Strengthening Distance Education in the Caribbean

Project Execution

Highlights:

• The project team incorporates local Architects, Engineers and Scientists from throughout the Caribbean. With over 40% of the work is assigned to this local team, this project contributes to the local economy and capacity building in the region. By combining Canadian and local Caribbean companies together in one team, the client benefits from both groups to make sure new and innovative design practices are combined with practical solutions that fit the Caribbean culture and conditions.
• The scope of this phase in the project is to complete a needs analysis, topographic survey, geotechnical investigation, building condition assessment, conceptual architectural and engineering conceptual design works, gender analysis, social and environmental impact assessment, and an overall conceptual design for each of the four sites.

ESG Project Benefits:

• Engineering buildings investigations, including review of water & sewer systems to treat to tertiary levels that can be reclaimed for non-potable uses, such as irrigation.
• Rooftop and ground-mounted solar farms, including solar car parks where vehicles park in the shade of the solar panels. to reach power neutral status.
• Each site was design with a unique “Centre of Excellence” to compliment each countries culture. These themes focused on each countries ability to benefit life on land.
• Architectural designs angled the roof to maximize solar panel energy capture, oriented the buildings to maximize natural wind flow through the buildings to minimize energy needed for ventilation, and even painted the buildings white to reflect as much solar heat as possible. “Green roofs” were designed for two sites increased building cooling efficiency.
• A conceptual design to approximately double face-to-face student populations while designing spaces that are multifunctional and versatile
• LEED® accredited conceptual design with innovative and sustainable solutions, allowing the client the opportunity to gain credits to obtain LEED® Green Building Certification.
• Climate resilient designs included hurricane proof windows and shutters, as well as porous asphalt to allow for better surface drainage.
• These state-of-the-art campus buildings lead the way for more sustainable infrastructure designs throughout the Caribbean.