The Ledcor Group says that Burnaby’s SFU UniverCity Childcare Centre and the Vancouver VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitors Centre have achieved Petal Certification under the Living Building Challenge Standard.
“These projects are the first commercial buildings in Canada to achieve this certification, as well as the first-ever projects in Canada to achieve the Materials Petal,” Ledcor Construction president Peter Hrdlitschka said in a statement. “This recognition from the International Living Future Institute places these buildings alongside some of the most innovative in the world. I think I speak for everyone involved in these projects when I say we’re very proud.”
Ledcor says the Living Building Challenge is regarded as the most stringent and innovative green building certification in the world, promoting living, regenerative buildings that produce more energy than they consume, avoid toxic chemicals, and incorporate natural, closed loop water systems.
Categories in the Living Building Challenge are known as Petals, which are achieved by meeting all criteria within each category. Petal Certification is granted by satisfying the requirements of at least three of these seven Petals. Ledcor’s awarded projects received certification for the Site, Materials, Health, and Beauty Petals.
Full Living Building status may yet be achieved for both of these projects as they continue to work towards demonstrating net zero energy and water consumption.
Involved in VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitors Centre were:
Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation,
Perkins + Will,
Cobalt (now Integral Group), and
Fast & Epp.
The SFU UniverCity Childcare Centre team included:
SFU Community Trust,
Hughes Condon Marler Architects,
Cobalt (now Integral Group),
Fast & Epp, and
MMM Group.
