Cascadia Green Building Council l International Living Future Institute

Quantifying the Environmental Value of Building Reuse

While there is increasing discussion in various green building forums about the benefits of reusing buildings, few studies have sought to quantify the differences between the environmental impacts of building reuse versus new construction. This two-part workshop begins with the release of a recent study, “The Green Building: Quantifying the Environmental Value of Building Reuse”, the most comprehensive analysis to date comparing the environmental impacts of demolition and new construction to building reuse and retrofits. The second part of this workshop examines “Historic Places – Leaders of Built Environment Stewardship: Responsible Rehabilitation.” Participants will gain understanding of how, by studying heritage conservation approaches to heritage buildings, we can become better stewards of existing buildings. This two-part workshop takes place around the province this spring at the following locations:

• The Green Building: Quantifying the Environmental Value of Building Reuse
  
  • Victoria – Monday, February 18, 2013, 6:45 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Kelowna – Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Nelson – Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
  • Vancouver – Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

To register, visit http://living-future.org/events/upcoming/cascadia.

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•           Historic Places – Leaders of the Built Environment Stewardship: Responsible Rehabilitation
  • Victoria – Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 6:45 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Kelowna –  Monday, February 25, 2013, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Nelson –  Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Vancouver – Thursday, March 21, 2013, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

To register, visit  http://living-future.org/events/upcoming/cascadia.

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January AIBC Council Meeting Agenda Now Available

The final draft agenda for the AIBC Council meeting scheduled for 22 January 2013 is now available. Click here for January 2013 Agenda.

SSAC Call For Papers

The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada invites presentation proposals for the SSAC Annual Conference 2013, taking place in Edmonton from May 29 to June 1, 2013. Eight session topics are proposed:

• Cities Transformed: Adaptive Reuse and the Urban Fabric
• Architectures of Renewal: On the ‘New’ First Nation Architecture of Canada
• The role of government programs in the conservation and commemoration of the built environment
• Churches at the heart of the community
• Toward Positive Social Engagement: Can architecture (still) have an impact?
• Canada’s “Master Architect”: Arthur Erickson and the Public Realm
• Teaching Architectural or Design History in Canada
• Current Research

Presenters are required to be members in good standing of the SSAC at the time of the conference. Proposals may be in French or English. The deadline for proposals is Thursday, January 31, 2013. For additional information, visit http://www.canada-architecture.org/conference.aspx.

Sustainable Region Initiative

The Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues and Sustainability Community Breakfasts are outreach components of Metro Vancouver’s Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI). They involve a series of high-profile debates and discussions intended to help decision makers shape the future of the region by presenting a range of views and stimulating fresh thought on regional issues such as housing, industry, labour and immigration, drugs and crime, regional economy, transportation, energy and agriculture. Please check the web site often to find out about future dialogues in your community.

 

Sustainable Community Breakfast: Reducing Carbon Makes Dollars and Sense

Small and medium-sized businesses can play an important role in fighting climate change while keeping costs down. Since 2010, Metro Vancouver has co-funded more than 300 businesses to take a Climate Smart training program to explore options for reducing their carbon footprint. Join us as we showcase three businesses that have come through this program, with stories about how reducing greenhouse gas emissions has helped their bottom line. Speakers include:

• Nigel Bullers, Senior Vice President – Securiguard Services Ltd.;
• Heather Deal, Councillor – City of Vancouver; Chair- Environment and Parks Committee;
• Jonathan Meads, Sustainability Manager – Concert Properties;
• Morten Schroder, Vice President Operations, BC – Van Houtte Coffee Services; and
• Elizabeth Sheehan, President – Climate Smart.

It takes place Thursday, January 24, 2013, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. at the British Columbia Institute of Technology Downtown Vancouver Campus, 555 Seymour Street. To attend, register online at http://apps2.metrovancouver.org/sustainability/Smailing_list/EventRegistration.asp?EventID=183. If you cannot make it in person, tune into the live stream broadcast by visiting http://www.metrovancouver.org/region/breakfasts/Pages/default.aspx.

Wood In Communities

The B.C. forest products industry invites you to check out three recently-completed B.C. wood demonstration projects: North Shore Credit Union Environmental Learning Centre (McFarland Marceau Architects Ltd.), Elkford Community Conference Centre (Douglas Sollows Architect Inc.) and City of North Vancouver Civic Centre Renovation (mgb architecture.). These projects were selected to expand the use of wood by applying traditional products in non-traditional ways, or creating innovative wood solutions structurally or architecturally. The demonstration buildings introduce and showcase new workable wood solutions that have the greatest potential for commercial viability – important innovations that will accelerate the adoption of the wood design and engineering systems not only in B.C., but internationally. A common component in all three project innovations is the introduction of mass timber – large, complete wall, floor and roof sections made from engineered wood products. Applicable for a variety of building types and sizes, these products offer significant benefits in terms of fire, acoustic and structural performance, scale possibilities, rigidity, stability and construction efficiency. If you can’t visit the demonstration projects in person, you can view them online at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL85Gt5s9miEfwNUy_quNrGKMxWxPNTbH2.

Call for Nominations: 2013 Cascadia Board of Directors

Are you interested in taking a leadership role in the bioregion’s most influential green building NGO? Cascadia Green Building Council is the heartbeat of the International Living Future Institute, and a Board of Directors position lets you stand out across the bioregion as a leading change agent and green building pioneer. Cascadia is looking for candidates that represent a wide variety of stakeholders including  the utilities, finance, development, education, government and research sectors. There are three seats open in the upcoming election; including one for a British Columbia representative. Eligible candidates must be CGBC members. Nominations will be accepted until February 22, 2013, with voting to begin on March 8, 2013. For detailed information and to bring forward your nomination, go online to http://legacy.cascadiagbc.org/people/elections/board-elections-2013/.

British Columbia Building Envelope Council

Passive House Lessons Learned (Victoria)
In this presentation, Mark Bernhardt and Rob Bernhardt of Bernhardt Contracting Ltd. will focus on building envelope issues and solutions in constructing a two-family residence in Saanich while targeting certification by the Passive House Institute. The goal of this project, currently under construction, is to deliver a building that is more affordable than a similar building built to conventional standards by investing in design and the quality of the envelope. In doing so, the mechanical system is simplified, resulting in cost savings. The project also seeks to utilize commonly-used materials and assemblies. Attendees will learn about the assemblies used, including locally fabricated wall panels and locally manufactured windows, constructed and installed to minimize thermal bridging and maximize energy performance and durability. In addition, you will hear about lessons learned in achieving the required 0.6 ACH@50Pa air tightness rating and the simplified mechanical system that was made possible through the high performance building enclosure. It takes place Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 12:00 noon- 1:30 p.m., at Harbour Towers, 345 Quebec Street, Victoria. To register, visit http://www.bcbec.com/seminars.php.

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Building Smart with Roofs: 2013 Half-Day Workshop on Roof Installation (Vancouver)
This session, presented by the British Columbia Building Envelope Council and the Homeowner Protection Office in partnership with RCI Western Canada Chapter (formerly known as the Roof Consultants Institute), will focus on roof system design and installation best practices for wood-frame single- and multi-unit residential buildings. Workshop sessions include:

• Roofing Systems: Building Codes, Standards and Beyond
• An Overview of Attic Ventilation Requirements
• Installation of Pitched Roofs – 101
• Re-roofing Considerations
• Evolution of Attic Ventilation
• Industry Panel Discussion

It takes place Thursday, February 21, 2013, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon at the Italian Cultural Centre Society, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver. To register, visit http://www.bcbec.com/seminars.php.

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Vancouver Heritage Society

A Conversation with Brian Jackson about Heritage in Vancouver

Heritage Vancouver welcomes Brian Jackson, the City of Vancouver’s General Manager of Planning and Development Services, for its annual heritage review. This conversation will include heritage priorities over the past year as well as a preview of the city’s heritage priorities for 2013. It takes place Monday, February 14, 2013, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue. Register in advance for this free event by visiting http://www.heritagevancouver.org/.

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How Single Women – And What They Want – Are Shaping The New Housing Market

By Dan McGInn, The Globe and Mail
January 17, 2013

When Charise Bauman bought her condominium in Toronto she wanted it to be in an established, walkable downtown neighbourhood, have a concierge service and, among other criteria, have good lighting. “Lighting is huge,” Bauman says. The 25-year-old hairdresser has a few rules about interior design, including this one: “If you’re going to put in a walk-in closet, there better be a light in there.” More … http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/real-estate/what-women-want-in-a-condo/article7442398/.

Fenestration Association of British Columbia

NAFS And The 2012 BCBC: The New Omnibus Fenestration Standard Workshop

The 2012 British Columbia Building Code references a new standard for fenestration performance by introducing new concepts and terminology. It also enables architects and specification writers to specify product quality and performance attributes with greater precision. The performance requirements for these listed fenestration products are covered by a single standards document: AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-08 – NAFS – North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors and skylights. This standard specifically addresses “commercial” windows and doors used in Part 3 mid-rise and high-rise buildings. This half-day workshop will introduce architects, engineers, specification writers and commercial glazing contractors to the standard, and explore some ways it will affect the selection, rating and performance verification of fenestration products. It takes place Tuesday, January 29, 2013, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Guildford Hotel, 15269 – 104th Avenue, Surrey. Includes a buffet breakfast and lunch. To register, visit http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6wsmobj0bc0d71a&llr=l65qeqcab.

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