Vancouver has the bold new ambition to become the Greenest City in the World by 2020. To accomplish this, they have implemented various regulations surrounding infrastructure including the mandate which requires all building rezoning to be LEED certified. To this end, the six-story building located at 1005 Station Street was transformed into a multi-use, sustainable housing complex that houses studio homes for 80 residents, a single commercial kitchen and ground-level retail spaces.

However, the biggest challenge for this project was the site itself as the building sits on reclaimed land which was once in the middle of False Creek. Although the land was filled in during the First World War, the underground parking lot, electrical room and elevator pit would be situated well below the water table. A waterproofing solution that would maintain the structural integrity without compromising design was top of mind for the owners and architects.

To safeguard the structure from dangerous water damage, 2,400 kilograms of KIM was used to waterproof 350 cubic meters of concrete. Kryton’s Krystol Waterstop System was also used on the building’s cold joints. Kryton’s waterproofing systems contributed to the building’s LEED Gold certification which is now home to residents and businesses since December of 2010. Through Sustainable Housing, and other initiatives, the city hopes to transform the market by increasing consumer choice and awareness for green buildings, whilst ultimately advancing Vancouver as the Green Capital of the world.