Quote:
Originally Posted by Urbanarchit
If we're talking about building something in Vanier (the developers have indicated this is for a different property elsewhere along the transitway), than there is definitely an issue when we consider there isn't good public transit and no rapid transit in the area. Just because something is a highrise doesn't mean it's a good urban building. You can build vertical suburbs, especially if everyone living there requires a car to get around because there aren't any amenities and good alternatives to the car. This is why highrises make a lot of sense around transit stations and downtown, but not necessarily in other areas.
Just because Toronto and Montreal do curtain wall extensively despite their climates, doesn't mean it's actually good (also Toronto is in a different climate zone from Ottawa and Montreal). The only insulation you can actually get with curtain wall is at the floor level with spandrel panels. The windows would need to be triple-paned at least and use something like argon to be filled between them, but even then it isn't good and isn't recommended lately for design. There's going to be a lot of heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer from extensive glazing use, meaning the inhabits are going to be thermally uncomfortable and spending a lot more money and requiring more energy just to condition their units. While glass can be a good material aesthetically, the environmental performance should be prioritized.
|
There are no TOD's in Vanier. The posting mentioned west end. However, on the topic of Vanier...Vanier has many amenities including massive employment areas. The case could be made for the creation of great 15 minute neighbourhoods in Vanier.
Toronto's climate is very similar to Ottawa/Montreal. Due to the lake they have a slightly warmer winter and a delayed spring. Summer is identical. Triple pane windows are increasingly common and provide great insulation. A cheap poorly insulated window frame can be less efficient than a curtain wall. Just because old concrete bunker towers with tiny windows may (or may not) be more energy efficient during certain conditions, that doesn't mean we should not be constructing alternatives. I'm not going to recommend home owners install tiny sliding windows over big bay windows in their homes to try and be more energy efficient. Technology in modern windows allows us to be bold.
Threaded Mode