Perkins and Will’s Vancouver and Calgary studios are offering clients a Carbon Impact Statement with every project to help identify carbon reduction measures.
According to the firm, the Statement will build upon best practices to limit operational carbon—greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted during the project’s operations phase—through the integration of passive design measures, minimization of energy loads, optimization of systems, and integration of energy renewables.
It will also include recommendations on the use of low-embodied-carbon materials, and will be integrated into the early design stage of every project. Led by the firm’s research and sustainability team, this initiative will be applied to projects located in Western Canada at no additional cost.
“Building upon our legacy of designing great places for people and our planet, we are committed to helping our clients create buildings and spaces that are climate-positive,” says Susan Gushe, managing director at Perkins and Will’s Vancouver and Calgary studios. “We are at a critical juncture to make meaningful change, and are pleased to offer our clients a Carbon Impact Statement as a means to help reduce each project’s GHG emissions.”
Designed to help clients address regulatory performance requirements, like the BC Energy Step Code and City of Vancouver’s Zero Emissions Building policy, the Carbon Impact Statement provides carbon reduction strategies for all project types—from interiors and retrofits to new builds and community planning.
“Our aim is to help our clients get ahead of the curve in delivering sustainable buildings and spaces that meet or exceed progressively demanding energy codes within their budget,” says Kathy Wardle, associate principal and director of sustainability in the Vancouver and Calgary studios of Perkins and Will. “We will not only provide clients with proven design measures for reducing operational carbon, but we will also future-proof their projects for emerging embodied carbon policies.”
In support of this effort, the studios’ research and sustainability team is releasing Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment—A Primer, a document that summarizes emerging knowledge on embodied carbon targets, conservation strategies, tools, and timelines for action. This report, along with the Carbon Impact Statement, provides a roadmap for the next generation of impactful projects.
“As the reality of climate change sinks into the hearts and minds of humanity, we must embrace the invention of a new path forward—not just with buildings but with everything we do on this planet,” says Bruce Langereis, President of Delta Land Development. “Reducing carbon emissions in every way is not a choice anymore… it is a necessity for all our survival.”
With its commitments to Architecture 2030 and the Architects Declare movement, Perkins and Will is deeply committed to collaborating with industry peers to advance the performance of the building industry.