The Silva

Location

131 West 16th Street

North Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada

V7M 1T3

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Date Completed
2005
Size
8,200 m2 (gross floor area)
Budget
$1,500/m2 hard costs
Certifications & Awards
  • LEED-NC 2.1 Certified
  • First LEED Silver Certified residential building in Canada
Project Team
  • Architect: Perkins & Company
  • Structural Engineer: John Bryson and Partners
  • Mechanical Engineer: Cobalt Engineering (formerly VEL Engineering)
  • Electrical Engineer: Arnold Nemetz & Associates
  • Landscape Architect: Eckford & Associates
  • Construction Manager: Marcon
  • Developer: 16th Street Development Ltd
  • Green Building Consultant: reSource Rethinking Building

Summary

Key Sustainability Features

  • Daily water usage is 43% below the GVRD average of 320 L per person per day
  • Energy efficient strategies result in cost-savings of $16,000 per year
  • 27% reduction in rate and quantity of stormwater run off
  • Over 50% of materials (by value) manufactured locally

This 16-storey, 68-unit, mixed-use, condo tower has 4,800 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. It is located in the City of North Vancouver's Lonsdale Town Centre, a high-density corridor that is close to public transit and local services.

A green roof on the second floor podium (35% of the total roof area) improves the quality and manages the flow of stormwater, which helps to protect a nearby salmon-bearing creek.

The building uses less energy than a standard building constructed to code. The tower is fitted with efficient Low-E windows that reduce heat loss in the winter and reject solar gain in the summer. Concrete, steel stud construction with fiberglass batt insulation maintains high insulation levels. Natural lighting offsets the need for artificial lighting and occupancy sensors control the lights in common areas. The units include efficient appliances and heat rated gas fireplaces.

Energy Star appliances and low flow fixtures reduce daily water usage by 43% below the GVRD average of 280 litres. The tower recycled over 82% of the demolition and excavation materials. To reduce transportation energy, insulation, drywall, finishing materials and flooring were locally sourced. To achieve a high indoor air quality, low VOC paints, sealants, and adhesives along with low off-gassing CRI Green Label carpets were installed. An owner's manual was created to tell the homeowner about the environmental features of the project.

The Silva's green features are estimated to have increased hard construction costs by 1%. All of the Silva's units sold before the building was completed. Prices ranged from $204,000 for one-bedroom units to $850,000 for the penthouses. Because of the Silva's green building features Vancity Credit Union offered a "green mortgage" for the project "with reduced equity requirements for prospective buyers."

"Green" technology: Green roof (storm-water management); low-e windows (reduction of heat loss); heat rated gas fire places.

Tours: Not available.

This post was imported from the 'Greater Vancouver Green Guide', it's part of the 'Green Guide Portal' to the Green Building Brain.