Odea, a mixed-use development in Vancouver designed by Lemay, has achieved LEED BD+C v4 Silver certification from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), highlighting the integration of sustainable design with cultural storytelling.
Located at the gateway to downtown, Odea combines residential, commercial, and community spaces while prioritising energy efficiency, occupant well-being, and environmental performance. The project follows a NET POSITIVE approach, reducing energy consumption and incorporating adaptive reuse strategies through the preservation of two heritage buildings, which maintain neighbourhood character while lowering carbon impact.
Central to the design is a biophilic concept inspired by the boreal forest, reflecting Cree identity. The interior courtyard features a rain garden designed by a Cree artist, symbolising roots and forest undergrowth, while the base-level garden evokes tree branches. The green roof further mitigates heat islands, manages stormwater, and provides public amenity space.
Lemay’s broader biophilic design philosophy, emphasising connection to nature for occupant health and well-being, underpins these interventions. According to Lemay, Odea exemplifies the potential of transdisciplinary collaboration, where environmental performance and authentic cultural expression reinforce one another, setting a benchmark for sustainable, contextually responsive urban design.
