Balconies, terraces, an accessible roof and generous glazing connect the Mosaic Centre?s users to the outdoors. (Photo: Josh Kjenner)
PROJECT Mosaic Centre for Conscious Community and Commerce, Edmonton, Alberta
ARCHITECTS Manasc Isaac Architects
TEXT Brandon Webber
PHOTOS Josh Kjenner unless otherwise noted
When it comes to sustainability, Edmonton?known more as the capital of dirty oil than for green design?is a paradox. The city?s suburbs creep further each year into Alberta?s best agricultural land and the car still dominates urban planning. Yet surprisingly, Edmonton is also home to more net-zero residences than any other city in Canada. The waste management program designed in Edmonton is a model other cities around the world come to study. In the midst of this stands the newly opened, ultra-sustainably designed Mosaic Centre. The ultra-sustainable centre is located in suburban Edmonton. (Photo: Garth Crump)
A paradox in and of itself, Mosaic stands in the far south of Edmonton, just east of a section of the Queen Elizabeth Highway used by 90,000 cars daily. Its neighbours include low-density, low-rise commercial buildings, oversized single-family suburban homes, and vacant lots waiting to be paved into parking. That being said, Mosaic aims to be the first Living Building Challenge certified project in Alberta. As an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) build?one of the first in Edmonton?it was both 5% under budget and 30% ahead of schedule. It is also one of the world?s...