Grey Bruce Health Unit

On Owen Sound’s waterfront, the Grey Bruce Health Unit turns environmental responsibility into everyday public health. The building invites staff and visitors into light-filled spaces that model community wellness—proof that thoughtful design can advance climate goals and civic vitality at the same time. Set on a remediated brownfield, the site restores ecological health from the ground up and signals a new chapter of sustainable redevelopment along the harbour.

Indoors, the workplace is shaped around clean air, daylight, and user control. Low-off-gassing materials, systems furniture, and finishes reduce pollutants, supported by a green housekeeping program and a building-wide education initiative. Carbon-dioxide sensors manage ventilation in meeting rooms and classrooms; when occupancy rises, fresh air increases automatically, and when spaces are empty, systems scale back to conserve energy. Operable windows along the perimeter and abundant views give occupants agency and connection to Georgian Bay, while careful construction practices protected air quality during build-out.

Performance targets are tangible and tracked. The facility is designed for 39% annual energy-cost savings through a well-insulated envelope, high-performance glazing, energy-recovery ventilators, high-efficiency condensing boilers, variable-speed drives, and occupancy/daylighting sensors, all supported by commissioning and long-term energy monitoring.

Water use drops dramatically through a rainwater-harvesting cistern dedicated to toilet flushing and low-flow fixtures—including dual-flush toilets—achieving a 60% reduction in potable water and saving over 1.8 million litres each year. Responsible site planning amplifies these gains: reflective white roofing reduces heat-island effects; generous landscaped open space improves air quality and infiltration; erosion controls and a phosphorus-reduction plan protect nearby waters; transit adjacency and cyclist amenities lower transportation impacts.

The result is a welcoming, high-performance public facility that makes sustainability visible—advancing health outcomes for staff, visitors, and the broader community.