The BC Energy Step Code, which was enacted in 2017, signposts the road to have all new buildings reach a net-zero-energy ready level of efficiency by 2032. The newly published BC Energy Step Code Design Guideoutlines strategies to help buildings across the province comply with the Energy Step Code, and includes a supplement on compliance with the City of Vancouver’s Zero Emissions Building Plan.
Join our expert panel, including Dave Ramslie, Vice President of Sustainability at Concert Properties, and Graham Finch, Principal and Senior Building Science Specialist at RDH Building Science Inc., for an informal conversation at the launch of this new guide. They will be joined by Jonathan Meads of StreetSide Developments, and Kathy Wardle of Perkins + Will to discuss how the new guide can help local governments, architects, and developers and spotlight the key strategies and approaches to meeting the Energy Step Code in larger residential buildings, and similarly for buildings with other occupancies.
Kathy Wardle, Associate Principal & Director of Sustainability, Perkins + Will(Moderator)
BIOS
DAVE RAMSLIE Dave Ramslie is the Vice President of Sustainability at Concert Properties. Prior to joining Concert Properties, he was the head of Integral Group's Urban Innovation Practice. Dave is an urban planner by training, and his area of focus is on resilience and sustainable development. His work on policy, standards, and masterplans has won numerous international awards and last year he was recognized by the NRDC as one of 9 global leaders fighting climate change in cities. He has recently led the development of high performance building standards for the District of Columbia, The City of Vancouver and the state of California that are all targeting net zero emissions strategies. Dave has also worked on energy policy issues with multiple US Cites and the US Department of Energy, and is a technical advisor to the Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities Initiative.
GRAHAM FINCH Graham is a Senior Building Science Specialist based out of RDH's Victoria office. He leads the company's west coast building science research group and is actively involved in numerous projects ranging from building research studies to forensic investigations, building monitoring, hygrothermal modeling, and new construction across the Island, the rest of Canada and the US. Graham is regularly invited to present to industry groups on the latest building science topics and has co-authored many design guides.
KATHY WARDLE As Associate Principal and Director of Research, Kathy plays an instrumental role in the development of high-performance green building projects, such as Dockside Green - one of the highest scoring LEED Platinum Certified projects in the world and an AIA Committee on the Environment Top Ten Green Project, one of the best known sustainable design awards in North America. In addition to her involvement in project work, Kathy directs the Vancouver office's research and sustainable design advisory team, where she facilitates sustainability charrettes and the use of the Integrated Design Process, manages applications for the LEED Green Building rating system and Living Building Challenge, and is responsible for the procurement of funding for green initiatives for the firm?s projects. In addition to her leadership position within Perkins+Will, Kathy is an active member of the Vancouver green building community, and is a past faculty member for the Living Building Challenge and the Sustainable Building Advisor program.
JONATHAN MEADS Jonathan has recently joined StreetSide Developments as a Development Manager after 11 years with Concert as Development & Sustainability Manager. He has worked in both Canada and the UK, with experience in new concrete and wood-frame residential and commercial construction, as well as refurbishment and renewal of existing buildings across all archetypes. Jonathan has a Diploma in Building Studies, a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Building Surveying, he is a Chartered Surveyor and holds his LEED AP designation. Jonathan has been a member of the UDI Building Code and Energy Efficiency Committees for some time and has worked directly with UDI, municipal and provincial staff through the development of the new Building Act and the Energy Step Code. Jonathan continues to remain engaged with the BC Housing and other bodies and remains passionate about building better buildings.