High-performance building envelope sets the stage for new MEC headquarters’ energy-efficient design
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) has been an advocate for active lifestyles and environmental awareness since it was founded in 1971. After growing significantly over the course of several decades, it came time to construct a new corporate headquarters. The company selected East Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as the new site, and enlisted the design services of Vancouver-based Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc. The vision was to develop an energy-efficient building that not only reflected MEC’s corporate philosophy, but also pushed the envelope for sustainable design.
General contractor, Ventana Construction Corp., Burnaby, British Columbia, began work on the new MEC headquarters in June 2013. A key element to the building’s design was to maximize the amount of natural light to reduce the energy costs associated with artificial lighting and, at the same time, create a vibrant atmosphere for employees. To achieve this, MEC headquarters was configured with high ceilings, supported by extensive exterior glazing.
The building’s façade utilizes the Series HP3253 High Performance Curtain Wall System from Los Angeles-based CRL-U.S. Aluminum. This patented triple-glazed system features dual thermal barrier technology that employs two fill-and-debridge pockets and three thermal break points. Acting as a dynamic thermal barrier, the curtainwall helps maintain desired interior temperatures throughout the year, and delivers U-factors as low as 0.17.
To accommodate the increased dead load resulting from taller window spans, the system was outfitted with custom-reinforced steel brackets within the curtainwall nose. In addition to enhanced thermal performance, the triple-pane design yields a higher STC rating for a quieter workspace.
For added functionality, the curtainwall is equipped with thermally broken Series 7200 Windows from CRL. The windows provide an airtight seal to minimize air leakage, and are fully operable to help regulate internal temperatures. Completing the building envelope are NFRC-rated Series 750-T High Performance Thermal Doors. Also thermally broken, the doors are filled and debridged with a polyurethane polymer.
Exterior glass selection plays a critical role in optimizing the energy efficiency of a building. As such, the triple-glazed Series HP3253 Curtain Wall System is outfitted with 50.8-mm low-E glass and argon-filled air spaces. The glass delivers an effective balance between solar heat gain protection and a high visible transmittance. Custom-fabricated sunshades accentuate the glazing system and reduce exposure to direct ultraviolet rays. Together, the thermally improved curtainwall, low-E glass, high-performance thermal doors, and custom sunshades form a thermal barrier that significantly reduces energy consumption.
As previously mentioned, maximizing daylight diffusion in order to increase energy efficiency was a high priority for MEC. To accomplish this, Proscenium Architecture designed the building’s façade with extensive glazing. This theme is carried over into the interior space. For example, glass railing envelops the four-story stairway that defines the open floor plan. In addition, the offices on each floor feature CRL all-glass partitions. This approach limits the amount of obstructions that may hinder the flow of natural light, while delivering a complementary minimalistic aesthetic.
MEC headquarters represents a remarkable feat in sustainable engineering. The building is air-conditioned using 20 geothermal wells that are managed by a ground source heat pump system. A 25,000-liter cistern stores rainwater and uses it to provide up to 80 percent of the building’s non-drinking water. The elevator incorporates a regenerative drive that recovers as much as 25 percent of the energy used and returns it to the power grid. Finally, three wind towers on the roof provide a passive ventilation system that distributes fresh air to each level. These elements combined are designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification.
The new MEC head office highlights the company’s commitment to the sustainability principles embedded in its core values. The project represented a large-scale collaborative effort between key architectural product manufacturers, architects, and contractors that called for innovative approaches to constructing an exemplary energy-efficient building. The result is a 2015 Canadian Green Building Award-winning structure that is 70 percent more energy-efficient than conventional office buildings.
MEC Headquarters, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Architect:
Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc., Vancouver
General contractor: Ventana Construction Corp., Burnaby, British Columbia
Glazing contractor: Flynn Canada Ltd., Surrey, British Columbia
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Andrew Haring is the vice president of marketing at C.R. Laurence Co. Inc.-U.S. Aluminum, Los Angeles. To learn more, visit www.crlaurence.com.