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Piqqusilirvvik Inuit Cultural Learning Facility - A Case Study of Typical Canadian High Arctic Construction
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Piqqusilirvvik Inuit Cultural Learning Facility - A Case Study of Typical Canadian High Arctic Construction
Conference Proceeding by ASHRAE, 2012
Ross D. Abdurahman, P.Eng. and Rene Artacho, P.Eng.
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This study describes the development of the mechanical building systems and the criteria that resulted in their selection for the new Piqqusilirivvik Inuit Cultural Learning Facility, located on the northeast coast of Baffin Island in the arctic community of Clyde River. The Learning Facility uses systems common to buildings throughout the North West Territories and Nunavut Territories, making it an excellent representation of typical Canadian high arctic building technologies.
High arctic buildings are unique in many ways. Energy costs are exceptionally high, environmental conditions are very severe, accessibility to qualified maintenance personnel is limited or non-existent, there is typically only one energy source in the communities, CP-43 Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), and construction logistics are hampered by a single seasonal sealift for material shipment. These limitations often constrain system development but over the years the GNWT and GN territorial governments working with northern construction professionals have developed reliable and efficient systems that meet the requirements of building in these demanding locations.
Systems in the Learning Facility are typical for the location. Primary secondary variable flow hydronic heating with high efficiency modulating fuel oil boilers and a combination of perimeter convectors and steel radiators was used for building heating. Ventilation is through central heat recovery systems with displacement ventilation. Potable and fire water is through large horizontal pipe tanks located in an elevated crawlspace, as the community does not have a dedicated municipal water or sanitary infrastructure and uses trucked services. Along with a high performance building envelope, optimization of day lighting and electrical lighting controls the systems design are expected to achieve over 45% energy savings referenced to the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB).
Citation: Cold Climate Conference, 2012