Prairie Architects Inc. understands the critical impact that buildings and construction have on climate change. According to the 2020 Global Status Report, building construction and operations accounted for the largest share of both global final energy use (35%) and energy-related CO2 emissions (38%).

And according to the 2019 Global Status Report, the global building stock is set to double by 2050. This is a frightening statistic is GHG emissions continue to increase at current rates. Never has there been a time where it has been more important to adopt strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change, adapt the way that we’ve been doing things, and prioritize a zero-emission, efficient and resilient building stock.

There is certainly no shortage of sustainable certification programs, targets and criteria. However, if we have any hope in achieving the climate change commitments outlined in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change for a net-zero ready (NZER) model building code by 2030, we need a strong focus on passive strategies.

So we are thrilled to announce the next step in Prairie Architects Inc.’s commitment to a Net Zero future. Principal architect, Lindsay Oster recently became a Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD). She is the first and currently only architect in Manitoba to achieve this certification, which gives Prairie Architects Inc. the ability to offer this in-house expertise to our clients.

Stay tuned for more exciting developments and posts!