Helping a new academic engineering building attain LEED Platinum

Dalhousie University Emera IDEA Building - Commissioning Services

Dalhousie University set out to transform their Sexton campus with the Innovation and Design in Engineering and Architecture (IDEA) project. It encompassed the renovation of five existing buildings and construction of two new ones. Dalhousie engaged us as part of the team for the new Emera IDEA Building.

We provided third-party commissioning services to meet the requirements of LEED NC 2009 Fundamental and Enhanced Commissioning. We evaluated the building’s various energy efficiency measures and high-performance equipment, which photovoltaics, a geothermal heat pump, heat recovery, in-floor heating, occupancy sensors for lighting control, high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, and LED lighting. In addition to the new systems, this project also integrated into the University’s existing building controls, steam plant, and fire alarm system.

As one of the first new buildings on Dalhousie’s Sexton Campus in more than 20 years, the Emera IDEA Building provides workshops, prototypical labs, study rooms, an auditorium, and meeting spaces for the Faculty of Engineering to utilize. It also achieved LEED Platinum certification.