A small trade school in Peterborough is attempting something no builder in Canada has done yet.
The Endeavour Centre is taking on the challenge of building a home according to the Living Building Challenge, one of the hardest green-building certifications to achieve. It requires performance compliance for site, water, energy, health, materials, equity, and beauty.
Chris Magwood, the builder, is a former building instructor at Fleming College. It will look like a fairly normal two-storey home from the outside.
The systems to make the home sustainable include a human waste composting system, solar panels, and rainwater collection. The house and windows are positioned to make the best use of the sun’s energy.
Magwood expects the 2,000 square foot house, with all of it’s green upgrades, to be priced about 15% above normal market value. However, it will be much cheaper to inhabit than a traditional home.
Excerpt from Toronto Star, March 3, 2012 Chantaie Allick, Staff Reporter