Cottonwood Lodge
With a LEED Gold Certification, this prototype facility has been developed to change the face of healthcare design to incorporate a more sustainable approach.
Cottonwood Lodge is a residential care facility that is being developed as a prototype for the Fraser Health Authority. As a long term solution for mental health patients, it will enable residents to live more independently. Project goals specified the design of a sustainable facility that would interact with nature and offer improved end-user comfort.
Cobalt provided mechanical design services focused on reaching the design target of LEED Gold. Energy savings were realized through the use of concrete mass and embedding a radiant heating and cooling systems in the concrete slab. A displacement air ventilation system combined with ultra efficient lighting and motion sensors further enhanced energy savings. Together, energy efficient strategies resulted in an improvement in energy performance of 39%.
Water conservation was achieved through a variety of strategies. Water efficient plumbing fixtures resulted in a reduction in potable water consumption by 40%. Landscape design specified native plantings, which require little or no potable water for irrigation.
Thoughtful building orientation maximized the opportunities for daylighting and access to exterior views. Improved indoor environmental quality was achieved through the use of 100% outdoor supply air and careful selection of finishing materials for low-emitting VOCs. Overall, sustainable strategies were combined to successfully minimize harmful environmental impacts while encouraging a healthy living space.
- Other Healthcare Projects
- Lions Gate Hospital
- Mount St Joseph Hospital
- Vancouver General Hospital - AACC
