Sustainable Construction

BUILDING GREEN in the PCL family of companies means developing and implementing cost-effective, sustainable solutions with our customers that add real business value to the projects we’re building for them. This value translates into a higher level of corporate responsibility and a higher return-on-investment for customers and ourselves. We achieve this by using construction methods and materials that minimize harmful effects to people and the environment, and result in reduced operating and maintenance costs. That’s what BUILDING GREEN at PCL is all about.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

The PCL family of companies is growing its commitment to sustainability by building green inside and out. We continue to enhance our programs and practices internally to demonstrate this commitment and are expanding our green building expertise to serve our customers with the latest in sustainable construction solutions.

Click HERE for profiles on some of our Sustainable Construction projects

Our Approach

PCL's team approach involves working with the client and design team through an integrated process to determine the overall feasibility and long-term cost-benefits of incorporating sustainable features. We prefer to get involved as early as possible, starting with conceptual design, taking it through construction and on to the operation of the facility. Through this process our professionals can offer advice and help guide our clients through the most critical decisions.

Our sustainable construction experience can help to better determine and assess systems and features being considered. Whether a project is considering using renewable energy,  encouraging water efficiency, or supporting the inclusion of sustainable construction materials, we make every effort to offer practicable alternatives. During construction, we work hard at maintaining a clean and healthy environment for our workers, neighbors, and end users. PCL diverts construction waste materials by reducing the creation of waste, and by reusing materials on our projects (e.g., using crushed concrete for bedding and road-building use), or by recycling them at facilities in the region. These are just a few of many examples of what we do to help our customers build green.

To further promote this industry initiative and stay in tune with market developments, the PCL family of companies is an active corporate member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) who developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Rating System, as well as the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

Our Sustainable Construction Projects

The PCL family of companies further demonstrates our commitment to building green through the construction of our own sustainable training and professional development centre in Edmonton, Alberta. The Ross Grieve Centennial Learning Centre (CLC) at PCL's North American Headquarters achieved a LEED® Gold certification, the first private building in Alberta to receive this designation. The CLC opened in 2006 to commemorate 100 years of construction excellence at PCL and has more recently been named after our past CEO. Read more about the CLC. With this, PCL has progressively become a leader in delivering sustainable construction projects with over 100 projects having achieved or targeting various levels of LEED certification.

PCL Now Eighth on Top Green Contractors List

PCL is eighth in Engineering News-Record’s 2009 ranking of the Top 100 Green Contractors in the United States! Sub-rankings of the 2009 list place PCL fourth in commercial office buildings. 

Our LEED® Accredited Professionals

There are more than 320 LEED Accredited Professionals (APs) in PCL’s independent operations across North America who understand what it means to build green. These PCL employees have completed internal and external seminars and workshops to prepare for and pass the professional exam, and are finding that many other individuals and project team members are eagerly following in their footsteps.

Our LEED APs have a thorough experience based understanding of green building practices and principles in addition to the LEED Rating System. Their knowledge and skills in sustainable construction helps them guide our customers through the process of how building green relates to constructability and viability in the markets we build in. Our professionals provide expert advice if our customers choose to use the LEED Rating System, or if they simply want to incorporate any sustainable building systems or techniques.

For more information on building green with PCL, contact Shawn Vanderheyden in Canada or Laura D'Ardenne in the United States.

Click HERE for profiles on some of our Sustainable Construction projects