UBC has been recognized nationally and internationally for its commitment to sustainable living, excellence in energy management, and green-focused operational initiatives, including innovative building designs and an efficient vehicle fleet.
To learn about what we’re doing to achieve UBC’s sustainability and climate action goals and what you can do to help, visit Live Green: Climate Action for Student Residents.
Sustainable residence buildings
By living in Student Housing at UBC, you’re already helping to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by commuting. Plus, many of our residence buildings—especially our newest buildings—have important sustainability features built right in.
LEED certified
As part of our commitment to building a sustainable campus, starting in 2013 with the opening of Ponderosa Commons, all new residence buildings are built to achieve LEED Gold certification or higher.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a third-party certification program and an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
LEED certified residences
- Brock Commons Tallwood House (Gold)
- Exchange (Gold)
- Orchard Commons (Gold)
- Ponderosa Commons (Gold)
- tə šxwhəleləm̓s tə k̓waƛ̓kwəʔaʔɬ (Gold)
- Totem Park, c̓əsnaʔəm leləm̓ (Platinum)
Brock Commons North and South, opened in 2023 and 2024, were also built to LEED Gold standards and we have applied for certification. Learn more about LEED at UBC.
Earlier buildings
Student Housing and Community Services is responsible for a range of earlier residence buildings opened anywhere from the 1950s to 2011. We continue to upgrade these residences to increase performance and sustainability—and to significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions—to meet the goals outlined in the university’s Climate Action Plan.
Upgrades include decarbonization of gas-fired equipment, replacing fluorescent and incandescent lighting with LED lighting, and replacing shower heads with more efficient versions.
Sustainability features
Many of our residences were designed with a range of sustainability features to help increase building performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Categories
Water consumption
Low-flow fixtures
Brock Commons | Exchange | Orchard Commons | Ponderosa Commons |tə šxwhəleləm̓s tə k̓waƛ̓kwəʔaʔɬ | Totem Park (c̓əsnaʔəm leləm̓, həm̓ləsəm̓ and q̓ələχən)
To help manage water consumption, and reduce the energy required to heat water for showers and washing, plumbing fixtures are low flow, including toilets, showers and taps.
Cold water laundry facilities
Brock Commons | Totem Park (c̓əsnaʔəm leləm̓) | Exchange | tə šxwhəleləm̓s tə k̓waƛ̓kwəʔaʔɬ
In these residences, laundry machines use cold water by default. In other areas, we recommend using cold water, even if hot water is available.
Ventilation
Brock Commons | Exchange | Orchard Commons | Ponderosa Commons | tə šxwhəleləm̓s tə k̓waƛ̓kwəʔaʔɬ | Totem Park (c̓əsnaʔəm, həm̓ləsəm̓ and q̓ələχən)
To help keep air fresh, reduce building humidity and better manage energy use, the majority of bathroom ventilation fans are either always on or are automatically on during peak shower times and cannot be controlled manually.
Energy use
Our residences are designed to use significantly less energy, through a variety of sustainability features.
LED lighting
Brock Commons | Exchange | Orchard Commons | Ponderosa Commons | tə šxwhəleləm̓s tə k̓waƛ̓kwəʔaʔɬ | Totem Park (c̓əsnaʔəm, həm̓ləsəm̓ and q̓ələχən)
These residences use LED light bulbs, which use less energy and last years longer than standard, incandescent bulbs.
Automatic controls
Brock Commons | Orchard Commons | Totem Park
- Washroom lights use a timer or motion controls to reduce energy waste when nobody is present.
- Daylight sensors detect the amount of light in the room. When ambient light is sufficient, the overhead light turns off; as the room becomes darker, the light comes on.
Heating, ventilation and cooling controls
We manage energy use through a variety of different methods, depending on the system in a given residence.
Building insulation
Orchard Commons | Ponderosa Commons
These buildings are insulated with exterior high-density concrete panels. This unique exterior layer helps to reduce energy loss.
Energy Star rated appliancesÂ
Ponderosa Commons
Energy Star rated appliances use less energy than traditional appliances. You may notice your dishwasher takes a little longer to turn on or your fridge might be a little louder than you’re used to.