Projects: Education
Lethbridge College Trades & Technology Renewal & Innovation Project (TTRIP)
Lethbridge, Alberta, LEED® Gold Target
The Technology and Trades Renewal and Innovation Project (TTRIP) resulted from the need to expand and update facilities for trades and technology education at Lethbridge College. The two-phase project involved the addition of new classrooms, labs, workshops and offices to support eight trade and four technology programs. With the footprint of two CFL football fields, TTRIP is one of the largest buildings to be built in this southern Alberta city.
TTRIP is a highly sustainable project. Initially targeting LEED Silver status, the project design quickly indicated potential for a LEED Gold target. The design team utilized a detailed building assessment phase whereby energy modeling, user input and process loads were analyzed. This phase guided the project team into making the building even more efficient in environmental design and occupant use. Through these efforts, the facility is now on track for LEED Gold certification.
The College further set out a “net zero utility cost to operate” objective for the new facility, aiming to maintain the energy cost to operate a building at no more than the smaller facility it replaces. The area of building envelope was minimized, which resulted in less energy required to heat and cool the facility. The building’s unique roof shape - a reference to Lethbridge’s gently rolling coulees- is optimized to promote daylighting in the Automotive and Heavy Equipment Shops. Extensive use of “light tubes” through the roof and clerestory windows around the building perimeter and atrium additionally provide high levels of daylighting to reduce the need for artificial lighting. Radiant flooring, chilled beams and displacement ventilation significantly decreased the need for fan power for ventilation, leading to lower operational energy costs. The College’s energy challenge was not only met, but was exceeded.
In order to encourage “hands-on” learning in the trades programs, portions of the building’s structure and building assemblies are displayed as part of a Living Laboratory. Additionally, the building automation system provides current and historical trending information through a graphic interface to allow students to track the building’s energy performance via monitors in the main public spaces.
SAHURI completed this project in association with Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc.
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