sustainable-agriculture / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

So, urban agriculture. It's important, right? That’s certainly the conclusion I've come to when pondering the future of food production, our future on this planet, and sustainability in general. As a proponent of urban agriculture it's also clear to me that both space and soil toxicity are challenges that beg to be ove...

While governments have a role in shaping and improving the built environment through zoning, development bylaws and other means, developers also play a large role. They choose where to build, the types of homes or buildings that get built, and many of the details that make up a home, neighbourhood and community.  The b...

  Sustainable building practices are doing more than just helping the environment - they are also helping to create stronger and more prosperous communities. This is according to the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), with its chief executive Romilly Madew explaining that such constructions are "simply better ...

Introducing BioCity's indoor vertical veggie garden. This beautiful installation made with reclaimed wine bottles allows you to grow arugula, chard, strawberries, cherry tomatoes and more all year round in your very own home. Thanks to the craftsmanship and innovation of the folks at Montreal based company BioCity, gro...

How to build an outdoor kitchen: a homeowner's and pro's guide An outdoor kitchen is more than just a place to grill; it's a versatile, functional extension of your living space that brings friends and family. Not only will an outdoor kitchen let you get to spend more time outdoors, cooking outside during the heat of t...

Sustainable excavation: a homeowner's & pro's guide Building a new sustainable home or adding space for your family with a home addition is always a very exciting prospect, and its success rests quite literally on the first step of a proper excavation. Poorly planned excavation can lead to foundation issues, water ...

The future of residential construction is being shaped by more than just aesthetics or affordability, it's being built around sustainability. As climate concerns mount and regulatory frameworks tighten, homeowners and builders alike are shifting toward greener, more responsible choices. One of the most exciting and oft...

Rammed earth walls for homes: a homeowner's & pro's guide Rammed earth as a building method dates back thousands of years, and in recent years, it has found its way into the world of modern design and sustainable architecture. Not only is rammed earth an efficient and natural type of wall assembly, but the final pr...

Helical piles and screw piles: a homeowner's and pro's guide For challenging building sites or sustainable construction projects, helical piles - also known as screw piles or ground screws - are a modern, resilient, and often more affordable foundation solution. When faced with a sloped lot, poor soil quality, or an ec...

Finding sustainable wood: We live in a country with over 400 million hectares of forest, so the supply is there; it's simply a case of properly managing it. That also means that when we cut one down, we should plant another. Wood is a renewable material, requires little processing and can almost always be purchased loc...

LEED® vs. Passive House vs. BREEAM: a practical guide for homeowners Whether you're building a home in the US or Canada, or embarking on a new construction project in places like the UK, Australia, or New Zealand - and want to do so to a recognized sustainable certification level - you'll be faced with a baffling choic...