Measures taken to reduce CO2 emissions
The project takes many context-specific measures to reduce emissions. In a remote region dependent on fossil fuels, the building uses district heating, leveraging waste heat from the adjacent hospital. The glazed south façade encourages heat gain in the winter months when the sun is limited and low, while a cantilevered roof limits heat gain in the summer when the sun is higher and prolonged. Regarding construction, the building requires no excavation by perching on the exposed rock, which also benefits from its thermal mass. The overall structure uses regionally sourced timber and stone, minimizing embodied energy expenditure. Furthermore, the project will employ local, Indigenous skilled labour including artists and craftspeople, to minimize travel and keep the investment local.
Last updated: November 13, 2021 Yellowknife, Canada