University of Ottawa - Health Sciences Faculty Building

Ottawa, Ontario

uOttawa wanted to transform a former industrial brownfield site into the new home for its Faculty of Health Sciences building. As the prime engineering consultant for the project, WSP Canada revitalized the site and designed a high-performance building that is constructed with sustainable materials. The facility actively supports the area’s Francophone and Indigenous communities. Students, faculty, and the public are able to move throughout the grounds and experience the indigenous landscape and mature trees, the open Fire Circle, the vibrant Social Heart, the smart teaching labs and the unique biophilic design elements. In turn, this state-of-the-art LEED® Platinum facility significantly enhances the social fabric of the community while using 57.2% less energy and producing 57.8% less greenhouse gases than typical institutional buildings.

This project was acknowledged by the jury for its environmental responsibility and showcasing an innovative approach to rehabilitating the brownfield site. The use of a wide range of recycled materials, selected via life cycle analysis, was particularly noteworthy. Additionally, the advanced energy modeling and specialized analysis of steel and wood buckling significantly contributed to the building’s impressive energy efficiency.

For additional information on this project, click here.