Ziptrek Ecotours

Home is Where the (Green) Heart Is

July 2010

A new wave of green thinking is beginning to wash over the housing and development sector here in British Columbia.

According to the government of B.C., “Green Building supports sustainability through the entire building lifecycle: location, site, building exterior and interior, operational attributes and changes of use or building demolition.” Green Building practices encourage highly efficient as well as renewable energy consumption, which in turn provide economic benefits that offset the costs of planning, designing and building green.

The Green Building phenomenon is prolific throughout Japan and many countries in Europe. In these areas of the world, sustainable planning and building regulations set by the government, as well as highly competitive certification processes are the driving forces behind the Green Building movement.      

Currently in B.C., the closest we have to green building legislation is the Energy Efficiency Act, which sets energy performance standards for the devices in our homes. This includes appliances, lighting, heating and cooling systems. In the works is an ongoing initiative entitled “Greening the Building Code” with multiple foci, including high efficiency toilets, inclusion of solar panels and improved energy codes. For more information about this initiative, check out www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/green/ .

While this initiative is a step in the right direction, it is irrefutable that B.C. has some major catching up to do when it comes to truly integrating Green Building into our cities. The crux of the issue? Here in Canada, Green Building is optional. Support and incentives exist for those who wish to get involved, but little regulation currently exists from the federal or provincial government.

Despite the lack of regulation, individual efforts in the sustainable housing sector in Canada are extremely encouraging. Multiple projects exist in Whistler alone which act as motivating examples of the potential of Green Building.

A powerful example is the new residential neighbourhood Cheakamus Crossing, the former Athlete’s Village. This area’s sustainable initiatives are multitudinous. Environmental impact was a major consideration for the development and layout of the community. 90% of the energy requirements are generated by renewable power from heat exchangers in the nearby waste-water treatment plant. The units also feature efficient water usage, as well as incorporating sustainable materials in both the construction and in the interior of the complexes.

Another inspirational example of Green Building here in Whistler is the Beaver Flats accommodation. Located in Creekside, this complex has utilized the earth’s ground temperature to heat and cool the units. Additionally, double glazed windows, highly effective insulation and an abundance of PowerSmart appliances were installed. These green building principles lower operating costs, thereby ensuring that locals can afford monthly accommodation.

Finally, Hughes Condon Marler Architects (HCMA), a B.C. leader in sustainable design and construction, have developed the Whistler Public Library and the Spring Creek Firehall. Both of these projects utilize green roofs, local building materials, and innovative design to decrease energy usage.

These local success stories of Green Building act to propel us forward; to prove to Canadians that sustainability is not limited to household practices like recycling and buying local. Green Building has the potential to move our cities towards true sustainability. To achieve that goal, we must first develop regulations to ensure that those people building green are not the exceptions, but the rule.

For more details on these projects and other local sustainability initiatives check out Whistler2020.ca and whistler.ca .

by: Alison McKenzie