As a coastal community, we’re fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful and ecologically diverse regions on the planet. The question is: how to inhabit the waterfront in a way that respects and preserves it? [Read more…]
A call for REAL change
The other day I touched base with an architect colleague who shares my passion for sustainable design. We lamented the fact that despite the growing certainty about the very real consequences of climate change and environmental degradation, green building hasn’t taken off as we’d hoped it would in this country. As one example of this: back in December 2013, when I took my Passive House training, there were about 40 projects built or in planning in Canada. A quick online search of the PH database reveals that now, two years later, there are only 15 built Passive Houses in Canada, (while 371 have been built in the U.S.) – disappointing numbers, to be sure, and indicative of a movement that’s lost its momentum. [Read more…]
The Winds of Change?
This month’s election in Alberta sent shockwaves through the country when the NDP took the win in a longtime conservative stronghold. That province’s recession is held up as a primary reason for the upset. While incredulous that a once-rich province could have come to such a pass, many are hopeful that the new premier will lead the way back into prosperity. [Read more…]
Planning For Pets
Recently my family became the proud guardians of a lovely rescue dog from Mexico. Canela (Spanish for “cinnamon”) has undergone quite a transformation from feral to family, and in the process she has made our lives much bigger with her quiet and loving presence. As her photo suggests, she’s a big girl. Her mellow nature allowed her to integrate into our home almost effortlessly. [Read more…]
