Light House’s eight professional staff and 80 volunteers provide outreach, education, training, business networking, policy research, technical assistance, career enrichment programs, energy modeling and economic development to local, national and international markets. Through its Market Insights program, Light House offers regular quarterly briefings to industry on market trends in green building. http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/market_insights_0
The new Light House building is a former popcorn factory, which is being rehabilitated as a living laboratory for innovative concepts and technologies relating to clean energy, resource management, and community economic development. http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/showcase
The revolving exhibition is anchored by the permanent Zero Waste Home exhibit, which presents the issues of water conservation, solid waste, health and climate change impacts of buildings. The interactive display includes a bathroom connected to a Brac greywater recycling system, a show kitchen by Pacific Rim, Szolyd, Hettich and PJ Whites, with energy efficient appliances from Midland Appliance. Plumbing fixtures are from Sustainable Solutions international.
Light House also highlights local materials and products such as Dinoflex recycled rubber flooring, Cloverdale Horizon ultra-low VOC paint, SunPod greenhouses, Innotech high-performance windows, CGC drywall and ceiling products, Global Garage coatings and Apex Foundation systems. The high-efficiency lighting with wireless controls, daylight sensors and dimmable ballasts are locally manufactured by Surrey-based Ledalite. There are full-size wall assemblies illustrating rammed earth, structural insulated panels (SIPs) and passivhaus systems. Development, realty and financing solutions are also showcased by ecoEquity, Klio and Sutton Realty.
There is an installed living wall, and BCIT and Soprema have green roof models on display. Mitsubishi, BC Hydro, Refrigerated Supply and Geotility demonstrate a range of innovative and efficient heating and cooling systems. Sustainable wood products are profiled by Fama Industries and Forestry Innovations Investment and enhanced by a dedicated display on the applications of pine-beetle wood. The City of Vancouver presents detailed information about its various green building policies.
Other green products in the centre include carpet tiles by Shaw and Interface, DIRTT modular partitioning system, natural plasters by American Clay, Teknion furniture with recycled polyester fabrics, and Herman Miller workstations. Caroma low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets help to create water efficiencies. The centre’s dedicated bike rack and location at Fourth Avenue and Burrard Street near public transit support alternative transportation strategies.
Future plans include a roof-top community garden and a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) HVAC system; an instant hot water system coupled to a solar hot water panel; and sub-metering the space to facilitate the exploration of comprehensive renewable energy strategies.
www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com
Tours: Open to the public: 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday. Guest Expert talks every Saturday 2pm - 4pm. Check website for details.
