Calgary Firms Accept Zero-Waste Construction Challenge

How difficult can it be to keep a new office tenant improvement project waste-free? The teams at Integral Group, Eton-West Construction and LOLA Architecture have found out with a challenge they accepted two years ago. Together, they reduced the typical interior office construction project’s site waste from seven tonnes (1kg/ft2) down to zero.

It all started when Integral Group, a global engineering and design firm, decided to fit-up a Calgary office space. A fit-up involves developing a unit within an existing empty space, including partition walls, plumbing and everything in between. Integral saw it as an opportunity to set environmental priorities, mirroring other projects they take on for their clients.

“Our mission for green buildings has a history in Calgary, specifically with the Panda Passage at the Calgary Zoo, the first project in Alberta to achieve the Living Building Challenge Petal certification from the International Living Future Institute,” comments Eric White, Integral sustainability associate. “With our office fit-up, we wanted to achieve industry certifications, minimal waste, and building efficiencies while creating a landmark project and welcoming space.”