BIPV solar mural on the SunRise Building in Edmonton. (Photo courtesy of Chandos Construction)
Edmonton’s cityscape recently gained a unique, and record-breaking feature. As part of a deep energy retrofit undertaken by Chandos Construction, in partnership with Avenue Living, M.O. George Architect, and Claroscuro Architecture, The SunRise Building, formerly Capital Tower, has incorporated the world’s largest Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) mural, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Built in 1970, the 12-storey, 11,400-square-foot structure underwent major upgrades that saw the 179-unit building get reimagined as a modern, mixed-use space focused on affordable rental housing and environmental performance through decarbonization of greenhouse gas emissions. Chandos says it took on the project because it aligned with its values.
“This was the kind of challenge we thrive on: complex, collaborative and community-focused,” explained project manager Dustin Tonsi. “We saw not only the opportunity to revitalize a neglected space but to help lead a meaningful urban renewal effort.”
With primary goals of achieving a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as improving building aesthetics, the deep energy retrofit of the building included full mechanical and electrical upgrades, abatement and remediation, a modernized building envelope, redesigned suites with LED lighting, updated kitchens and bathrooms, and new amenity spaces.
“This was a complex retrofit, however by collaborating and focusing on sustainability and efficiency, we transformed an underused property into modern, affordable housing,” stated Neal Shannon, executive vice-president of capital projects at Avenue Living. “It highlights how smart retrofits can breathe new life into existing structures, and the neighbourhoods around them.”
Guinness World Record certificate for the SunRise Residential Building’s mural. (CNW Group/Mitrex – Integrated Solar Technology)
Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the changes is the World’s largest solar panel mural. Designed by Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal, the 85-foot mural titled “The Land We Share” integrates Indigenous and Chinese symbolism, celebrating Edmonton’s diverse cultural heritage. It was painted over the 30,000 square feet of the building’s Mitrex eFacade PRO plus BIPV system.
“I’m excited to bring First Nations and Chinese representation to this beautiful building,” stated Cardinal. “To honour both cultures, we were inspired by the animals of the seven sacred grandfather teachings of the Cree tradition and the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. This mural depicts these creatures living together in unity, seeing each other and sharing the same space within one harmonious community.”
In addition to being a massive new piece of art in the city, the solar electric system has the capacity to provide over 265 kW of clean, renewable energy, and powers a significant portion of SunRise Residential’s operations.
“SunRise proves that BIPV solar solutions can produce clean energy, cut emissions, and inspire communities with culturally resonant designs,” stated Danial Hadizadeh, CEO of Mitrex. “We’re honoured to lead this revolution.”
When combined with improvements to the mechanical and electrical systems and building envelope, the building’s overall greenhouse gas emissions are projected to fall by 64 per cent.
That’s an impressive turnaround for an aging building that presented some challenges, but the architectural team saw the building as more than just a technical challenge.
“The building was in significant disrepair, and the scope was modest, but we saw an opportunity to transform a neglected structure into a valuable community asset,” explained M.O. George, principal at M.O. George Architect. “What began as a straightforward renovation evolved into a deep energy retrofit, complete with a solar façade and upgraded infrastructure. The result is a dramatically more sustainable building that people are excited to live in.”
Due to the expanded scope, Claroscuro Architecture was brought in for technical support of the extensive interior renovation of the floors during the construction phase. Community feedback shaped the second-floor amenity hub, which includes a yoga room, communal kitchen, games lounge and golf simulator. Avenue Living co-designed the spaces, and Claroscuro Architecture led the design.
“Teamwork allowed the group to respond to unexpected conditions and evolve the design effectively,” said Tara McCashin, principal architect at Claroscuro Architecture. “Collaborative communication during construction always leads to better buildings, which will hopefully translate into a stronger community once the project is in use.”
This focus on communication was present throughout Chandos’ handling of the construction phases of the project, with the company hosting weekly meetings, over 65 trade-specific sessions, and frequent walkthroughs. The company even added Ukrainian subtitles for site orientations and required crews to have a translator onsite when they had non-English speaking workers so that they could help bridge language barriers and navigate a high number of non-English-speaking trade workers.
The company attributes that kind of flexibility and foresight as contributing to the crews’ ability to exceed airtightness targets, and in achieving partial occupancy and allowing leasing of the building to occur three months ahead of final occupancy.
“We’re proud of the impact this project will have,” added Tonsi. “It’s a reminder that with the right team and mindset, even the most overlooked spaces can be transformed into something meaningful.”
