In Waterloo, Ontario, workers are installing wells for a geo-exchange system that will heat and cool a new office development aiming to be one of the most energy efficient in Canada. What will be a LEED Platinum, net-positive office building that produces more energy than it consumes every year, is also known as Evolv1, a name that serves as a metaphor to its surroundings.

Situated within the David Johnston Research + Technology Park (R+T Park) in the Idea Quarter, near a 270-acre environmental reserve, the construction site neighbours forward-thinking tenants involved in everything from bio-technology and solar-power to the automotive industry and agri-food. The R+T Park is also home to the largest privately-owned green roof in southwestern Ontario, which, at the time it was built ten years ago, was the largest in Canada.

Companies there, along with a green team, are involved in ongoing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This new building will follow suit, while also evolving old industry norms, showing that Class A office space can be developed in a highly sustainable, but commercially viable way.

Read the full story at reminetwork.com.