Multi-unit residential developer meets criteria for nine target programs to gain maximum funding
Summary
Adaptis evaluated over 14,000 design combinations to ensure compliance with nine different funding programs.
The project achieved significant energy and GHG savings, favoring compact massing and heat pump systems.
All design options kept embodied carbon below 500 kgCO2e/m², meeting and exceeding program requirements.
The tailored approach maximized eligibility for multiple funding sources, reducing project costs and enhancing sustainability.
Building Information
Location: Alberta
Building Use: Multi-Unit Residential
Year Built: New Construction
Number of Buildings: 1
For this new multi-unit residential development in Alberta, the client sought to secure funding by meeting the requirements of nine specific funding programs. These programs incentivize the construction of affordable and sustainable housing. Adaptis conducted a comprehensive analysis of the building's operational energy, embodied carbon, and site-specific factors to ensure that the design met the strict criteria of these programs.
Challenge
The client needed to design a building that meets multiple stringent energy and carbon standards to secure funding. Balancing the demands of various funding programs, each with different requirements for energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and construction materials is highly complex. Without a multi-objective and parametric analysis, the project might fail to qualify for essential funding, increasing overall costs and delaying the development.
Summary of Targets
Adaptis evaluated the design against nine funding programs, which required different levels of energy savings, GHG reductions, and embodied carbon targets. The scope included:
Operational Energy & Carbon
Embodied Carbon
Site Analyses & Occupant Comfort
Results
Energy & Carbon Analysis: A parametric analysis produced 14,400 unique design combinations, showing how different architectural, electrical, and mechanical configurations impact energy use, GHG emissions, and occupant comfort.
Massing & Daylight: Compact massing options reduced envelope thermal bridging and enhanced daylight access while minimizing glare. Option A's façade outperformed Option B by generating up to 400 kW/m² more energy from natural radiation.
Embodied Carbon: Both massing options achieved low embodied carbon levels, with all constructions reporting between 200 and 240 kgCO2e/m², well below the target of 500 kgCO2e/m².
Funding Compliance: The project meets the criteria for all nine target programs, with a clear preference for HVAC systems using heat pumps, which optimize investment in low-carbon mechanical systems.
Adaptis Advantage
Adaptis leveraged advanced parametric modeling and cloud technology to explore thousands of design possibilities, providing the client with a comprehensive set of results tailored to each funding program's criteria. This approach ensured that the project not only met stringent energy and carbon targets but also maximized the potential for funding, translating to significant cost savings.