Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability, Research center at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada
The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability is a research building at the University of British Columbia with two four-story wings connected by a central atrium containing offices and laboratories. The structure uses manual windows, natural ventilation, and rainwater collection systems to support its daily operations.
The centre was conceived in 2000 by UBC professor John Robinson and designed by architect Peter Busby. It was first planned for the Great Northern Way campus as a joint project of UBC, Simon Fraser University, BCIT and Emily Carr University; in 2008 it was moved back to UBC's Point Grey campus because of construction delays. Work began in 2009 and the building was completed in August 2011, opening officially that November.
The building brings together researchers, students, and professionals from multiple fields to work on environmental problems through shared projects and meetings. You can observe people from different backgrounds collaborating in common spaces throughout the day.
Access is through the university campus, and the building is primarily intended for research projects and academic activities. Public access is limited and typically requires advance arrangement with the research teams based there.
The building's rainwater is stored in a 100-cubic-metre cistern beneath the structure, which collects about 1,226,000 litres a year against an average demand of 2,000 litres per day. Wastewater is treated on site by a Solar Aquatics system and reused for toilet flushing and irrigation. The narrow floor plates let daylight enter from both sides.
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