An educational tool in its own right

The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation in Penticton is a post-secondary training facility for students entering the new generation of sustainable building trades. With a floor area of 7,000 sq.m the project is by far the largest of Canada’s current contenders for the Living Building Challenge [LBC].

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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…)

New rating systems will change our ways

Green roof of the Burnside Gorge community Centre controls stormwater runoff as part of a landscaping strategy that contributes points to LEED Gold certification.

We think of the landscape as green by default. In reality, it is challenging to achieve this goal in urban areas where requirements are imposed by market expectations, municipal requirements, and a range of other factors.
At the same time, green building rating systems are beginning to demonstrate their power to transform both the market and the regulatory context, and are offering opportunities for landscape architects, engineers, and other designers to apply a variety of new approaches to site development. (more…)

CMHC’s EQuilibrium initiative sets new course

The 12 EQuilibrium houses will be “Net zero” energy: producing as much energy as they use over the course of a year, and could well set the course for the design and construction of future housing in Canada. [Photo: Will Bruder Architects, Ltd.]

The Canadian housing industry has seen several green design initiatives in the past number of years, ranging from R2000 to Super E. To a greater or lesser degree, each of these programs has had the effect of leveraging our newer housing stock to higher levels of performance. (more…)