Centre for Urban Ecology

Where Learning is Natural

LEED® gold certified Centre for Urban Ecology The Humber Arboretum has now completed our new Centre for Urban Ecology. This new facility provides a first-rate venue for education and research on urban ecology and an up-to-date example of environmental sustainability. This building has achieved the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. LEED® certification distinguishes building projects that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability by meeting the highest performance standards. The Centre for Urban Ecology teachs by example how we all can help work towards a healthy sustainable environment in our own urban spaces. This Centre: improves and expands programming space for environmental education demonstrates, through its unique design and its use of many new green technologies, how to construct in an environmentally-friendly way provides a unique, tangible and enjoyable learning experience for young people and adults

Sustainable Design Elements & Green Technologies

Our goal is to feature a facility with the lowest possible environmental impact, which integrates with one of our premier urban ecosystems and provides an educational focus for the study of green technology and design.

To achieve this goal, the following green technologies and design elements are built-in:

• passive solar heat sources, incorporating high performance windows and super-insulation.
• vegetated ('green') roof for storm water management and passive cooling
• biofilter system for sewage and grey water treatment
• water conserving toilets
• cistern to collect roof top runoff and supply landscape irrigation
• natural cooling and ventilating
• natural day lighting, high efficiency luminaries, occupancy sensor controls
• high efficiency gas boiler
• environmentally friendly, and locally sourced building materials
• minimization of PVC products, low VOC finishes/ sealants
• exterior designed to LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards
• an integrated monitoring and control system to achieve energy efficiency and occupant comfort and to provide data relating to the effectiveness of green technologies in an urban public building

These features collectively reduce the Centre's impact on our urban environment, and cut our energy costs significantly. They serve as a model of sustainability that others can follow. This is just the beginning of many training and research opportunities for Humber students in programs including Civil and Environmental Technology, Architecture, Horticulture, Interior Design and many more. For years to come, hundreds of students will enter the work force with motivation and skills to help their communities work toward a sustainable future.

Energy Usage

To see real time monitoring of the building's energy usage go to this website (It works best in Explorer).

Design Team:
Architects:	Taylor/Hazell Architects Limited & Architects Alliance
Mechanical/Electrical:	Enermodal
Landscape	Diana Gerrard

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