After having won the Ecologically Responsible Business of the Year (Entreprise écoresponsable de l’année) award at the Gala Excellence of the Chambre de Commerce du Grand Mont-Tremblant, the ecological residential project Ecoluminis pursues its award-winning ways. Belvedair, eco-builder and promoter, has been awarded the 35th Domus Award as Builder of the Year and Sustainable Development with the Écoluminis condominiums.

There were thirty-three companies on the highly coveted list of Prix Domus finalists, awarded annually since 1984 by the APCHQ. Metropolitan Montreal region. The APCHQ is the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec – the association of construction and housing professionals of Quebec. The association, the largest builders association in Canada, numbers more than 18,000 members in Quebec, including 4,300 in the metropolitan region.

BELVEDAIR: BUILDER OF THE YEAR

The APCHQ is interested in the growing phenomenon of ecological construction. In the past four years, three Builder of the Year titles have been awarded to companies in this field. “This recognition results from a rigorous approach and is a great opportunity to compare ourselves with the best,” says Patrick Ranger proudly; he is the general manager of Belvedair. “We want the methods employed, which are tested, to be applicable to the whole industry so that all new construction becomes more and more ecologically sound,” he adds. Mr. Ranger considers this type of construction to be synonymous with quality in that it demonstrates consideration for the lifespan of the building, detail, insulation, and water and energy consumption. The field, which was previously marginal, continues its progress and will redefine, he hopes, the new standards.

ÉCOLUMINIS: THE RESULT OF COLLECTIVE REFLECTION

Having fallen in love with Tremblant, Aymeric Brisset, promoter, resident of an écolum condo and keen ambassador for this region, wanted to come up with a special project for its inhabitants. Initially, crestfallen by the advice of those around him but holding fast to his project of ecological dwellings, he persisted in trying to get his company underway in 2010. Three years later, he discovered Belvedair at the Montreal Home Show and the chemistry finally worked. The two entrepreneur builders shared a similar vision and became partners in this adventure. The process got underway. Together, they prioritized planning, reflection, and a more human-oriented set of values as well as a design that brought together all the experts required for the project from the very beginning. The various trades worked together to find solutions. The result: an accessibly-priced, well-planned dwelling congruent with the values of the Village sector of Mont-Tremblant.

“We want to show that ecological housing is not limited to the wealthy. To successfully lower costs while ensuring quality, the project has to be well thought through and favour multiple units, have smaller – but better thought out – rooms, as well as being made of quality, energy-viable materials,” Mr. Brisset emphasizes. In the end, the full-sun orientation and airtightness of the building reduce the energy costs by 50 to 60 per cent. “Instead of adding systems which require maintenance and have a limited lifespan, we allow Mother Nature to do all the work,” he adds. Which is why, in addition to being Novoclimat certified, the Écoluminis condominiums are on their way to obtaining LEED Gold certification.

The Brisset-Ranger duo, proud of its first experience, will maintain its momentum, envisioning other ecological projects in the Village and across Quebec.

Only three units and the model unit are still available for purchase.