Carleton University Opens Sustainably Designed Canal Building

Carleton University opened the $30.4 million Canal Building in January of 2011. Attaining five out of five on the Green Globes sustainable design rating scale, the seven-story, 100,000-sf facility will accommodate aerospace, sustainable energy, and biomedical engineering programs. Construction began on the Canal building in June of 2009. Sustainable design elements include sun shading, photovoltaic panels, a green roof, occupancy controlled lighting, automated building systems, and abundant natural light. A biowall in the atrium absorbs carbon dioxide and emits oxygen. The adjacent River Building will open in August of 2011 and will house the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, the School of Journalism, and the School of Public Policy. The cost of both projects is $85 million with $52.5 million in funding from the federal and Ontario governments. The facilities were designed by GRC Architects of Ottawa and Moriyama and Teshima Architects of Toronto.