Ecoconstruction: a flash in the pan? was in the early 2000s, a group of young visionaries (considered at the time as a band of misfits) mobilized their forces in a bold green renovation project : The Culture and Environment Centre Frederic Back.
They were then acquired an old school downtown Quebec, with plans to expand the building to bring together some thirty organizations in the region under one roof.
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| Photo: Environment Centre Construction of the wall of straw bales: Mathieu Caron at work. |
energy efficient renovation of the boiler, roof greening, a system of rainwater collection, furniture manufactured healthy materials, nothing was left to chance. We even tried a first in Quebec in the commercial sector, construction of insulated walls of straw bale.
The goal? Showcase green building technology. "We're not zealots of straw. The idea was to demonstrate the validity of green building, "said Mathieu Caron, contractor, director of Eco-buildings, and site manager. Making its credentials in green building and prove that in the 21st century, its artisans are no longer motivated by nostalgia for the hippie era, but by the need to reduce the ecological footprint of a highly energy intensive and polluting industries.
Building the Future
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| Photo: Environment Centre Wall insulated straw bale on four floors. |
According to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, the built environment represents about 30% of energy consumed by Canada alone, it contributes 35% to the greenhouse gas effect emissions in the country, and that besides the construction industry "traditional "Generates huge amounts of waste.
"The buildings, it should be like the prepackaged foods on which is affixed a nutrition label. We should be able to buy a house and be informed about its content of volatile organic compounds in urea-formaldehyde and other toxins in the adhesives, glues, paints and finishes, "defends Mathieu Caron. So many products, which in high concentrations can be harmful to health and we are exposed daily. After all, the man spends between 75 and 90% of their lives in the building.
Now, according to the specialist, to reverse this trend we must first people and the construction industry understand that green building is not a constraint but an opportunity.
A change of mentality is difficult to operate in an often accused of being too conservative. "The problem in construction is the sharing of risk. Operating costs are extremely high, so the learning costs as well, "notes the director of Eco-buildings.
The cost of risk
The error is expensive. Why is the industry she ventured a few bizarre green technologies, while techniques that already has proven over time?
Who can forget the story of three little pigs? The houses of straw are blown like houses of cards and the construction industry fears of being swallowed by the wolf.
But despite all that is likely to occur if its representatives are in their positions. First, because people are increasingly concerned about drinking responsibly. Then, because traders were not too long to know a good thing.
How to make the leap without burning your wings? "The problem with the green building is that tries to keep the old ways and to incorporate ecological techniques, "says Mathieu Caron. "We must, he says, a process of consultation, design, which is extremely painful for many people in the construction industry. "Painful or not, if they want to go green, the various players in the construction industry and environmentalists can no longer evolve in a vacuum.
Seat everyone around the table to allow a further tie, the group Eco-buildings made the challenge of doing so and he won his bet. Since last December, the agency offers a course on the application of sustainable development by building contractors and workers in the middle.
The role of politics
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| Photo: Environment Centre Rooftop ... green! |
industry therefore cautiously ventured on field greens, but not alone bear the responsibility for making things happen. According to the director, an alignment policy is needed: a regulatory and financial incentives.
"We have seen elsewhere, it is sufficient for governments to make a gesture ambitious sustainable development and the business community seize the rebound to make it work, "he said.
However, such actions is often the result of functional and economic imperatives. Central Europe and Scandinavia, for example, have a good head start on Quebec in sustainable building. However, it is clear that these are regions where not only electricity is expensive, but also lack of space. These countries are virtually forced to green innovation, while in the beautiful province rich in resources and electricity costs are ridiculously low.
For now, no force Quebec to make the choice of sustainable building. The change is more driven by environmental beliefs and hopes business but who knows where this might lead? "Everything is exponential in the field of green building. There are 6 or 7 years, business people saw it as something of hippies ... anymore. I hope in 10 years, we no longer speak of green buildings, but of those who are not, "concluded Matthew Caron.
The principles of sustainable building by Mathieu Caron:
- Renovation: In Canada, between 50 and 75% of waste dumped in landfills come from the construction industry. Avoid creating more waste, and focus on building renovation.
- Localization: city, country or suburbs, where to settle? You sure? Opt for urban agglomerations.
Remember the following equation: = + people + services + = proximity to transit, bicycle and walking = - travel by car = - CO2 emissions. A winning formula!
- the world are the people who inhabit the building give his true color! You have opted for a green building? Adopt a consistent attitude and be green to the end.
"If you live in a straw bale house and you'll get your pint of milk in the car, it does not work. "
- Mathieu Caron
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/societe/2009/01/29/001-ecologis-ecoconstruction.shtml
