Olympian construction

They went for LEED Gold, but won Platinum, something that the athletes can be dreaming of. The Vancouver Convention Center is a particular congress center – not just because the media are using it to report on the Winter Olympics.

With the orientation of the Winter Olympics 2010 and Paralympics, Vancouver is in the spotlight of the world for a few weeks. More than 7000 media are reporting from the media center of the Vancouver Convention Center West. Opened in April of 2009, the goal was to create a building which would be not just functional and beautiful, but also ecologically sustainable. This has been proven by its LEED-Certification from the Canada Green Building Council. But not Silver, not Gold, rather Platinum was awarded to the project.

Proud – and rightly so – are LMN Architects + DA/MCM about the building sitting on the waterfront in Vancouver. Surrounded by a spectacular scenery of mountains, ocean and parks, the VCC is predestined to harmonise the natural environment, lively local culture and its surrounding buildings and accentuate the interaction through its architecture.

Transparent Communication

Free, unhindered views of the breath-taking Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains was a core aspect of the facade design. Hence the avoidance of a metal vertical structure to stiffen the facade rather the use of 19mm SECURIT-H safety glass stabilisers to support the solar control glazing system. The extra-clear DIAMANT glass imparts a fusion with the natural surrounding for the occupants. The solar control insulating units also use the low-iron DIAMANT glass. About 14,000 m² of this high performance thermal insulating glass were manufactured by Eckelt in typical dimensions of 1.8 x 3.4 m. These provide a natural, colour-neutral daylight but also provide optimum safety. All internal glass is made of laminated safety glass or SECURIT-H.

Characteristic sustainability

An unusual bird-eye view of the building shows the 6 Hectare green roof – the largest of this type in all of Canada. Planted with local grasses and bushes, the roof should provide a natural habitat for birds and insects. The roof also reduces the heating and cooling loads on the building. Ocean water is pumped to the roof which cools the building in summer and supports heating in winter.

For the additional expansion, improved facilities are planned for sailing and motor boats as well as a new Terminal for the infamous float planes.

As this project well documents, Austrian passive house technology has found its way to the olympic games – and points towards medals are gained by using sustainable glass solutions.

(Photos: Bob Matheson)