The CaGBC “Every Building Can Be Green” National Summit
Information, inspiration, and enthusiasm for the future
A report by SABMag associate editor Hugh Perry
Photos by ECOterre
The overriding conclusion that one could bring from the 2009 Canada Green Building Council [CaGBC] National Summit June 9-11 in Montreal is that market conditions are shifting away from cold opposition to sustainable construction methods. Instead, a warm front has moved in bringing with it an air of enthusiasm, particularly noticeable amongst young professionals.
The opening reception had the glee of a political party, gathering as the voting returns come in and realizing that it will form the next government. This year’s two-day event, held at the Palais des congrès in Montreal, had an aura of genuine celebration built upon a sense that those who understand the value of change are now in control of our nation’s construction future.
Talk among delegates was not about what has to be done, but rather what is being done, how they are being swamped with consumer interest, how they have increased their staff to meet growing demand, how prices are coming down, how sales are tripling, how municipalities are attempting to get on board, and how manufacturers are providing the tools and products needed to achieve alternative building methods.
It was fitting that the City of Montreal ratified an agreement days earlier to have new construction over 500 sq.m achieve LEED Gold, and all renovations LEED Silver. Toronto has created its Green Standard that also calls for all new building to be LEED Gold with a 40% reduction of energy over the MNECB. Not only are cities getting on board, but also nations like China have targeted energy supply to be 16% renewable by 2020.
Dr Ray Cole of UBC pointed out that our thinking has evolved from just being green, which was the stage where we saw the vision, into being sustainable, which has given us the means to make it happen. Those on the leading edge of this industry are looking ahead to regeneration, and how buildings can help regain what we lost.
Many speakers shared their successes in constructing buildings that met LEED’s highest rating of Platinum, or that meet ‘net zero’ energy and/or ‘net zero’ carbon emissions. They are further challenging themselves to reach, ‘Net Positive’ projects which produce more energy than they use bringing them one step closer to authentic sustainability. One such project being constructed is The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability at the University of BC.
Some of the Summit presenters talked of raising the bar further to include Living Communities. These communities differ from subdivisions in that they offer multi-use activities such as the corner store, library, restaurant, green space, etc, which are within walking distance.
Projects such as Dockside Green in Victoria, Nuns Island in Montreal, and Garrison Woods in Calgary, were noted as examples that offer socially-sustaining, healthy communities. LEED-ND for Neighbourhood Development is providing the blueprint for 23 new projects across Canada such as Technopole Angus in Montreal and Currie Barracks in Calgary.
Despite our progress in decreasing our negative impact to zero, Dr Thomas Homes-Dixon of the University of Waterloo reminded us that we have to stop using the atmosphere as a landfill site. Eventually we need to regain what we have lost through regeneration. Speaker Homes-Dixon claimed that even by converting all building, globally, to Zero impact and to use renewable sources for all building energy, the world would still falls short of zero carbon emission by 40%. We are in uncertain times as Nature is unpredictable when it approaches imbalances in its cycles.
As other speakers, such as architect and CaGBC Chairman Peter Busby pointed out, it is important for us to gain an understanding of how to co-exist with natural processes of evolution. Nature uses diversity to maintain balance. By mimicking Nature, for example introducing mixed-uses, as in Living Communities, we are beginning to bridge an essential gap.
As the industry continues to rewrite itself there will be a long list of up-coming projects and changes to consider in the coming year. Some of the points that came forward were:
- An ASHREA recommendation that glazed wall area not exceed 40% in commercial buildings,
- LEED moving toward becoming an international rating system,
- A new LEED-NC in the fall of 09 based on a 100 point system.
- The Living Building Challenge, an additional outlet of the CaGBC, intended to establish a new perspective for social and environmental responsibilities,
- Urban Ecotones, a US competition with global participation to provide design strategies for restoring nature to built environments, becoming of interest to municipalities and social planners here in Canada, and
- Emphasis on Social Equity which is taking into consideration the common good when developing new urbanism, and
- The Clinton Climate Positive Program which is extended to 16 projects in 16 countries including Toronto’s waterfront project.
There is reason for optimism as all disciplines in the construction industry apply themselves to these rewarding challenges. The 1,300 participants from across Canada and other countries were keen supporters of this year’s conference theme: Every Building Can Be Green, and their enthusiasm will move Canadian sustainable design forward.
The CaGBC Summit 2010 is set for June 10-12 in Vancouver. Stay tuned as SABMag and SAB Homes feature leading Canadian projects and technical accomplishments that serve as milestones in achieving the aspiring and necessary goals that lie ahead.
