Architect owners combine forces for new eco-friendly building in British Columbia

on Friday,June 04,2010 16:06

When the owners of Beelineweb.com, an online search marketing firm, decided to find new office space, they hoped to establish an appropriate architectural legacy for their area - the Okanagan region of Lake Country, British Columbia.

The result, completed earlier this year, is an energy-efficient building that limits the company's environmental footprint while serving as a positive workplace for their employees. Built by BPR Construction Ltd., the Beelineweb facility maximizes use of environmentally responsible components.

"We wanted to stay true to our values - acting in a caring and responsible manner for our people and our environment," said Lauren Gaglardi, president of Beelineweb. We're just one small company, so if we can do it, then what's stopping larger companies with greater resources?"

Jim Meiklejohn of Meiklejohn Architects liked that the company chose a site that was previously used for semi-industrial purposes. While it needed a major facelift, he appreciated that his client didn't want to start dredging and digging up undeveloped land.

"When you're doing a green building project, the philosophy is 'Why break open virgin ground when you can redevelop and clean up old sites?'" said Meiklejohn. "It's the responsible thing to do - find a bad site and make it better."

The completed building includes eco-friendly characteristics like recycled glass counter tops, photo-sensitive lighting, and bamboo flooring - a renewable alternative to traditional hardwood. The office is heated and cooled by a geothermal system that uses no ozone-depleting substances.