To continue DIALOG’s mission of making positive improvements to the wellbeing of communities through design, DIALOG has continued to showcase efforts in designing carbon-neutral, sustainable projects.

The recently completed 25 St. Clair East Rehabilitation Project, a major renovation of an existing 10-storey federal office building in Toronto, Ontario, has received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Certification – the highest level of this certification that can be granted. This is the third DIALOG project to receive LEED certification in one month, including Centennial College A-Building Expansion and University of Calgary MacKimmie Complex.

LEED-certified buildings, by the Canada Green Building Council, are critical to addressing climate change and supporting more equitable communities. The certification encourages the development of high-performing, resilient buildings that reduce energy use and carbon emissions, conserve water, reduce waste, promote sustainable site development, and prioritize user health.

As part of the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Design Strategy, 25 St. Clair Avenue East building was selected as the Federal Government’s flagship model for sustainable building and a pilot project in the Canada Green Building Council’s zero carbon initiative.

The building was originally two buildings built in the 1950s, but rather than a full demolition and re-build, the Government decided to re-use the existing structures in a deep green retrofit. The reuse of building components reduces the demand to produce new building materials and related embodied carbon emissions. The new design reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% and puts occupant health and wellbeing first.

Congratulations to everyone involved on this incredible accomplishment, and for always putting sustainable design first!

About LEED

LEED certification provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, which offer environmental, social and governance benefits. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement, and it is backed by an entire industry of committed organizations and individuals paving the way for market transformation. LEED is for all building types and all building phases including new construction, interior fit outs, operations and maintenance and core and shell.