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…]
The Model Urban Homestead
This year our office has submitted an entry in Habitat for Humanity’s annual gingerbread house contest and fundraising raffle. Entitled “Modern Urban Homestead” our delicious little dwelling tries to present many of the ideas that would go into making our homes more sustainable. The main concept is to change the orientation of the home from being a consumer outpost in a global food/energy/manufacturing system, to being about producing, giving back, taking responsibility, and turning wastes into food and energy – just like nature does. [Read more…]
Kitchen cabinets: choosing sustainably
At our booth at the recent Organic Island Festival I was asked what kind of kitchen cabinets would be best from a sustainability perspective. Here was my suggestion: [Read more…]
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