Shelter

Cohousing is an international housing style pioneered in Denmark more than 40 years ago, designed to foster true community among all residents.

by Kathryn Hazel with assistance from Suzanne Gregory

Have you ever wished that you lived where your children didn’t have to dodge cars? Could build that cabinet for your didgeridoo collection, without having to buy all the tools? Had somebody to watch the baby while you were busy shampooing the dog? 

Then cohousing may be for you! Cohousing is an international housing style pioneered in Denmark more than 40 years ago, designed to foster true community

Whether you are building or renovating, the green homes approach to housing reduces environmen­tal impacts, reduces long-term building operations and maintenance costs, increases marketability and building value, and results in healthier indoor environments. Perhaps the most important aspect of build­ing a green home is that it is not an “all or nothing” process. When carefully selected and implemented, even modest measures can result in significant conservation of resources. Green homes are also uniquely local as climates, customs, availability of materials and preferences vary so much throughout

When one of Canada’s largest mainstream retail companies sells across-the-counter solar panels and has a new website devoted to all things environmental, one can safely say to Kermit the frog: “It’s no longer hard being green.”

by Leslie Gillett

“Canadian Tire recognized a growing need for environmentally sustainable choices a couple of years ago,” says head office spokesperson Sarah Rodgers.

by Paula Steele 

It started with a question: How do you encourage 6,000 homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient? The City of Colwood had just completed its Community Energy and Emissions Plan, which identified that energy retrofits to existing homes would help the community reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, as well as creating local jobs and

by Susan MacVittie 

Spring is a time when many homeowners are inspired to clean, purge and remodel. But before making a stop for supplies at your local hardware store, think of your renovation as another opportunity to go green.

 Buildings are responsible for 40% of worldwide

by Guy Dauncey

It’s only twenty years ahead, but innovation in the building industry is happening faster than in any previous era, driven by concerns about climate change and a desire to end our dependency on ancient fossil fuels. 

Do we really have to drill deep into the Gulf of Florida and the Arctic or tear up a chunk of Alberta’s boreal forest to get the energy we need? Many people hope not, and when it comes to our buildings this is driving a wave of innovation that will change everything. So come with me on a visit to the future. 

It is 2032, and we are driving out in our smart electric vehicle with its 1,000 kilometre range to visit a new 250- unit development.

As a result of a visioning exercise in 2008 organized by Ecotrust Canada, five Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations have agreed on one common need across Clayoquot Sound: improved housing. The Qwii-qwiq-sap (pronounced Quay-quick-sup in the Nuu-chah-nulth language and meaning ‘transformation’), ‘Standing Tree to Standing Home’ initiative is a direct response to that shared need.

Co-managed by Tla-oqui- aht, Hesquiaht, Ahousaht, YuutuɁitɁaht and Toquaht First Nations, together with Ecotrust Canada and the Clayoquot Forest Communities Program, Qwii-qwiq-sap focuses on building the conservation economy by empowering communities to define and create their own circles of wealth.