Walk into EcoAmmo's office, and you're immediately embraced by the airy, inviting, arty and uplifting interior. You're also witnessing some of the qualities that earned EcoAmmo its first place award for the one to 10 employee category of the City of Edmonton's first-ever Small Business Eco Challenge Award.
Combine EcoAmmo's low volatile organic compound (VOC) paint, its environmentally friendly flooring, its too-cool movable wall (cost-effectively made in Red Deer) and the salvaged and refurbished ergonomic office chairs with the "walk the talk" attitude of its three enthusiastic partners, and the reasons for their accolades from the City are obvious.

The Small Business Eco Challenge celebrates the environmental achievements of small business operating in Edmonton.

"We're conservers first. We put a lot of thought and effort into making the most we can of what we have," says Brandy Burdeniuk, EcoAmmo principal. "We even compost everything possible."

The trio guide and consult on elements including transportation, water use, energy use, carbon monitoring, event tracking and sustainable interiors and finishings. Their focus is operations monitoring - helping clients assess each element of their operation to improve its efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint.

"We test all kinds of different paints and floorings for our clients so they know what the true experience is going to be," says Stephani Carter, EcoAmmo principal and former Alberta Chapter, CaGBC Board member. "Our own office is designed to be disassembled if and when we leave this location."

The principals' dedication to all things green extends beyond office hours. Two of the three partners walk to work even in winter. One lives outside walking range - but her Smart Car keeps their transportation as fuel-efficient as possible.

The City of Edmonton award recognizes the firm's sustained dedication to the environment, noting EcoAmmo's green initiatives include: 

• use of energy-efficient lighting, 
  
  
• use of local food suppliers for catering, 
  
  
• maintaining a paper-free office (no printer, fax or copier), and 
  
  
• encouraging clients to implement water-saving strategies at events.
  
  

To read more on this award, to watch the video of the winners or to review the application for next year, please visit the City of Edmonton's website.

Teamwork, vision and out-of-the-(building) envelope thinking have proven the recipe for success for an exciting net-zero energy Habitat for Humanity Edmonton (HFHE) home in Edmonton.

The net-zero duplex, the first of its kind in Canada, is a collaborative effort of several local firms committed to sustainability and the Alberta Chapter, Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

Project leaders Lafarge and Stantec got the ball rolling. Lafarge initiated the project as a showcase for innovative use of a precast concrete envelope while Stantec provided the architectural design and sustainability consulting. The integrative by Kassian & Dyck for structural engineering, 3D modeling and detailing as well as Vital Engineering for mechanical and geothermal design. Other local firms are contributing to the sustainable interior.The Alberta Chapter, CaGBC, also deeply committed to the project, donated the LEED for Homes provider and energy modeling (EcoAmmo and EcoSynergy) to ensure the project would be designed and constructed to LEED standard. Since the building is identical in size, orientation and footprint to previous HFHE duplexes built using traditional framing and construction methods, the project team will measure and verify the home's energy performance over the next five years and compare the results with their traditionally built twins.

The duplex is currently on track for LEED Platinum certification.

"From the beginning, the project was intended to be sustainable with net-zero becoming a real possibility when we were able to achieve an EnerGuide 86 rating with the envelope alone. Dow's contribution of special insulation material for the panels provided a real boost," said Klaas Rodenberg, Stantec's Sustainable Design Coordinator.

Construction on the new duplex began this fall. The structure is manufactured in modules at the Lafarge precast plant where windows, doors and other openings are installed in controlled conditions before being shipped to the Riverdale site for assembly."This innovative project offers exemplary environmental performance," said Keith Shillington, Vice President, Stantec, Edmonton Region. "This results in lower monthly utility costs that make this home attainable for more hard working families in Edmonton."Highlights of the environmentally progressive features include: 

• a high-performance envelope that enhances energy performance, good health, air quality, etc., 
  
  
• water efficient fixtures, 
  
  
• nativescaping, 
  
  
• infill development close to a bus stop, 
  
  
• geothermal heating, 
  
  
• solar PV panels, and 
  
  
• solar thermal panels for hot water."We are creating the ultimate energy-efficient precast concrete home. The project offers a solution that delivers on environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainability," said Rene Thibault, Western Canada Aggregates & Concrete Regional President, Lafarge North America.The project will be the stepping stone for venturing into creating more sustainable residential solutions with precast concrete. Once complete, the home will be donated to HFHE.
  
  "Habitat for Humanity is partnering with innovative companies and organizations to find sustainable solutions for affordable home ownership," said Susan Green, Chair, HFHE. "We are very grateful to Lafarge and Stantec for selecting Habitat as the beneficiary of this pioneering initiative."
  
  The HFHE project was a featured presentation at Greenbuild 2011. Check out the Greenbuild presentation video  - a great source for information on the project and how these kinds of opportunities continue to enhance the Alberta Chapter's reputation nationally and internationally for supporting innovation in our industry.