Blog

Construction Material Salvage and Recycling Market Assessment Victoria

This report provides an outlook of the current and future market capacity for building material salvage and recycling on Vancouver Island and surrounding region. Particularly, it describes a system of interconnected networks within which demolition materials are managed and identifies opportunities to divert key materials from landfill. This work will help inform the development of […]

Nexii Deconstruction Case Study

The case study leverages the latest findings in Light House’s research on Design for Disassembly (DfD) and construction waste. The study showcases the successes and challenges, along with embodied carbon and cost comparisons, between traditional demolition and deconstruction and the Nexii building system. These findings are coupled with observations that support a circular construction ecosystem. […]

Washington State Industrial Symbiosis Program Report

The Washington industrial symbiosis program recommendations are backed by a robust review of global case studies, the consulting team’s personal international experience, and industry stakeholder input. The report also includes a summary of the various material data flow collection systems being used to advance industrial symbiosis. Industrial symbiosis is already emerging across the state; the […]

NISP Performance Report Pilot

The NISP® model is delivered regionally; uses facilitation to engage businesses and identify symbiosis opportunities; requires regionally-based practitioners dedicated to helping businesses implement symbiosis. There is no cost for businesses to participate in workshops or access NISP® practitioners. NISP® Canada was piloted in the Metro Vancouver and Greater Edmonton regions for 20 months (2017-2019) pilot, […]

Energy Labeling for Commercial Buildings in Canada

Building energy labeling and benchmarking, similar to measuring fuel use in a vehicle, is a useful tool to help owners, operators and managers understand how much energy their facility is using and how that compares locally and nationally to other similar buildings. This White Paper provides a summary of energy labeling programs, labeling procedures, available […]

Does Building Green Create Value?

The market for certified buildings in Canada has continued to grow since 2000, but are those buildings really worth more when it comes time to sell or lease? This Light House white paper examines whether building green translates into tangible value for property owners and developers and introduces a Green Building Valuation Report for the […]

What is a Carbon Neutral Building?

The term ‘carbon neutral’ has become increasingly used in recent years; however, there is often a lack of transparency regarding what is meant by different organizations’ usage of the term. This paper discusses some of the key international definitions of carbon neutrality worldwide and what you should consider when referring to carbon neutral buildings. Released: […]

Construction in Reverse

Lessons from a Residential Renovation Pilot. This paper summarizes a residential renovation in Vancouver that used deconstruction methods to achieve an 85% diversion rate. It outlines the challenges for developers and makes recommendations for  governments working to meeting Metro Vancouver’s target of an 80% diversion rate for all demolition, land clearing and construction waste in the […]