business Award

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The city said the health sciences centre is “a steward of the environment” committed to reducing its dependence on non-renewable energy and reducing waste within the hospital. The centre achieved reductions through a number of programs including a $28-million energy and facility renewal program, which resulted in a savings of $1.6 million. Initiatives included the installation of a “cool roof,” a partnership with Smart Commute, and a new waste management program. Sunnybrook’s annual Earth Matters showcase event also raises the environmental awareness of its employees and the community.

Energy Conservation Award

ecobee Inc. The mission of ecobee is to help consumers conserve energy, save money and reduce their environmental impact through innovative automated HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) controls. Thanks to ecobee’s customer-friendly technology such as Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, more than 80 per cent of its customers run an energy saving program on their thermostat. The average ecobee customer achieves annual energy savings of 26 per cent. In addition, ecobee makes an impact in the utility market, with various projects that leverage its user-friendly innovations.

Winners were announced in mid-April at the Green Living Show in Toronto.

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