Articles tagged with "Sustainability"

Nak’azdli Development Corp. and Deadwood Innovations have created a new prefabricated home model in Canada that uses mass timber panels made from local lumber, aiming to address housing shortages in remote and rural communities. The Timber House project leverages local resources and involves collaborations with academic institutions to enhance affordable and sustainable housing solutions. The expedited construction process involves producing panels in controlled environments during winter to speed up assembly in summer. The initiative also revitalizes local sawmills by transforming low-quality timber into high-quality components.

The Construction Plastics Initiative (CPI) Benchmarking Study by Vancouver-based Light House assesses plastic waste management in Canadian construction projects. It highlights that plastics are often under-tracked and under-managed, calling for better reporting and recycling practices. The study aims to guide the industry towards a circular economy, supported by initiatives like pilot programs in British Columbia. It suggests that plastic diversion rates could eclipse 80% with improved practices and partnerships.

Sightline Properties has proposed a major redevelopment near Vancouver's Renfrew SkyTrain station, involving four mixed-use high-rise residential towers with 1,959 homes. This development, the first under the city's new Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan, aims to integrate transit-oriented density with sustainable design features. The project, spanning 133,000 square feet, will include both condominium and rental units, along with retail spaces, and will be constructed in phases. The towers will range from 39 to 45 storeys, with a portion of the housing being below-market rental units.

The Chief George Leonard Building is a multi-unit Indigenous housing development in Vancouver, known for its use of mass timber, modular and prefabricated construction, and robotic technology. It meets Passivhaus standards, making it energy efficient and sustainable. The project addresses Indigenous social housing needs and was unanimously approved by the Vancouver City Council in the spring of 2021. Located at 1766 Frances Street, it exemplifies innovative and sustainable building practices.

BC Hydro, the City of Victoria, and the District of Saanich have received funding from the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program to install 495 electric vehicle chargers across British Columbia. BC Hydro will receive $21.8 million to install nearly 400 chargers across various locations, while Victoria and Saanich will receive smaller amounts for municipal and community installations. This funding aims to enhance the province's EV charging infrastructure despite public opposition to new-car EV sales mandates. The initiative targets increasing accessibility in main travel routes, public locations, and residential areas.

Amacon is proposing the construction of two towers at 1745 W 8th Avenue in Vancouver, replacing a low-rise commercial building. The project will include a 28-storey and a 29-storey tower, providing a total of 528 residential units, of which 107 will be social housing. Rezoning from commercial to comprehensive development is sought to facilitate this project that aligns with Vancouver's Broadway plan for mixed-use development and community benefits.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has opened the Tall Timber student housing residence at its Burnaby campus, adding 469 beds and expanding affordable on-campus housing for the first time in 40 years. The 12-storey building, constructed with sustainable mass timber, meets B.C.'s highest energy efficiency standards and supports the institution's effort to create vibrant student communities. Funded with $129 million from the B.C. government and $3 million in donations, the facility aims to reduce commute times, ease local rental market pressures, and promote student success. It is recognized as the tallest mass-timber building in Burnaby.

The article discusses the challenges and methodologies of conducting airtightness testing in large and multi-zone buildings. It highlights the limited availability of data for such buildings due to complexity and lack of regulation, in contrast to the well-documented data for single-zone residential buildings. The research presented aims to fill existing knowledge gaps by providing additional data from tests on 29 buildings in British Columbia, focusing on factors like building archetypes and air barrier strategies.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank and Creative Energy have secured a $50-million loan to advance the deep decarbonization of buildings through district energy systems. This initiative will help reduce over 90% of emissions by transitioning from natural gas to efficient electricity-based systems in British Columbia and Ontario. The first implementation will occur at Thompson Rivers University, upgrading multiple buildings with heat pumps on its Kamloops campus. This effort aims to decrease emissions from buildings, which account for a significant portion of Canada's total emissions.

The Canadian Wood Council welcomed a $1.2 billion federal investment announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, aimed at supporting Canada's forest sector and increasing the use of Canadian wood in construction. This includes $700 million in loan guarantees and $500 million for innovation, workforce development, and market diversification. The investment aligns with the council's initiatives to promote sustainable wood-based construction solutions to meet housing and climate goals. The council is committed to continuing collaboration with government, industry, and construction professionals to enhance the use of sustainable wood systems.

BC Hydro has completed the commissioning of the final generating unit at the Site C project, enabling the facility to generate over 1,100 megawatts of electricity. This development increases BC Hydro's total electricity supply by about eight percent, providing power for approximately 500,000 homes annually. The project enhances clean energy capacity, supporting British Columbia's future energy needs. Remaining construction includes completing the powerhouse and addressing safety concerns surrounding the Site C reservoir.

The Site C Dam project in British Columbia has become fully operational with the commissioning of its final generating unit. Adrian Dix, the Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, stated that this development is a crucial step toward ensuring a clean energy future for the province. The completion symbolizes significant progress in the province's infrastructure and sustainability initiatives.