Image: www.m5vlife.com
New industry
According to the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), green construction in Canada is growing. There are now more than 5 million m2 of new and existing construction projects registered for LEED certification, the rating system used to create enviro-friendly buildings.
In an industry still learning about sustainability, TAS DesignBuild stands out as a pioneer. In 2005 the company made a deep commitment to green, incorporating its vision of sustainability across three business units: design, construction and development.
"As a builder, you have to live it, you have to breath it and you have to walk the talk," says Mazyar Mortazavi, principal of TAS DesignBuild. "Consumer demand is forcing the housing market to change. Traditionally, developers have not been innovators in the housing market. Now, for the first time, there is this shift where they are trying to understand what is going on and introduce change before the consumer asks for it."
Setting the standard
Having already made a mark with its Dia Condos in North York and ZED Condos in the downtown core, TAS went for LEED certification with its current project M5V Life, affectionately named for the postal code where it resides.
Designing a healthy building in a competitive and price-sensitive market can be a daunting challenge. LEED certification requires more effort in planning and design stages, often costing more to build. Despite the obvious paybacks, many companies still shy away from green but with tougher energy standards being folded into new provincial building codes, many believe LEED certification will soon be the norm and not the exception.
High design meets functional design
M5V has the first ever Silver LEED certified sales pavilion where the public can experience the perks of sustainability. Most visitors are surprised to learn that 86 percent of the pavilion was created with existing structures and building materials already on site. The industry has taken note as well, TAS is up for an award as from Green Home Builder of the Year in the High Rise category.
Green initiatives
M5V is designed to be energy efficient and healthy. Condos are equipped with low-flush toilets, low-flow fixtures, automated lighting and programmable thermostats and individual metering of water and hydro. Units will also be equipped with EnerGuide appliances and low-emission floorings. Public spaces will have motion detection lights to further reduce energy consumption.
Creating community
An alliance with Bullfrog Power means 100 percent green power and another alliance between the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, Autoshare and Hymotion resulted in a car-sharing co-op. A modified hybrid Prius will literally plug into the M5V Condos as part of the Autoshare membership automatically given to residents. Three exclusive parking spaces will also be reserved for car-coop vehicles.
But, these are the easy sells since they are clearly visible.
Not just for show
It’s at the unseen core where the deep green of M5V happens. Since air quality is always a problem in most high-rise buildings, conventional buildings handle air loss by pressuring the corridors. This means air coming into individual units is often stale with odours and dust. M5V has a Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system at its centre supplying fresh air to every unit via ducts. An Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system further conserves even more energy lowering consumption. It’s not something the average home owner thinks about, which is why TAS also sees consumer awareness and education as an integral part of building green.
For the second year in a row, TAS will be a leading sponsor for the Toronto Green Living Show where it will showcase innovative and green design principles at its special pavilion. It’s a chance for visitors to get up close and personal with green construction and get inspired to create their green, dream home.
Shelagh McNally is the editor of Green Living Online.
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