Announcements May 22, 2025

Three of Our Projects Have Achieved Zero Carbon Building Design Certification

We’re thrilled to announce that three of our projects have achieved Zero Carbon Building Design certification from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC)—a milestone that underscores our commitment to designing a low-carbon future for communities across Canada. These recognitions speak to the power of collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for sustainable, inclusive design.

“These certifications are a testament to what’s possible when visionary clients and committed design teams come together,” says Kathy Wardle, regional director of regenerative design. “They reflect our shared belief that buildings should not only reduce harm—they should positively contribute to healthier communities and ecosystems.”

Here’s a look at our certified projects:

Whitby Sports Complex

Whitby, Ontario

Located on the northern edge of Whitby, Ontario, the Whitby Sports Complex is a landmark community project that reflects the Town’s evolving rural-urban character. Designed as a place for regional sports, cultural events, and everyday gathering, the facility not only meets ambitious energy targets but also reimagines what civic architecture can offer. It is set to become the first recreation facility in Canada to include a twin-pad arena designed to both LEED Gold and Zero Carbon Building design standards. The design responds directly to Whitby’s newly introduced green building policy, using the project as a test case to help shape future sustainable development in the Town.

Sustainability strategies include an on-site geothermal district energy plant that serves not only the facility but also adjacent park amenities and future developments. A 300 kW rooftop solar PV array generates approximately 15% of the energy requirements onsite, while energy-sharing loops between the pool and arena systems maximize overall building efficiency. The surrounding landscape has been carefully restored and rewilded, transforming former agricultural plots into ecologically rich areas with native planting and wetlands. Together, these elements create an inclusive, climate-forward destination that’s deeply embedded in its natural context.

First Name *

Last Name *
Email *

Organization
Country *
Message
I'd like to receive updates from Perkins&Will
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Odenak Residential Development

Ottawa, Ontario

Odenak is setting a new benchmark for resilient, inclusive urban living. As one of Canada’s largest residential projects with dual Zero Carbon Building certifications – Design and Performance, along with LEED Gold and the One Planet Living framework, it represents a deeply integrated approach to design. Led by a joint venture between Perkins&Will and KPMB Architects, and supported by Indigenous design input from Two Row Architect, the project responds to the evolving need of the polycrisis era world—where social connection, sustainability, and equity are more intertwined than ever.

The development prioritizes health, sustainability, and community through a suite of passive design strategies, including a high-performance building envelope, careful solar orientation, and thoughtful building massing. The design incorporates native vegetation, edible landscapes, and non-toxic, regionally sourced materials to support climate resilience and biodiversity. Shaped by biophilic principles, the architecture fosters emotional well-being, while communal landscape terraces promote gathering and urban agriculture. Odenak is more than a place to live—it’s a thriving ecosystem grounded in cultural values and environmental stewardship.

BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing

Burnaby, British Columbia

The BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing project in Burnaby, British Columbia, sets a new standard for low-carbon campus development. As BCIT wanted to meet the demand for more affordable, sustainable student housing on campus, the Institute responded with a bold, forward-thinking approach to sustainable living. The result is a mass timber building that meets the pressing needs of students while advancing climate goals.

From its use of timber to modular construction techniques that minimize waste and disruption, the building embraces a carbon-conscious strategy at every step. Designed to meet BC Energy Step Code 4, the project includes high-performance systems and an energy efficient envelope, significantly reducing the operational emissions and making the residence a model for future academic development that supports both people and planet.

Congratulations, once again, to our clients and project teams for leading the way. These projects prove that bold climate action and exceptional design go hand in hand—and that together, we’re building a better, more sustainable future.

Three of Our Projects Have Achieved Zero Carbon Building Design Certification

Related Content