Awards

IIDA Lighting Design Awards, BC Section Award, 2002

This 1951 warehouse was renovated in 2000 to become Busby Perkins+Will's office. As well as providing space for the growing firm, the building, by virtue of its high ceilings, existing exposed concrete mass, and open floor plan, had the potential to be developed into a highly efficient building. Two large openings were cut in the floor slabs to create atriums at the front and centre of the building, providing a stack effect to facilitate natural ventilation.

The office is organized around the central atrium, which was sized for optimum levels of ventilation and daylighting and which provides a visual connection between three levels of workstations. A circulation spine runs the length of the office on each level, separating the service zone from the main work area. Workstations are organized to optimize flexibility in team sizes and maximize daylight and ventilation at each station. Custom designed by the firm's in-house industrial design division, Designlines, the stations are comprised of a system of easily reconfigurable components.

Recycling an existing building was central to the creation of a green office. The building is naturally ventilated; automatically controlled operable windows and a greenhouse skylight contribute to the project operating at 40% of ASHRAE 90.1-1999. Two heat recovery units, which recover latent heat from computers, lights, and occupants, supply the building with warm air, while occupancy sensors control artificial lighting used in meeting and workshop areas.

In 2007 Busby Perkins+Will registered 1220 Homer Street with the LEED Existing Buildings program. A LEED Gold certification is expected.