Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com
I recently had the pleasure of getting a tour of Light House Sustainable Building Centre. The new 5,400-square-foot facility at 2060 Pine Street in Vancouver is designed to inspire and provide advice and practical skills for sustainable building projects large and small. The facility showcases the newest innovations in green building technologies and serves as an education and resource centre.
Light House was instrumental in the greening of the Olympic Games, coordinating the integrated design process for the Vancouver athletes’ village and providing technical assistance to Whistler’s athletes’ village as it worked towards meeting the Whistler Green standard. Light House staff continue to undertake research and consulting projects helping to shape policies throughout BC, including projects for the City of Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver.
Whether you are a home owner looking to renovate your home or a builder/contractor, Light House has something for you. The Light House website includes comprehensive information about everything related to sustainable building including:
- a directory of architects and contractors that specialize in sustainable building
- a directory of green building products from appliances to lighting and flooring and more
- information about grants and incentives for homeowners or developers
- green jobs if you are looking for work in the industry
- upcoming events, workshops and seminars
- and so much more
Of special note is the 2010 Green Building Challenge, an initiative that began in 2008. Light House proposed a challenge to homeowners, small business owners, and strata councils to green their homes and workplaces in time for the Vancouver Winter Olympics following a stringent set of energy, water, and waste reduction targets and strategies. A draw took place and 10 British Columbians were chosen to receive free technical assistance for their renovations.
Light House has now put together case studies and reporting on the reductions achieved by each project. In addition, they are hosting a series of workshops summarizing findings from the projects as well as tours of some of the completed projects.
Click on a date below for more information or to register:
March 13: Home Heating workshop (10am-noon) followed by a tour of the Moore-Babicki Residence
March 18: Green Building for Stratas workshop (6-8pm)
March 27: Prefab and Laneway Homes workshop (10am-noon) followed by a tour of a laneway home project
Cybele Negris is Co-Founder of Webnames.ca, Canada’s Original Domain Registrar. She is on the Boards of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business BC, Government of BC Small Business Roundtable and the Vancouver Economic Development Commission. More information is available at cybele.tel or webnames.tel. Follow on Twitter @cybelenegris and @webnames
