Name a more sustainable gesture than converting an empty, existing building into something useful and bustling with people - we'll wait. This massive undertaking provides much-needed housing units while also bringing life back to downtown.
The Slayte
Ottawa - Adaptive Reuse
Built in 1970, this 11-storey, post-modernist building in downtown Ottawa had been sitting vacant for years. Our developer client, CLV Group, had the vision to convert the office building into a multi-functional residential complex.
With spectacular rooftop views, a hidden courtyard, a business centre, and other amenities, The Slayte turns an unused office space into a thriving interactive community.
Design Insight - The Big Repurposing
A wide open and welcoming lobby connects the street to the building and is an important transition that enlivens the streetscape.
The multi-purpose rooftop terrace includes fire pits, a hot tub and pergola for outdoor entertaining - not to mention a great view of the Ottawa skyline.
“It's great to be working with Linebox and other talented consultants on this development! Vision, creativity, teamwork, solutions, diligence and execution...a successful recipe!”
Oz Drewniak - President at CLV Group Development Inc.
Design Insight - Exterior "Skin"
The iconic precast concrete panels give the exterior "skin" of the building a unique character. 96 of the 480 panels were replaced with metal versions and painted a uniform and modern dark grey.
Project Facts
4575
That's the number of tonnes of carbon diverted from avoiding demolition and choosing to re-use the office building.
Trebla
This building was originally known as the Trebla building. Can you figure out what it stand for? Try backwards!
158
The number of residential units added to the downtown core as part of this development.
Re-use
For this project we had the opportunity to reuse and donate the original office building’s materials: carpet tiles, light fixtures, cabinets, and copper wiring!
Albert Street Renewal Project
The project is inscribed in the Albert Street Renewal Project undertaken by the City of Ottawa. It aims to make walking, cycling, and transit use more comfortable and convenient by redistributing and improving the streetscape environment.
Sustainable Development - Adaptive Reuse
The purpose of adaptive reuse is to reanimate unused spaces, a sustainable approach to city-building and development.
The Slayte is a successful example of adaptive reuse; we transformed an existing office building in the urban core of Ottawa into a community built for an interactive lifestyle - preventing carbon emissions from resulting potential demolition and lowering construction waste.
Rising to the Challenge
In office buildings, bathrooms are generally located in close proximity to elevator bays, while in residences, washroom plumbing and HVAC is needed in each unit.
We rose to the challenge of tackling some of the implications of building repurposing.
Collaborators
Construction Manager: Bassi Construction LP
Structural Engineers: Cleland Jardine Engineering Ltd.
Mechanical and Electrical Engineers: Smith and Andersen
Artwork: Chris Griffin
Photography:
Jordann Brown Imaging
JVL Photograhy