Green Housing

Green living is an attempt to reduce greenhouse gases in our environment.

"The tendency today is towards changes in behaviour. It has become necessary for new and renovated homes to consume less energy and release less harmful gas. The High Environmental Quality (HQE) standard has been set up as a reference.

A home becomes green through its choices of energy for heating or electricity (heat pumps, wind, thermal or solar power), means of control of water consumption (low flow systems, use of rainwater), and materials, such as wood for interior walls and hemp as insulation. It is important not to confuse natural materials and eco-friendly or green ones. 'Asbestos is a natural material but far from an eco-friendly one,' warns the French Building Federation (FFB).

Homes can also be sensible or passive in their designs, notably by readiness for bioclimatic energy. It is possible to combine an extremely low consumption of energy (less than 15kWh/m²/year) with a pleasant room temperature throughout the year, all without the use of conventional heating." (Source: http://www.cafebabel.com/eng/article/21596/the-green-housing-boom.html)

The housing project 'Dockside Green' in Victoria, BC, received PLATINUM LEED status for their mixed housing complex. They achieved this by using mostly recycled, reusable or alternatives to conventional materials. For example, instead of using wood – which would take up to 100 years to replenish, flooring and façade fixtures used bamboo and recycled wood that was buried below the ground. Most of the material is found locally. Bamboo takes around 3 years to replenish making this a better alternative to trees. When you see the floors, you would never notice the difference. Other features include using cement that used materials from older buildings that have been grinded down and mixed with non-gas producing materials. This not only recycled existing material but also cost less to produce and did not add any additional gases into the environment. There is no air conditioning in these units. All of the appliances are high energy saving European appliances. The windows have temperature controlling blinds. In the common area, all the carpeting is made of recycled carpeting that has been re-processed to remove harmful gases. The rooftop garden offers a wonderful view of the nearby mountains while tending to the herb and vegetables grow alongside wild flowers that help the environment and encourage a natural outdoor living experience. The housing project also plays a part in how people travel – offering a $40,000 discount if you don't own a car (thereby not needing a parking spot), using one of 10 hybrid vehicles purchased for the residents to use, discounts on transit passes for the first 3 years.

"In Freiburg (Germany), the project follows the model of the 'garden-city' conceived in Britain at the end of the 19th century. This urban project brings together social housing, gardens, and landscaping improvements. The Vauban and Riesenfeld neighbourhoods - home to 15 000 inhabitants 4 km from the centre of Freiburg - were built according to the following principles: low-consumption housing, use of rainwater, and priority to public
transport, pedestrians and cyclists. All of the buildings are low-consumption thanks to innovations in insulation and ventilation. Many rely on solar power for heating and electricity generation." (Source: Cafebabel, link above)

Berlin at Night

Picture 1: Berlin at Christmas time ('06); Pariser Platz and Brandonburg Tor; Nacht...

Berlin in December

Its been awhile since I've returned from my travels before xmas. the weather certainly wasn't what I had expected, but then when is it? Here's a pix of the windmill outside Berlin's Museum of Technology - home to rows of old trains from way back. Another museum been there, done that. Berlin will be on my list of to be lists for this year as the Love Parade finally found a sponsor. So off to Berlin in July I shall go.

Christmas in Berlin 2001

In 2001, New Years Eve, Berlin, I remember having to stand in front of the Brandenburger Tor, waiting for the fireworks and drinking this stuff to keep warm. I had to keep moving or push someone away from those heated stalls/tables (you know the kind - standing room only type of setting). Well, I was frozen, I literally felt those cold Siberian winds blowing down on me. My feet had lost feeling, and this was gradually moving up to my legs. I sorry, I said to Andreas, I have to go, I can't stand this cold anymore. Walked towards Potsdamer Platz, to catch the S-Bahn / U-bahn home (or his flat). Had to duck the firecrakers being thrown by the young 'crackers' who insisted on letting this fly, while people walked down stairs to get to their trains. Amazingly, I survived, however, crossing traffic in Rome may have proven to be a safer bet. They had absolutely no concern! They walk around with their big bottles of beer, drinking, laughing, and what's most distrubing, mein german sucks at that time, so I wouldn't know if they were saying anything rude to me. Get back to his quiet nicer area of Berlin, Zehlendorf, the former American zone of a divided berlin, to his flat. Once again, encountered more firecrakers. Another trip to avoid being hit.

One thing I noticed in Berlin, they have these neat blinds that come down 'outside the home'! That's a switch, and seems more logical to me. Their hotwater heater in the bathroom area, doubles as a tower drier (looks rather nicer compared to those ugly ancient ones here in my place.) I haven't seen them anywhere, and i am sure if I ever had a place that had those, I would inquire about upgrading. I wonder if they are more energy efficient? The germans are so good and conscientious towards the environment, its surprising that other nations (esp us nord americans) haven't adopted this? We've been recycling here since the late eighties, and I am surprised to come to the USA and not see it widely accepted. Ignorance, no regard to anyone else.

I read a post today, this woman, unfortunately lives on the west coast where are the fires are burning, and comments on 'what the world is coming to: 'mentioning, flooding, hurricanes and fires' - the fact that in her eyes, 'the world being referred to is her country, the US of Amerika. Interesting how differing the views are between Kanada and the US are. I would have said something, what is this country coming to, or in addition to the fires etc, I would have thrown some actually atrocities occuring outside the usa.

Okay, so I go a bit off topic, originally, I had intended to put this recipe but memories of my first christmas in berlin, I had to share... so, here's the recipe: From: www.dw-world.de - Culture & Lifestyle Deutsche Welle

As I prepare for my trip in December, I am trying to gather as much information as possible. und natürlich, ich habe keine zeit! Zu viel places to see, an so little time..So this recipe would be appropriate starting in the first day after of advent through to the 24th December. 'When the chill sets in, it's time for a hot drink. In Germany and Austria, one of the most popular beverages at this time of the year is Glühwein.

You will need: 1 bottle of red wine, 100 ml water (about 0.1 quart); 5 g of sugar (less than 2 ozs), 2 -3 cloves, 1/2 peeled lemon, 1 stick cinnamon.
Directions: Boil cinnamon, sugar, and cloves in water. Turn of heat. Strain the water after 25 -30 mins. Add wine to water. Heat wine - but don't boil (boiling removes the alcohol). Add lemon. And serve in a BIG mug!