Incandescent inefficient

Strategically placed?

But maybe not universally accessible, and definitely too high for me to reach.

Trees

Definition Britannica: Woody perennial plant. Most trees have a single self-supporting trunk containing woody tissues, and in most species the trunk produces secondary limbs called branches.

Definition Architecture and Landscaping: Large piece of timber, e.g. beam, lintel, Rood-beam, bressummer

[Source]

Green Roofs 2

The School of Art, Media and Design at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

It is not only an environmentally friendly roof, but also an outdoor gathering space for the community of students at the campus.

Imagine spending the hours of your student days in such a positive learning environment!

Green Building in an Urban Setting, an AFHTO Success

Outside of my 9-5 job, I have been working hard for a non-profit group, Architecture for Humanity (AFH)Toronto. On Monday, November 26, our organization successfully hosted the first of four lectures on "Building Sustainability", this one focusing on "Green Building in an Urban Setting".

(To see more photos of this event by Alan Joson, please visit his site.)

The lecture took place at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Arts where we were fortunate to have the use of the beautiful Terrace Room.

The turn-out for the evening blew us away when 150 people arrived despite the heavy rain and wind. The line-up to sign-in grew quickly and even though we rushed 40 extra chairs in, we hit the maximum capacity allowed in the space and are very sorry to have had to turn 40 people back out into the rain.

(The following photos were taken by Laurence Bortnick)

Finally, at 6:45pm, we started with introductions by the fabulous and well-spoken David Snaith,

followed by an interesting and inspiring talk by Dr. David Moses.

Here is a recorded podcast of this lecture, courtesy of the Gardiner Museum.

The evening ended with a question and answer period.

In collaboration with the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition, The next lecture "Manufacturing Neighbourhoods" will take place on Monday, February 25. Hope to see you there, and please come early!

Acknowledgements: Thanks to...

AFH members Lee, David , Bruce, Lisa, Chris, Claire, Mar Mar, Rachel, Abril,and Heather for all your dedication. The hours of time we all spent to work through the publicity, fund raising, sponsorship, flyer making and all other extraneous details is well rewarded. I think I can say the meetings weren't for nothing.

Diane, Siobhan and Liz from the Gardiner for all their help in promoting the event and ensuring that the evening went off without a hitch.

The Toronto Society of Architects and lecture attendees for their support and contribution.

Jeremy for videotaping the event, and Laurence and Alan for the photography.

All my friends who made it in early and got a seat. It made a difference to me to have you there. Special acknowledgment to the ECS clan for making it to the front door. Next time I promise you won't get turn away.

Our website is finally up. Please visit it for more information about Architecture for Humanity Toronto. We welcome you to join our mailing list or become an active member.

AFHTO - Lecture Series

Architecture for Humanity International (AFH)is a charitable organization, founded in 1999 to promote architectural and design solutions to global, social and humanitarian crises. Through workshops, competitions, forums and partnerships with like organizations, they are able to create opportunities for designers and architects to help communities in need around the world.

Last year, I joined the Toronto Chapter of this organization - Architecture for Humanity Toronto (AFHTO). Having been inspired by the International group, I was excited to find one in the city I was living in. Although AFHTO began a number of years ago, it has not been until now that we are getting on some solid ground and building a higher profile. This is the point where I mention our upcoming lecture series.

NOVEMBER 26, 2007 6:30 PM start

BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY:

GREEN BUILDING IN AN URBAN SETTING

In collaboration with the Gardiner Museum, Architecture for Humanity Toronto is pleased to present a compelling series of lectures exploring the development of sustainable communities.

In this lecture, Dr. David Moses, structural engineer specializing in timber engineering, will discuss some of the biggest challenges when considering sustainable alternatives to standard building practice.

Please also join us in an open-participation discussion in the lounge immediately following the lecture.

Gardiner Museum, Jamie Kennedy Attrium

111 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario

FREE

Anyone is welcome. I hope you can come!

We are all volunteers of AFHTO, dedicated to using architectural and design solutions to support and sustain a positive setting and living environment in Toronto. After joining and being involved in what I first perceived to be a disorganized and ineffective organization, it is now so exciting to be part of this growing process! Definitely a lesson in sticking it out when you believe in the good of something, I can honestly say that I am proud to be involved with Architecture for Humanity Toronto, to have gotten to know and collaborate with some wonderful people, and to call myself a member.

Liveable Cities

Based upon the level of crime, instability, threat of terrorism, and transport and communication structure, here is a list of cities rated as most liveable in the world. And Canadian cities appears twice!

(Image taken from Economist.com - Aug 22nd, 2007)

What do you know? My top three are on the list! I live in Toronto, I just came back from Vancouver and I want to go to Copenhagen.

Green Roofs

A 37,237 sq ft (3,459 sq m) green roof covers the entirety of a new green resort under construction in Shanghai's Songjiang district, just southwest of China's most populous city. The hotel, built into a previously used 328 ft (100m) quarry, will feature approximately 400 rooms, restaurants, sports facilities and even some underwater areas for guests. Check out their website.