Earth walls dissolve building into landscape using rammedearth

The design of Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre is a specific and sustainable response to the building’s unique context-the unusual Canadian desert found in the South Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Sited adjacent to a remnant of the Great Basin Desert, of which 1,600 acres are being preserved by the Osoyoos band as a conservation area, this interpretative centre is part of a larger 200-acre master plan. (more…)

A Sustainable Campus

The north elevation. By using passive solar design, indigenous materials, geothermal energy, enhanced air quality, energy and water efficiency, and sustainable landscape design, the project stands for the idea that resources are finite and that building design should respond to this fact. The College conducts tours for students, professionals, and the community to explain the sustainable features of the building

Library/classroom building combines sustainable architectural and landscape practices

The goal of Langara College is to create a sustainable campus that demonstrates environmental responsibility and stewardship for the student body and the community. (more…)

Design incorporates building and site in quest for LEED Gold

The east elevation. Sustainable design features are incorporated with the program needs of the fire hall and its training facilities.

Expanding the idea of protective services to embrace the protection of the environment, the Hamilton Fire Hall in Richmond BC, combines concepts of sustainable architecture with the specific programmatic needs of the Richmond Fire Department. A career fire hall staffed by full time fire fighters, it is located in a rapidly growing neighbourhood adjacent to McLean Park on the city’s eastern edge. (more…)

A sustainable response integrates culture and landscape

View along the rammed earth entry wall, an attractive and durable construction with excellent thermal qualities. Note the section of Cor-ten steel at the location of the service yard.

The design of Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre is a specific and sustainable response to the building’s unique context - the unusual Canadian desert found in the South Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Sited adjacent to a remnant of the Great Basin Desert, of which 1,600 acres are being preserved by the Osoyoos band as a conservation area, this interpretative centre is part of a larger 200-acre master plan. (more…)

Sustainability increases productivity in Phase II campus expansion

Environmentally Responsible Design

The complete campus, with Phase II located to the left of the soccer field.

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Electronic Arts [EA], a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, began the development of its corporate campus in Burnaby, BC about 10 years ago. From the outset, the company was interested in working within the broad parameters of environmentally responsible design, and in providing a work environment that would ensure the well being of its employees. (more…)

West Elevation

by Vladimir Mikler and Christy Love

A building’s form and interaction with the local climate are critical to its overall environmental performance. Climate adapted buildings optimize the performance of “passive” building elements and employ smaller, more efficient “active” mechanical systems merely to complement what the building architecture cannot achieve on its own. (more…)