A catalyst for creating the workplaces of the future
With the Phenix building, Lemay made a clear choice to go as far as possible in guaranteeing the building’s efficient use of resources, promote green transportation, and enhance occupants’ health and wellness.
As such, the project includes many green features such as a living wall, evergreen climbing plants and a green room designed to improve indoor air quality and balance humidity. All office areas have access to daylight and views, reducing the need for artificial lighting. These changes increase interactions with the natural environment to foster well-being among Lemay’s staff.
The building also employs a combination of natural ventilation from large, operable windows on all sides and a high-efficiency mechanical system that provides heating and cooling only when required.
Employee health and well-being is also promoted through the following measures:
Air quality
- An Indoor Air Quality Management Plan
- Specification of low-VOC (volatile organic compound) and low-emission materials
- High-efficiency MERV 13 air filters
- CO2 sensors in meeting rooms to optimize fresh air supply
Comfort
- Thermal sensors to ensure occupant comfort
- Water filters for the provision of high-quality drinking water
- Availability of multifunctional relaxation areas
Active environment
- Active design plan that gives the main staircase connecting all building floors more visibility than the elevator
- A gym with activity program
- Bicycle parking to promote active transport
The ZCB-Performance certification process for the Phenix project helped Lemay clarify its own priorities, measures and verification methods when it comes to emissions reductions. This has also aided the firm in taking a more systematic approach to life-cycle analysis and carbon accounting on all its projects, making it easier to encourage clients to also focus on carbon.
With its successful application of deep retrofits, adaptive reuse and diverse sustainability measures, the Phenix is an impressive case study on how to renovate an old building to the highest standards of sustainable development, while significantly reducing the environmental impacts of raw material extraction on a large scale.
As a result, the project demonstrates that sustainable development can be a catalyst enabling the rebirth of underused sites into healthy, socially responsible environments that deliver low carbon and significant cost savings.
The retrofit of the structure, as its moniker suggests, represents its rebirth: as a health-promoting, energy-efficient and innovative project to inspire best practices in sustainable development
— Hugo Lafrance, Director of Sustainability, Lemay