For the sustainable home

Sustainability in roofing means the end of using products made from virgin material. Instead, the industry is moving to transferring existing waste into useable products that will continually be reprocessed and diverted from landfill sites. There are now products that have a high percentage of recycled content, some with life-long warranties.

(more…)

Development combines density and conservation

Creating the Wakefield Beach Community

Curved roofs evoke the rolling ocean breakers. The development uses geothermal heating and cooling, high performance windows, solar-powered street lighting, and water conserving plumbing fixtures

Retirement and recreation homes now flank most of the coastal roads in south-western British Columbia and demand is increasing.
Environmentally, the typical linear, low density form of subdivision has little to recommend it, as it squanders precious waterfront land, negatively impacts or destroys often delicate shoreline ecosystems, and compromises public access to beaches and inter-tidal areas. (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…)

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.

..
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…)

Major industry player takes a stand for sustainable design

Explicit expression of concrete, steel and glass in the south elevation illustrates the company’s primary focus on construction. The Centennial Learning Centre becomes the new front door to an existing campus of company buildings.

.
A corporate headquarters must be more than simply shelter from the storm. Ideally, it is a living, breathing advertisement conveying the image, values and philosophy of its owner to the world. (more…)