Green Buildings

Green Buildings are key to urban environmental sustainability through establishing a sustainable built form. The City of Vaughan continues to set the bar high for construction of green buildings with the adoption of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Buildings are LEED certified with the Canadian Green Building Council using a scorecard rating system. Points are awarded based upon performance in six key areas of human and environmental health:

  • Sustainable Sites
  • Water Efficiency
  • Energy & Atmosphere
  • Materials & Resources
  • Indoor Environmental Quality
  • Innovation & Design Process

The total number of points determines if the project is certified as silver, gold or platinum level. The following City of Vaughan buildings have achieved, or are pursuing, LEED certification.

 

Vaughan City Hall

The building is over 280,000 square feet in size and has achieved Leed Gold Certification, an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. A whole-building approach to sustainability creates a vibrant and open space. Learn more about the features of this building in the videos below.

Vaughan City Hall incorporates leading-edge technology and some of the latest sustainable design features to create a building that is both contemporary and environmentally-friendly. Read more about the environmental features of Vaughan City hall.

For more information, click here or watch our videos below.

 

VIDEOS
Vaughan City Hall - LEEDing by Example

Vaughan City Hall's front steps

 

Vaughan Fire Rescue Station 7-9

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service Station 7-9 was the first of its kind in Canada to achieve a LEED gold certification in 2007. This building is a central station for the Vaughan Fire & Rescue Service & for the York Region Emergency Medical Services. The building uses green building materials, low-flow plumbing fixtures to reduce water usage, and a considerable amount of glazing to enhance day lighting and views.

 

Vaughan Fire Rescue Station 7-10

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service Station 7-10 has received a LEED Gold certification from the Canada Green Building Council. The fire station opened in 2012 and serves the northeast area of the City.

LEED features include:

  •  
    • Drought-resistant native landscaping with no irrigation system
    • Recycled steel roof
    • High performance windows
    • Condensing gas furnaces
    • Heat recovery on air handling systems
    • CO2 controlled ventilation
    • Direct/indirect lighting with occupancy sensors
    • Approximately 75 per cent of the construction materials diverted from landfill

This new fire station uses approximately 25 per cent less energy and 56 per cent less potable water than conventional fire stations which helps the environment and saves money. A green housekeeping program was also implemented to ensure the products used improve building air quality and reduce environmental impact.
 

 

Vaughan Civic Centre Resource Library

The Vaugahn Civic Centre Resource Library (VCCRL) is home to over 70,000 books and services over 20,000 residents every month. The VCCRL is over 3,300 square metres and has achieved LEED Silver Certification. he Vaugahn Civic Centre Resource Library (VCCRL) is home to over 70,000 books and services over 20,000 residents every month. The VCCRL is over 3,300 square metres and has achieved LEED Silver Certification.

The building was designed to promote literacy, community outreach, and environmental stewardship through its expansive views, open space design, and interior courtyard.

Features include:

  • Efficient LED lighting and motion sensors to conserve energy
  • High performance insulation and windows to reduce solar heat gain
  • Efficient HVAC systems incorporate demand controlled ventilation and variable speed fans
  • Close proximity to York Region Transit and TTC bus routes encourages alternative transportation
  • Water efficient plumbing fixtures to reduce water consumption
  • 3-stream recycling services offered throughout the library
  • Variety of building materials are sourced from within 800km of the site and contain recycled content
  • Two electric vehicle charging stations located at the main entrance
  • Adhesives, sealants, and paints with low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content were used to promote a healthy working environment
  • High albedo roofing system with high high reflective hardscaping throughout the site helps reduce urban heat island effect
  • Drought-resistant native landscaping with no irrigation system

 

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