CCOC’s Beaver Barracks redevelopment has received international recognition for its sustainable and environmentally friendly housing.
The Building and Social Housing Foundation, a U.K.-based independent research organization, announced the two winners of the 2013 National Habitat Awards on World Habitat Day Oct. 7.
The two winners were chosen among a group of 10 short listed projects that were selected in May. One of the 10 finalists was the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation’s Beaver Barracks housing project near the Canadian Museum of Nature.
CCOC executive director Ray Sullivan says “it’s an incredible honor” to be recognized as one of the top 10 housing projects in the world.
“When I look at the quality and real accomplishments of some of the other finalists, I’m very proud that we are in their company,” he says.
According to the World Habitat Awards website, the focus of the awards is to identify and recognize good housing projects as well as to share “knowledge and experience to others who can transfer them in their own situations.”
The first World Habitat Award was handed out in 1987 as BSHF’s involvement in the United Nations International Year of Shelter for the Homeless. The two winning projects each year receive a prize of £10,000, or about $14,000 Canadian.
“Originally intended to run for three years, the positive response received resulted in a decision to continue to run the competition on an annual basis,” says Isobel Ashford, BSHF head of communications.
Sullivan says she believes that Beaver Barracks’ combination of affordable housing and environmental objectives made it stand out among other award applicants and led it to be selected as one of the top 10 finalists.
“Certainly, when it came to the environmental goals, we went one step further,” he explains. “You can design a building as green as you like but if the people living there don’t take advantage of those technologies then you are only getting half way there”
The Beaver Barracks redevelopment was finished in 2012 and consists of various complexes at five different addresses; 464 Metcalfe St., 160 Argyle Ave., 111 Catherine St. and 100 and 200 Victory Gardens Private. The project receives it name from a Royal Canadian Air Force residence that was once located where Beaver Barracks now stands.
Workshops on environmental sustainability are offered to Beaver Barracks tenants. Sullivan also says that the tenants are encouraged to compost, recycle, and make use of the garden space on the property. The environmentally friendly building design includes geothermal heating and cooling as well as a green roof.