Sustainability as a Driver of Artistic Innovation

Artistic originality is rarely mentioned in the context of sustainable architecture and construction. For example, Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid-like buildings have not found a place in this magazine. In fact, when architects of this avant-garde ilk claim how their buildings do deploy environmentally-responsible features, their claims have seemed to lack credibility or at best sound like secondary rationales. I firmly believe, however, that environmentally-responsible thinking can be a fruitful driver of artistic innovation in architecture.

By Paul Raff

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Calgary Court Centre

Bridges connect the towers across the light-filled atrium at every level

by Bill Chomik

Located in the heart of Calgary, the new court centre serves both federal and provincial jurisdictions with a total of 73 courtrooms - one configured specifically for aboriginal hearings - making it the largest court facility in Canada. The design for the 1 million SF complex was driven by concerns for transparency, public space, sustainability, circulation, and flexibility. (more…)

Net Zero Water

Sustainability performance at the building, neighbourhood and city scale

Emerging storm water management methods represent a key approach to sustainability of integrating ecosystems within our infrastructure. [NE Siskiyou Green Street, Portland, OR; Kevin Robert Perry, ASLA]

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How water and waste infrastructure strategies at different scales, from the building to the city, can respond to sustainability and other challenges. (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…)

A closed loop approach to materials, products and manufacturing processes

Haworth’s Gold-rated Zody Chair®. Cradle to Cradle™ Certified materials are eligible for a LEED point as an Innovation Design credit. [Photo: Haworth, Inc.]

Created by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry [MBDC] and first launched in 1995, the Cradle to Cradle design protocol evaluates, optimizes and certifies materials, products and manufacturing processes for their human health, ecological and life cycle impacts. (more…)