Vancouver's eco-diverse VanDusen Botanical Gardens
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Space includes: café, expanded library, volunteer facilities, garden shop plus flexible space for classroom education & meeting spaces for private functions or workshops
The projects entire visual perspective and form is inspired by an indigenous British Columbia orchid
Rainwater is filtered and used as greywater throughout , whereas ‘blackwater’ is treated onsite via a bioreactor, then released into a ‘percolation field’ and garden
Designed to be ‘net-zero’ energy the Garden has targeted the ‘International Living Future Institutes’ Living Building Challenge of meeting the most advanced level of sustainability possible
VanDusen Botanical Gardens seamlessly blends the symbiotic line between the balance of nature and architecture
Alphabet of Plants by Karl Blosfeldt (circa 1928) was where the project's inspirational black and white orchid image was found
Petals are connected by a "vegetated land ramp" linking the roof to the ground
VanDusen has a footprint of 19,000 sq.ft. (1,765 sq.m) and cost just over CAD22 million
Soaring solar chimney is strategically placed at the center of the site where the structures petals radiate outward from
Ventilation is assisted by a solar chimney composed of an operational glazed oculus and aluminum heatsink, that converts solar to convection energy, which is fed back into the system
Surrounding native plant landscaping, including the green roof, feature select grasses and plants ideally adapted for Vancouver’s moisture challenged climate
VanDusen Botanical Garden redefines the line where aesthetics, design and sustainability align
Wooden slatted soffits line the underside of flowing petal cornices, extending out over walkways, where ceilings, walls, solar chimneys all flow from slatted custom wood insets
Biomimicry aspects influence throughout with no two pieces of structure exactly alike
Article Summary
Where most architects talk about sustainability they tend to see a zero-scaped entrance as the critical element, or a grey water toilet made from recycled Starbucks cups. Many make the statement but very few make the statement a living reality – Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Gardens Visitor Center is an exception.
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