VanDusen Botanical Center to Be Canada’s First Living Building

With construction already underway, the <a href="http://vancouver.ca/PARKS/parks/vandusen/website/capitalproject/index.htm" target="_blank">VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre</a> in Vancouver is expected to be Canada's first certified <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/11/12/living-building-challenge-2-0-unveiled/" target="_blank">Living Building</a>. The super green visitor center was designed by <a href="http://www.busbyperkinswill.ca/work/vandusen-botanical-garden-visitor-centre.html" target="_blank">Busby Perkins + Will</a> to reflect the very nature its botanical gardens, and it relies on plants to amplify its green status. The building is anticipated to be completed the spring of 2011 and has been designed to LEED Platinum standards, featuring a green roof and net-zero energy consumption.

The VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre broke ground in May of 2010 and is expected to be completed by March of 2011.

Designed by Busby Perkins + Will, the center is expected to boost visitor traffic by 100% and is likely to become one of the most recognized buildings in Vancouver.

The center was inspired by an orchid and features 'petals' that shoot off from a central stem, which also serves as the lobby and central atrium.

The roofs of the "petals" are covered in vegetation and collect and filter rainwater into underground cisterns for use in the building.

The peaks of the undulating green roof will be planted with drought-tolerant plants, while the valleys will be adorned with water loving plants.

Photovoltaic panels installed on the roof will provide enough electricity for the building, which has been designed with energy saving systems.

All the water needs for the building are expected to be collected on-site, and blackwater will be recycled for irrigation use.

Busby Perkins + Will designed the building to meet the standards of the Living Building Challenge 2.0 and they expect the center to become the first building certified in Canada.

Landscaping will be provided by Cornelia Hahn Oberlander and construction by Ledcor Construction Ltd.

The building will be completely net zero, off-grid, and capable of providing all of its own energy and water.

The new center will include an exhibition space, classrooms, offices, a restaurant, gift shop, library and event space.

The center has also been designed to LEED Platinum standards and is seeking certification.

After construction is complete, the building must operate for 12 months running on its own power and water in order to receive the Living Building certification.