Sustainable Living
Aquattro has a strong commitment to the environment and sustainability of its community. It hits the mark by offering sustainable living in the Victoria area while protecting the water, green space, wildlife, and conserving energy for its residents.
Aquattro’s ongoing efforts to preserving the saltwater tidal lagoon, streams, oceans and wildlife in the area are part of a five-fold Green initiative; an initiative that involves careful planning of five elements: site planning, energy use, handling of storm water, water usage and construction methods.
Like our neighbors at Royal Roads University, we are committed to sustainability and environmental protection.
Site Planning – Preservation of Green Space & Natural Parkland
Protecting green space is an integral part of Aquattro’s site-planning standards. Fish-bearing streams and two kilometres of hiking trails linking Old Growth forestsset on the 652-acre estate of Hatley Castle, with 15 km of public trails, provide the perfect backdrop for West Coast sustainable living. Forty per cent of the land has been left as green space, including 13 acres of waterfront fields and orchards and seven acres of riparian habitat. Selleck Creek will provide fresh water to the upper Esquimalt lagoon and will also house a population of wildlife, including cutthroat trout, salmon and many species of waterfowl and upland birds.
Energy Use – An Eco- Friendly Heating System
Aquattro’s sustainable homes offer a Geothermal Heating System that conserves natural resources and reduces energy costs. The Geothermal Heating System uses water to both heat and cool the buildings. To combat winter chills, and provide summer cooling, this system allows residents to adjust temperatures without leaving a carbon footprint. In partnership with Terasen, this in-ground, closed loop system provides heating and air conditioning at approx.50 cents per square foot per year. That means that a 1,500 square foot home will cost $750 per year to heat and air condition and the annual rate will be fixed for 25 years. Electrical costs for the heat pump in each individual home will be in addition however, the cost of this power will be similar to annual costs of a hot water tank. The Geothermal system will offset one tonne of greenhouse gas per year for every 1000 square feet of residential space. Aquattro’s team of engineers estimates a savings of 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year when the project is fully completed. Learn more by visiting the following websites:
Canadian GeoExchange Coalition
Natural Resources Canada
Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium
Natural Filtration of Storm Water
Nature has always had a way of taking care of itself. Aquattro applies that principle by allowing some “rain gardens” to handle storm water in place of municipal sewers. Rain Gardens act as natural filtration systems for storm water, thereby decreasing water run-off that would normally flow into storm drains. Without proper filtration, storm water could contain pollutants that upset our delicate eco-system. Rain gardens are usually located near the lowest level of land, and composed of plants native to the area.
Construction Methods
Aquattro is being crafted and constructed to meld with existing natural structures such as the Pacific Ocean, old growth forest, ponds, streams and trails. The team continues to conserve local landscapes and vegetation while developing exquisite residences along the Pacific Ocean. During construction, special attention is being placed on extra insulation between residences vertically and horizontally to minimize sound transfer; large decks are being incorporated to maximize outdoor living; extra storage spaces are being provided and energy efficient practices are carried out from the ground up.