Imagine you are standing underneath a massive flower, an orchid to be precise, made of wood and metal and glass. Its been flipped upside down and towers above you, revealing its hidden intricacies.
The petals form undulating roof lines, one gracefully slipping into the other, seemingly without beginning or end. In the centre is a glass oculus, the gatherer of light and nourishment. From it hangs a pistil from which new life is generated. However, in this flower the new VanDusen Botanical Garden visitors centre the pistil is a long, perforated aluminum tube that takes the heat from the sun, pushes it down and then allows the heat to do what heat is wont to do rise to the top, bringing cooler air from the ground with it. A natural air conditioner.
Outside, the petals are shaped in such a way that they attract and store life-sustaining water, light and heat. In fact, the building collects more heat than it needs so it trades some of it for electricity from the Shaugnessy Restaurant next door.
Thats what is truly amazing about this building. It not only celebrates the natural wonders of the surrounding gardens through its design but it is also incredibly plant-like in its ability to sustain itself. In fact, it aims for net-zero energy. Apart from the need to trade heat for electricity, it can produce all the energy it needs to keep the lights on, the water flowing in the taps, and all the rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
It is hoped that the new visitors centre, which opened in October, will be Canadas first Living Building, certified by the International Living Future Institute. It goes beyond LEED platinum and takes sustainable design principles to grand new levels with gorgeous style.
Everything that was used in the construction of the building had to pass vigorous screening. Ev-er-y-thing. No harmful chemicals could be used in any of the source materials. Energy-efficient lightbulbs earn a few green Brownie points, but what was the light fixture made out of? Is there any vinyl in anything? Asbestos? Whats in that paint?
And where did these materials come from? Everything had to be sourced from as close by as possible; the wood came either from the property or a mill endorsed by the Forest Stewardship Council.
It was definitely a challenge, says Jim Huffman, an associate principal at the Homer Street office of Perkins + Will, which won the Park Board contract to design and build the visitors centre. His firm had already built a formidable reputation as a sustainable designer, but the $20-million project brought its expertise to new heights.
Although at this time of year the Festival of Lights is the VanDusens main attraction, the visitors centre is bound to add to all the oohs and aahs as tens of thousands of people view the new building for the first time.
The Festival of Lights sparkles from Dec. 9 to Jan. 2, excluding Christmas day, 4:30 to 9pm. Tickets prices range from $7.50 per child $13.50 for adults, with a $31 family rate. They are available by calling 604-684-2878 or at the gate. (5251 Oak, VanDusenGarden.org)
