VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), the City of Vancouver (the City), Passive House Canada and the Open Green Building Society are pleased to announce the launch of the Vancouver Zero Emissions Building Centre of Excellence (the Centre and/or ZEBCoE), a collaborative platform to strengthen the public, private and civic capacities to deliver zero emissions buildings.
The mission of the Centre is to rapidly accelerate the capacity and enthusiasm of local developers, designers and builders to deliver cost-effective, attractive, zero emissions new residential and commercial buildings in Vancouver. Recognizing that knowledge, inspiration, and the building industry itself is not confined to municipal boundaries, the Centre aspires to learn from both local and global leaders and to expand its mission to support zero emissions building across the province.
The ZEBCoE project team is very grateful to over forty industry leaders for their support and patience while the foundations of this exciting initiative have been developed. More details about how industry stakeholders can get involved will be shared very soon.
“Vancouver is fortunate to have an innovative and courageous building industry,” says Gil Kelley, General Manager of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability for the City of Vancouver. “I am excited that the City could help to establish this centre where zero emissions industry leaders from across British Columbia and from around the world will share information and lessons learned in developing cost effective, attractive, zero emissions buildings. Our aim is to create healthier, more comfortable and sustainable homes while creating opportunities for local workers and industry to thrive.”
As host of the Centre, VRCA will work closely with key partners Passive House Canada and the Open Green Building Society, as well as industry stakeholders BCIT, Canada Green Building Council, Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association, Roofing Contractors Association of BC, SFU, Stuart Olson Centre for Building Performance, UBC, Vancity, Wood WORKS! BC, and many more companies, government agencies and NGOs that have voiced their support for this initiative.
The Centre will be located at the Hive, 128 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver. Helen Goodland of Brantwood Consulting will serve as interim Executive Director. An official launch of the Centre is planned for summer 2018.
For more information, contact the interim Executive Director, Helen Goodland (604-837-0383, [email protected]) or Marc Tremblay, Director of Operations at Passive House Canada (778-265-2744, ext. 7; [email protected]).
