SFU Discovery I

The SFU Discovery I project involved renovations to the Discovery Park building, formerly a technical research building vacated by the former tenants. Simon Fraser University redeveloped and repurposed the building to accommodate the Fraser International College Teaching Program. The new Discovery I facility is 8,400 sq. m, three stories high and LEED-CI Gold Registered.

Integral Group provided mechanical, energy modeling and LEED consulting services to this project. The team displayed innovation through the conversion of the existing overhead variable air volume to displacement ventilation operation, and adding free-cooling capability to the existing cooling tower and chiller circuit. Retention and renewal of the mechanical HVAC system allows higher density occupancy and use, while reducing overall energy consumption.

The renovations included complete retro-application of fireproofing and code upgrades, as well as the modification of the existing building HVAC systems to provide demand ventilation and partial displacement ventilation to allow cooling energy reduction. Additionally, the DDC controls system was completely replaced with an all-new system. The renovations had to be carried out without disrupting the existing laboratory tenant, who remained in operations throughout the construction process.