Our LEED certification

The Old Grace Housing Co-operative development at 200 Arlington has been awarded LEED^* (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification. OGHC is the first housing co-operative in Canada to achieve a LEED Silver designation.

To receive Silver certification, a project has to conform to criteria related to:

Old Grace Housing Co-operative’s two rain gardens are a part of the environmental approach that allowed the co-op to achieve LEED certification. Rain gardens use water-loving plants to collect rainwater and reduce the flow of water into sewers. Rain gardens can also help filter out pollutants in runoff and provide food and shelter for butterflies, songbirds, and other wildlife.

Site Selection and Maintenance
Water Efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials and Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation and Design Process
Regional Priority

These categories touch upon almost every aspect of design, construction, and operation. Examples of ways in which OGHC met these standards include:

taking measures to control erosion during construction,
developing a landscape design that makes effective use of rainwater;
ensuring that the building is considerably more energy efficient than if it simply met the provisions of Canada’s Model National Energy Code for Building;
installing water-conserving bathroom and kitchen fixtures;
not using ozone-depleting substances in the building’s mechanical system;
diverting three-quarters of what would normally be considered construction waste to different recycling facilities;
using materials with recycled and regional content.

The prohibition of smoking in the building and on the grounds, the circulation of outdoor air, and the use of environment-friendly and health-friendly products in indoor finishing also all contributed to OGHC’s efforts towards meeting the LEED standards. The provision of bicycle parking and the proximity to transit routes are also counted in the project’s favour.