A summary of recent advances

Glazing considerations such as window area, elevation and orientation, thermal performance and solar shading to optimize natural daylighting and passive solar heat gain are very important to the envelope performance and energy consumption of buildings [1]. [BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, IBI Group and Henriquez Partners Architects, Photo: Nic Lehoux]

by Hugh Perry

Many of Canada’s commercial buildings were built over 40 years ago when there were few, if any, worries about energy performance and environmental responsibility. In an era of cheap and abundant energy, heating and cooling loads were of little concern; buildings were often clad entirely in glass with no differentiation between facades having different orientations. (more…)

Flooring

InterfaceFLOR carpet tile is manufactured under its EcoMetrics system that monitors manufacturing waste reduction, renewable energy, carbon emissions, water and energy usage, and the percentage of recycled and bio-based materials in its products.

by Jim Taggart

The ‘take, make and waste’ system upon which most of our industries were founded is the legacy of a time when resources seemed limitless; there were fewer people to consume them, and our material needs were less.

Today our perception has changed and our industries are adjusting to a new reality. Some lead, some follow and some drag their feet - and in this regard the flooring industry is no different from any other. (more…)

Products new and re-invented for healthier interiors

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Third-party evaluation removes the guess work

Earlier this year, a study by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing entitled “The Six Sins of Greenwashing,” tried to ascertain the extent that “greenwashing” plays in everyday consumer products deemed environmentally friendly. Greenwashing is defined as “the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.” (more…)

Sustainability rests on conservation and design quality

Energy efficiency and flexibility is achieved by lighting the open office area to a lower ambient light level and providing mobile-arm adjustable task lights at each desk to augment visual task illumination.

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Sustainability can be defined as an attempt to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments, both now and into the indefinite future. (more…)