“No limitations,” were the words Delta Land Development used when they asked us to design a project that would “revolutionize the development industry.” With those words, “Canada’s Earth Tower” was born, designed to advance a comprehensive set of environmental goals in an unprecedented way.
At 40 stories, the mixed-use development will become the world’s tallest hybrid wood tower, dramatically reducing the project’s greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration.
Beyond timber, the project will be a zero-emissions building; it will not consume fossil fuels, such as natural gas, in operation. Equally important, the project will support community and dramatically improve livability in tall, urban residential buildings. Through creating meaningful connections to our natural environment, it will restore local biodiversity and provide public areas that are vibrant and accessible. By working with a visionary client, we are showing the world that we can—we must—design better buildings to affect real change. Why Wood is the Right Material
By employing BC wood from sustainably managed forests as its primary structure, Canada’s Earth Tower will advance the industry by altering market perceptions, providing choice, and putting the performance and environmental implications of construction at the forefront. The tower will use locally manufactured mass timber and a hybrid technique that will use reinforced concrete elevator cores to provide lateral stability to the structure, while engineered wood columns and composite floors will comprise the structure of the occupied spaces. Together, this will set a new benchmark for sustainable building performance and wood construction. Health and Happiness
We believe that living closely together in cities demands considered design to encourage positive social interaction. Canada’s Earth Tower will deliver a superior indoor environment for its office and residential inhabitants. By integrating three-storey south facing winter gardens, inhabitants will be given interconnected social spaces that offer an immediate connection with nature in clusters of 12-18 households. A rooftop terrace—complete with a greenhouse—will offer an unprecedented connection with nature and 360 views.
| Address: | 1745 W 8TH AV |
| Area: | Vancouver West |
| Sub-Area | Fairview VW |
| Units: | 200 |
| Floors: | 40 |
| Year Built: | 2015 |
| Developer: | Delta |