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Fall 2017 |
Newsletter Archive |
Living Architecture Tour, Calgary | ![]() |
![]() On June 28th, approximately 30 people had the opportunity to visit a number of green roofs and one living wall during the Living Architecture tour in downtown Calgary. Participants were able to see the projects up close, learn about their benefits and challenges, understand the maintenance requirements and care, talk to project and product representatives, and experience why green roof proponents are so enthusiastic about this green building technology. Participants accessed living architecture projects at the following buildings, many of which are otherwise inaccessible:
What is Living Architecture? The Living Architecture Calgary group is a grassroots voluntary organization that works to advance local research and build knowledge about green roofs, living walls and other associated living architecture technologies.There are many movements and organizations globally that use the term living architecture to describe what they do. Living architecture enhances traditional building forms and transforms it into a living, breathing structure through carefully selected vegetation. Benefits of Living Architecture Demonstration projects throughout North America have monitored and analyzed the impacts of green roofs and living walls. Numerous benefits of installing green roofs and living walls relate to social, environmental and economic outcomes such as:
Several major urban centres in North America have developed policy programs to promote and incentivize the implementation of living architecture as a means to address quality of life issues for their residents, improve environmental performance and create economic impact. Why a Tour of Green Roofs and Living Walls? A number of green roofs and living walls have been built in the downtown district, however, few Calgarians have seen them or know they exist as many are private or inaccessible. It is for this reason, Living Architecture Calgary came together to organize tours and education throughout the summer. The purpose of the tour was to create greater awareness and increase the profile of some of Calgary's examples of Living Architecture (green roofs and living walls) through education and outreach. Attendees of the tour were able to:
Miistakis was one of the organizers of this tour because of the potential for increasing biodiversity, habitat and pollinator pathway potential, stormwater management opportunities, reduction in building energy use, and improvements to air quality in urban centres. If you are interested in future events, please email Kelly Learned (kelly@rockies.ca). The tour was made possible by the generous sponsorship of the following organizations: Tour organizers and hosts:
Nathan Gill, Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply | |