LEED Platinum Vancouver Convention Centre Takes Home Top Ten AIA COTE Award

When the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/leed-platinum-vancouver-convention-center-has-north-americas-largest-green-roof/">Vancouver Convention Centre</a> was first completed we were totally blown away by its gorgeous (and huge!) green roof as well as its many green features. So we weren't surprised when the convention centre was recently recognized by the AIA landing its place among the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/aia-cote-unveils-the-top-ten-green-architecture-projects-of-2011/">Committee On The Environment's (COTE) Top Ten Green Projects</a>. LMN Architects in collaboration with Vancouver-based Musson Cattell Mackey and DA Architects + Planners designed the impressive project, which combines ecology, habitat restoration, energy efficiency and integration into the urban environment.

Vancouver Convention Centre West (LCCW) involved integrating a 22-acre site to create a fluid transition between the urban fabric, pedestrian paths and the harbor.

The main feature of the project is a multi-level 6-acre living roof that blurs the boundary between landscape and architecture.

Planted with approximately 400,000 native plants and grasses as and inhabited by 240,000 bees, the green roof also helps mediate exterior temperatures, and infiltrate stormwater.

On onsite wastewater treatment plant plus low flow fixtures and greywater irrigation has reduced the convention centre's potable water usage by 73%.

Daylighting, radiant floor heating, natural ventilation and high performance energy systems reduce overall electricity demand.

The convention centre also includes an underwater habitat and artificial reef as part of the building's foundation to create new a habitat for barnacles, mussels, seaweed, starfish, crabs and various marine species.

New pedestrian paths and public plazas were also created to help integrate the convention center more fully into the urban context.

An energy efficient heating and cooling system relies on a sea water heat pump that relies on the relatively constant temperature of the water.

“It is an honor to be recognized at the national level by what many consider to be the top award program for sustainable design excellence,” notes LMN Design Partner Mark Reddington, FAIA.

“The Vancouver community’s commitment to sustainability allowed us to develop a rich and diverse integration of the building program, natural ecology, local culture and urban context, and weave them together into a unified vision of sustainability.”

The 1.2 million sq ft project also took home a 2011 AIA Interior Architecture award.

The project was a collaboration among LMN (as design architect), Vancouver-based Musson Cattell Mackey and DA Architects + Planners.

LMN and their partners will be honored at the New Orleans AIA conference in May.