flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
Currently Reading

Canada’s largest net-zero carbon residential community to include affordable units

Multifamily Housing

Canada’s largest net-zero carbon residential community to include affordable units

The two towers in Ottawa will form striking gateway into LeBreton Flats.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | December 7, 2022
Consisting of two towers, the buildings will form a striking gateway into LeBreton Flats. Rendering courtesy Dream LeBreton
Consisting of two towers, the buildings will form a striking gateway into LeBreton Flats. Rendering courtesy Dream LeBreton

The newly unveiled design for Canada’s largest net-zero carbon residential community includes two towers that will create a new destination within Ottawa and form a striking gateway into LeBreton Flats. The development will be transit-oriented, mixed-income, mixed-use, and include unprecedented sustainability targets. Dream LeBreton is a partnership between real estate companies Dream Asset Management, Dream Impact, and local non-profit MultiFaith Housing Initiative.

The 2.5-acre Library Parcel site will become one of the first developments in the growing neighborhood that is part of the National Capital Commission’s Master Concept Plan. Consisting of two towers, 31 and 36 stories, the buildings will include 601 rental units, 41% of which will be classified as affordable.

The 247 affordable units will be earmarked for five target populations in need: Indigenous communities; women and children; immigrants/newcomers; veterans; and adults with cognitive disabilities. Of these, 132 will be operated and owned by MultiFaith Housing Initiative.

Perkins and Will and KPMB Architects designed the towers’ façade in collaboration with renowned Canadian artist Margaret Priest. Inspired by the Laurentian Forest and the historic red brick homes in neighboring communities, the façades will be cloaked in a vibrant red.

The all-season ground level offers a myriad of opportunities to host ceremonies, events, public art, and more. Rendering courtesy Dream LeBreton
The all-season ground level offers a myriad of opportunities to host ceremonies, events, public art, and more. Rendering courtesy Dream LeBreton

As the towers rise, the colors lighten, creating a slender appearance and drawing the eye to the sky. Taking advantage of the site’s location, the towers are intentionally rotated and offset to one another, ensuring all units benefit from beautiful views of Ottawa’s key landmarks, including Parliament Hill, Gatineau River, and Dow’s Lake.

Six-story podiums that terrace down will reveal a large active ground level that pays homage to indigenous principles and histories. Envisioned as a central gathering place, the all-season ground level offers opportunities to host ceremonies, events, public art, and serves as a vibrant destination for socializing and meeting.

Through a deep engagement process led by Innovation Seven with Indigenous elders, youth, and community members, the team will further develop and incorporate sacred and culturally significant features.

The community will be operationally net-zero carbon, LEED Gold, and One Planet Living accredited. To achieve these ambitious sustainability targets, the team will employ a high-performance building envelope, integrated photovoltaic solar panels, and natural daylight harvesting enhanced by the buildings’ orientations. In addition, natural plantings and non-toxic, regionally sourced materials will be used throughout the design.

On the project team:
Owner and/or developer: Dream LeBreton
Architects: Perkins and Will, KPMB
MEP engineer: Smith+Andersen
Structural engineer: RJC
Civil engineer: TY Lin
General contractor/construction manager: ElisDon

Rendering courtesy Dream LeBreton
The Library Parcel is set to break ground in Spring 2023. Rendering courtesy Dream LeBreton

Related Stories

Mixed-Use | Jun 6, 2023

Public-private partnerships crucial to central business district revitalization

Central Business Districts are under pressure to keep themselves relevant as they face competition from new, vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods emerging across the world’s largest cities.

Multifamily Housing | Jun 6, 2023

Minnesota expected to adopt building code that would cut energy use by 80%

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to soon sign a bill that would change the state’s commercial building code so that new structures would use 80% less energy when compared to a 2004 baseline standard. The legislation aims for full implementation of the new code by 2036.

Student Housing | Jun 5, 2023

The power of student engagement: How on-campus student housing can increase enrollment

Studies have confirmed that students are more likely to graduate when they live on campus, particularly when the on-campus experience encourages student learning and engagement, writes Design Collaborative's Nathan Woods, AIA.

Multifamily Housing | Jun 1, 2023

Income-based electric bills spark debate on whether they would harm or hurt EV and heat pump adoption

Starting in 2024, the electric bills of most Californians could be based not only on how much power they use, but also on how much money they make. Those who have higher incomes would pay more; those with lower incomes would see their electric bills decline - a concept known as income-based electric bills.

Multifamily Housing | May 30, 2023

Boston’s new stretch code requires new multifamily structures to meet Passive House building requirements

Phius certifications are expected to become more common as states and cities boost green building standards. The City of Boston recently adopted Massachusetts’s so-called opt-in building code, a set of sustainability standards that goes beyond the standard state code.

Multifamily Housing | May 30, 2023

Milhaus, Gershman Partners, and Citimark close on $70 million multifamily development in Indy

Versa will bring 233 studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments to Indianapolis's $271 million, Class-A Broad Ripple Village development enterprise.

Multifamily Housing | May 23, 2023

One out of three office buildings in largest U.S. cities are suitable for residential conversion

Roughly one in three office buildings in the largest U.S. cities are well suited to be converted to multifamily residential properties, according to a study by global real estate firm Avison Young. Some 6,206 buildings across 10 U.S. cities present viable opportunities for conversion to residential use.

Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | May 22, 2023

The Shipyard Condos

Multifamily Housing | May 19, 2023

Biden administration beefs up energy efficiency standards on new federally funded housing

The Biden Administration recently moved to require more stringent energy efficiency standards on federally funded housing projects. Developers building homes with taxpayer funds will have to construct to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2021 for low-density housing and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE 90.1 for multi-family projects. 

Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | May 19, 2023

Shear Wall Selection for Wood-Framed Buildings

From wall bracing to FTAO, there are many ways to secure the walls of a building. Learn how to evaluate which method is best for a project. 

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021