Please login or register to join our webinar.

E-mail address:
Password:
Forgot your password?
Log in
REGISTRATION
Home > UNB University of New Brunswick > News > Hans W. Klohn Commons...
UNB University of New Brunswick

Hans W. Klohn Commons receives LEED Gold Certification

Feb 25, 2014
The Hans W. Klohn Commons building on the University of New Brunswick Saint John campus has achieved LEED gold certification. 
 

The Hans W. Klohn Commons is the only university building in New Brunswick with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an industry building rating system that is recognized as the international mark of excellence for green buildings in over 132 countries. 
 
“We are striving to design and operate our buildings in an efficient way,” said UNB President Eddy Campbell. “This project was an opportunity to demonstrate in a very public way, our commitment to sustainability.  As a major building owner in the province it is important UNB lead by example.”
 
Studies by the Green Building Council show that 35 percent of all greenhouse gases are generated from buildings, 35 per cent of landfill waste comes from construction and demolition activities, and 70 per cent of all municipal water is consumed in and around buildings. 
 
“The Hans W. Klohn Commons is one of the most advanced and environmentally friendly buildings in Atlantic Canada and offers everyone a truly innovative learning experience,” said Dr. Robert MacKinnon, Vice-President, UNB Saint John.
 
The LEED rating system evaluates six aspects of building design and construction: site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials used, indoor environmental quality, and innovation.  There are four possible levels of certification through LEED: certified, silver, gold and platinum. 
 
The design and construction of the Commons has resulted in a number of environmental efficiencies and cost savings to the university, which ultimately led to the gold certification. These include:
• 140 tonnes of CO2 per year of GHG emissions saved, the equivalent to taking 30 SUVs off the road;
• 58 per cent reduction in potable water use, equivalent to 1,800,000L per year equivalent or almost 6,500 bathtubs of water each year. LEED requires a minimum 20 per cent reduction in water use;
• 47 per cent reduction in energy costs, 380,000 kWh per year of energy savings equivalent to the energy used by 13 single-family dwellings. LEED requires at least a 25 per cent consumption reduction over the Model National Energy Code for Buildings referenced to building;
• 150 tonnes of construction waste diverted from the landfill or 93.7 per cent of waste diversion from landfills. LEED requires a 50 per cent diversion; and
• 90 per cent of indoor areas have direct sightlines to daylight and views.

The design of the Commons also took into consideration open green space around the building and restored any disturbed areas with native vegetation.
 
The Hans W. Klohn Commons is one of only five LEED NC GOLD certified projects in New Brunswick and the only university building in New Brunswick with any level of LEED certification. 
 
The Commons opened in September 2011 and is the essential gathering place for students on the UNB Saint John campus. It offers the latest in technology, writing and library services, as well as high-quality learning and research facilities.

Source: http://blogs.unb.ca/newsroom/2014/02/25/013-leed/

Latest news
UNB’s faculty of education to offer International Baccalaureate programs
UNB becomes first Canadian university to offer phone services through Microsoft Teams
UNB Saint John Athletics, Recreation and Wellness gear up for fall
UNB researchers examine gender pay gaps among health care workers before and after the pandemic
UNB nursing students implement successful community projects through virtual collaboration
View More News
Magazine
April 1, 2014
Professional Development Fall, Winter & Spring 2013-2014
Inside this issue
Digital edition
Career Opportunities
Academic Employment Opportunity

The Department of Anthropology at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in socio-cultural anthropology at the rank of Assistant Professor, with a preferred effective start date of July 1, 2016, subject to final budgetary approval. Candidates should hold a PhD in anthropology, demonstrate the potential for excellence in both teaching and research, and be willing to participate actively in service. 
Alumni Advancement Officer - Strategic Engagement

Reporting to the Executive Director of the UNB Associated Alumni, the Alumni Advancement Officer plays a lead role in the development and implementation of the Marketing and Communications strategy in support of the five-year Alumni Engagement Plan, and provides marketing and communications support to the Alumni office, including initiative-specific marketing communications campaigns and collateral.
Electron Microscopist/Confocal Microscopist

This position is responsible for operation and training of users of light (confocal, wide-field epifluorescence, and various transmitted light modalities) and electron beam (both transmission and scanning) microscopes in a multi-user facility.  Users are from throughout the Faculty of Science, as well as other fields and industry, but predominantly from the biological sciences. 
More Careers