The mandate of the University of British Columbia Renew program is to modernize, rather than replace, out-dated and obsolete buildings. By rehabilitating old structures, substantial reductions in raw materials, energy inputs, and pollutants are achieved – more than any replacement ‘green’ building could accomplish.

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Millennium Water, Vancouver

Reflections on the Promise, Process and Performance of a prototype sustainable community

With a long and checkered history spanning more than a decade, several municipal elections and  multiple  about-turns in design direction, the development of Vancouver’s South East False Creek [SEFC] sustainable neighbourhood, has attracted more controversy than any other planning initiative since Expo ’86.

JIM TAGGART

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Richmond Olympic Oval

At night the structure of the building is clearly visible: the main arches that span 100m across the sports hall spring from inclined concrete buttresses, while the gently curved roof panels soften the silhouette [photo by Hubert Kang].

by Jim Taggart

The Richmond Olympic Oval is the largest structure to be built for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games to be held in Vancouver and Whistler BC. The Oval has been designed to accommodate the Olympic long track speed-skating events with seating for 8,000 spectators, before being transformed into a multi-sports training and recreation facility after the Games. Located adjacent to the Middle Arm of the Fraser River minutes from Vancouver’s international airport, the facility will become the focus of a new residential and commercial neighbourhood. (more…)

Since the environment is now invoked by politicians world-wide to justify almost anything, Canadians should watch Vancouver, where the catchy political slogan of Eco-Density has now replaced sound planning process and policy at City Hall. (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…)

Vancouver’s much debated EcoDensity Charter will finally be put before city council for ratification next month. Not a policy document, but rather one that influences policy, the charter describes itself as ‘a contract between the city and its citizens, both current and future.’ (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…)

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…)