Welcome to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, home of Dockside Green, a LEED Platinum certified neighbourhood development with so much green building going on that there’s a lot to explore.   Offering sustainable solutions for residential and commercial inhabitants alike, Dockside takes green living to the next level.  “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) is a green building rating system that reflects the highest level of sustainability-focused certification a development can receive.” With only a handful of LEED® Platinum buildings in the world, Dockside Green is sustainable development at its finest. 

So, what is Dockside Green all about?  “Dockside Green is a visionary community dedicated to changing the development paradigm. Through innovations in the use of land, water, waste, air, energy, technology and design, Dockside is able to incorporate the principles of New Urbanism — protecting and enhancing the local community and its ecosystems.”  Offering amenities including a fitness facility, a public small boat launch, car-sharing, waterfront pedestrian walkways, pedestrian lookout pier and kayak launch, a landscaped creek and pond system through the middle of the site, Galloping Goose Trail, extensive tree planting, shoreline enhancement and restoration, and a creek running through the site.  And it doesn’t stop there, each residence was luxuriously designed by award-winning Busby Perkins + Will architects and takes full advantage of all the natural light and stunning views. 

Here are some highlights of the ‘green’ features at Dockside Green that helped them earn their LEED Platinum ND certification:

Water conservation.  Potable water consumption is 65% less than traditional developments by installing high performance water fixtures and appliances such as water-efficient dishwashers, washing machines, dual flush toilets, faucets and showers that save water without sacrificing style and comfort.

Alternative transportation.  They offer greener transport with a car share program, upgraded bike trails and bike racks in each building, and easy access to public transit.

Organic Waste Collection.  Making garbage disposals unnecessary and saving the water and energy required to operate them, there are recycling rooms for organic waste which is collected by a local organization. 

Construction waste.  90% of their construction waste is diverted from landfills and either recylced or reused.

Biomass Heat Generation.  When it comes to building energy, Dockside Green will be the first greenhouse neutral development. By deploying an “on-site centralized heat plant that would use waste wood fuel to produce a clean gas that converts to heat for on-site heating and domestic hot water needs.”

Onsite stormwater and sewage treatment. Stormwater is treated through green roofs and flows through a string of intertwined naturalized creeks and waterways to achieve LEED® requirements while giving it a natural urban oasis feel.  100% of its sewage is treated on-site and uses the treated water for flushing toilets, landscape irrigation and water features.

Energy Conservation.  Dockside green is designed to use 45 to 55% less energy than the Canadian Model National Energy Code, saving residents money while reducing harmful, greenhouse gas emissions. 

Dockside Green Community Masterplan

Healthy Spaces.  Breathe the fresh air.  “Dockside Green buildings provide 100% fresh air through either a central or individual heat recovery ventilators. We use low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) paints, sealants and adhesives and we avoid the use of ureaformaldehyde composite wood products.”

Materials and Resources.  Dockside is committed to using materials that are durable and eco-friendly, including bamboo flooring and cabinets, low emissions carpets and salvaged wood products.

All in all, Dockside Green is a green building/sustainable development masterpiece that would make me proud to be a resident.  It’s a green living paradise.