Low Carbon Condominium
Options for Homes is already well known in the GTA as a developer of cost effective ownership housing. We developed the first three condominiums in the Distillery. Our most recent development is the 643 suite Heintzman Place in the Junction.
We are now planning to develop a new condominium with the lowest carbon footprint in North America.
Our more recent buildings already have features incorporated into them that contribute to energy efficiency and a low carbon footrint. Heintzman Place has solar hot water panels that provide for about one third of the hot water needs of the residents. It also has a heat recovery system, high efficiency boilers and chillers and our own car share - Options for Cars - that further contribute to a lower footprint.
But we're planning to go further than this on one of our upcoming projects. We will build into this condominium all the energy saving features of Heintzman Place and, in addition, we'll get rid of parking for privately owned cars altogether. The building will have parking spaces for up to ten Options for Cars vehicles as well as space for bicycle parking. All purchasers of a condo suite will automatically have a membership in the car share.
This would be Toronto's second car free condo - the first is on University Ave. But the combination of solar hot water heating, green building features and no private car parking will make this project arguably the lowest carbon footprint condominium in North America.
The low carbon condominium will show that this kind of building not only makes sense from an environmental perspective but that is also has market appeal and can therefore be successfully replicated.
Emissions reduction potential comes from three main areas: from solar hot water panels, from not building an underground parking garage and from residents not having a private vehicle.
Taking a 250 suite condominium project this would mean the following emissions reduction potential:
About twenty two per cent of household energy use goes towards heating water. According to the EPA per capita household co2 emissions are four tonnes per year (this might be a bit less in Canada but not much). A one third reduction in hot water heating needs from gas or electricity translates into an co2 emissions reduction of about 7.3% of total household emissions (22% / 3 = 7.3). So the saving per person per year would be about 7.3% of 4,000 kg or 292 kg. Historically, Options condominium population density is 1.6 people per suite. So, for a 250 suite building the population would be about 400 people. Therefore, the annual emissions reduction for a 250 suite building with a hot water solar collector that provided 1/3 of the hot water needs would save 400 x 292 kg or 116.8 tonnes of co2.
Savings = 116.8 tonnes co2 per year.
Normally, a condominium will have parking spaces for 60% of its suites. So if a condo has 250 suites, about 150 parking spaces will be built. According to EPA figures, each tonne of concrete produced creates about one tonne of co2 emissions. Given that it takes approximately 10 tonnes of concrete to build a parking space, a 150 spot parking garage would require 1,500 tonnes of concrete and would cause a corresponding 1,500 tonnes of co2 emissions.
Savings = 1,500 tonnes co2.
Given that each passenger car emits on average 5.5 tonnes of co2 per year (EPA) the potential savings per year would amount to 140 cars (150 less 10 Options for Cars vehicles) times 5.5 for a total of 770 tonnes.
Savings = 770 tonnes co2 per year.
So total emissions reductions for a single 250 suite low carbon condominium would be 1,500 tonnes initially plus about 885 tonnes per year thereafter. This represents a per capita reduction of some 3.75 tonnes during the construction year (1500 / 400 = 3.75) and 2.2 tonnes (885 / 400 = 2.2) each year thereafter.
Given that Canadian per capita co2 emissions are about 20 tonnes of co2 per year, living in a low carbon condominium would reduce the overall average carbon foot print of each resident by 17% in the construction year and 10% each year thereafter.
Michel Labbe: Mike will be the principle developer representative and project lead. Mike has created an innovative housing development and financing model that has made home ownership available to lower and middle income families. He has helped develop communities that emphasize low carrying cost, energy efficiency, low car ownership and high owner occupancy (and therefore strong community). An innovative developer, Mike has revived areas previously considered unattractive or in decline. A prime example of this is the Distillery District where Options was the first developer to build in what was, at the time, considered marginal land.
Deltera Construction: Deltera Construction is a subsidiary of Tridel, winner of the Green Builder of the Year (2007 to 2010). Deltera has worked with Options for the past 10 years on its condominium developments, including the recently completed Heintzman Place.
Options for Homes Staff: Options for Homes has a talented staff of 10 full time and 10 part time employees with expertise in sales, marketing and administration.
As suites are privately owned, all of Options condominiums are self-supporting.
Comments
Not a good idea.....
Need to have balanced carbondioxide and oxygen levels......
Amazing
Energy costs are rising in Ontario. Finally, a developer that is considering the environment, and the cost of running a household for lower income families who dream of home ownership. This is win win win for everyone involved.
Options will get it done
Strengths - The experience and expertise the company brings to the table.
The track record is solid and speaks volumes to the proposal.
Options For Homes
Proven track record. Options has taken intitives to improve their buildings buy putting solar panels on buildings starting with the Pickering development. Because they are Non for Profit money that was left over on this development was used to put the solar panels on the roof of the building therefore taking that cost away from the owners but they get the benefit.
Great Project!
Strength: Car free condominium, save money on electricity, lower maintenance cost.
Weakness: I hope is very close to the subway!
It's a great proposal!
Low carbon condo
We have to start getting serious about how we build our homes. This is a chance to show that there is demand for a seriously deferent alternative.
No need to eimprve build thousands of units they will get better with each new development
Great Proposal!
Wonderful proposal from a great company. Caring for people, caring for the community, caring for the environment. Options for Homes is clearly the best of all options.
This is a great idea. It save
This is a great idea. It save us a lot on hydro bill in long term !
eco proposal
every project that you have started has become better and more eco, keep up the good work
Limited Restriction
Bicycle friendly is great, but having limited access to electric cars would be ok.
You can install eletric car charging outlets and allow for some electric car only undergraound parking that will be good for environmental tenants. Your car share pool can be electric.
Electric Cars
We are considering incorporating some electric cars into our fleet. it's very likely we will have a few at this condo.
Electric Charging
I think Toronto may become second or third in having a municipal law that requires mandatory installation of charging power outlets in the condo/apartment building like in Vancouver.
it begins at home!
raising the next generation ahead of the curve by making home the starting place for energy expenditure is so brilliant and basic at the same time!
sustainable
This is a great proprosal! everything is for the betterment of community, environment and people. people's (owner) involvement plays a big part of the project's success and because of that, chances for failure is approaching zero.
sustainability of the project should be maintained thoughout.
Options for Homes
Fabulous proposal and if anyone can do it M Labbe and Options for Homes can: you GO!!!
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low carbon condominium
A condominium that has all the energy saving features of Heintzman Place; a building with parking spaces for up to ten Options for Cars vehicles as well as space for bicycle parking; and a membership in the car share. What more can you ask for? This is a great project. Keep up the good work Options for Home.
Eco-friendly
A great example for being responsible for the planet and the next generation!!
What is the non profit angle / How to encourage conservation
I think idea and implementation is laudable, but a couple of items to stenghten this proposal
1. Are you proposing this type of building for Metro Housing and the rental market, or only in the condo market? Is there a specific test you want to accomplish, or something you want to quantitatively prove?
2. Once the owner moves in - where is the incentive to conserve energy within the unit, even with solar production of hot water.
If no non-profit steps forward, you may want to see how you can link this proposal to others that are being proposed in Climatespark. Take a look at the one dealing with Rental units, in a college setting.
Are each of the units being sub-metered so the owners know what they are consuming, and take steps to reduce it further, or is the thought that moving into the lowest carbon footprint building will be enough for now.
Not only does the condo developer have to improve construction methods and the sustainability of the building, the condo owner, has to do their part as well in their unit, to reduce their overall consumption of electricity, natural gas and water and the condo board has to do the same in the common areas, allocated to all owners in their monthly fee. If it won't be measured once they move in, it won't be managed.
Non Profit
Thanks for your comments. In answer to your questions:
Options for Homes is a non-profit corporation. All our developments start out as co-operatives and transform into condominium corporations once the building is complete. It's a pretty unique model. The co-operative approach allows people to get to know their neighbours even before they move in.
1. We only build ownership housing. So no we don't serve the rental market - at least not directly.
We would like to show that this kind of building is marketable.
2. The units will each have their own electricity meter. It may be possible to do the same for water consumption - I agree that it is the best way to get people to conserve.
Great Idea
It's such a great idea that to reduce the carbon emission in Condo....
co2
Hard to see the savings
Education is key here
It is a great project and
It is a great project and apart from being green, it also help the group of people in the society that need help.
excellent proposal - Options
excellent proposal - Options for Homes has a great track record, and moving from building affordable housing to including environmental considerations is really nice to see!
This proposal is already fantastic, but if possible, it'd be great to see: water meters for each unit, green or eco-roof to reduce solar heat gain, rainwater harvesting and some living walls!
Also, choosing building and interior finishing materials that are healthy and non-toxic would be great.
This is a key place for all
This is a key place for all of us to start reducing emissions - housing. And new housing is a lot easier to build well rather than trying to rehab existing housing to repair an earlier (my!) generation's mistakes.
Environment friendly
The cost of development we are able to notice is much more than we are facing, the facts about the emission that we make while constructing more condos and living into it were eye opening. We have a responsibility towards the nature and the future generation. This is a great proposal.
By creating awareness about the facts that we hardly notice.
Great Idea
Wow I'm really impressed, I really wish people would invest more in these types of condominiums, I think if everyone lived in enviromental friendly houses like this our planet would appreciate it so much. I think it is one of the best proposals I have read so far, and the one with the mos chance of being developed.
Maybe the math is a bit skewed, but great idea.
Great idea for reducing energy usage. The car usage calculation doesn't completely make sense (I'm sure that people still need transportation of some sort, so there will still be some carbon creation, albeit much less than a car).
Is there a way to save energy on cooling as well? Natural ventilation/shade in replacement of air conditioning?
Options knows how to get things done right
If any builder is going to build a building with the lowest carbon footprints it is Options for Homes. They already have experiences with these green conponents. They can build on what they alkready have done in the past.
I really appreciate this great Idea
This is a generation where people on one hand building up go green homes and in the latter stages they give up considering the maintenance cost and time. But as far of this project if Condominium’s go green then the maintenance time will be reduced and cost spent will be shared and reduce carbon foot print in today fast phase life.
Also to consider reducing the carbon foot prints while construction, with improved residue and waste management.
To improve this project they can consider using Geothermal Heating and Cooling systems which save on cost than traditional solar panel and other heating and cooling systems.
Deep efficiency options for homes
The committment to low-carbon buildings is clear and compelling, and the ultimate test is that people buy it. When we look at Europe, the bar is much higher, including Net Zero requirements and lots of examples. Tridel has experience building condos that use 50% less natural gas than the 'baseline'. This can be pushed farther!
We need the 'early adopters' to push the envelope -- passive heating/cooling through design, geothermal heating, super-insullation, and a committment to conservation behaviour. Getting that built into the business plan is a financing challenge, but that's what makes for an unique and pace-setting project which can leverage changes in teh marketplace.
Go Options for Homes
I believe this is a very important initiative and should not be taken lightly. I am confident that Options will win the bid to build the building with the lowest carbon footprint in North America and it will be a building to be inspired by.
Good Thought For Future .....but what about present .....?
The proposal is good and has proven track record.... and will definitely work
But the project will save the climate in future ……but what about present scenario. We have to do something to save our environment currently too.
good work
Lowing co2 in condos is a great effort and should be well maintained through various strategic partnerships.
How will this self sustain itself?
Eco Friendly!
Contribution to society's is very important nowadays. People would love to shift from building to a affordable housing where environmental considerations are given imporatnce.
As we all lnow how Global warming is affecting us this proposal directly helps us towards that cause. More and more people should be made aware about this proposal. It not only cut costs for the present but also saves resources for the future.
Hard to see the savings
Hard to see the savings
Education is key here
This proposal is useful as it
This proposal is useful as it is very useful to reduce the threats of global warming and hence assuring the safe and secure future generations ahead.
Practical proposal
the proposal is very practical and a model for others to follow. it shows good potential, but it should be made as financially viable as possible.
try to get economies of scale to get the costs involved down so that many people opt for this option..
Practical proposal
I think as builders move forward to build that Optiosn are one of the companies that are forward thinking. Ever time they build they think of the owner and how to inprove the world. As a owner I am proud to be part of change to green engery.
I think that they have made people part of the change.
excellent proposal
excellent proposal
N/A
Good proposal
Great ideaa to reduce emissions and save energy
Create awareness among people
This is a good suggestion for
This is a good suggestion for the environment.
but it needs time to make it perfect...
Low carbon condominium
i don't think there are any weaknesses.
Option is by far the best Organization of it's type bar none!!!
Let them continue their good work with the tools to do the job. Let us continue to think GREEN!!!
Include bicycle sharing as well. Perhaps similar to down town Toronto.
Cold water technology for cooling similar to the drawing of old water from the bottom of lake ontario (not sure if avaialable) and geothermal for heating.
This is good example of how
This is good example of how low carbon efficency can be built in by design.
Much conservation can be had by designing in more natrual light in the daytinmes, and the location of vents and ducts for hot and cold air.
.
How ever this applies only to new structures, a plan must be formulated to reduce larbon emissions by existing buildings through retrofitting and redesign
Need of the hour!
Considering the global warming this absolutely looks like the need of the hour. If each one of us takes all possible measures towards curtailing the issue then I am sure that the society by enlarge will march towards the the desired goal.
There should be better awareness amongst the masses that something like this exists. Rather than builders selling it should be buyers asking for it approach!
Great idea
It is great proposal to save our living as it help us in living with some green and safe enviorment surriunded by us and great idea
By saving all resources which we provide in our day to day life.And keeping our place clean and healthy.
need of the hour
In the constantly urbanising world of today, where cities have literally become the concrete jungles, this project might substantially help in fighting against the carbon emission. It might create an awareness among the residents of yhe condominums which would set an example for one an all. Again the biggest weakness is the practicability and extent of implementation of this prioject.
This project can be improved by creating mass awareness and recycling products.
simply awesome..!!
As this is something what the society needs for bulding a better future.the projects here leads more with its strengths then its weeknesses.This project will really make a great difference in lowering the carbon emissions.
More and more people should be known about this.
Not seeking collaborators?
Not seeking collaborators in this brand new proposal seems likes impossible for me.
The air condition system could take advantage of the energy from Ontario Lake just like what lots of condos did so in Downtown Toronto.
great idea!
This is the great idea and would certainaly save the hydro bills in near future!
great idea!
This proposal would save many the hydro enerygy and also the bills!
this proposal can be improved by bringing awarenees among the people
Strengths:
Strengths:
real community building
additional funding subsidies through Alternatives Mortgage
Add extra funding for the disabled and their caregivers, who might otherwise not have access to home ownership.
Expand to MOntreal (other canadian cities)
Develop a model that can be expanded into developing countries.
Green Condo Living Toronto
Great land use and density.
The massing of the facade was a bit relentless, could have been softened with better articulation or material selection.
Emissions reduction
solar water heaters
no weaknesses
Greenest Condominium in North America?
Great organization and great project. Great to look beyond building energy use to consider transportation as well.
I need more convincing that this will be the greenest condominium in north america. Are you aiming for any particular target in terms of building energy performance? For example, we recently did a case study on two new green condo developments (appleby woods and greenlife) in the GTA; one was able to get total energy-use down to 10 equivalent KWH/ft2 (less than half the average), and the second (still under construction) is aiming to be a Net Zero Building (energy produced on site equals energy consumed by the building over the average year).
If you want to be the greenest, you need an ambitious target for energy performance.
What about LEED certification? what level are you aiming for?
Finally, what do you hope to gain through participating in this challenge? (financing, grants, partnerships, or just recognition?)
Go Green Condominiums
Strengths: More convenient for old age people as they will feel comfartable and as the condos are eco friendly and will contribute to preserve nature.
weaknesses: As these condos are eco friendly and will need lot of investments to construct so,the cost of condos will be high and will not be affordable for middle class people.
According to me this proposal can be improved by awaring people about the value of nature and spreading awareness among the youths so that they can create mass demonstrations to spread it more among all the communities.
fabulous proposal
This is a good project and steps towards eco-frindly system.good for yous and we will acy responsibily towards our planet.
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