Houston Landscapes installed the roof, a unique project according to principal Jeremy Miller in that “most roofs are either sloped or flat, but this roof had a 3D-like surface to it, with dips and bumps.” Miller calls the VanDusen project “probably one of the most complex green roofs in North America” and a “landmark building in the city of Vancouver,” and says the most challenging aspect of the installation came from creating three separate green roof systems that needed to appear as one green roof.
The main entrance to the new visitor centre at VanDusen Gardens which also shows off some of the pre-fab roof structure
Bringing sustainability to social housing
With more than 70,000 units of new and existing social housing stock, and adding 1,500 new units each year, greening its new and existing inventory has been a priority for BC Housing. It’s mandated with developing, managing and administering a wide range of subsidized housing options across the province in conjunction with private and non-profit housing providers, health authorities and community groups. Today, BC Housing has new building projects under construction provincewide registered with the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC), including some of the first LEED gold buildings in northern B.C. Further, a growing number of the organization’s buildings are being recognized and winning awards for their sustainability features, design Photo by Nic Lehoux/Courtesy of Perkins+Will Canada
GS12_BC_A2.indd 21
www.greenspacebc.com Business in Vancouver Magazine Division
Green Space BC 2012 21
7/16/12 7:56:31 PM