Vancity Lynn Creek Community Branch

Location

1370 Main St

District of North Vancouver, BC

Canada

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Date completed
2003
Certifications & Awards
  • LEED BC-NC 1 Silver
  • LEED Silver certification
  • 2004: Silver Award of Excellence (for public space) and Bronze Award for Excellence (for environmental aspects), Interior Designer Institute of B.C.
Project Team
  • Owner: Vancity
  • Architect: Toby Russell Buckwell Partnership
  • Structural Engineer: Jones Kwong Kishi
  • Mechanical Engineer: Prism Engineering
  • Electrical Engineer: Prism Engineering
  • Energy: Prism Engineering
  • Contractor: Eyford Construction

Summary

Key Sustainability Features

  • 30% water consumption reduction
  • 40% energy consumption reduction
  • 100% construction waste recycled
  • Passive Solar Heat & Natural Light Filtering

The Vancity Group of Companies is Canada's largest credit union with $11.8 billion in assets, 330,000 members and 47 branches throughout Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Victoria.

With a solid commitment to social and environmental responsibility Vancity reinvests 30% of its profits in the local community each year. In 2005 alone this amounted to $17.4 million reinvested locally. Vancity's ethical policy ensures that all organizations supplying goods and services to Vancity branches meet social and environmental criteria.

Vancity's Lynn Valley Community Branch, located in North Vancouver, transforms Vancity's community commitment into built form. This building was the first LEED certified financial institution building in Canada. Its low-flow plumbing and irrigation systems allow for 30% less water consumption than traditional standards require. Energy saving strategies, including the employment of passive solar heat and natural light filtering, allow for a 40% lower energy consumption. Low-emission furnishings and materials were also used where ever possible to maintain an excellent indoor environment. Most impressive is Vancity's dedication to recycling close to 100% of its construction waste.

Particularly unique to this project is the care given to creating a space that visually reflects the local history and culture of North Vancouver. Local residents were asked for input on the building design and David Neel, a well known North Shore First Nations artist, was commissioned to create a 7 m totem pole for the space. Included in the interior aesthetic is a rock wall, live trees and a recycled lumber floor and beam system. The building's exterior incorporates local granite into the monoliths that anchor the building.

From incorporating the public into the design process to building green and providing an excellent community service Vancity shows a dedication to generations to come.

Tours: Not available