This LEED Platinum Certified state of the art fresh water research facility was the first building of its kind to be built in Northern Ontario. The project included constructing a 22,865 square foot main building with state of the art research laboratories and classroom spaces to aid in research of our fresh water resources. Along with a 5,576 square foot watershed building which houses many of the unique features of the building to help assist in making the building have a carbon zero footprint. The building has many “Green” features including but not limited to a 40 well vertical geothermal system. Solar Panel on the watershed building to help aid in backup power for the mechanical systems. An aqua-paved parking lot to allow for storm water runoff to be re-used for irrigation. A green-roof that houses drought resistant blueberry bushes. As well as other features such as local materials to help reduce the overall carbon footprint of the construction. To date the building has received various awards due to its unique nature of construction and the significant impact it has on the environment. Such awards include the Bronze Award for North America in the global Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction in 2008, the OAA Design Excellence Award and the OAA Sustainable Design Excellence Award for 2015.
