The Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève Community Centre
Project Overview
This pilot project was chosen to address a widespread need: thousands of "Butler barn"-type prefab steel buildings such as this one house community centres and arenas across Quebec and Canada. Some also serve as emergency shelters, while many have significant deficiencies and need major upgrades.
Our team and collaborators aim to develop DER solutions tailored to the Ile Bizard Community Centre that can then be applied with minor adjustments to a large number of similar buildings, offering a scalable model and a broader regional impact.
Work completed and in progress
- Building capture to BIM (digital twin)
- Monitoring (measurement & verification)
- Energy modeling & Life cycle assessment (LCA)
- Structural analysis
- Architectural solution and panel design
- Hygrothermal testing and modelling of panel designs
- Engagement with panel manufacturers
- Mechanical system design
- Pre-/post-retrofit user studies
The project step by step
Building capture to building information model (BIM). A combination of surveying, laser scanning, and aerial based photogrammetry were used.
Building capture to building information model (BIM). A combination of surveying, laser scanning, and aerial based photogrammetry were used.
Terrestrial based laser scanning was used to document the exterior of the building, thresholds, and key interior elements.
Aerial photogrammetry was conducted using a drone to capture the roof of the building, as it was not visible to the laser scanner from the ground.
In situ testing of panel designs over a year at CABER. Data on hygrothermal performance and durability are used to assess risk, calibrate models and inform future designs.
Guarded hot box at CABER. Allows for large wall assemblies to be tested under controlled hygrothermal and pressure scenarios.
3m x 3m wall opening for in situ testing. Inside view of the wall opening at CABER in which the panels were tested.
Development of panel solutions and panelization configurations. Each panel size and layout configuration has different advantages and disadvantages.
Novel low-carbon panel design using biogenic materials including wood-fiber insulation.
Hybrid panel design using conventional materials that are readily available in the local supply chain.
Pre-retrofit monitoring. Sensors measure building performance as well as indoor and outdoor conditions for a year before the retrofit is realized, for comparison after the retrofit is completed.
Design proposal with partial addition (Level 1 + Terrace).
Design proposal with wood and metal cladding over the panels. Both can be easily sourced in Quebec.
Design proposal with no addition. Cladding is applied on-site to facilitate installation.
Design proposal with solar PV array and EV charging stations to increase building autonomy in the case of power outages.
A professional design team, panel manufacturer and general contractor must work together to develop an optimal design that lends itself to large scale deployment.
Terrestrial based laser scanning was used to document the exterior of the building, thresholds, and key interior elements.
Aerial photogrammetry was conducted using a drone to capture the roof of the building, as it was not visible to the laser scanner from the ground.
In situ testing of panel designs over a year at CABER. Data on hygrothermal performance and durability are used to assess risk, calibrate models and inform future designs.
Guarded hot box at CABER. Allows for large wall assemblies to be tested under controlled hygrothermal and pressure scenarios.
3m x 3m wall opening for in situ testing. Inside view of the wall opening at CABER in which the panels were tested.
Development of panel solutions and panelization configurations. Each panel size and layout configuration has different advantages and disadvantages.
Novel low-carbon panel design using biogenic materials including wood-fiber insulation.
Hybrid panel design using conventional materials that are readily available in the local supply chain.
Pre-retrofit monitoring. Sensors measure building performance as well as indoor and outdoor conditions for a year before the retrofit is realized, for comparison after the retrofit is completed.
Design proposal with partial addition (Level 1 + Terrace).
Design proposal with wood and metal cladding over the panels. Both can be easily sourced in Quebec.
Design proposal with no addition. Cladding is applied on-site to facilitate installation.
Design proposal with solar PV array and EV charging stations to increase building autonomy in the case of power outages.
A professional design team, panel manufacturer and general contractor must work together to develop an optimal design that lends itself to large scale deployment.
Building capture to building information model (BIM). A combination of surveying, laser scanning, and aerial based photogrammetry were used.
Building capture to building information model (BIM). A combination of surveying, laser scanning, and aerial based photogrammetry were used.
Terrestrial based laser scanning was used to document the exterior of the building, thresholds, and key interior elements.
Aerial photogrammetry was conducted using a drone to capture the roof of the building, as it was not visible to the laser scanner from the ground.
Terrestrial based laser scanning was used to document the exterior of the building, thresholds, and key interior elements.
Aerial photogrammetry was conducted using a drone to capture the roof of the building, as it was not visible to the laser scanner from the ground.
Development of panel solutions and panelization configurations. Each panel size and layout configuration has different advantages and disadvantages.
Development of panel solutions and panelization configurations. Each panel size and layout configuration has different advantages and disadvantages.
Novel low-carbon panel design using biogenic materials including wood-fiber insulation.
Hybrid panel design using conventional materials that are readily available in the local supply chain.
Novel low-carbon panel design using biogenic materials including wood-fiber insulation.
Hybrid panel design using conventional materials that are readily available in the local supply chain.
In situ testing of panel designs over a year at CABER. Data on hygrothermal performance and durability are used to assess risk, calibrate models and inform future designs.
In situ testing of panel designs over a year at CABER. Data on hygrothermal performance and durability are used to assess risk, calibrate models and inform future designs.
Guarded hot box at CABER. Allows for large wall assemblies to be tested under controlled hygrothermal and pressure scenarios.
3m x 3m wall opening for in situ testing. Inside view of the wall opening at CABER in which the panels were tested.
Pre-retrofit monitoring. Sensors measure building performance as well as indoor and outdoor conditions for a year before the retrofit is realized, for comparison after the retrofit is completed.
Guarded hot box at CABER. Allows for large wall assemblies to be tested under controlled hygrothermal and pressure scenarios.
3m x 3m wall opening for in situ testing. Inside view of the wall opening at CABER in which the panels were tested.
Pre-retrofit monitoring. Sensors measure building performance as well as indoor and outdoor conditions for a year before the retrofit is realized, for comparison after the retrofit is completed.
Design proposal with partial addition (Level 1 + Terrace).
Design proposal with partial addition (Level 1 + Terrace).
Design proposal with wood and metal cladding over the panels. Both can be easily sourced in Quebec.
Design proposal with no addition. Cladding is applied on-site to facilitate installation.
Design proposal with solar PV array and EV charging stations to increase building autonomy in the case of power outages.
Design proposal with wood and metal cladding over the panels. Both can be easily sourced in Quebec.
Design proposal with no addition. Cladding is applied on-site to facilitate installation.
Design proposal with solar PV array and EV charging stations to increase building autonomy in the case of power outages.
A professional design team, panel manufacturer and general contractor must work together to develop an optimal design that lends itself to large scale deployment.
A professional design team, panel manufacturer and general contractor must work together to develop an optimal design that lends itself to large scale deployment.
Discover Our Collaborators
- Arrondissement de l’Île-Bizard—Sainte-Geneviève
- Société d’habitation du Québec
- Building decarbonization alliance
- Pembina institute
- Québec BVI – Bâtiment vert et intelligent
- ReCover Initiative
- Retrofit Canada
- The Atmospheric Fund (TAF)
- Transition Accelerator
- Zero Emissions Innovation Centre
- If Then Architecture Inc.
- Minotair Inc.
- RG Solutions