Cities across Alberta are home to aging buildings that were not designed with energy efficiency or sustainability in mind. Replacing these structures can be costly and carbon-intensive, while leaving them unchanged can limit their usefulness and impact on surrounding communities.
The SunRise reimagines what is possible through the transformation of a former office tower in Edmonton’s McCauley neighbourhood into a modern, energy-efficient residential building. By retaining the existing structure and completing a full interior retrofit, the project reduces construction waste while upgrading performance. A building-integrated solar façade, designed in collaboration with Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal, generates renewable energy while serving as a large-scale public artwork.
The project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 64 percent, diverts thousands of tonnes of material from landfill, and delivers 179 new homes while contributing to the revitalization of Edmonton’s downtown core.
