Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre
Passive solar strategies combined with energy efficient design resulted in an energy performance improvement by up to 50%.
The Nk’Mip Desert and Heritage Centre is a celebration by the Osoyoos Indian Band of its historic landscape and the basis of a strategy to preserve it in perpetuity. However, the Centre resides in one of the most fragile environments in Canada. The desert landscape surrounding Osoyoos forms the northernmost tip of the Great American Desert, which extends as far south as Mexico.
Cobalt provided mechanical engineering services for the design of this Cultural Centre. Passive solar design strategies reduced the need for mechanically – driven air conditioning. Glazed sections were minimized on the south and west sides, while the south façade tapers to reduce the exposed surface area. The habitable landscaped roof offers thermo-cycling advantages and allows a greater percentage of the desert landscape to be re-established on-site.
One of the key design features is the building siting and orientation. Embedding the east building face in the hillside helps to moderate the interior temperature. The heavy mass of the building’s concrete and earth walls remove heat during the day and return it at night time. To regulate the temperature more specifically, a radiant heating and cooling system was incorporated in the ceiling slabs, as well as an outdoor air displacement system.
The optimal combination of energy features resulted in a reduction in energy consumption by up to 50% compared to a typical building in this arid climate. Approximately 35% of potable water savings were achieved by using low-flow faucets, dual flush toilets, and waterless urinals. This project is a tremendous success considering the added challenges of the desert climate.
- Other Civic & Cultural Projects
- City of Richmond Hamilton Fire Hall #5
- Cranbrook Airport
- Semiahmoo Public Library & RCMP Facility
- Surrey Arts Centre
