From our work with sustainable buildings, Cornerstone has become engaged with issues involving the effective use of sustainable technologies in society as a whole. This includes interaction with organizations like AASHE, ASHRAE, Athena, Bullfrog, and Zerofootprint.
The resources below are some of those we consider to be timely, authoritative, and thought provoking for others who may be interested in this complex emerging field. Please let us know your thoughts by sending us cornerstone [at] cornerstonearchitecture [dot] ca (feedback).
100in1Day
With the rail lines a perpetually contentious subject in London, intensified by recent rapid transit discussions, and multiple "Rail to Trail" projects emerging throughout North America, "Rail to Trail: Imagine a Future London" explores the theoretical question "What could become of the north rail line if it was no longer used by the Canadian Pacific Railway?" Click the link above for a copy of the design panels for the project and click here for a copy of the "Rail to Trail" conceptual 360° rendering that can be viewed on Google Cardboard using a virtual reality viewer.
Richard's Required Readings
a list of great books covering the spectrum of debate over the future of culture, technology, and the idea of sustainability
Green and Blue Roofs Thesis Presentation, February 2017
Master's thesis defence presentation comparing the benefits of green and blue roofs, with recommendations for deciding where best to use them.
Sustainable Cities and Low Impact Buildings, January 2013
a presentation as part of Fanshawe College's Sustainability Speaker Series.
Rainwater Harvesting - Theory and Practice October 2011
a presentation on rainwater harvesting and use in buildings with case studies from our green building projects.
Wealth of Nations, SEED online November 2010
a fascinating discussion of the emerging market in the 'exchange of ecosystem services' as a practical way to pay for the impacts of development on the earth's atmospheric, water, and land resources.
Decoding Copenhagen, January 2010
an insightful evaluation of some significant shifts in thinking, in spite of no binding agreement, and their implications for the global economy, from Jeremy Oppenheim of McKinsey Quarterly.
Climate Skepticism Versus Consensus, December 2009
an excellent summary of the arguments and evidence on both sides of the climate debate, from David McCandless of www.InformationIsBeautiful.net: you be the judge!
Green Building Principles Practices 25 November 2009
a review of the LEED NC standard and its application at Western Engineering's new Lassonde Pavilion
Overview of LEED ND, June 2009
a concise summary of the proposed LEED for Neighbourhood Development standard presented to a symposium for the City of London in conjuction with Enermodal Engineering
Will the Future be Geo-Engineered? SEED Magazine 30 April 2009
a debate about climate management: how can we risk taking over responsibility? how can we not?
Earth Hour in Ontario LFP 3 April 2009
an op ed piece written for the London Free Press explaining how Earth Hour in Ontario actually added more CO2 to the atmosphere: illustrating how little we understand the way we use energy and its impacts
From Human to Transhuman TPL 22 October 2009
a transcript of the Templeton Pulbic Lecture by Braden Allenby explaining the implications of current technological trends in changing what it means to be 'human' and what that will mean for the idea of 'sustainability'
ALFA Green Easy August 2008
a list of the top ten practical ideas for for improving the performance and reducing the impact of existing buildings, from the Assisted Living Facilities Association
The Power of Green NYT 15 April 2007
an article in the New York Times by Thomas Friedman, discussing the potential of the emerging 'green' economy to transform U.S. society