Issue 29 - May | June 2011

NATIVE CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES TORONTO

Sensitive design supports native culture in the heart of the city

The new Native Child and Family Services of Toronto [NCFST] consolidates social and culture-based services for aboriginal children and families within an existing 2,800m2 office building in the heart of downtown Toronto... more


URBAN NATURE Creating a Green Downtown in Surrey Across Canada the character of suburban communities is changing. The single-use zoning that for half a century led to the development of separate car-oriented residential, commercial and industrial areas is now being overlaid with more progressive, pedestrian-oriented planning and urban design principles including mixed-use development, neighbourhood densification and the intensification of existing commercial cores. The result will be a new generation of suburban cities around the fringes of our existing metropolitan centres. ...more	CALGARY PUBLIC BUILDING Heritage landmark brought up to speed from the inside Over its 80 year life, the interior of this landmark heritage building in downtown Calgary had been compromised by several insensitive renovations, although the exterior remained largely intact and in excellent condition. The challenge posed to the design team, was to create a leading edge, energy efficient and sustainable office environment within the building, while preserving and enhancing the historic character of the exterior. ...more

TOWARD SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES Pilot projects clear path to future Among the many factors that helped advance the sustainable design movement in Canada over the last decade was the realization that the construction and operation of buildings accounted for almost 40% of our annual GHG emissions. Not surprisingly this realization initially translated into a building-focused approach to resource and energy conservation. ...more	MODULAR EXTERIOR CLADDING SYSTEMS Perfomance and longevity in the details Over the last few years, most commercial and institutional construction in Canada has moved to exterior wall systems in which the building insulation is applied to the outside face of the wall framing and sheathing system. This type of construction, with the air/vapour barrier applied to the exterior sheathing, then insulation and subgirt framing covered with an exterior cladding, has proven effective in Canada’s varied climates....more

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