Project Team
Project Owner/Developer: Owner: OMERS Realty Corporation Developer/Manager: Oxford Properties Group
Architect: WZMH Architects
LEED Consultant: LEED Gold Core & Shell: MMM Group (formerly Enermodal) | LEED Platinum EB: WSP (formerly Halsall Associates)
Mechanical Engineer: Smith + Andersen
Electrical Engineer: Mulvey + Banani International
Structural Engineer: RJC Consulting Engineers
Landscape Architect: Foothills Landscaping
Project Manager: Oxford Properties Group
Contractor/Builder: PCL Construction
Commissioning Authority: CFMS Alberta Ltd.
Other
Controls Contractor: Trane
Green Cleaning Services: Hallmark Housekeeping
Green Pest Services: Poulin's Pest Control
Waste & Recycling Hauler: Waste Management
Lighting Supplier: HD Supply Litemor
Oxford Properties Group has a company-wide mission to maximize efficiency and encourage rigorous sustainability measures both in the design/construction of their buildings, and through ongoing updates to existing buildings. With Centennial Place one of Alberta's first office complexes over one million square feet to achieve LEED Platinum for Existing Building: Operations & Maintenance, they have once again proven that they are dedicated to meeting their own high standards – to the benefit of occupants and the bottom line.
The following case study was written using responses previously provided for a LEED Spotlight in August 2015, and is the result of an interview with Darryl Neate, Director of Sustainability for Oxford Properties Group, about the building, the results so far, and what this means for customers and clients.
An Alberta office building that expertly demonstrates how to enhance and improve sustainability measures after an initial certification
Centennial Place is a 1.3 million square foot, two tower office complex located in the Eau Claire district of downtown Calgary, developed and managed by Oxford Properties Group. Construction was completed in 2010 and the project achieved LEED Gold certification for Core and Shell. This year, they sought and earned LEED Platinum for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance for Centennial Place.
Highlights of the property include:
- Energy Star score of 97.
- Proximity to public transit – 72 per cent of occupants either bike, walk or take public transit to work daily
- Fine-tuned operation of building systems to achieve industry-leading energy efficiency.
- Extensive energy sub-metering to better understand opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Eight best-in class Sustainable Operations Policies (e.g. Grounds Maintenance & Landscaping, Purchasing & Waste, etc.)
- Industry leading comprehensive Recycling Program to divert 75 per cent of waste from landfills.
- Demand controlled ventilation to optimize outdoor air delivery.
- Comprehensive Green Cleaning program.
- Active engagement of tenants to understand and contribute to green building initiatives.
Oxford's commitment to green uses LEED to drive them forward
The Guiding Principles of Oxford's Sustainable Intelligence program shape all aspects of their approach to sustainability, and have been shared with all of their stakeholders since they launched their formal program in 2008. LEED aligns well with these guiding principles – particularly those around Leadership, Performance, and Credibility.
Oxford also prides itself on embedding sustainability within its culture, and LEED supports this objective by allowing their management teams engage with their customers to pursue sustainability targets together, and for all to achieve recognition for their successes through the rigorous, third-party review process.
Achieving LEED Platinum at Centennial Place made philosophical and business sense. Oxford set a national objective of having as many sites as possible LEED certified, as one element of their commitment to sustainability. At the same time, Oxford's customers are also becoming more sophisticated in their understanding of energy performance of the buildings they occupy and asking about LEED certification in the leasing process.