To: "homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org" <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [Homestead] Sustainable design
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 10:41:32 -0500
I noted recently that many large businesses see the wisdom of becoming more
environmentally oriented. While American politicians pontificate,
businesses are moving forward with or without tax incentives. European
nations are in front of us on this as well as other issues. By comparison
we seem young and immature. From the homesteader point of view, I check out
these designs by leading architectural firms for ideas that I can use in my
designs.
Swiss Award to Canadian Projects
by ArchitectureWeek
On September 30, 2005, the Swiss Holcim Foundation for Sustainable
Construction honored three North American projects in its annual awards
program. The Holcim Foundation, in collaboration with five of the world's
leading technical universities, promotes sustainable approaches to
environmental design. The awards highlight projects that go beyond
technical solutions to consider process, human behavior, and visionary city
planning.
Holcim Foundation advisory board member, Rt. Hon. Simon Upton, (France/ New
Zealand), explains that while the concept of sustainability is being
embraced by many business people and politicians, it often lacks content or
coherence. "The Holcim Awards," Upton says, "are important precisely
because they challenge participants to think through sustainable solutions
in all their dimensions from the bottom up."
Five rounds of awards are being presented this fall, for Europe, North
America, Latin America, Africa/ Middle East, and Asia/ Pacific. In the
North American group, two awards went to Canadian projects and the third to
a U.S. building. In the future, ArchitectureWeek will report on the award
recipients from the other continents as well.
Greening of Benny Farm
The Holcim Gold Award 2005/ North America went to the Canadian firm L'OEUF/
Pearl Poddubiuk et Associés, Architectes for a pilot project for affordable
housing, "Greening the Infrastructure at Benny Farm," in Montréal, Québec.
Three nonprofit housing organizations COOP CHEZ SOI, Project ZOO, and
HCNDG are involved. >>>