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Architecture
Wood and Sustainable Architecture
Since the first aboriginal peoples crafted longhouses from the forests of coastal British Columbia, wood in its many forms has played a pivotal role in our built environment. As a young British architect in the early 70s, I was drawn here by the seemingly limitless design freedom offered by post-and-beam and platform-frame construction — the liberation of space from the restrictions of load-bearing masonry familiar to me. This freedom of spatial expression central to the West Coast modernism of the day was strengthened further through the often seamless connectivity between interior and exterior spaces — between man and nature.
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Designing Sustainable Communities
The influence that the sustainable design movement has had on the design of buildings is beginning to make a positive impact. Progressive Canadian cities such as Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver have mandated LEED standards for their facilities. The effect of private development has also begun to be felt, however greater opporunities for sustainable design can occur with the design of communities.
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Solar Shading Application: Vancouver Olympic Village
Solar building shading has become an increasing consideration of exterior building design as interest has grown in conserving energy and improving building comfort levels. At the 2010 Olympic Athletes Village in Vancouver, 16 new buildings are emerging, all with highly sustainable mandates, and all deploying an array of solar screening devises.
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