<P> The building's heating and cooling system feeds through the deep water of the harbor, using it as a constant temperature base to reduce the amount of energy used for heating and cooling . </P> <P> Along the waterfront, the shoreline ecology is fully restored from its previous brownfield state and supports a historic salmon migration path . An artificial reef structure rings the building perimeter, consisting of a series of concrete steps . Each step is planted with marine species adapted to a specific depth below the water, resulting in a kelp forest characteristic of the natural shoreline and supporting a diversity of harbor fauna . Underneath the building, which is set on pier foundations, runnels are set into the tide flats creating a tidal ecosystem zone that flushes daily and feeds the reef . </P> <P> The site of the expansion is a former marine and rail industrial area, most of which was covered in impervious surfaces and contaminated . The decrease in site impervious surfaces is almost 30%, mitigating total suspended solids and phosphorus content from stormwater and reducing the site's heat island contribution . </P> <P> In 2002, and again in 2008, the VCEC was awarded the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) "Apex Award" for the "World's Best Congress Centre". In April 2010, the West Building expansion received an Award of Excellence from the Urban Land Institute . It has also received multiple awards from the AIA Seattle chapter . </P>

Vancouver convention centre – west 1055 canada place