We are pleased to share that Prism Engineering was honoured with three ASHRAE BC Technology Awards for the 2023-24 year.
Each award-winning project secured first place in its respective category:
- City of Nanaimo / Port Theatre – Low Carbon Electrification – Existing Buildings/Other Institutional Category
- Langara College – Central Heating Plant Integration – Existing Buildings/Educational Facilities Category
- Vancouver School Board (VSB) – Recommissioning – Existing Buildings/Commissioning EBCx Category
The ASHRAE BC Technology Awards are presented annually to recognize organizations and projects that have effectively implemented innovative building design solutions to enhance occupant comfort, indoor air quality, and energy conservation across British Columbia.
“These awards underscore Prism’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of decarbonization and energy efficiency,” says Robert Greenwald, President of Prism Engineering.
“They reflect our team’s technical excellence and dedication to delivering sustainable, impactful solutions for the communities we serve. Being recognized for such innovative projects reinforces our purpose of changing systems for a better world,” he adds.
Left to right: Farzad Gharibi, Mechanical EIT; Stephen Kooiman, Principal and Mechanical Team Leader; Hamid Samani, Principal and Senior Mechanical Engineer; Emma Harrison, Energy EIT; Sewa Odufuwa, Energy Management Professional; Iram Green, Principal and Energy Team Leader; Max Melchior, Energy Management Professional; and Alison Bodine, Intermediate Electrical Designer.
Supporting client’s decarbonization goals
Earning ASHRAE’s recognition is significant for our work, coming from one of the most esteemed associations in our industry. It is a testament to Prism’s expertise in supporting our clients to achieve their goals, from design to implementation.
“The awards highlight our ability to develop innovative, unique solutions tailored to our clients’ needs, drawing on the strengths of a multidisciplinary team. I am very proud of our employees for their work and congratulate them for their dedication and commitment to each project,” says Robert.
For Langara College, the new central heating plant integration is a major step towards fully decarbonizing the campus, directly improving the well-being of students and staff.
“This project continues our longstanding relationship with Langara, spanning over 20 years. It sets the stage for their successful transition to renewable technologies in the future,” explains Stephen Kooiman, Mechanical Team Leader at Prism.
At Port Theatre, there was no simple solution to decarbonization, but Prism’s innovative approach resulted in a 90% reduction in the building’s emissions. Similarly, the award recognizes the positive results obtained at VSB’s three elementary schools – Charles Dickens, Sir James Douglas, and J.W. Sexsmith – where implementing innovative renewable heating and ventilation systems effectively resolved longstanding issues and exceeded the client’s expectations.
“For both projects, I am proud of our team for navigating the complexities involved in integrating hybrid systems to develop unique solutions”, says Iram Green, Energy Team Leader at Prism.
Here’s a brief overview of each award-winning project:
City of Nanaimo – Port Theatre
Service: Low Carbon Electrification
Building: Port Theatre is one of the most popular cultural centres on Vancouver Island. It was built in 1998 and includes a theatre, offices, lobby, and backstage area, totalling 38,875 square feet.
Main goals: Redesign the heating system with air-to-water variable refrigerant flow to provide primary heating. Include heat recovery from the building during shows and additional redundancy if one system fails.
Results: GHG savings of 98 tonnes eCO2, equivalent to 90% of the building’s emissions.
Photo: Prism Engineering Ltd.
Langara College
Service: Central Heating Plant Integration
Building: Langara College is a post-secondary institution consisting of eight major buildings constructed between 1970 and 2016, with a total occupied floor area of 646,329 square feet.
Main goals: Install new central heating system and district heating pipes across campus to optimize heating efficiency, reduce emissions and support the buildings’ transition from natural gas to future low-carbon energy sources.
Results: Improved system efficiency to above 85%, leading to a 17% reduction in GHG emissions and fuel savings of approximately 4,600 GJ.
Photo: Langara Library by Morgana911 via Wikimedia Commons
Vancouver School Board – Charles Dickens, Sir James Douglas and J.W. Sexsmith Elementary Schools
Service: Recommissioning
Building: The schools were built between 2006 and 2013, with a total floor area that ranges from 42,506 to 54,390 square feet. They include classrooms, staff rooms, washrooms, multi-purpose areas, a gym, a library, among others.
Main goals: Review the schools’ heat pump systems to optimize energy use and reduce emissions.
Results: Approximately $27,000 in annual energy savings and 52% to 80% emissions reduction across the schools.
Photo: Prism Engineering Ltd.
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District Energy Systems (DES)
Low Carbon Electrification
Recommissioning
Learn more about other award-winning projects
City of Vancouver | Kitsilano Community Centre Heat Recovery
Langara College | Building Deep Retrofit
Prism Wins Six ASHRAE Awards for Projects in Energy Savings and Decarbonization
Additional Awards and Projects