Prelude

Prelude, a 8,013 m² mixed-used development in the Oakridge area of Vancouver, BC, aims to be a centrally located urban infill development, with high accessibility to various amenities.

Green Building feature highlights:

• PowerSmart partnered
• Use of LED light fixtures in suites and high efficiency
• T8 fixtures in common areas
• Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) units in each suite
• Energy star appliances
• Firm negotiation with City for parking requirement reductions
• Green roof
• Wool carpeting in bedrooms

The main building of Prelude is a 6.5-storey structure with commercial spaces on the first floor and topped by 7 floors of residential units. The secondary buildings are two separate town houses, or laneway homes, situated to the west side of the main building. The four commercial retail units (CRUs), line the Cambie Street edge. As this South Cambie block continues to build out, these CRUs will contribute to a complete community and provide the street with shopping and work space.

The property at 6301 Cambie Street formerly consisted of two duplexes built in the mid-1960s. The mid-rise form of re-development was proposed as a way to achieve land use intensification without a tower and podium form, in the interest of blending with the traditional low-rise and single-family form of the neighbourhood. Because working families form a big part of the neighbourhood, every effort was made by the development to keep units affordable.

SmartGrowth

Following multiple principles of SmarthGrowth, Prelude has optimized a mix land use model in a pre-existing, compact neighbourhood where residents can live amid diverse housing, and where they can work, shop and play in nearby while accessing a variety of transportation choices. Residents who wish to live a car-light lifestyle can even opt for memberships to Prelude’s car share.

In keeping with SmartGrowth principles, the development preserved open space via a central interior courtyard and a landscaped public plaza, which connects to nearby Tisdale Park. Other shared outdoor amenities for residents include a landscaped rooftop patio and barbeque.

The building project complied with LEED design and performance goals wherever practicable, and in accordance to the re-zoning requirements of the City of Vancouver.

The Prelude development targeted 2 distinct market buyers, the mature buyers from the neighbourhood looking to downsize and first time buyers who grew up and wish to continue living in the neighbourhood.

Water Efficiency

Landscaping and the project’s green roof utilized native and adaptive drought tolerant plant species, which are appropriate for the micro-climate conditions of the site. To prevent wasteful potable water habits on site, Prelude has utilized groundwater with drip irrigation for increase water efficiency.

The project incorporated multiple systems, such as a stormceptor and vegetated roof, to capture and treat 90% of all the rainwater that falls on site, while removing 80% of the total suspended solids (TSS). Demand-side management minimizes pollution and eutrophication of waterways from excess nutrient pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Interior and exterior cleaning products for Prelude are specified for their limited or absence of pollutant content. Residents are educated about the use and content of these products, and a green cleaning product purchasing program developed and implemented.

Energy

The residential section of the building is served by heat recovery ventilator (HRV) units, with heat delivered via hydronic perimeter baseboards to the units. No cooling system is designed for the residential section of the building. The commercial section of the building is heated and cooled via four air source heat pumps.

Daylight and Views

The building design maximized the use of natural daylight as possible to create an ideal indoor environment for residents that also reduces the need for electrical lighting while providing residents with optimal access and connection to a view outdoors.