b'PROJECT PROFILEPHOTOS AND DESIGN RENDERINGS COURTESY OF ACTON OSTRY ARCHITECTS.ROOFTOP GASTOWN CHILD CARE CENTRESNew centres target Passive House and LEED v4 Gold CertificationBy Warren HeeleyF inding space for children in aapproval to build the GCCC complex on theand staircases, one each on Water Street childcare facility in the down- rooftops of two existing City-owned parkadesand Cordova Street, with parking and child town of Canadas larger cities is aon Water Street and West Cordova Street. Thepick-up/drop-off. difficult task for parents. In manyproject is designed to meet Passive House cases, there just isnt enoughand LEED v4 Gold Certification and willPassive House is an internationally-space available in the downtownmake better use of real estate owned by therecognized standard that establishes high-core to create childcare facilities to meet theCity by adding additional use to an existingperformance requirements for buildings, publics needs. The City of Vancouver hasbuilding without changing the footprint. including net-zero ready and energy-efficient come up with a unique approach to helpstructures that operate without the use of deal with this ongoing challenge throughThe two childcare facilities will be single- fossil fuels. LEED (Leadership in Energy and the development of the Gastown Child Carestory, panelized buildings with theirEnvironmental Design) v4 is the most recent Centres (GCCC). combined space totaling around 10,000 sq.standard for LEED green buildings, and gold ft. indoors and an additional 15,000 sq. ft.is the second highest level of certification. This unusual project was the result of theof secure outdoor space. The two centresLEED buildings must meet energy and envi-City recognizing that parkade rooftops werewill be connected by a footbridge and willronmental requirements in eight categories under-utilized spaces that could be used forprovide 74 new childcare spaces. There willincluding sustainability, energy and water other purposes. This realization led to citybe two separate entrances with elevatorsefficiency and indoor air quality.10 BCBEC ELEMENTSA BCBEC PUBLICATION'