After the recent meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Harper, it became clear that the environment is now a top priority for the governments of Canada and the United States. This probably means that everyone has to start thinking ‘green’ both in the office and at home. Energy conservation, renewable energy, recycling and many other environmental issues will be in the spotlight in the very near future.

However, for the past decade, a company in Calgary, Kanas Corporation, has been developing smart, energy-efficient technology for green buildings while providing affordable housing. Their experiences to date, plus their research into new technologies, ensure that we have a leader in greening our lifestyles right here in our own backyard.

Kanas Corporation began in 1997 with the concept of developing buildings with Insulated Concrete Formwork Construction (ICFC) and locally produced recycled steel beams and interior wall studs to create a superior building envelope into which smart technology could be easily incorporated. “We had a passion to develop a better building with a green emphasis but really focused on efficiency with affordability,” says Robert Sipka, president of Kanas Corporation. “Our pilot project, now completed, was Parkhill Manor with nine rental units and our prototype Lomond apartment building with fifteen rental units is currently under construction. This fall we will begin construction on our major 318-unit Lumino performance project. in the Manchester community.

The definition of a green project encompasses the construction of the building, the energy efficiency of the structure, the use of smart technology for energy conservation, plus the surrounding neighborhood in terms of proximity to public transportation and services to include a reduction in footprint. resident carbon. A typical Kanas building meets R-2000 criteria and a platinum rating from Enervision’s Built Green program that evaluates “green” construction techniques that reduce the environmental impact of buildings. Kanas achieves these prestigious ratings through the ICFC method of construction, the use of recycled steel, acrylic stucco exterior, solar hot water panel heating systems, Low-E triple-glazed windows, low VOC paints, concrete, flow fittings and toilets, as well as smart technology applications.

“Our buildings are more than 50% more efficient than traditional construction methods. In addition, triple-glazed windows ensure no cold drafts or heat loss in winter and year-round noise reduction for dramatically improve the comfort level of residents,” says Sipka. .

Lomond’s new development is located at Center Street and 32nd Avenue NW and the two-bedroom apartments are anticipated to be ready for occupancy later this year or early 2010. Lomond is located near public transportation routes, making it which provides residents with a practical alternative to driving, resulting in cost savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. These homes will include some of the latest smart technologies recently discovered and tested by Kanas. Whenever possible, Kanas chooses Canadian-made products and materials to reduce shipping costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, and support the Canadian economy.

Kanas has worked in conjunction with the Alberta government’s affordable housing grants and the Lumino development is associated with the City of Calgary’s affordable housing program. This is an important part of the company’s philosophy of providing environmentally friendly help, but not free help.

“Our buildings are affordable by design and efficiency, but the core is a really good building envelope to start with,” says Sipka. “While cost savings may not be realized until several years after tenants first move in, as landlords we can afford to wait for these cost efficiencies to be realized.”

With Kanas Corporation as the building’s developer and eventual owner, it would seem to indicate that they are fully prepared to stand behind both their materials and construction methods for a truly superior building with a focus on environmental efficiency.