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Jun 20, 2004	First Leed™ Certified Project in Alberta	Edmonton Journal
EDMONTON - The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association is committed to environmental integrity. "Environmental integrity is essential to the economic viability and quality of life of our community," states one of the organization’s operating principles. Leadership and excellence in environmental design was a priority and, the AUMA retained Manasc Isaac Architects to design their expansion. Design Architect Richard Isaac said, "This is, I believe, the first LEED™ project in the Province, and considering its small size and that it was a renovation and addition project - made it particularly challenging." Technologist Steve Vallerand led the Manasc Isaac, Keen Engineering, and Willow Spring Construction teams, to assemble and submit the detailed documentation needed to secure this prestigious designation. The AUMA building has a number of elements that make it an exemplary sustainable building: Sustainable Site design including the provision of bicycle racks and showers, Water conservation practices including the use of dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals, low-water use fixtures Water Consumption will be 50.6% below the use for conventional buildings Outstanding Energy-conservation measures including the use of a ground-source heating and cooling system Energy consumption will be 55% below the standard Green Power Purchases on the part of AUMA added a point to the LEED Scorecard. AUMA buys 100% of their power from Green Power Sources. Good indoor air quality is achieved by careful selection of paints and finishes materials, to minimize volatile organic compounds. The local economy benefits: 30.7% of the materials used in construction were manufactured locally. A great working environment – over 90% of the occupied spaces have access to daylight and views The LEED™ - Certified designation is awarded by the US Green Building Council. "The Canada Green Building Council will be offering LEED™ - Canada Certification within the next few months," says Vivian Manasc, a Director of the Canada Green Building Council. For more information contact: Richard Isaac, Architect Manasc Isaac Architects Ltd. 780.429.3977 Backgrounder: The LEED™ Green Building Rating System identifies environmentally-preferable design and construction practices in 6 major categories. Site Design Water Conservation Energy & Atmosphere Materials and Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Innovation in Design LEED™ certification provides a third-party audit of the building’s sustainability and demonstrates an organization’s commitment to the highest level of rigor and transparency in meeting their environmental commitments. For more information refer to www.cagbc.org or www.usgbc.org
Apr 28, 2004	Memorial OK'd for River Valley Cemetery	Edmonton Journal
EDMONTON - Council embraced a plan Tuesday to erect a memorial on the site of Rossdale's historic burial grounds. As a result, Rossdale Road could be closed to traffic as early as this summer. The unanimous support for the project comes after years of work to resolve a fight between the city and descendants of some of Edmonton's first settlers, aboriginal groups and Metis, who felt that continued use of the road was a desecration. The memorial could cost more than $1 million. Cost-sharing has yet to be worked out. The city's communications manager David Schneider, who has co-coordinated efforts to recognize the cemetery, said he believed council's decision embraces the primary goals of those who have lobbied for an appropriate memorial. Council approved the memorial concept at the same time it accepted a $108,000 historical land-use study of Rossdale that was commissioned to help guide the city's plan to build a memorial to people buried in and around Edmonton's first cemetery, which was in use during much of the 1800's. The memorial, designed by Edmonton firm Manasc Isaac Architects Ltd. in consultation with interested parties, is meant to represent the site's history as a burial ground, a river landing and a gathering place. A stylized six-metre-tall cross incorporating an infinity symbol and a circle will be at the site's centre. Large rectangular stones will radiate from the site's centre point in a design meant to represent a broken circle. As part of its decision, council decided to ask the provincial government to help develop and pay for an overall plan for the historic Rossdale area. Written by: Sarah O'Donnell - sodonnell@thejournal.canwest.com
Dec, 2002	Agora Borealis | Engaging in Sustainable Architecture	Vivian Manasc & Cheryl Mahaffy
"Agora Borealis is the story of a journey into sustainable architecture amid the vagaries of Canada’s northern climate. From that journey emerges a new generation of “green” buildings, models not only for the north but for the world." This is a story of targets set and (usually) met, of energy (generally) saved, of tenants (mostly) comfortable in their space and of people, occupants and communities engaged in the design of their environments. This is a story of the paradigm shift required to create these buildings: a shift to a process of full-scale integration where each decision is pondered in light of its impact on the whole. It is a story of turning theory into a reality that performs increasingly better than the norm. Most of all, it’s a story of the teams, attitudes and materials engaged in a new and evolving architecture. .: To purchase this book, please print out the order form via our download center.