The Green Blog Network: 2010-09-12

The Canadian Green Building Center - In China!

Partnership between Vancouver Global Green, Tianjin Eco-City second deal announced from Vancouver Green Capital Business Mission

(VANCOUVER, B.C.) Sept. 14,2010 A new research and development centre for Canada’s green building technology will be opening in Tianjin, China, through an agreement involving Vancouver Global Green, EnVision Shanghai, and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City.

The agreement was reached during the Vancouver Green Capital Business Mission in China, during which Mayor Gregor Robertson, Councillor Raymond Louie, and 22 Vancouver businesses are meeting with Chinese businesses and government officials to strengthen business ties between China and Vancouver.

VanDusen Botanical Gardens' new visitor center in Vancouver, British Columbia, designed by Busby Perkins+Will, is another project aiming to meet the sustainable requirements of the Living Building Challenge. - Could be used as a good example of Sino-Canadian green know-how exchange.

“Vancouver is renowned for our green building expertise, and this new R & D centre in Tianjin will help our companies tap into China’s growing demand for more efficient, sustainable buildings,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase our talent and in the process, secure new investment and strengthen our local economy.”

The Net Zero Canadian Research and Development Centre will demonstrate Canada’s capabilities in green building technologies, and serve as a one-stop location for Canadian technology companies in China. The centre will be built in the Eco-Business Park, which is part of the Tianjin Eco-City, a bilateral project between China and Singapore. The Eco-Business Park is positioned to be a base for international green businesses, and will serve Northern China’s growing need for clean technology and energy.

Partners in the Net Zero Canadian Research and Development Centre include the Tianjin Eco-City, EnVision (Shanghai) Co., and Vancouver Global Green, an association of the key design professionals involved in the Vancouver Olympic Village and the City LEED Platinum Community Centre.

“To be able to get a foothold in the Chinese market for green building technology is a great opportunity for our company and green building experts across Canada,” said Roger Bayley of Roger Bayley Inc., an advocacy company for sustainable community development. “Vancouver is developing a strong profile in China for our focus on green technology and innovation, and this new centre will reinforce that image while at the same time expanding our market opportunities.”

The establishment of the Centre also involves the City of Vancouver, which will provide support from the City’s Sustainability Group for educational programs and resources, as well as facilitate connections with Vancouver green building companies. The Canadian Research and Development Centre is expected to begin construction in 2011.

www.mayorofvancouver.ca/blog

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One Noffs Upcycling

Prince William Supports One Noffs

We've written about companies who engage in upcycling to create scarves, bags, teddy bears, and more. Similarly, our latest spotting breathes new life into cast-off clothing, but adds a charitable twist. Launched by the Ted Noffs Foundation, Sydney-based One Noffs offers local aspiring fashion designers the opportunity to rework donated garments into one-of-a-kind designs, which are then sold to fund programs for disadvantaged kids.

The Ted Noffs Foundation concept store – One Noffs – is shouting out to all young and talented Sydney-based designers to come and show their creative flare. One Noffs is reinventing the idea of the cool thrift store. With a very LA feel about them, One Noffs is encouraging design students, designers and mums and dads from around Sydney to get involved.

Participants receive a big bag of pre-loved clothing which they have three weeks to remanufacture, either at home or on One Noffs' in-store sewing machine. A section of the foundation's second-hand stores will be dedicated to these one-off designs. Each designer receives 20 percent of the sale price and their bio is added to the item’s swing tag.

There's nothing like one-of-a-kind designs to make consumers feel unique, but add stitch of upcycling, sew in a social cause element and the products become all the more desirable.

Website: www.noffs.org.au by: Gerard McLennan

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