“Demand is on the decline in many communities across Canada, but how much of this is because of municipal water efficiency programs? Improvements to building codes, better appliance and fixture technology and broader changes in community behaviour and customs all have a huge impact on water consumption. So does climate,” states Kirk Stinchcombe.
“An unexpected outcome of workshop program development is that we are shining the spotlight on The Living Building Challenge. This focus is the result of connecting with the right individuals at the right moment in time. We are excited to have both Mark Buehrer and Ron Schwenger participating. Both are leaders in the Living Building movement,” states Ted van der Gulik.
The team of Mark Buehrer, Craig Borland and Ron Schwenger will highlight what one needs to know about the design and installation of rainwater harvesting systems in a Living Building context.
“The goal of the Bullitt Center is to change the way buildings are designed, built and operated to improve long-term environmental performance and promote broader implementation of energy efficiency, renewable energy and other green building technologies in the Northwest,” states Mark Buehrer.
“If the private sector is the future of our industry, we must learn to speak their language; and that is the language of business based on cost, return, and profit and loss. It is now up to all of us to better demonstrate living architecture is also good for the long-term balance sheet,” writes Ron Schwenger.
“It’s great to see how the new Visitor Centre has enhanced the garden’s profile. The building has become a city landmark and we’re seeing younger and more diverse guests enjoying the expanded programming,” states Vancouver Park Board Chair Sarah Blyth.
“The innovative rainwater management approach strives to create a built condition that mimics nature through the use of features that maintain or restore a site’s natural hydrologic conditions, achieving an effective net zero amount of impervious surfaces. The Earth, just like all forms of life, needs to be able to breathe and take in water in order to maintain or restore its health,” writes Mark Buehrer.
The team of Chris Midgley, Zachary May and Cate Soroczan will connect dots and paint the “big picture” for rainwater harvesting in BC.
“The Guidebook is pragmatic. It strikes a balance between ‘too little versus too technical’ by providing information in a way that helps homeowners, builders, designers and suppliers understand what is required of them. Whether it is due to interest or regulation, it is about how to give homeowners and others the tools they need to be able to act,” states Chris Midgley.
“The BC Building Code enables innovation. Designers can propose Alternative Solutions to the Building Code. Coupled with this enabling opportunity, however, is a duty for designers to demonstrate how they are being responsible in applying an understanding of Building Science,” states Zachary May.
