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Friendship Lodge: BC Housing’s first LEED Gold building

The boiler room is an example of the complex and sophisticated machinery that is the backbone of the building's life support system.
Terra cotta rain barrels collect water from the downspouts that can be used for gardening.
Photo credits:
Boni-Maddison Architects
A 30-unit housing development in Prince George is BC Housing’s first development to achieve LEED Gold certification. Operated by the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, Friendship Lodge provides housing to low-income tenants, some dealing with addiction and mental health issues.

“Friendship Lodge is also our first LEED Gold certified building,” said architect Anthony Boni, Partner, Boni-Maddison Architects. “Building to these standards requires a collaborative approach between all the partners. A common vision needs to be established at the beginning of the project and carried through the entire design and construction process.”

The building was carefully planned to minimize energy use, reduce water use, improve indoor air quality and thermal comfort, and incorporate resource efficient materials.

  • Environmentally sustainable design features include a geo-exchange system, or ground source heat pump, that provides heating and cooling to the interior space, as well as domestic hot water production.
  • Ventilation air is ducted directly to suites instead of typical corridor pressurization. The exhaust air is used for heat recovery where it is fed back into the main heating loop. 
  •  Materials were selected to minimize VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other air contaminants in order to maintain good indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
  •  Locally manufactured materials and energy-efficient windows and lighting were used throughout.
  •  The building’s asphalt roof shingle reflects light from the sun, thus reducing the impact of heat islands on the local microclimate.
  •  Full cut-off light fixtures are used on the building’s exterior to reduce light pollution.
  •  Irrigation for the planting beds is fully supplied by natural rainfall and/or collected rainwater stored in barrels.
Anticipated energy cost savings of these and other measures are 54 per cent, with greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 49 per cent, and water use reduced by over 53 per cent over traditional construction methods.

“The building has lots of great bells and whistles, but when it comes right down to it, it’s what these mean to the residents that really count,” added Boni. “One of my best memories of working on Friendship Lodge is the excitement the residents expressed when I reviewed the features with them. They really care that they live in a place that is energy efficient.”
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