the dutch are calling...

this is real and not a figment of my imagination.
not related to CaGBC, but...definitely, literally, green (more evidence that I belong in the Netherlands)

more photos : http://www.dezeen.com/2010/05/17/inntel-hotel-by-wam-architecten/

the changing definition of beauty

Thinking Green: Function Over Form

By HOLLAND COTTER

Published: May 13, 2010

“Why Design Now?” the new edition of the Cooper-Hewitt’s National Design Triennial, is the most ecology-conscious yet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/arts/design/14design.html

Team Field Trip!

Team GTA-GBC is awesome! Lyle worked some magic and organized an all-day outing to see some of actual LEED Platinum & Gold buildings in real life. We spent an amazing and exhilarating Friday getting exclusive tours of Toronto's hidden green gems set in the backdrop of the Humber Valley and acres and acres of green trees, butterflies, and birds. We visited the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Restoration Services LEED Platinum building, The Kortright Center: EarthRangers (site of the World Green Building Council office), and the Archetype Houses. After the whirl-wind of activities in the last 2 weeks with meeting all the who's who and learning the what's what of the building industry, it was really rewarding to finally get to see how a LEED certified building in action. While at Earth Rangers, we ran into Nicole & Dominick from the World Green Building Council, and they joined us on a tour as well. The amazing part is that for an average consumer with little technical knowledge (like myself), the experience of working and living in a green building will probably be no different than any other type of building (although there is something to be said for having fresh air circulation and natural lighting). Of course, the main difference is behind the scenes- it's the smart, efficient, and savvy use of existing technologies that make green buildings resource efficient and healthier for the environment and soul. Why this hasn't been implemented on a large scale is a mystery to me- but, I'm hopeful that change is happening and orgs like the GBC are making it happen.

My camera died so no photos, but hopefully Marcus will post some. Some fun highlights of the trip:

• Composting toilets at TRCA Restoration Services!
• Solar photovoltaic panels on the roofs of the Archetype houses (w/ the Green Energy Act FIT, produces $4k annually!!! high cost upfront (~$50K) but simple payback in 10 years- Yay econ 6170!!!)
• Solar PV & wind turbine test sites at the Living City (so awesome!!!)
• Standing inside the groundspring air/fan converter machine thingy (j'amaze- my worse nightmare -claustrophobia, being entombed whilst alive, etc- but so awesome!!!)
• Solar PV arrays in the Earth Rangers parking lot
• A magnificent bald eagle in a bird cage at Earth Rangers (the symbol of American freedom, caged by Canada...oh the irony! :-))
• Recycled paper kitchen countertops in Archetype House!!!

Chapter Meeting Funtimes

Yesterday was the Toronto Chapter's monthly meeting featuring a special presentation from GBCI & CaGBC. The free event packed the room and gave me a better idea of the Chapter's member-base. I even ran into one of my Schulich classmates at the event! A good 100-150 folks showed up to learn more about the changes that are taking place with LEED certification in Canada.

The transition is complex- in short, there will now be specializations of LEED that you can test for- for example, LEED AP Neighborhood Development, and LEED AP New Construction, etc. You will also be required to test for LEED Green Associate designation, in order to become LEED certified. There are also backend transitions that are occurring, and important to know for Canadians in particular: not all LEED exams are currently available yet- so you have to travel to the States to get LEED certified at the moment. More information can be available at CaGBC.org.

Board Meets Board Event

Before I forget, a few photos from a pre-internship event that Lyle graciously invited us to. Located in the new LEED Gold RBC building. Photos courtesy of Marcus Chan.

Day 2

Second day of work and getting into the groove of things. The commute from York U is not as bad as I thought it would be- I leave campus at 8 and arrive downtown around 8:45am. Mondays & Tuesdays are going to be long days since I'm also doing the MBA part-time, which means 3 hour night courses after work- gets me home at 11pm! Lyle & Claudia have been so hospitable and great to us interns, and I'm happy to be working with Marcus too (he's sitting across from me as I type this!). The Toronto Chapter is in an exciting growth stage and there's a lot of work in store. Onward and upward! Until next time...