B.C. students design 'Instagram worthy' carbon-minimal building out of hemp

A B.C. university has unveiled a new teaching and learning space that it believes to be one of Canada's first carbon-minimal institutional buildings—and the first of its kind to be designed by students.
In a news release Thursday, the University of British Columbia said the "Instagram worthy" building is made using hempcrete, which is a composite material made of hemp and lime.
"The bright and airy 2,400-square-foot wood frame building, called Third Space Commons, emitted nearly zero carbon emissions during construction—a feat that many view to be the final frontier facing carbon emissions reductions across the global building industry," the release reads.
The innovative addition to UBC's Vancouver campus was designed and built by Third Quadrant Design — a team of 60 students made up of predominantly women.
"Third Quadrant Design is a women-founded team that continues to be 60 per cent women since its first year," UBC said, adding that virtually all of the materials, construction techniques and design elements for the project were chosen for their abilities to lower or even capture carbon emissions.
"We sought to create an addition to campus that encourages interdisciplinary action on climate change, both as an example and through its eventual use,” said UBC student and the project's architecture lead Katie Theall.
The university said the thermal insulation is made out of hempcrete, which captures carbon from the atmosphere as it sets. It then turns into a concrete-like material that's made primarily out of a renewable, carbon-sequestering natural fibre.
"Construction waste is an issue we wanted to tackle. We sourced our materials sustainably, prioritizing the adaptive reuse of materials from other construction sites in Vancouver where possible. Our windows, solar panels, appliances and much of our lumber was on its way to a landfill," said civil engineering student and construction lead Peter Ehrlich, adding that real concrete is virtually absent from the project.
They also used light wood framing for the majority of the building instead of engineered wood, which is manufactured using glues derived from fossil fuels.
"The team worked hard to account for the carbon impact of every material element of the project — perhaps the first in B.C. and possibly in Canada to have done so," said Dr. Adam Rysanek, an assistant professor of architecture who advises the team.
"Typical emissions estimates in the construction industry consider only about 40 to 60 per cent of a building's total materials due to a lack of established standards for measuring the rest," Rysanek added.
The design team was recently recognized for its work through the inaugural B.C. Embodied Carbon Award for Small Building Construction by the BC Carbon Leadership Forum.
"In Third Quadrant Design, we see a tremendous example of our faculty's strategic priorities coming together," said Dr. James Olson, dean of the faculty of applied science. "It features a diverse, women-led student team that is supported by world-class faculty members, that partnered with industry, and constructed a beautiful building, and set a new standard for environmentally friendly facilities on campus."
Rysanek said the team hopes the new space helps to inspire the construction of future sustainable buildings in B.C. and beyond.
"With Third Space Commons we now have a prototype for how we can get to truly net-zero carbon in building design, particularly for low-rise homes, schools and multi-family dwellings," said Rysanek. "More than anything, the team is demonstrating how sustainability and regenerative design can lead to buildings that are both carbon-minimal and beautiful."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

U.S. judge rules Donald Trump defrauded banks, insurers while building real estate empire
A U.S. judge ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House, and he ordered some of the former president's companies removed from his control and dissolved.
Anthony Rota resigns as House Speaker amid condemnation for inviting Nazi veteran to Parliament
Anthony Rota has resigned from his prestigious position as Speaker of the House of Commons over his invitation to, and the House's subsequent recognition of, a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War. Now, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing calls to apologize, and investigate.
Hollywood writers strike declared over after boards vote to approve contract with studios
Leaders of the screenwriters union declared their nearly five-month-old strike over Tuesday after board members approved a contract agreement with studios, bringing Hollywood at least partly back from a historic halt in production.
Five workers picketing in UAW strike hit by vehicle outside Flint-area plant
About five people picketing in the United Auto Workers strike outside a Flint-area General Motors plant suffered minor injuries Tuesday when a vehicle leaving the plant struck them, police said.
ER doctor challenging 'toxic environment' in Ontario hospital after secret investigation based on unfounded murder allegation
After more than 30 years of caring for critically ill patients in emergency and intensive care, Dr. Scott Anderson is preparing to face off against the hospital where he works in London, Ont., in a case described as "unusual" by lawyers and potentially costly for Ontario taxpayers.
Canadian women's soccer team earns Olympic berth with win over Jamaica
The Canadian women's national soccer team has clinched a spot in the 2024 Paris Games after defeating Jamaica 4-1 on aggregate in Olympic qualifying.
Health Canada is recalling these smart plugs over an electric shock risk
Health Canada has issued a recall notice for certain smart plugs due to the risk of electric shock.
Is broadband essential, like water or electricity? New net neutrality effort makes the case
Landmark net neutrality rules rescinded under former President Donald Trump could return under a new push by U.S. Federal Communications Commission chair Jessica Rosenworcel. The rules would reclassify broadband access as an essential service on par with other utilities like water or power.
Comedian Rob Schneider cancels trip to Canada after veteran who fought for Nazis honoured in Parliament
Comedian Rob Schneider says he has cancelled an upcoming visit to Canada in light of last week’s incident in which a Ukrainian veteran who fought with a Nazi unit in the Second World War was given a standing ovation in the House of Commons.