Completed Projects: Acqua + Vento

Description of Scope and Complexity of Project

Project Stats
Total Floor Area: 77,600 Square Feet
Commercial Floor Area: 28,600 Square Feet
Commercial - 2660.3 sm (28,635 sf)
Certification: LEED-Platinum (Vento)
For a full report on The Vento LEED submission, click here…

Due to the demolition of the General Hospital, 36 acres of urban land parcel was freed up for the City of Calgary to develop an urban village that respects and enhances the surrounding Bridgeland neighbourhood. Nestled in the first phase of ‘The Bridges’, the Acqua + Vento have led the way in helping the City of Calgary showcase their sustainable goals for the redevelopment. Both buildings are a mixed-use development designed to model how future residential development can incorporate green urban strategies while being designed to achieve ecological, social and economic sustainability. The three-storey mixed use buildings are comprised of retail located along the existing commercial corridor while introducing affordable housing and individual condominiums onsite. Cedar siding coupled with red brick, reminiscent of the old hospital, reinforce the existing commercial zone while providing an appropriate scale to encourage a pedestrian friendly experience. Designed to maximize views, daylight penetration and solar access, the residential condominiums have been designed around an open and exterior common courtyard on the rear southern facing second floor. This common courtyard, while serving as a shared green roof complete with native shrubs and trees, also supports the residents’ individual + common planters, a sidewalk to their units and roof to the retail.

The Vento was able to introduce a rainwater recycling system proved to be Alberta’s first mixed use rainwater recycling system. We anticipate that the rainwater collected from green roofs will result in a 53% saving as this water is redirected towards toilets and landscaping requirements. The Acqua + Vento also explored numerous green strategies including: water efficient fixtures, high fly-ash content concrete, stormwater collection and re-use, storm water management, rapidly renewable and non-offgasing interior finishes, continuous suite ventilation and a central enthalpy wheel for heat recovery ensure energy efficiency and a healthy indoor environment.

The Vento project has already been named “Project of the Year by Alberta Construction Magazine” as well as "Green Building of the Year (2006) - Multi-Unit Residential" from Environmental Design + Construction Magazine.

Without giving up a thing in terms of quality the Acqua + Vento have becomes models for future residential development. Our green future is here!

THE VENTO
Calgary, Alberta

Key Features on Display:

• The Vento retail encouraging pedestrian friendly movement along 1st Avenue NE, the placement of durable materials at grade (brick, terrazzo), ample retail + residential window glazing + operables to allow adequate daylighting.

Key Features on Display:

• The common second floor exterior south courtyard + green roof (top), shading provided through balconies + deciduous trees that allow solar access in winter
• Interior finishes (i.e. bamboo hardwood, Richlite, wheatboard cabinetry) ensure improved levels of indoor air quality + comfort