March 8, 2010

Light House Sustainable Building Centre publishes green building guide

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

Sustainable construction in Vancouver just got a bit easier. The Light House Sustainable Building Centre with the support of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) has published a book which provides practical solutions for contractors to implement green building strategies.

“One thing that we found with the enthusiasm for moving to environmentally designed buildings, is that there was a need to support project managers, superintendents and field staff on site,” said Light House executive director Helen Goodland.

In response, the centre produced The Little Green Site Book: The Construction Worker’s pocket Guide to Green Building.

It is an all-weather back pocket resource.

“This practical how-to-guide includes just what site crews need to know,” she said.

According to Goodland there can be resistance when contractors bid on green buildings, due to uncertainty. The new book is an effort to cut through concerns and provide people with enough information so that they are comfortable.

“Basically, we worked closely with Helen and brought together leaders in sustainable building and discussed issues related to sustainable building,” said Keith Sashaw, president of the VRCA.

Sashaw agreed that it is important to provide resources to people in the industry.

“Increasingly, our members are involved in projects that embrace sustainable building practices and it is important that their workers have easy and practical information that will help them meet the specifications,” he said “It isn’t a huge step, but a lot of little steps, such as choosing the right products and making sure they are installed properly.”

VRCA members reviewed initial drafts and made recommendations.

In the run up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Light House helped co-ordinate green building strategies for the Vancouver athlete’s village and provided technical assistance to meet green standards at Whistler athlete’s village.

The book is available for $15 from the Light House Sustainable Building Centre.

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