With the walls going up on the first structure, SunModo is scheduled to complete construction of its new headquarters project in Orchards by December.
The Vancouver-based business makes roof and ground mounting racks for solar panel systems. Its name means “the way of the sun.”
And the new headquarters means that SunModo will be able to be part of solar-energy production.
“We don’t use any solar power at our current temporary location but do plan to have rooftop solar system at our new facility,” said Stella Sun, marketing director.
SunModo outgrew its current space in the downtown Vancouver area more than a year ago. For its new home, the company chose a site just south of the intersection of Fourth Plain Boulevard and Ward Road. At Northeast 147th Avenue and 65th Street, it’s near a new Wal-Mart and the Armed Forces Reserve Center.
The 2 1/2 -acre site will provide room for expansion.
“The first phase is a 10,000-square-foot space for offices, plus warehouse and distribution for our solar racking gear,” CEO Rick Campfield said in a news release.
While completion is expected by December, “we may seek temporary occupancy even earlier,” Campfield said. “Eventually, we expect to add two more buildings on the site.”
With the new headquarters, SunModo also will be able to make full use of innovative installations of solar racking, Campfield said.
Solar power for the new SunModo headquarters is one element of the Living Building Challenge that is part of the project.
The international certification program promotes sustainable design and environmentally friendly building and development practices, including harvesting rainwater for a garden, electric vehicle charging stations and open space that goes beyond what’s required by code.
