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'Green' architecture way of future

Green building is taking off in the United States and here in Sudbury.
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Green building is taking off in the United States and here in Sudbury.

"Designing buildings that are ecological- and people-friendly is the fastest growth sector in architecture and now in building construction," said Jason McLennan, an architect specializing in designing energy efficient buildings in the United States. 

He spoke to an audience Monday night at Cambrian College's e-Dome.

McLennan was in Sudbury to promote the college's energy system technology program, set to start in September.

The new three-year program, developed by John Hood, dean of computer and engineering technology, will train youth for careers developing in energy-efficient design, renewable energy, and water conservation technology.

McLennan says Cambrian should capitalize on the green building boom.

"Even Wal-Mart stores in America are jumping on the bandwagon and hiring us to design green," said  McLennan, based in Kansas City, but formerly from New Sudbury.

"Wal-Mart executives are not doing it for altruistic reasons. It all is a matter of the bottom line, something Wal-Mart understands very well.

They want buildings that use less energy and water and that provide a more productive space for their employees," he said.

McLennan said  in the past, his firm's clients were mostly government agencies. Now major private sector businesses, law firms, banks, public utility companies even a brewery are coming to his firm, BNIM Architects.

"While green building still represents under seven percent of the total United States construction market, it is growing fast. That's why I am back in Sudbury to make sure this community leads the way in this exciting new field."

McLennan has been hired to design a new building at Cambrian  to eventually house the new energy program.

"We are supported by FedNor to have Jason, with the help of architect Dennis Castellan, to come up with a conceptual design by the end of summer that meets the requirements for our new course," said Hood.

"We want a building design that makes Sudbury a leader in demonstrating that energy and water use can be slashed. We also want to show that efficient construction methods can reduce their impacts on the environment yet be affordable."

"Then we will ask for input from the Sudbury community at another public session once we have a conceptual design," he said.

Mike Caruso, a Grade 12 student at St. Charles College, is definitely interested in taking the energy course.

"There are a lot of business opportunities in this field of energy efficiency and renewable energy."

Larry Balfour, electrical supervisor for Nauss Plumbing and Heating on Lasalle Blvd. liked the presentation by McLennan and discussion of the course afterwards by Hood.

"I think McLennan has a lot of good ideas. He is moving in the right direction. As far as energy is concerned we need to change. So we need people who are trained in this new efficiency field from the ground up," he said.

Nauss already is actively involved in hot water heating, said Balfour.

"We are not yet pursuing solar or wind, but as things move in that direction, then I expect the business community will be there too. Our customers are becoming aware of the high cost of energy. After all, look at compact fluorescent bulbs. They were new five years ago. Now they are there in most homes."

For more information, phone Les Lisk, co-ordinator of the program at 566-8101.


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