Passive Design as a Climate Control Technology: A case study from the Concert Properties Centre for Trades and Technology

 The team working on BCIT’s new Concert Properties Centre for Trades and Technology have been refining a design that meets BCIT’s stringent climate targets, while delivering an outstanding and comfortable space for BCIT’s staff and students to learn and work in.

This Living Labs lecture will discuss how natural climatic forces can be used to create comfortable interior environments that are also highly energy efficient.

This will focus on the design of the Concert Properties Centre and how the integration of natural ventilation and maximized daylighting, can serve as a model of energy-efficient, occupant-focused, and resilient design.

Consultants Sean Casey from Introba and Riley Beise from Focal Engineering who worked on the design will look at how this innovative approach was developed in practice. Topics will include:

• Thermal modeling and understanding energy balances
• Using climate-informed modeling as a design driver
• Using powered window systems
• Thermal and daylight modeling in the Concert Properties Centre design
• Passive measures in compliance energy modelling

Presenters

Sean Casey, IES: Sr. Associate, Climate Responsive Design, Introba

Riley Beise, P.Eng., BEMP: Principal, Focal Engineering

Sean Casey, IES: Sr. Associate, Climate Responsive Design, Introba

Sean is an environmental performance consultant working within Introba’s MEP practice. He works at the intersection of mechanical systems, climate-responsive design, and building performance, utilizing modeling and simulation tools to embed passive design thinking and approaches at an early stage in projects. He often operates in the interstitial space between gentle advocacy, engineering, thermal and daylight modeling, and sustainability consulting. Sean’s work is characterized by systems-level thinking, proactive engagement, and a focus on integrating climate-responsive logic into everyday project delivery.

Riley Beise, P.Eng., BEMP: Principal, Focal Engineering

Riley is the new construction lead at Focal Engineering, overseeing detailed energy modelling for new construction. With over fifteen years of building performance simulation experience, Riley is experienced at modelling complex building types and advanced active and passive systems used in high-performance buildings.

Focal Engineering 

Focal Engineering is a building performance consulting firm located in Victoria, British Columbia. Focal is recognized as a leader in the energy modelling community, contributing to the development of codes, standards, training and research related to building energy and emissions. Their work on codes and standards is directly informed from work on hundreds of new construction and existing building projects across Canada and internationally.

Introba

Introba is one of the world’s largest building engineering and consulting firms with more than 1,000 employees in offices across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Serbia, Australia, and Singapore.

Committed to reshaping the world, our problem solvers combine cutting-edge digital solutions with emerging innovations and industry-leading sustainability strategies to transform the built environment. We collaborate with our clients to create living systems that are smart, secure, resilient, and connected – spaces that uplift communities, protect the health of the planet, and adapt to meet the demands of the future.