An open house has been scheduled for a development that is presented to put Vancouver on the global map for green highrise design.

Asia Standard Americas Ltd. and Landa Global Properties have proposed a pair of 43- and 48-storey towers in the West End, which the companies describe as the “largest Passive House in the world”.

Passive House is a recognized standard for designing low-energy-use and comfortable buildings. Originally started in Germany, design elements include airtight building envelopes, thick insulation, and high performance doors and windows.

“Sustainability is integral to the project,” according to a sustainability summary included in the rezoning application filed for the site at 1444 Alberni Street and 740 Nicola Street.

The document goes on to note that it “offers an opportunity to demonstrate what’s possible for high performance high rise construction in Vancouver”.

According to the summary, the project will “achieve, at a minimum, energy performance in excess of requirements” for passive house design.

“A robust thermal envelope will be the foundation for achieving substantial energy savings while achieving a high degree of thermal comfort within the building,” the document states.

In addition to “cutting edge environmental strategies”, the project will also feature what the developers describe as a “throwback to the Formalist style” of architecture.

According to the developers, the Formalist style is “reflected in some of the city’s greatest buildings”, like the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver Block, and The Marine Building.

“The proposed design celebrates the diverse architectural styles in the city and provides a unique contrast to the Vancouverism style of glass towers,” reads an executive summary for the project.

The proposed development will have 314 condo units. The 129 rental homes currently at the site, also known as 1468 Alberni Street, will be replaced with the same number in the project.

The developers will also provide the City of Vancouver 56 spaces for child care, and a new park.

The open house for the project will be held on Tuesday (November 7) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Listel Hotel Impressionist Gallery (1300 Robson Street).