Our buildings can and should contribute to the health and well-being of people and the planet.
Many people aren’t aware that the buildings we live and work in create close to 40% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
We have the power to change that.
Climate change has reached a critical point. We can no longer stand by and continue doing the same things, the same old way. Today, we have the knowledge, the tools, and the ability to build homes and workplaces that benefit human health and the health of our planet.
Now is the time to reimagine how we build.
Healthy, sustainable building materials can dramatically transform an entire industry.
Why
Our buildings are part of the problem—and the solution
Reducing the use of concrete and synthetic materials can greatly benefit environmental and human health.
Natural materials increase our sense of well-being.
Around the world, buildings have a serious impact on our environment. From mining, production, and transportation of materials; to construction; to the impact of the building materials themselves, building construction and operations account for 35% of global energy use and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions.
And many building materials emit toxins that can be detrimental to human health. Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, this is a serious consideration. Yet as an industry, and as a society, we know how to change it.
We know how to build homes and workspaces that benefit us, rather than harm us. Buildings that give back to the planet, rather than deplete it.
We will add the equivalent of an entire New York City worth of buildings to the planet every 34 days for the next 40 years. We have the information and the knowledge to build better—today. Now is the time for change.
What
We can and should build sustainable, environmentally healthy buildings
Healthy buildings are filled with wood, greenery, natural light, and fresh air.
Artistic rendering of proposed offices at 8th & Pine, Vancouver. (Perkins and Will, Delta Land Development)
We can and should build responsibly using sustainable materials such as Mass Timber, with all the strength and resiliency of traditional building materials, and with enormous benefits to our environment and our health.
Cross-laminated timber has exceptional strength, dimensional stability, and rigidity.
Rooftop gardens provide seamless connection to nature within urban settings.
Artistic rendering of the proposed tower at 1745 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver. (Perkins and Will / Delta Land Development)
We can use proven Passive House technologies and build for a healthy future.
Buildings can be free of carbon emissions. They can even be net carbon positive, capturing more carbon than is released during their production. They can produce 75% less waste water. They can become self-reliant for energy. They can even feed resources back to the grid.
We can build for human health, with nature, light, fresh air, walkability, and social connection at the forefront of our intentions. Elements that have tangible, proven benefits for well-being. And we can go beyond simply doing less harm—to become truly regenerative and restorative.
Buildings can integrate with nature and emphasize healthy living.
Artistic rendering of proposed offices at 8th & Pine, Vancouver. (Perkins and Will / Delta Land Development)
HOW
We can use materials that positively impact our health
The spaces we live in should benefit our health and well-being.
Artistic rendering of proposed residential interior at 8th & Pine, Vancouver. (Perkins and Will / Delta Land Development)
We begin by selecting the right materials.
By using Mass Timber as the primary building material, and reducing the use of concrete, drywall, and other materials that produce harmful gasses, we create environments designed for human health.
Slabs of cross-laminated timber.
Construction of UBC’s tall wood residence at Brock Commons.
(Urban One Builders)
Using locally sourced and sustainably harvested lumber, we reduce environmental impact from production and transport, and sequester carbon in the structure.
We harvest energy from the sun through integrated solar skins, incorporating shading, insulation, and specialized low-energy systems to minimize energy needs from the grid. We capture rain from the sky and considerably reduce water requirements from the city.
We grow gardens in the sky. We create spaces for people and nature to come together in every season.
Biophilic design respects our innate connection to nature.
Indoor winter gardens connect us with nature in every season.
Who
Global leaders in sustainable development
Together, we can set new precedents in how we build now—and how we can build in the future. We have the knowledge and the tools to effect dramatic positive change. This is the time to lead the way.
