The Coolest Buildings Aren't Green

Green buildings can make a difference, but only if we start asking the right questions, argues designer Bryn Davidson in this recent TEDx talk.

If we can start to see the whole story of how our buildings impact the climate then we can start to make strides toward real 'net-positive' change. The technology isn't new, the strategies aren't rocket science—the hard step is shifting our thinking about what it means to build 'green.'

Bryn Davidson wears many hats. Sure, he’s a LEED-accredited building designer, sustainability consultant, and small business owner with degrees in Architecture (UBC) and Mechanical Engineering (UC Berkeley). But he doesn’t stop there. He’s also one of the co-founders of Lanefab Design / Build, a Vancouver-based design and construction company that built the city’s first laneway house in 2010. Since then, Lanefab has continued its specialization in energy efficient green homes and infill ‘laneway houses’ by completing over 40 of the small infill homes.

In this 18 minute talk, Bryn expands on his experience with energy efficient homes and infill, to ask three key questions: How good is your building? Where is it located? What does it replace?

Through these questions, and the "Net Positive Lens," we can start to see the real impact of our buildings and can start to create projects that have a measurably positive impact on the climate. The great thing is, we can do this while also supporting the growth of our communities and economy.

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, TEDx - Renfrew Collingwood, produced independently of the TED Conferences.