Looking around the world to find inspiration for the city’s first LEED Platinum tower.
Every city needs a marquee tower. Let’s take a look at how other cities have found a balance between building up and building sustainably, but first briefly explain why Montreal’s skyline doesn’t have more true skyscrapers.
As we close the first quarter of 2021, Montreal’s economic development stands at a crossroads. Between the pandemic, the upcoming municipal election and the ongoing debate over social housing, how we develop our city now will impact us for generations to come.
The key to building a better, greener and more resilient city of tomorrow is to start building up — now. We urgently need the housing supply to meet the surging demand. We need state-of-the-art, multi-purpose towers that not only reflect the changing needs of residents and businesses, but also add prestige and encourage investment to Quebec. If we are to compete on the world stage, then we must have the facilities to match our ambitions.
Taking the LEED
There are some fantastic examples to follow from around the world, and with LEED Platinum certification, skyscrapers can be good for the planet and for people seeking affordable housing.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a prestigious global program for promoting environmentally sustainable buildings. Towers in cities can account for almost 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, and the LEED program incentivizes builders to obtain their sustainable seal of approval (ratings: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum). In a city that prides itself on environmentalism, it is an oversight for Montreal’s political leadership to not have yet pushed for our first LEED skyscraper. We need one to compete internationally.
Here are what other cities are doing to build up while minimizing their carbon footprint.
United Kingdom: Dynamic, adaptable structures
Sleek and sophisticated design make One Angel Square in Manchester, UK a sight to behold. But the real triumph is in its ultra-efficient use of space, with floor plans that allow for users to to modify spaces according to their needs. Underground concrete tubes circulate cool air throughout, with an outer ”skin” that helps to reduce heating and cooling costs.
Singapore: Forests in the sky
To glimpse the future of green buildings, one need only look up at the crown jewel of Singapore’s skyline. Robinson Tower mixes office and retail space while maintaining access to public green spaces. This split-level tower is dense with trees and green plateaus perched high above street level with facades that maximize natural light as a way of cutting down on electricity consumption.
Zimbabwe: Think small for big results
The Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe is a mind-blowing marriage of simplicity and sophistication. Zimbabwe enjoys a very temperate climate, but it does get pretty hot. For inspiration, designers looked to the lowly termite for an efficient means of temperature control. The hive-live structure – which uses an approach called “biomimicry” to achieve comfortable, constant temperatures year-round – is truly a triumph of function and design.
Denmark: Maximum symbiosis
For the ultimate in mixed use buildings, CopenHill in Denmark takes top marks for its incredible approach to sustainability. For starters, it’s both a power plant that burns waste to generate electricity (over 440,000 tons of waste per year is converted by underground furnaces, generating power for 150,000 nearby households) and a sports facility featuring one of the world’s tallest climbing towers, and an artificial ski slope!
If you have questions or comments for Joe and his team, please write to [email protected].