Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada

Materials and Resources

There are a variety of ways to increase resource efficiency. For example, utilizing products and materials with identifiable recycled content or harvested from sustainably managed sources reduces resource depletion. Another way to maximize resource efficiency is to use locally available building materials, components, and systems. This saves energy and resources in transportation to the project site.

Waste can also be reduced by selecting materials that can be easily dismantled and recycled at the end of their useful life or by using materials that are longer lasting or are comparable to conventional products with long life. These strategies have all been integrated into the design of the GINPR Operations Centre.

Construction Waste Management | Local/Regional materials |
Recycled Content of Building Materials | Durability

Construction Waste Management

Minimizing waste from construction materials from construction materials was a priority. A waste management plan was implemented before construction began. As a result of the implementation of this plan, approximately 85% of waste has been diverted from landfill.

Local/Regional materials

The building has been designed to maximize content of Local/Regional materials. The percent of Local/Regional materials content exceeds 20% of total material costs and includes wood products and concrete used

Recycled Content of Building Materials

Materials were specified to contain recycled content: The amount of recycled content expressed as a percentage of total material costs exceeds 27%.

Durability

The waterfront location of the project is a relatively harsh environment for buildings, requiring careful selection of materials. The building exterior has also been designed to facilitate replacement of components.

The GINPR Operations Centre, model view
© Larry McFarland Architects Limited (with permission)/ 2005

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