GREEN BUILDING
Tridel earns LEED stamp for two buildings
November 21, 2009
Tracy Hanes
TORONTO STAR
Two Tridel condominiums have received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the Canadian Green Building Council.
Verve in downtown Toronto and Nuvo 2 at Essex in Etobicoke are Tridel's first two projects to achieve LEED certification, which requires meeting benchmarks in energy efficiency, site development, water efficiency, materials selection and indoor air quality.
Verve achieved LEED gold certification and Nuvo 2 achieved the silver benchmark, as verified by independent, third-party assessments. The LEED process certifies a building after construction is completed, which can occur three to four years after initial design.
Verve, at the intersection of Sherbourne St. and Wellesley St. E., has 444 units in a 39-storey tower and six-storey loft. Features include Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency lighting and a central heat-recovery ventilator system for continuous ventilation and better indoor air quality.
Building materials, manufactured regionally, have high recycled content and paints and adhesives for interior finishings in suites and common areas are low-VOC (volatile organic compounds).
All residents are provided with an AutoShare membership.
The 29-storey Nuvo 2, next to Kipling subway station, has more than 500 residents. It operates with 34 per cent more energy efficiency than a building designed to building code. It offers bike storage and convenient access to the subway.
"These important achievements come from a commitment our president Leo DelZotto made in 2005 to adopt LEED as the minimum standard for all our new buildings," said Rambod Nasrin, sustainability manager for Tridel.
"Tridel now represents about 10 per cent of all LEED commercial projects in Canada, with over seven million square feet of LEED-registered projects. This is a serious commitment toward greening the highrise development industry."
Tridel buildings are designed to use less energy, reduce emissions and conserve water through features like low-flow high-pressure faucets, dual-flush toilets and rainwater capture that can save each project an estimated 15 million litres of water annually. Each Tridel green building uses 30 to 40 per cent less energy compared to code buildings.
Tridel provides an educational program, How You Live is as Important as Where You Live, which offers tours, workshops and educational guides to residents to highlight the features in its buildings.
Toronto Star