Top 10 Green Buildings, 2011

Vancouver Convention Centre West, Vancouver
LMN Architects, DA/MCM
Practically the entire city of ultra-environmental Vancouver could be considered one giant green building, but the convention center — the first such structure in the world to earn a platinum rating from LEED — stands out. The 6-acre (2.4 hectares) living roof hosts 400,000 indigenous plants, while free cooling economizers lower temperatures for the busiest seasons. The interior is fitted with CO₂, VOC and humidity sensors; the heating and cooling are provided by seawater heat pumps powered by hydroelectricity.

• The Eco-Utopian Visions of Architect Vincent Callebaut