New homes built better by design

Have you ever walked into a home and suddenly found yourself in a space that just felt right? That unexplainable feeling one gets walking into a well-built home has a lot to do with good design and construction.

Crest, an Ovation Award-winning 179-unit, six-storey midrise that includes 18 two-level concrete townhomes is an excellent example of building design on the cutting edge.

Built by Adera Development Corporation, in partnership with Integra Architecture and Portico Design Group, the complex is designed to reflect the birthplace of West Coast Modern style, infusing architecture that honours the surrounding forests and mountains on the North Shore.

Each home reflects the west coast using natural materials balanced with contemporary design aesthetics, creating living spaces that are elegant, practical and invite the outdoors in, creating a sense of balance and harmony.

But it goes deeper than just surface materials.

Setting a new industry standard for wood construction, Crest is built using Cross Laminated Mass Timber (CLT), a multi-layer mass timber product that matches the strength and durability of concrete and steel at a fraction of the weight. In addition, CLT is carbon negative and uses wood exclusively from sustainably managed forests. CLT opens the door to a new, ecological way to construct mass timber buildings of the 21st century. Less foundation required means an overall reduction in concrete and rebar use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions that act as a carbon sequestering material. The use of CLT itself requires reduced labour forces, meaning small crews can install large areas quickly and quietly.

The construction material isn’t the only element that pushes industry standards. Adera’s signature Quiet Home technology is an innovative construction floor-and-wall-assembly system that significantly reduces sound transmission between homes, while also reducing heat loss, odour emissions and increased fire rating.

These building and design innovations might not be something you think of or see every day, but the peace of mind and serenity it gives you won’t go unnoticed. To source projects by Adera Development Corporation, and other award-winning builders, check out havan.ca/Ovation