construction workers on a job site with a partially constructed house in the background

Better Building Speaker Series

How can we build better buildings in Nova Scotia?

Research shows that we could be constructing buildings that are more resilient, healthier and better for the environment. There are many ways we could make buildings better here in Nova Scotia and that is what this series of online presentations is all about. Architects, engineers, custom builders, contractors, developers and educators are encouraged to attend these presentations, ask questions and share information that can help everyone build more sustainable buildings.

We're asking, is Net Zero affordable and achievable for all?

Upcoming Events

  • Free energy audits for faith buildings in Nova Scotia â€“ Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
    Faith groups have identified a need for energy audits of their buildings as an important first step in retrofitting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Ecology Action Centre is offering free energy audits for faith buildings across Nova Scotia from March 1–July 30, 2024.

  • Barry Osmun, Gitpo Renew â€“ Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
    Based in Natoganeg First Nation on the beautiful Miramichi River in New Brunswick, Gitpo Renew is an Indigenous family owned and operated business which uses the latest and most innovative technology available while honoring and respecting the land and communities in which we work. Gitpo Renew supports Indigenous people in these technologies to help create a sustainable future in their communities.

  • Embodied energy of buildings with Peggy Cameron â€“ Thursday, April 25, 2024, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
    Join Peggy Cameron for a conversation on embodied carbon relating to the building, demolition and construction industry. 

Register here!

Please select the event(s) you would like to register for.

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Check out recordings and slides from past presentations in the Better Building Speaker Series below!
 

Past Presentations

Recordings

Netukulimk and the new NSNWA Centre - May 30, 2023
Young Soaring Eagle, Solterre Designs & Outside! Landscape Architects

Addressing Embodied Carbon March 15, 2023
Valentine Gomez of Gomex Engineering presents on embodied energy as a neglected component of building emissions.

Sustainable Home Design Solutions - February 27, 2023
Passive home designer Don Roscoe walks through Nova Scotia's housing landscape and the feasibility of housing co-op programs as a solution for increasing costs and regulations in the construction sector.

The 2022 Efficiency Scorecard - January 12, 2023
Alyssa Nippard, Brendan Haley and James Gaede from Efficiency Canada break down the recently released Canadian Energy Efficiency Scorecard.

Panelized Deep Energy Retrofits - August 31, 2022
Nick Rudnicki, Technical Director of the ReCover Initiative

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure - May 31, 2022
George Solomon, Business Development Manager with Efficiency Nova Scotia

Learning from Faithful Footprints - May 10, 2022
Stephen Collette from the Faithful Footprints Program
Spencer LeBlanc, the Business Development Manager for Small Business and Nonprofits at Efficiency Nova Scotia

Slides

The Path to Net Zero for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings - July 22, 2021
Anne Lombardi, Lead Building Energy Analyst, Efficiency Nova Scotia
 
Long Term Energy Efficiency at Windsor Elms - June 10, 2021
Susan (Hayes) MacDougall, Chief Executive Officer, Windsor Elms Village
and William J. Marshall, Professional Engineer and Partner, Equilibrium Engineering Inc.

 
Exploring Energy Efficiency with Treehouse Village Ecohousing - April 29, 2021
Megan Gainer, Architect at RHAD Architects, Roxanne Tate, Professional Engineer & President at Tate Engineering
and David Stonham, Member and Marketing Strategist at Treehouse Village Ecohousing

 
Taking a Deeper Dive with Efficiency Nova Scotia - February 18, 2021
Energy Efficiency Overview: Barry Walker, Communications Outreach Specialist,  Efficiency Nova Scotia
Energy Efficiency for Multi Units Overview: Kaelan Keys, Business Development Manager, Efficiency Nova Scotia
 
Building New Energy Efficient Buildings or Retrofitting Existing Buildings - November 19, 2020
New Buildings: Jennifer Corson and Keith Robertson, Solterre Design
Existing Buildings: Anne Lombardi, Efficiency Nova Scotia
 
The Importance of Energy Data Insights - October 22, 2020
Megan McCarthy, President and Co-Founder at Edge Energy
 
Monetizing Sustainability: Total Cost of Building Ownership - August 20, 2020
Jim Nostedt, the CEO of SEEFAR Building Analytics 
 
Low Rise Buildings as a Climate Change Solution - August 13, 2020
Chris Magwood, Researcher, Contractor, Instructor at the Endeavor Centre
 
Deep Energy Retrofits and Energiesprong in Canada - May 28, 2020
Shawna Henderson, the CEO of Bfree Homes & Blue House Energy