GLUMAC - Engineers for a sustainable future

Bill Parry, LEED^® AP, Portland Associate Principal

The 226-guestroom Hilton Vancouver Conference Center & Hotel, designed by architects Fletcher Farr Ayotte (FFA Design) and Glumac as the first LEED Certified major hotel in the United States, recently took further measures towards sustainability by achieving Green Seal certification for its operations. Green Seal, an independent non-profit organization, addresses Lodging Properties specifically in its GS-33 certification standard. The standard addresses operations in terms of Waste, Energy, Water, Hazardous Substances, and Purchasing. Hilton Vancouver is undertaking a Comprehensive Environmental Management Program which meets certification requirements in these areas. This program dovetails with and builds upon the LEED design and construction criteria to show that the sustainable goals of the building are realized in the ongoing operation. Hilton Vancouver is the first hotel in the world to achieve both LEED and Green Seal certification.

Green Seal's Waste Minimization, Reuse, and Recycling category corresponds to LEED's Construction Waste Management, Materials Reuse, and Recycled Content credits. The hotel's construction included use of recycled materials as well as recycling of construction waste. Recycling is continuing with an average of 4 tons of cardboard per month, as well as 8 tons of compostable waste being diverted from landfills. Waste-reduction practices encouraged by Green Seal include double-sided copying, purchasing in bulk rather than single-use, and donating leftover food where possible.

Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Management is important to the engineering design as we address the LEED Energy Use Reduction credits. Mechanical systems we designed for the hotel include on demand ventilation which saves energy by monitoring CO2 levels in the public spaces and reducing ventilation when low occupancy allows. Lighting design made extensive use of compact fluorescent rather than incandescent lamps. Occupancy sensors control not only lighting but HVAC as well. These measures and the LEED certification itself can help achieve higher Green Seal levels of certification. Green Seal also encourages ongoing efficiency efforts by requiring preventive maintenance and the use of energy efficient appliances. These practices ensure that the systems operate as efficiently as intended.

Green Seal carries the Water and Waste Water concepts of LEED forward as well. The project's design reduced fresh water requirements by using low-flow fixtures and by careful landscaping to reduce irrigation water usage by 50 percent. Green Seal follows up on these requirements in practice and also promotes the use of sweeping instead of washing for exterior pavement, and towel or linen re-use programs for multi-day stays. The building's storm water runoff is directed through filtering mechanisms to reduce pollutant content; Green Seal also calls for biodegradable, non-toxic, non-phosphate cleaning chemicals and organic ground keeping chemicals to ensure wastewater quality.

Hazardous substances are minimized under both LEED and Green Seal protocols. Architectural applications include paints, adhesives, sealants, and furnishings with low VOC content. The engineering specifications included non-HCFC refrigerants and low-mercury fluorescent lamps. The hotel operators commit to using hazardous substances as little as possible, but also agree to use them responsibly, with careful storage, labeling, and disposal procedures to protect not only the employees using them but also the community at large.

As engineers and architects we worked to make the building a positive presence in the neighborhood. Consideration was given to the site to make good use of public transport and connection to the community. The project also includes reflective roofing to reduce the heat island effect, insulation, and energy efficient operable windows for indoor comfort. As designers we are grateful to see the operation of the facility continue with sustainable practices. The purchasing practices under the Green Seal program include an ongoing committee to monitor and test new products. Healthy choices include low-impact products with high recycled and low VOC content; quality ingredients so that durable goods can be refurbished or at least recycled when replaced; and local producers and vendors for food and building materials to reduce energy costs and strengthen the community.

Careful design and construction set the conditions for sustainability; careful operations change sustainability from a potential to a reality. LEED provides a framework for sustainability through the end of construction, and for Lodging Facilities, Green Seal provides that framework for the usable life of the building. The two complement each other, resulting in a project that lives up to and can even exceed our hopes for a sustainable future.