by Rhonda Massad
For those of you who know me well, you know I suffer from a chemical exposure intolerance. In other words, everything can have my skin reacting from shampoo, paint, perfume, cosmetics and foods of all kinds. When I walked into the Greenwich project upon the suggestion of an old friend, Angelo Chiotis, I was given hope that somewhere out there someone knew people like me existed.
Greenwich is a community within the City of Pointe-Claire. Upon entering the area, you can feel the vastness of this innovative project coming to life, with buildings and plans for a park and pool, a true community within a community. The development will have parks and a pool.
What held my attention was when Angelo told me that it was organic. I thought to myself, here we go. Another segment of society that did not understand what organic truly meant to someone like me. Someone who can walk through the cosmetic section of TheBay and need an antihistamine to finish her shopping.
As it turns out, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that much of the project leans towards sustainable living as well as healthy living under LEEDS certification.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ) is a recognized certification throughout the world for the design, construction, and operation of ecological buildings. It is based on six key areas of human health and environmental planning: the ecological sites, making the best use of water resources, energy efficiency, the selection of materials, the quality of the environment inside and innovation in design. For example: the use of glues, paints and varnish without volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde in the choice of cabinets serve as valuable points.
The floors in the Momentum section are certified Greenguard GOLD, a program that was born in California that caters to people that are sensitive to chemical toxins. This standard is designed to define low-emitting materials suitable for environments where people, particularly children and sensitive adults, spend extended periods of time, in particular schools and healthcare facilities.
What this means to someone like me is that many of the unnecessary chemicals that exist in construction today are absent. Which means my immune system is less taxed by toxins it has difficulty processing and in turn make me feel better long term. I like this concept. I think it will appeal to anyone who suffers inexplicable issues that seem to come from chemicals in our environment we simply cannot cope with.
Angelo Chiotis and Lee Ann Caron will be hosting a cocktail party on November 2, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to give people a chance to see what the project is all about and give them an up-close visit to the first development of its kind on the West Island.
Living healthy and green in Pointe Claire’s new neighbourhood
By Rhonda Massad
It is one thing to say we are green; it is a whole other thing to live in a community that is designed and built to reduce our carbon footprint while at the same time is geared to healthy living. Where would that be you ask? Right here on the West Island, in Pointe Claire on the corner St. Johns and Hymus. The Greenwich community has been growing for about a year now and is inviting the West Island in for a peek on November 2.
The development is certified Greenguard GOLD, a program that was born in California that caters to people that are sensitive to chemical toxins.
This standard is designed to define low-emitting materials suitable for environments where people, particularly children and sensitive adults, spend extended periods of time, in particular schools and healthcare facilities. It is the first development of its kind on the West Island. Greenwich only uses materials with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The new neighborhood is geared towards all ages with mixed housing that includes condos, stack houses, and townhouses units. Young families starting out will find the stack houses affordable while there are one-floor condo units available for those who are ready to downsize. Townhouses appeal to those with full-blown families who need more room to spread out.
The Greenwich community impresses green as a way of life. All construction is LEED-certified with the eco-benchmark. All infrastructures are wireless and underground. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures save on water consumption. All units are equipped with central ductwork dual-energy gas/electric air conditioning and heating systems.
I like this concept. I think it will appeal to anyone who suffers inexplicable issues and is looking for ways to cope with and for people, families, looking for a healthier alternative in their day to day living space.
For more information and an up close visit, pop into the project’s model unit on November 2, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and let Angelo Chiotis and Lee Ann Caron guide you through the high-quality upcoming neighbourhood. Get in touch with them by calling 514-912-2369.
Additional information can be found at www.quartiergreenwich.com
