Harmony Village Sheppard Embraces Green Living

Last week, we celebrated the Pan Am/Parapan Am facilities that were awarded LEED Silver and Gold Certification. These buildings incorporated a number of environmentally sustainable features and are setting new standards for green construction in Toronto. Today, we want to focus on City Core Developments’ goal to achieve LEED Platinum Certification for their latest development, Harmony Village Sheppard.

Harmony Village Sheppard is an environmentally-friendly, master-planned community located at Sheppard Avenue East and Warden Avenue in the heart of Scarborough. City Core Developments is going the extra mile when it comes to sustainability and is striving to achieve the highest LEED rating possible. In a market where condominium developers consistently provide high quality design and top-of-the-line amenities, Harmony Village will stand out thanks to its numerous green features.

Via harmonyvillage.ca

Harmony Village Sheppard Goes Green

“Our dedication to green living isn’t just a commitment, it’s a way of life,” says Jack Pong, CEO and President of City Core Developments. The new development will feature a number of sustainable features including energy-efficient lighting in common areas, a bio-living wall in the lobby for oxygen regeneration, computerized building energy management, and a three-stream waste removal system for recycling, waste, and compost. Each of the units will also contain low-water-consuming fixtures, ENERGY STAR appliances, and improved ventilation to keep homeowners comfortable while living green.

On the exterior of the building, CIty Core used native plantings to minimize maintenance and the cost of transportation. The developer also implemented a stormwater management plan to remove pollutants from runoff so that rainwater can be collected and reused for the building’s landscaping. Designers also included a rooftop greenhouse and a white roof to reduce the city’s heat island effect.

City Core is also trying to reduce dependence on cars and encourage alternative methods of transportation by providing bicycle storage and rentals on site, as well as electric car charging stations and private bus transportation.

Geothermal - via harmonyvillage.ca

Geothermal Energy Technology

Harmony Village Sheppard’s most impressive green feature is hidden deep beneath the condominium, unseen by its residents. The development will use Geothermal Technology to heat and cool the building, dramatically reducing both the building’s energy costs and carbon emissions.

“I have long been a believer in renewable energy, it just makes so much more sense to use the planet's natural resources,” explains Pong. “With geothermal, we can take thermal energy from an infinite and nearly inexhaustible resource, instead of relying on expensive and environmentally harmful procedures that will eventually be out of date.”

Geothermal energy is derived by tapping underground reservoirs of heat generated at the centre of the Earth. Geothermal systems take advantage of the ground temperature by transferring its heat into the building during cooler months. At Harmony Village Sheppard, residents will have access to an in-suite heat pump that will allow each unit heating and cooling control. This system will include a co-generation system designed to protect residents from power failures and blackouts.

Outdoor reflecting pool

This sustainable resource is cost effective, clean, reliable, sustainable, and most importantly, environmentally friendly. “In the last few years, advanced drilling techniques and highly efficient heat pumps have made geothermal resources much more affordable and accessible, particularly for commercial and residential buildings,” says Pong.

For Pong, City Core’s dedication to green living isn’t just a fad or a marketing scheme. “I hope that many other developers start to think like this too: many shy away from geothermal because installation can be very expensive up-front, but long term cost savings make it worthwhile to think about.” City Core’s sustainable features will help residents save money in the long term, and make environmentally responsible living available and affordable.

“With its fantastic location, future subway line, impressive amenities and commitment to sustainability, Harmony Village Sheppard sets a new standard for condo living, and will be unlike any other development Toronto has ever seen,” concludes Pong.