Energy modelling and thermal bridging analysis supporting LEED Gold and low-carbon performance targets for a Vancouver biotech laboratory.

The 150 West 4th Avenue development is a seven-storey biotech laboratory and office building in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant Innovation District, designed for AbCellera Biologics Inc. and developed by Dayhu Investments with Lark Group as construction partner. The building delivers high-performance energy and envelope strategies to meet Vancouver’s ambitious low-carbon standards while supporting advanced biotech research and office use.

Focal Engineering provided energy modelling and simulation using IES VE, as well as thermal bridging and envelope analysis with Flixo and Heat3, ensuring compliance with Vancouver Building Bylaw and supporting the project’s pursuit of LEED Gold certification.

Technical Highlights:

– Heat pump domestic hot water and high-efficiency VRF systems

– High-performance air-to-air heat recovery

– Blue/Green roof system with stormwater retention and passive irrigation

– Triple-glazed façades and optimized envelope assemblies

– Detailed thermal bridging analysis at critical junctions (Flixo, Heat3)

– Energy modelling for LEED Gold and VBBL compliance

The Impact

150 West 4th demonstrates how lab and office buildings can achieve low operational carbon while maintaining the high performance needed for advanced biotech facilities. It represents a new standard for innovation district developments in Vancouver.

Project Team

Client: Dayhu Investments

Tenant: AbCellera Biologics Inc.

Architect: Taylor Kurtz Architecture + Design (TKA+D)

Developer / Contractor: Lark Group

Mechanical Engineer: Introba

Energy Modelling: Focal Engineering