BCIT Zero Energy Building Learning House
The Zero Energy Building Learning House (ZEBLH) is a new teaching structure built for the BCIT High Performance Building Lab. The High Performance Building Lab has been developed to provide hands-on training in zero emission buildings using an envelope-first approach. The modules are designed to assist in the design of highest levels of BC Energy Step Code for the entire region (Step 5 for Part 9 buildings, Step 4 for Part 3 Residential). This building lab comprises display of cut-away assemblies, practice walls, a demonstration house, and a lecture area.
The ZEBLH’s main objective is to build capacity in the construction industry to accelerate the transition to the new Energy Step Code (BC) and the City of Vancouver Zero Emissions Buildings by-law. The project aims to build capacity through three areas: by inspiring BCIT to imagine a high performance curriculum, by allowing industry to support institutional needs, and by enabling students to execute high performance projects.
Local Practice’s role was to consolidate the instructional and curriculum needs into one educational structure that showcased a variety of details and conditions that would often be encountered on site. The design aims to bridge the knowledge gap in high performance detailing with many different wall assemblies that showcase the difference in design from a code minimum wall assembly up to a BC Energy Code Step 5 or Passive House wall assembly.
Client: British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Location: Burnaby, BC
Team: Developed and implemented in partnership with BCIT, BC Housing, BC Hydro, and RDH Building Science.