🌎 Sustainable Communities Are Real and We Have Proof 🌎

It’s Earth Day! What better way to celebrate Earth Day, than by sharing some incredible environmentally-focused good news happening right here on Canadian soil?

Now I wouldn’t say this article is “mostly good”, I’d classify it as “really good” or “totally good” because it truly is. This article is about to open your eyes and mind to the future of sustainable living. I’m not even exaggerating.

Today, we’re diving deep with Ashley Hammerbacher, Managing Director and Elinor Schwob, Corporate Event and Publicity Advisor of S2E Technologies.

Ashley and Elinor introduce us to a revolutionary way of living a net-zero life! 

Located in London, Ontario, Canada, EVE Park is a townhome community that’s stylish, sustainable, and surprisingly attainable (how’s that for a tag line?) . Now, if you haven’t heard of this community, stay tuned because you will be asking for more details after you read our little interview, I promise!

Onto the good stuff: Who is S2E Technologies, and what is EVE Park exactly?

S2E Technologies is a future-forward technology organization that focuses on sustainability, and now they’re creating net-zero energy communities that bring sustainable living to a whole new level. S2E Technologies developed EVE Park, short for “Electric Vehicle Enclave Park”, a 4 acre community featuring 4 helix designed, 4 level housing in a variety of sizes located in the Riverbend/West 5 community of London, Ontario. Each tower features a revolutionary parking platform designed for car share electric vehicles, and residents are encouraged to share the grounds as well. 

Just a few things that residents of EVE Park can enjoy:

• shared edible landscaping where residents can pick rye, tea, sumac and berries (what a dream!)

• 84 units in varying sizes, from 1 to 4 bedrooms (perf for families and singles alike!)

• The awesome EV car share program, so you don’t need a car at all (slay)

• Close proximity to shops, highway, fitness studios and restaurants (a requirement, really)

• EVE Park has it’s own microgrid, designed to produce as much energy over the year as the whole development will use — net-zero. (Ok impressive much?)

• A thoughtfully designed campus, with organic shapes and organic walkways that encourage communal living (hot girl walks will never be the same)

How awesome does EVE Park sound? I’m dying to visit one day soon and see this marvel with my own eyes. As someone interested in living a more sustainable life, I had no idea communities like this existed here in Canada, and when Elinor contacted me about this initiative, I KNEW I had to share with all of you Mostly Gooders! Read below for our interview with Ashley and Elinor, and learn about why EVE Park is so special.

Can you give me some background on how the EVE Park community came about? 

Ashley: EVE Park started with a question: What would a community look like, centered around a self-driving car community?

The question led to new ideas of course, but this is the question that started it all. S2E Technologies realized self driving cars wouldn’t need garages or driveways to take up precious land and space.

As the idea evolved, S2E approached firms Studio Dror and Gensler Architects to see what this community idea could become. All we knew was, S2E cared about electrical vehicle usage and wanted a net-zero community. 

Working with our firms and partners, we have since finished Phase 1, which includes the first two residential buildings, and there will be 2 more phases to come. We hope that EVE Park inspires other communities; we want EVE Park to be replicated all over the world!

Why was EVE Park chosen to be in the London ON area?

Ashley and Elinor: EVE Park is part of the West 5 net-zero property in London, Ontario. West 5 is a 350,000 square foot solar powered community that offers shopping, walking trails and event spaces, and is also focused on sustainability.

We thought that West 5 was the perfect testing ground for new projects like EVE Park. The demographics of the area was the right mix for us to test reception of this new type of living. We had great engineering partners who worked with London Hydro on developing the microgrids for West 5, and we leveraged that partnership for the development of EVE Park. We were able to get the project moving faster since we built West 5 there just a few years prior.

What are the top eco-friendly and sustainable practices found in EVE Park that are not commonly found elsewhere?

Ashley and Elinor: Here are our top sustainable reasons to move to EVE Park:

• The community. The design was made for community, pleasure points, shared gardens and vegetation.

• The courtyard style of architecture encourages interaction with others. It’s a unique layout in Canada, garnering the attention of CNN Style, and we’ve won awards for our urban design!

• Ranging demographics and different cultures; open mindedness and innovation is something everyone has in common here.

• S2E put a lot of thought into simplifying sustainability and living more sustainable lives to reduce carbon footprints, reduce water, and designed the community so the residents don’t have to think about it! The homes work to keep your life sustainable.

• Each home features low flow spa showers that use up only 1/3 of typical water consumption, that actually feel really good (you won’t miss even notice the difference!)

• Net-zero buildings equate to a super high quality build. Everything is closed in and air tight to prevent heat loss, energy loss, and temperature control.

• It’s walkable! Everything you need is within a 5 minute walking distance: shops, veterinarian, restaurants, trail system and more.

• Edible landscaping! Designed with the idea of a sensory experience as residents walk through the courtyard to their homes.

• The units themselves are stunning!

• Lots of natural light. The units are designed to be calm and peaceful; there are 3 layers between each unit for sound proofing too.

• Safe environment - no gas, 100% electric, it’s all solar powered.

• We are the only project qualified for RBC green mortgages!

• Utilities are inflation protected because we have our own microgrid.

• All appliances have to meet net zero standard.

• Bills are low, condo fees are low, carbon footprint is low!

How can I live in one of these units?

Phases 3 and 4 are currently being built, and all the information you need to purchase a unit at EVE Park is on our website, evepark.ca.

You can book a tour now that the model units are built, and see all that the community has to offer with your own eyes! You can also download the floor plans off our website if you’d like a better idea of the size and layout of our units.

To book a tour, you can contact Elinor at [email protected].

▶ Learn more about S2E Technologies here

▶ Learn more about EVE Park here

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