Loaded Bow

Light House Sustainable Building Centre is an enterprising non-profit society dedicated to advancing and catalyzing sustainability in British Columbia’s built environment. We offer a range of free and fee-based programs and services out of our 1,300 square foot office, resource and display centre on Granville Island.

Our purpose is to:

• Provide a “first-stop” integrated service shop that connects British Columbians with the inspiration, information, services and skills they need to implement sustainable building solutions.
• Provide education, training and outreach programs that will foster a deeper awareness of and commitment to sustainable building practices
• Support and advance public sector programs and private sector initiatives through community engagement, research, partnership development, technical assistance and consulting services.
• Facilitate and accelerate market transformation and economic development activities for the sustainable building cluster in British Columbia

Lighthouse as it appears from the outside

Loaded Bow:  Can you tell us what Lighthouse is doing that is innovative as your services relate to office space?

Light House:  Light House offers energy consulting and management services to help business owners: reduce utility and maintenance costs; improve building performance, comfort and property value; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; identify opportunities for energy savings; and access government retrofit incentives.

LB:  How are office spaces changing?

LH:Office spaces are becoming healthier for occupants and the environment.  Examples of green features include natural daylighting and ventilation, views for occupants, low-VOC finishes, energy-efficient lighting, and reused/recycled/local materials. 

LB:  What is the workspace like at Lighthouse?

LH:  Light House is an open-plan 1,300 square foot office.  It contains 11 workspaces, meeting room and display area for the resource centre.  Targeting LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver for Commercial Interiors, the space is fitted out with a number of sustainable features: ENERGY STAR appliances, low-flow fixtures, dual-flush toilet, recycled glass and concrete countertop, recycled flooring and carpet, high-efficiency fluorescent lighting with daylight sensors, and low-VOC paint.

LB:  What is your favourite part about your job? 

LH:  My favourite part of this job is helping our visitors make their homes and workplaces more sustainable.

Lighthouse Interior

LB:  For a woman who is beginning her business and looking to go greener, how can she know what to prioritize?  Do you have a consultation that you offer?

LH:  Light House offers HomeSpa, a healthy and eco-friendly advisory service.  While the service targets homes, our consultants can also provide recommendations to business owners who would like to green their offices.

LB:  What are some savings business owners can expect the more green they go?  (Example: You can receive up to $10 per gigajoule of energy savings.)

LH:  The benefits of green building can be divided into two categories: resource savings and occupant benefits.  Resource conservation (energy and water conservation, emissions reductions, waste and waste water reduction) from green buildings can result in significant dollar savings over traditional construction, although this amount is difficult to approximate as it depends on the upgrades that are made.   Occupant benefits include increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved employee satisfaction.  With salaries and wages accounting for typically 90 per cent or more of a firm’s building-related expenses, even a slight increase in productivity can be enough to justify a switch to a green building.

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