Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) soar in popularity as Construction goes Green! In communities across Canada, people are recycling more, driving less, and conserving water. Millions of people are now passionate about the efficient use of natural resources — and that…
Sustainable Development requires a balance to be maintained between development and the environment. It promotes inter-generational equity, i.e. better quality of life for present and future generations. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) do exactly just that! ICF building structures are sustainable…
Olympia Retirement Condominium development with a 4.9 acre parcel of greenspace in north Niagara Falls. – See more here.
Bamboo building products (especially flooring) have been steadily gaining traction as an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional hardwood options and it’s easy to see why. Not only is bamboo durable and attractive, it is also able to regenerate within ten years, which makes it an extremely sustainable resource.
Birds aren’t generally a consideration when designing a building, but the wild bird populations are dwindling and glass collision is the biggest culprit in bird deaths, so it’s perhaps time to add birds to design considerations. It’s much easier and cheaper to make small changes to accommodate our feathered friends in the design phase than it is to retrofit, so let’s take a look at some ways in which we can keep unwanted birds out and help preserve our wild bird populations.
As housing picks up in North America, a shortage of lumber and building supplies is driving prices up. As the gap between the cost of traditional building materials and insulated concrete forms drops, more and more discerning homeowners are making the switch to ICFs. It’s easy to see why; ICFs offer an abundance of advantages over stick-frame homes and help homeowners to save on insurance costs and utility bills.
The Danish capital is well on its way to being the world’s first carbon neutral city; a dream which could be realized as early as 2025. The city has formulated a complex plan which sees investment in green energy, a retrofit of the city’s heating system and getting their citizens out of their cars and into public transport. Cities produce more than 70% of CO2 emissions and consume 2/3 of the world’s energy. Success in Copenhagen could set a new standard for other cities to follow and help reduce the effects of climate change.
There is no recipe for the perfect net zero home, but there are principles that guide the design professional in creating a structure where all the components work together in a harmony of energy conservation and generation. Energy is conserved with an effective building envelope, efficient appliances and structural orientation while a source of renewable energy provides all the power you need for a clean energy slate. Here are the (arguably) five most important elements in creating an effective net zero structure.
Real estate is a very precious commodity on the island of Manhattan; one of New York’s most upmarket neighborhoods. With property at a premium, there is scant room for parks which means that innovative architects have had to think outside—make that below—the box. Meet the Lowline; the world’s first underground park.
A new project by Chris Magwood and the team from Endeavor Center is pushing the envelope of green building technology. Unlike other projects of its kind, this home in Peterborough was built without the help of grants or subsidies, but as a purely commercial effort. This is because Chris believes that the market is changing and the building industry must emulate that change to meet the growing demand for greener homes: “Placing the house on the open market will hopefully show other builders that there is an appetite for homes of this type. We believe that the market is changing and that owners are willing to invest in a home that has very low operating costs and a high degree of resilience, and which makes their health and wellbeing a priority,” said Magwood.
