The Canadian Museum of Civilization
The Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) has several building design features that have provided environmental sustainability since its opening in July of 1989. The use of river water as a source of building heating and cooling is among the first geothermal applications in the region.
Automatic lighting controls, dimming systems and the installation of low energy light bulbs throughout the building ensure the most energy efficient use of lights. The building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems were designed to recycle energy as much as possible and they are controlled by a building energy management system that ensures that they operate with strict energy conservation parameters.
For a large institutional building that is required to maintain its interior space at constant conditions all year long, the CMC is still more energy efficient than most commercial buildings today.
The Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum (CWM) which has recently opened in May 2005 has several building design features that provide environmental sustainability. The grass roof covering over 75% of its entire surface provides natural cooling during the summer eliminating the heat island effect typical of most black roofs. It provides additional thermal insulation to the building and also provides an effective storm water management system.
River water is used as a source of building cooling and the waste cooling water is recycled to flush toilets as a non-potable water system. Automatic lighting controls, dimming systems and the installation of low energy light bulbs throughout the building ensure the most energy efficient use of lights. The building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems were designed to recycle as much energy as possible and they are controlled by a building energy management system that ensures that they operate with strict energy conservation parameters.
For a large institutional building that is required to maintain its interior space at constant conditions all year long, the CWM is still more energy efficient than most commercial buildings today and is even more energy efficient than the Canadian Museum of Civilization built in 1989.
