Concert Properties Centre for Trades & Technology:  Bioclimatic Architecture for a Changing World

BCIT’s Concert Properties Centre is set to be the centrepiece of the new Trades and Technology Complex. In this Living Labs lecture the design team will look at the unique bioclimatic design approach for this building.

Bioclimatic design uses architecture to respond to the local climate, working with sun, wind, temperature and daylight to create comfortable buildings with reduced reliance on mechanical systems. So, what happens when bioclimatic design is treated as a core part of a building’s design, rather than an optimization exercise?

Using BCIT’s Concert Properties Centre for Trades & Technology as a case study, the project’s architect and mechanical design team will unpack a passive-first design process in which climate, comfort, and building physics informed decisions from the earliest stages of design.

The presentation will explore how analysis of massing, solar exposure, daylight, natural ventilation, and future climate conditions shaped the building’s architecture and mechanical systems together. The session will share both the design outcomes and the collaborative process behind them, demonstrating how bioclimatic thinking can become part of everyday architectural and engineering practice.

Presenters:

• Patkau Architects: Greg Boothroyd
• Introba: Sean Casey
• Introba:  Eric Campbell

Patkau Architects: 

Greg Boothroyd is a driving force behind Patkau Architects. A true generalist, Greg provides design leadership from the inception of projects to their completion. Since joining Patkau Architects in 1997, Greg has led a tremendous variety of projects, from exquisitely detailed residences to landmark institutional buildings. Characterized by simple, elegant solutions to complex problems, Greg’s ability to identify unique opportunities and develop thoughtful architectural responses is a skill that continues to distinguish his career. A firm believer in collaboration, Greg’s ability to lead large multifaceted teams and diverse stakeholder groups has contributed significantly to his success across Canada.

Introba: 

Sean Casey is an environmental performance consultant working within Introba’s MEP practice, working at the intersection of climate-responsive design, building performance, and mechanical systems. He uses modeling and simulation tools to embed passive design thinking and approaches at an early stage in projects. He uses modelling and simulation to help design teams understand the relationships between climate, massing, façade, daylight, comfort, and energy from the earliest stages of a project. His work emphasizes systems-level thinking, collaborative design, and clear visualization of complex performance analysis to support better design decisions. Sean is also a regular contributing member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) technical daylighting committee.

Eric Campbell is a mechanical engineer and passive designer at Introba whose work bridges mechanical, sustainability, and environmental design. He partners with architects and engineers to shape buildings and systems that are simple, flexible, and resilient, leading project teams to optimize passive and mechanical design, reduce embodied carbon, and improve comfort. His work emphasizes integrated solutions that move beyond compliance to deliver buildings that are technically sound, future-ready, and inspiring. Eric is a Professional Engineer registered in British Columbia and Ontario and has contributed to projects and climate policy work across Canada.