University of Victoria District Energy Plant
Environmentally responsible campus heating solutions
Bridges & Urban Infrastructure
The University of Victoria district energy plant (DEP) replaces three separate natural gas-fired boilers that dated back several decades. Heat is pumped from the new plant through a vast network of hot-water pipes to 32 buildings on campus. This new plant has had a direct and immediate benefit to university operations, as well as the environment, with a 10% annual reduction in the amount of energy required to heat facilities on campus. This highly sustainable project is targeting LEED® Gold certification, underscoring the University’s commitment to environmentally responsible facilities. DIALOG also provided LEED® consulting and energy modeling services on this project.
- Location
- Victoria, BC
- Size
- 7,642 sq ft
- Client
- FVB Energy Inc.
- Completion
- 2019
- Sustainability Targeting LEED® Gold certification
- Collaborators
FVB Energy Inc.
- DIALOG Services
Architecture
The Team
The DEP design was based on the nearby interfaith chapel, which boasted a pitched roof as well as a smaller footprint.
Locally-sourced CLT panels are part of the roof and back wall structure of the DEP.
The design team chose to use as much glass as possible on the public-facing sides the building.
The black corrugated metal DEP roof structure carries through to the back wall of the building.
The network of piping for the new DEP spreads across campus, connecting 32 buildings to the plant, which is located on the south-west corner of the university.
The DEP’s simple layout maximizes viewing and educational opportunities for visitors to the plant.
Access to the DEP was carefully considered. People wishing to learn about plant operations can easily walk there, and service vehicles can reach the plant via secondary routes.
The landscaping plan for the DEP site works to integrate the building into the campus, while still providing a pleasant view corridor from the Interfaith Chapel to the south.
This rendering provides a clear representation of the DEP roof structure slope. It also illustrates the prominence of the northeast corner of the building in the public realm.
The north side of the DEP is predominantly window wall, so people can view the plant layout and operations. The glass and vibrant colours inside create a strong visual statement.
The window walls on the east and north sides of the DEP, creating a strong architectural statement and proving that infrastructure buildings can be aesthetically appealing.
This elevation of the DEP shows the service entrances on the south side, as well as the screening for mechanical and service components of the building not part of operations.
