Cypress House & Pine House

Cypress House and Pine House of Wesbrook Place are residential rental complexes designated for University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty and Staff. The development consists of two 6-storey buildings, totaling 175 units of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes. The residences have a vast outdoor courtyard space and boast contemporary interiors. The complex is easily accessible to the extensive parks, pathways, shops, and community amenities. UBC applies Residential Environmental Assessment Program (REAP) Gold standards to all of their residential properties. REAP ensures lower consumption of water, energy, resources, and higher quality indoor environments and construction practices.

Williams Engineering (WE) supplied mechanical design services for this project which included heating, ventilation, plumbing and fire protection. The building heating systems is provided by the UBC district energy plant (DES). The heating in each unit is a radiant floor system and the domestic hot water is provided by a storage tank generation system with domestic hot water recirculation to ensure hot water is provided at all plumbing fixtures. The ventilation is provided by an in-suite 2-speed exhaust fan and passive outdoor air intakes located in each bedroom and living area. Corridor pressurization is provided on each floor by a roof top air handling unit complete with a heating coil to temper the air. Plumbing is designed for all residential fixtures, roof and site drainage requirements. A performance specification sprinkler system is designed to meet NFPA-13 requirements to ensure tenants safety.

Construction for both Cypress House and Pine House is expected to be complete by February 2018, with tenants taking occupancy in Spring. This is one of many UBC residential housing facilities WE has had the opportunity to provide services for and is excited to work on projects leading the industry in sustainable design.