Public Review: Improving The Energy Performance of All Buildings

The Province of British Columbia invites you to participate in a public review of proposed changes to the BC Building Code that adopt updated energy efficiency requirements. This public review is an important step in the code development process and provides a forum where everyone can review proposals and provide comments. It includes the following:

• A proposal to reference both the 2011 National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) and ASHRAE 90.1 – 2010 as two possible compliance options for large residential, industrial, commercial and institutional buildings (Part 3);
• A proposal to adopt the newly-published revisions to the National Building Code relating to energy efficiency of housing and small buildings (Part 9); and
• A proposal to adopt new ventilation requirements for Part 9 housing to maintain occupant health and safety.

The proposed changes would also have an impact on Part 10 in the BC Building Code. Note: as is customary, a volunteer committee of the AIBC will help to formulate the institute’s formal response to this review process. However, individual members are encouraged to share their own opinions and concerns. The public review is open from November 2 to December 15, 2012 through the Building and Safety Standards Branch website: http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/green/energy/index.htm. For additional information, please contact Codes Administrator Zachary May at Zachary.May@gov.bc.ca.

Active Design in Offices Gets Workers to Move

By Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY
October 28, 2012

The push to reverse the obesity epidemic and promote physical fitness is spilling into design and architecture and beginning to target one of the nation’s most sedentary environments: the office. “Active design” — the architectural principle of creating spaces that encourage healthy lifestyles — is gaining popularity as more cities and companies join the fight and embrace healthy initiatives and “green” measures. More … http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/10/28/active-design-obesity-offices/1657075/.

The Birth of Cool Vancouver

By John MacKie, Vancouver Sun
November 6, 2012

Selwyn Pullan has to have one of the greatest names in the history of Vancouver. He also took some of its coolest photos. The 90-year-old was the top architectural photographer during Vancouver’s golden era of mid-century modernism, documenting the vision of architects like Arthur Erickson, Ron Thom, Ned Pratt, Fred Hollingsworth and Barry Downs. More … http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/birth+Cool+Vancouver/7503805/story.html.