On Wednesday last week, I finally attended a 6 hour seminar on Understanding the Living Building Challenge (LBC) , part of the Living Future Unconference here in Vancouver. I wanted to attend the Roadshow, but time didn't permit until now. I have to say, I'm really impressed by both the LBC and the attendees. The Challenge … Continue reading Understanding the Living Building Challenge
Design
My views on creating a healthy and sustainable architecture
Contaminated Drywall
Imagine for a moment, you have a brand new home, or renovation. You move in, and those familiar smells are there: plastic, paint, rotten eggs. You think you just need to get used to the "new home smell" and begin building your life there. Now imagine not only do you have to get used to … Continue reading Contaminated Drywall
Hands-free Taps and Bacteria
Yesterday, an article caught my attention in the Toronto Star; a study done at John Hopkins Hospital found more bacteria in hands-free faucet models than in manual ones. The electronic faucets have been replaced. I find this study fascinating. According to the article: "the bacteria is able to grow in this one style of faucet because … Continue reading Hands-free Taps and Bacteria
What is Evidence-Based Design?
An architect I know called Evidence-Based Design just another buzzword term, like Integrated Design (ID). While Integrated Design is not such a term, the architect believed ID was good practice, and a good architect always involves consultants right from the start of design. He believed ID was a buzzword because it's a term used to … Continue reading What is Evidence-Based Design?
Apologies
Life has been in turmoil for the past little while, and my reasons for lack of posting had to do primarily with studying for my NCARB ARE exams to get my licence with the AIBC. I have one more (out of 7) to do - provided I passed my structures last week.Hopefully some new posts … Continue reading Apologies
Crazy Demolition
I'm sorry if the video is out of whack with my site, I'm trying the embed code for the first time. This happened right outside my apartment building almost 2 weeks ago; I'm so glad I wasn't walking by like I usually do twice a week. 21 luxury residences are going into this site, so … Continue reading Crazy Demolition
Seattle: Music, Jim Henson and Frank O. Gehry
On Saturday I took the Quick Shuttle from Vancouver to Seattle and back again, on a journey to actually venture in to see the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum (EMP/SFM), specifically the Jim Henson Exhibit. (If you've never taken the Quick Shuttle, its a pretty nice experience, inexpensive and though the border can take some … Continue reading Seattle: Music, Jim Henson and Frank O. Gehry
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