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Vancouver Port Authority Wins Gold

The facility is the largest LEED-CI Gold certified project in Canada.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 4/3/2006 12:00:00 AM

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has bestowed the Vancouver Port Authority’s (VPA) office at Canada Place LEED-CI (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Commercial Interiors) Gold. The facility’s $8 million (Canadian) environmentally conscious design was created by architectural firm Bunting Coady Architects, in conjunction with interior design firm Group 5.

Currently, the 55,000-square-foot building, located at Canada Place, is the largest LEED-CI Gold certified project in Canada. Green highlights include recycled materials, energy savings, and water efficiency. When compared to standard building requirements, VPA uses 36 percent less power for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and 39 percent less fresh water.

The award-winning project will be featured as a case study on the USGBC website and be included in the U.S. Department of Energy’s High Performance Buildings Database.

“In pursuing LEED certification for our new office, the Vancouver Port Authority wanted to create a high-profile example of sustainable building practices. This office improves the quality of life for VPA employees and for our community. It also makes great business sense: operational costs are improved as is the value of the building,” says VPA vice president, corporate services Lori Lindahl.

The award marks Bunting Coady’s second LEED Gold accreditation this year. The firm's design for the UBC Life Sciences Centre achieved LEED Gold certification in January.