ABSTRACT
The Hesquiaht First Nation School project demonstrates the simple methodology for creating a “climate adapted”, low energy building that works with its surrounding environment rather than overpowering it. The remote community’s need for a simple yet robust and energy efficient building called for non-conventional design approach. As part of the integrated design process, the building’s architectural setting and form were modified to harness the positive energy flows from the environment while providing protection against the negative ones. This architecture was then augmented with an innovative, fully integrated, energy efficient mechanical design. The resulting building features an aerodynamic shape with wind and buoyancy driven natural ventilation; a low-intensity radiant slab heating system, and a pond-source geo-exchange system. The performance of the entire building concept was modeled and optimized using advanced building modeling software.
