Sustainability of Existing Building Stocks: Case Studies of Multi-Unit Residential Buildings

Interested in this project? Click here to email us | Return to project listings

Application ID: 000258
This project is available.
Project Description
Project Title
Sustainability of Existing Building Stocks: Case Studies of Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
What is the central research question you want answered?
What are the objectives of your project?
What is the current status of aging, multi-unit residential building stock from a sustainability perspective? (e.g., energy & water use/consumption; contribution to GHG emissions; operational costs)

Objectives:

• To create profiles of typical MURBs that are part of the aging building stock using available data (e.g., energy, water & waste systems; landscape; building materials)
• Develop evaluation criteria to form the basis of a sustainability assessment
• Identify priority areas for improvement
Project Type
Computer Related     
Creative     
Formal Research     
 Organizational Development     
Survey     
Other    case studies   
Size of Project (Number of pages, minutes, cm, etc.)
We’re assuming appox 3-4 hours per/week and a case study/semester. This project can be undertaken by more than one student (i.e., each undertaking a different case) or a student can undertake >1 case within a semester. We anticipate each case-study will be ~10pp.
Project Description (Use this space to further elaborate on the project)
This is a case-study project focussed on profiling designated existing MURBs. It will involve:
• Research on such things as building age; systems/technologies; energy use (heating, cooling, lighting); potable water use; solid waste handling (recycling, composting, waste volumes); site characteristics (parking, neighbourhood context); costs; and tenure (owned/rented/non-market)
• Data/information compilation
• Reporting
How do you plan to use the results of this project?
In concert with other related initiatives (e.g., opportunities assessments, educational programs), the results of this study will be used to:

• create a wide range of case study examples which both a) document current conditions (this study), and b) demonstrate ways to assure more sustainable building management, maintenance, and renovation practices;
• bring about change in the case study buildings’ environmental performance and management practices, and in existing MURBs more generally.
What larger goal is served by undertaking this project?
Our primary aim is to help maintain and extend the life of existing MURB stocks by increasing their sustainability (e.g., more energy and water efficient, decreased GHGs) and, thereby, help retain more affordable housing.

Note: Most of the effort in implementing green-building strategies (e.g., more efficient use of energy, water, waste, and building materials, etc.) is focussed on new building construction. However, older buildings comprise 90% of the existing building stock in Vancouver, BC; replacing them is environmentally, socially and economical problematic. Attention to MURBs is critical for optimizing sustainability-related aims (note that buildings contribute to 40% of GHG emissions in cities)
The Organization
Organization Name
SSOS: Society Serving Ourselves Sustainably (Registration as a not-for-profit in process)
What community do you represent or work with?
Our primary audience(s) for the program are owners, renters, and managers of MURBs We are intending to undertake pilot studies within particular communities in the near future; as a result of expressed interest, the City of North Vancouver will be a likely first partner.
What is your organization/group's goal or mandate?
To provide informational, educational, and professional guidance and services, to further the development of sustainability-consistent policy and practice.
Are you a registered not-for-profit?
No
Contact Information
Contact Person
Fiona S. Crofton
  
Position
SSOS Founder; Project Mgr
Mailing Address
ORCAD Consulting Group Inc.
101-330 W.2nd Street
North Vancouver BC V7M 1E1
Telephone
604.985.8381
Fax
604.985.7385
Email
orcad@4sustainability.com
  
Alternate Telephone
 
Alternate Fax
 
Alternate Email
 
Project Plan of Action
Duration of Project
Smaller (One semester)
If you know the duration more specifically, please indicate here
Refer size of project
What are the specific deliverables that you expect of the student?
Data collection (direct from building as well as building records); data assembly; profile/case study development; consultation with SSOS Board and/or Working Group representatives.
Estimated time commitment per week
~3-4 hrs (may vary by week and/or by overall student availability during the semester)
Liaison
Liaison Name
Dependent on case of focus
  
Liaison Position
Board or WkgGroup Member
Liason Contact Info (If different from above)
 
How much time per week will the
liaison be available to the project?
1-2hrs (variable by pjt/student needs)
How will the liaison provide direction and support to the project?
l the liaison provide direction and support to the project?
The Liaison will identify and facilitate/coordinate access to case study buildings, building records, and to Strata Council and/or management company contacts/representatives (as appropriate). Note that confidentiality of some records and results will be required. The Liaison will have ongoing (at least weekly) contact with the student via email and phone for the purpose of project tracking and providing additional guidance/direction as may be required, and arrange for the student to meet with the SSOS Board and/or Working Group members/representatives to present the research results. The liason will also provide general coaching in support of the student’s education and/or professional aims as appropriate and/or in accordance with student interest.
Student Researcher
Student area of study/experience
multidisciplinary
Student skills/attributes
Skills: basic research skills; data collection/compilation, analysis, synthesis and reporting; strong verbal and written communication skills; organization & time management skills; familiarity with Excel; Word or Wordperfect (ideally) and Adobe (pdf), strongly desired.

Attributes: Interest/passion for sustainability-oriented ideas and approaches; attentive; diligent; well-organized; positive nature; follows-through; consultative; can take a task and run with it once direction is provided.
Student related interests
Sustainability, ‘green’ buildings, resource use & efficiency (e.g., water, energy, waste), management; architecture; finance; governance.

Interested in this project? Click here to email us | Return to project listings


SFPIRG's office and our events are wheelchair accessible. Childcare subsidies are available for events.
For more information, call 778-782-4360 or email sfpirg (at) sfu.ca