In a city that’s chock full of tall residential towers, it’s hard to stand out. But Vancouver’s Telus Garden certainly will – if not for its height (at 53 storeys, it will be the second-tallest condo tower in the city), then definitely for its remarkable energy efficiency.
“This is a truly unconventional and innovative design, where the heat from an existing Telus data centre next door will be recovered and used to heat two new towers,” says BC Hydro Engineer Salah Mahdi, referring to the 53-floor 450,000-square-foot residential tower, and a 24-floor, 500,000-square-foot office tower that will be Telus’ new headquarters. “That’s a huge amount of space, but recycling the heat will virtually eliminate the need for any additional energy to heat both buildings.”
Designed by Vancouver-based Henriquez Partners Architects and developed by partners Westbank Projects and Telus Corp., the two buildings – along with a three-level retail podium and a public plaza – will occupy an entire city block in the heart of Vancouver at Richards and Robson. Like all Westbank’s recent projects in the city, including Woodwards, Shangri-La Vancouver and the Fairmont Pacific Rim, the design was arrived at only after extensive energy modelling through BC Hydro’s New Construction Program.
Says Madhi, “BC Hydro will cover up to 100 per cent of an energy-modelling study done by an approved consultant. Plus, and this is really good, the model can be used to apply for LEED certification and, in some cases, for FortisBC capital incentives, too, as well as the incentives offered by BC Hydro for installing the energy-saving measures.”
The energy-modelling study for Telus Garden, completed by Cobalt Engineering, consisted of a detailed simulation of how the two buildings will perform hour by hour, day or night, over a year, depending on what energy source is used and what energy-savings systems are installed.
The resulting final design – in addition to the sophisticated district energy system that will recycle heat from the neighbouring Telus data centre – includes rooftop solar collection, solar shades, low-flow hot-water fixtures, energy-efficient LED lighting and advanced lighting controls.
BC Hydro estimates that, collectively, all the Telus Garden energy-conservation measures will result in buildings that use about 22 per cent less energy in total than conventional buildings.
“They are also going to be really unique,” says Mahdi. “The development will be a showcase of how to successfully share energy and at the same time build a unique and beautiful space.”
The general public and Telus employees, who were offered a one per cent discount on the condos, seem to heartily agree. When the 428 units in the residential tower went on sale in March 2012, they sold out in just over one week.
“I believe the innovative design and lifestyle that Telus Garden represents is what fostered such an incredible response,” says Andrea Goertz, senior vice-president of strategic initiatives for Telus. “We knew from the very beginning that Telus Garden would be unlike any other development, setting the highest standards for intelligent and green living.”
Westbank and Telus also stand to receive a major return on their investment in energy-saving measures, once the buildings are complete and all the measures are installed.
Through the New Construction Program, BC Hydro’s capital incentives for major projects like Telus Garden are between $30,000 and $50,000 per 100,000 kWh per year of electricity saved. The better the electricity savings achieved compared to conventional building design, the higher the incentive BC Hydro will provide.
