The Centre of Newton Phase 2 development is a four-storey, 45,000 sq. ft. mixed-use office/retail building. Comprised of 11,603 sq. ft. office floor plate, this building replaces an existing surface parking lot at the existing Centre of Newton Shopping Centre.
The modern character of the building with its play on texture using random mullion spacing and tinted glass also incorporates more traditional elements to strengthen its relationship to the character along 137th st. The building further transitions from low lying building to the south with its taller neighbor to the north with steps in the parapet heights. The overall building volume is molded into two distinct forms with the lighter glass box nestled in the heavier brick volume. The brick carries along the base of the building & rises up on the north side to reflect the brick massing at the adjacent office building. The glass form on the south side dematerializes the mass to reflect the lower scale of the shopping centre.
In the interest of creating an 'intelligent building' that was environmentally and socially responsible, the project integrated comprehensive energy efficiencies through a whole building systems approach to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The project is targeting LEED 2009 Gold certification for Core and Shell. The goal of the project was to provide a high performance building that significantly reduces energy consumption, increases facility flexibility and improves comfort and satisfaction for the occupants. The project design started with an enhanced building envelope to maximize energy efficiency. The building uses ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling for a savings of approximately 30% to 60% in operating costs from traditional systems. The project's water efficiency's goals were met through the use of low flow fixtures and waterless urinals.