What is a Green building development?

The Glebe Report asked Cheryl Gladu,
partner in ECOCITÉ

People in this community are fairly well-informed on environmental issues, but when you talk about building green condos such as your project at Wilton Crescent and Bank Street, it is hard for most people to picture what you mean.

Q: To construct an energy- and resource-efficient building, what sort of materials and systems are you talking about?

A: We focus on three aspects and, in all cases, we set clear standards in order to ensure accountability. We feel that having independent standards to meet is very important. That’s why the building is designed to meet the stringent and comprehensive LEED (Leadership in Environment & Energy Design) green-building standards.

1. Energy efficiency: We use high-tech building modelling—along with geothermal heat pumps, in-floor heating, fibreglass frame hi-efficiency windows and super-insulated rain-screen envelope design which aims to significantly reduce thermal bridging. We set a minimum standard of energy performance at 50 per cent better than the Model National Energy Building Code.

2. Healthy indoor air: We follow the recommendations of the CMHC Healthy Home program. This means that we eliminate all standard paints, particle boards, construction adhesives, caulkings, laminate flooring, vinyl flooring and carpets in favour of products that are EcoLogo certified, or are very low in their release of VOC (volatile organic compounds), formaldehyde and benzene. Many building products release chemicals with links to serious health problems. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and CMHC suggest reducing exposure to these compounds, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems. We also provide a dedicated energy-recovery ventilator for each unit which guarantees a change of inside air with fresh air eight times per day.

3. Overall reduction in environmental impact: We use a number of other strategies, far too numerous to list here, but they include fabricating the building off site to reduce waste and improve quality; secure, enclosed bicycle storage; membership in VrtuCar; condos that can easily be changed over time; and extensive use of materials that are recycled or sustainably harvested, such as bamboo flooring, recycled steel structure and recycled glass terrazzo countertops.

Q: What is geothermal heating?

A: Geothermal heating takes heat from the earth to make hot water to heat a building. It can be turned in reverse to cool a building in the summer. It takes advantage of the fact that the earth below eight feet has a constant temperature, and uses technology not dissimilar from a standard refrigerator.

Q: What is a green roof? Is it more than just plants?

A: A green roof is a chance to cover the roof of a building with plants. This can be done in many ways and for many reasons. In our case, it means that the roof of the building has a number of private garden areas with a combination of hard decking and large planting areas, where all manner of plants and small trees can be planted, from tomatoes to junipers. all green roofs have the advantage of reducing stormwater runoff, cooling the building in the summer, extending the life of the roofing system, and contributing to the improvement of the city’s air quality.

Q: How much are the energy and water savings in a green condo, as compared to a conventionally-built condo?

A: ECOCITÉ on the Canal is designed to be 50 per cent more efficient than Canada’s strictest building code, the Model National Energy Building Code. This means that it will likely be 80 per cent more efficient than most other condo buildings. The water-saving, dual-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads mean a savings of approximately 50 per cent on domestic water use.

Q: What will buyers have to give up or forego in order to achieve these savings?

A: All they would have to give up is leaky windows and poorly insulated walls. Green buildings don’t require sacrifice. They just require more creativity and forethought on the part of the developer. What’s great is that many green building features tend also to lead to more comfortable, brighter, healthier and more exciting homes.

Q: What are the time lines for the project at Bank Street and Wilton Crescent?

A: Construction should likely start in June 2005 and end in late 2005 or early 2006.

Q: Recently, your business partner, Christopher Holmes, received an award from McGill University. what was it for?

A: Since 1979, the faculty and students at McGill University have been honouring Canadian business leaders who have made a significant and valuable contribution to the Canadian economy and way of life, through their success in business and their involvement in the greater community. This award is normally received by senior executives in large companies, but students on the committee pushed for Christopher’s nomination because they were inspired by his innovative approach to combining business and solutions to environmental issues.