Boucherville retirement project earns LEED Silver

BOUCHERVILLE, QUE. — The Caleo residential retirement complex in Boucherville, Que. from Le Groupe Maurice has been announced as the first private seniors centre in Canada to earn LEED Silver certification.

The four-storey building was completed in July with 338 condo, rental and care units. Construction took 19 months, said a recent release.

Green building components of the project include:

promotion of transportation electrification with electric vehicle recharging stations onsite;

units equipped with water-efficient WaterSense-certified appliances, calculated to save 20 per cent on water usage;

energy efficiency achieving 17 per cent savings on energy costs compared to the ASHRAE 90.1 2007 standard;

increased thermal comfort in the units due to heat pumps in each room;

LEED credit for best air-tight performance obtained, ensuring reduced air leakage as well as less noise and smells between units;

LED lighting throughout the building, resulting in savings of between 70 and 90 per cent compared to incandescent lighting products;

all washers equipped with a floor drain and other construction features to prevent leaks;

vinyl flooring that ensures low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions; and

an arable soil layer was used as fill under the landscaping.

“This distinction, which makes me extremely proud, is recognized as the international mark of excellence for green buildings,” said Luc Maurice, president of Le Groupe Maurice, in the release.