<P> The CIRS is constructed of wood and allows for various benefits such as reducing ecological impact, sequestering carbon, helping the mitigation of an ecological problem, bringing warmth to the building interiors, and also maximizing daylight and views . </P> <P> The primary exterior material is white brick, clear glazing, wood, and neutral colored concrete . The benefits are the reduction of' red list' materials, improvement of indoor air quality, reduction of material waste, and reduction of carbon emissions . </P> <P> The CIRS achieves a net - positive energy performance and reduces UBC's overall energy consumption by over 1 million kilowatt hours per year . The energy system benefits the project by providing a comparison between energy modelling processes, allows for more opportunities for research and system testing, inspire a new approach to energy supply / consumption, reduce heat demand and carbon emissions of neighboring buildings, and provide opportunities for continued learning . </P> <P> CIRS is entirely water self - sufficient by harvesting rainwater and stored in a 100 - cubic - meter cistern underneath the building . Around 1,226,000 litres of rainwater is harvested throughout the year, and average demand is 2000 litres per day . The benefits of a rainwater potable water system is that it creates awareness, educates the public on water supply / consumption, reduces potable water demand, promotes stormwater management, and provides an onsite water source for fire suppression . </P>

Centre for interactive research on sustainability (cirs) ubc