Vancouver Aquarium Discovery Education Centre
The Discovery Education Centre is one of the first aquarium facilities in the world to strive for LEED Gold Certification.
Over the next ten years the Vancouver Aquarium will be replacing the existing facility with completely new infrastructure. Aligned with Aquarium’s commitment to environmental responsibility, the new facility developments will be aligned closely with the existing facility footprint. The Discovery Education Centre will include wet-labs and classrooms to accommodate the thousands of visiting school children each year.
The existing facilities are equipped with twin pumps that deliver over 4,500 litres of seawater per minute up to the building from the nearby Burrard Inlet. The new facility includes a titanium heat-exchanger, which transfers energy between the incoming seawater and the building cooling water. The water is then pumped through the building’s radiant cooling slabs and air-handler cooling coils.
The new design has eliminated the use of traditional mechanical refrigeration equipment and is expected to reduce energy costs by approximately 40% compared to the Model National Energy Code for Buildings. The radiant ceiling slab system is coupled with a dedicated outdoor air displacement ventilation system to further reduce energy consumption and to enhance the quality of the indoor environment.
The innovative rainwater harvesting system directs roof drains to a stormwater storage system that supplies water for irrigation and toilet flushing. Combined with low-flow plumbing fixtures, this will significantly reduce potable water consumption. As leader in ecological education, the Discovery Education Centre will make a tremendous impact on students, visitors, and staff.
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