Lately we’ve expanded our design portfolio with some new ideas for coach houses (also known as laneway houses or garden suites). We applaud the recent decision by the Comox town council, who recognize that the time is right for this very accessible and versatile housing option. [Read more…]
Passive House Institute 2013 – Vancouver
Last Sunday I returned from the two-day Passive House North conference, where the theme was Affordable Energy Efficiency for Cold Climates.
As the first such gathering of Passive House pioneers, engineers, architects & designers, builders, suppliers and interested folks to be held in North America, it delivered a wealth of information about this exciting way of building. A few of the main takeaways… [Read more…]
Future-friendly design in Prince George, BC
This summer our clients moved into their new 2500 SF home on an acreage outside of town. From the outset they were passionately committed to energy efficiency and the use of renewables. [Read more…]
The Resilient Home
There is a saying that goes:“When the shelter is secure, the storm is good”. I was thinking of this as we sat in the dark the morning of March 12th.
The windstorm that tore through the South Coast on that morning was in many ways a metaphor for a whole range of forces outside our control – like energy price fluctuations and economic uncertainty – that have the potential to impact our lives. These are increasingly part of the daily news cycle, leading to growing anxiety throughout society. [Read more…]
Green building forum well-received
The following is the text of a 10 minute presentation given as part of a Green Building Forum at Victoria’s annual Organic Island Sustainability Festival, held July 10 and 11th, 2010.
Good morning. In the time I have available I’d like to share with you some ideas about what I think sustainable design means and some ways we can design homes to reduce their ecological footprint, reduce their cost and make them more resilient places to live the years to come. [Read more…]
Building NetZero-ready
Here’s a science-fiction proposition: What if the freely available energy falling every day as sunlight on your home could keep you warm, cook your food, run your washing machine and TV, even power the family car, and at the end of the year, your energy bill would be zero? [Read more…]
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