At Energy Circle, we normally focus on ways to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes, but we're suckers for a good story just like anyone else.
That's why we were excited to come across a story about Toronto high school students designing sustainable houses as part of their geography curriculum. According to the Globe and Mail, Paul Hackl, a geography teacher at Riverdale Collegiate, began incorporating the sustainable design project into his 12th grade course four years ago in an attempt to give students some hands on learning, while teaching them about the importance of sustainability. This past fall he started requiring that students design homes using only "blue box" materials — that is, materials straight out of the recycling bin. The original article has a bunch of great pictures of the students' completed projects, which incorporate everything from solar panels, to geothermal heat pumps, to rainwater recovery systems. (No mention of air sealing, but hey, the models are made of cardboard.)
In addition to being cute (which it is, just look at those wind turbines), we think this is an important story, in that it delineates a bridge from the widespread misperception that green building is ugly, cramped or uncomfortable ("before doing this project, when I thought of environmentally friendly houses, I thought 'ugly,'" quipped one student) — to the sweet truth that sustainability, done right, is beautiful, practical, and even fun. While we won't get started on the argument that they're (exactly) the same thing, we think it goes without saying that energy efficiency, too, can be beautiful, practical, and fun.
The illustrious Mr. Hackl noted that a handful of students from past years were so enthused about the project that they went on to study architecture in college. Those that didn't will surely look back on the class when time comes round to buy, build or remodel a house.
Small project, big results. Congratulations to Paul Hackl for being a great teacher.
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