Profile - Larocque Elder Architects, Architectes Inc.
Sector – Service (Building)
Recognition Summary for Consumers
Larocque Elder Architects (LEA) is recognized for being a leader in ecologically based designs resulting in environmentally responsible developments. LEA is moving the design paradigm forward for how we live and work in harmony with our shared natural environment.
Specific Consumer “link(s)” to an initiative(s)
See the LEA website www.leaainc.com for a list of building projects situated across Northern Ontario, Québec and the United States. Projects incorporate earth-integrated architecture, energy conservation, geothermal energy, improved indoor air quality, recycled and green building products, construction waste reductions, low-impact storm water management, reduced water consumption and naturalized landscaping.
LEA works with each client in a collaborative forum to determine the users’ needs and objectives. See the following examples and leading attributes of each.
Mattawa General Hospital (in Joint Venture with ANO Architects)
- earth integrated architecture / energy efficient design
- use of sustainable building materials, such as wood / engineered lumber
- preservation of large mature pines on site
- re-use of large boulders from site as earth retaining walls
École publique Héritage
- innovative storm water management design and pond
- creation of an outdoor classroom
- maintaining existing wildlife corridors was crucial to the well being of the wetlands
- all classrooms facing the escarpment and neighbouring wetlands for student awareness of natural habitat; some of the species viewed by students: sand pipers, blue heron, ducks, fox, deer, and moose
- deer & bird feeding stations incorporated into the design
- in the process of creating butterfly gardens
North Bay Transit Terminal (also Green Checked - see
www.canadianecology.ca and the Green Check Recognition Program logo under Participants).
- good use of railway lands – Brownfield development
- centrally located to promote public transit
- energy efficient heating systems – in slab heating / thermo mass
- designed for improved public safety by maximizing views inside and out of building
- re-use and recycled existing building on site – change of use from Venture Sport Marine
Creative Wheel, Val-des-Monts, QC
- use of solar system / composting toilets / low impact grey water management
- use of sustainable materials such as wood / engineered lumber
- low impact landscaping, non-invasion plant species
École publique Odyssée, North Bay, ON
- worked with existing topography / land contours to minimize importation of site materials
- blasted rock from the site used under the playing field as part of storm water management design and road construction
- as part of storm water management, oil interceptors are used to intercept oil / gas run-off from parking lot and prevent contaminated water from entering the underground storage
- windows strategically placed to face adjoining escarpment and wetland
- school programs and curriculum activities focused on natural habitat and environmental restorative practices
- site orientation maximizes natural light and solar gains
- large volumes such as gymnasium and theatre located at north end of building to block winter prevailing winds
St. Theresa Elementary School, Callander, ON
- positioned to maximize natural light for classrooms and most occupied spaces
- playground located in sheltered area away from winter prevailing winds
- elaborate storm water management design/treated on site, recharging the aquifer
- designed for student awareness of the natural surroundings to promote preservation practices
- low water consumption plumbing fixtures
- motion detection light fixtures
- flexible building design / strong community partnership opportunities for shared-use design for after-hour and weekend use
- use of low maintenance shrubs and trees indigenous to the area
Also, a major award received by the Canadian Ecology Centre (www.canadianecology.ca), the ‘World Wide Project Award’, at Expo 2000, Hannover, Germany – an honour bestowed on only 8 Canadian and 486 international projects based on the merits of their ecological achievements. Based on LEA design principle of “living lightly on the land” within Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park (Ontario Parks).
Specifics – bullets related to change(s)
Three guiding principles of LEA design approach which are paramount in all of their approaches:
- Environmental excellence
- Economic Viability
- Social Responsibility
Next Steps
LEA will be pursuing LEED Canada certification for upcoming projects.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design through the Canada Green Building Council; see the website www.cabc.org. LEED Canada is an adaptation of the U.S.A. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy Environmental Design Green Building System tailored specifically to Canadian climates, construction practices and regulations. The prerequisites and credits are organized in the five LEED categories:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
For more Consumer Information contact LEA:
Larocque Elder Architects, Architectes Inc.
188 Fifth Ave. East
North Bay, ON P1B 1N6
Jean Larocque, architecture@leaainc.com, 705-497-9191 or fax 705-497-9497