Presenters:

James Meyer, Principal, Opsis Architecture, Portland, OR

Don Myers, President, Sustainable Development Inc., Salem, OR

Patrick Condon, Professor, University of British Columbia, Landscape Architecture Program, Vancouver, BC

Convener:

Ron Kellett, Professor, University of British Columbia, Landscape Architecture Program, Vancouver, BC

Click Here to download the presentation from the session!

While sustainable design and planning is beginning to gain momentum among developers, many perceived roadblocks still exist including: policy regulations, the buyer’s market, and the cost and schedule implications of green communities.  In recognition of a market shifting toward green development, the National Association of Home Builders has begun acknowledging these developments with the Green Land Development of Year Award.  Pringle Creek Community was the inaugural 2007 recipient of the NAHB’s Green Land Development of the Year Award.

Additionally, the first home constructed in the community achieved LEED-H Platinum certification, and with 103 points is the highest rated LEED home in the country to date.

Using the new Pringle Creek Community, as a holistic case study, a Portland and Vancouver B.C. based panel representing the developer, designer and planners will address the successes and challenges of creating a sustainable community.  Incorporating the lessons learned from Pringle Creek, the panel and the audience will explore a question essential to the adoption of sustainable design: can sustainable production housing be the new standard? Attendees should come to the session with a basic understanding of community development practices, and the desire to engage in a lively discussion about implementing sustainability principles.

Presenter Bios

James Meyer
James is a partner and co-founder of Opsis Architecture in Portland, Oregon, an award-winning firm rooted in the philosophy that design excellence is environmentally sustainable. In 2003, James guided the firm’s purchase and development of a 1910 historic structure in the Pearl district, transforming it into a LEED Gold Certified building, and open studio home for the Opsis office. James is a frequent guest lecturer on the topic of sustainability at colleges and businesses around the Northwest.  Currently, he is the Principal in Charge of a number of green building projects, including the sustainable Pringle Creek development in Salem, Oregon, the Central Oregon Community College’s College Center Building, the Bend Parks and Recreation Administration Building, and The University of Oregon Alumni Center.

Don Myers
Don is the President of Sustainable Development, Inc. in Salem, Oregon, where he is responsible for the company’s green strategies and practices as a developer.  For thirty years, Don has managed both for-profit and non-profit businesses, and has been a member of numerous boards of directors and community leadership organizations around the Salem area. Currently, Don is leading Sustainable Developments, Inc.’s work on the Pringle Creek Community. 

Click here to listen to James Meyer and Don Myer's presentation podcast.

Patrick Condon
Patrick currently holds the James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Liveable Environments at the University of British Columbia. Patrick was born and educated in Massachusetts, practicing there first as a landscape architect and then as director of Community Planning for the City of Westfield Massachusetts. In 1985 he joined academia, teaching first at the University of Minnesota, then, in 1992, joining the faculty at the University of British Columbia.  Patrick has become well known for producing alternative models for walkable and complete communities that work with, not against, the natural capabilities of the site. He has written numerous articles and books, including his most recent, Design Charrettes for Sustainable Communities (Island Press), which was listed as one of 2008’s top ten planning books by Panetizen Planning Network.

Ron Kellett
Ronald is a Professor of Landscape Architecture and Director of the Neighborhoods Lab in the Design Centre for Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. He holds degrees in Architecture and Environmental Studies and has practiced and taught architecture and urban design in Oregon and British Columbia. His teaching, research and consulting integrates issues and metrics of environment and sustainability with neighborhood scale urban design. Its results have contributed urban design indicators, codes, guidelines and prototypes to communities in the United States and Canada. He is co-author, with Cynthia Girling, of ‘Skinny Streets and Green Neighborhoods: Design for Environment and Community’ (Island Press, 2005).

Click here to listen to part 1 of Patrick Condon and Ron Kellett's presentation podcast.
Click here to listen to part 2 of Patrick Condon and Ron Kellett's presentation podcast. 

To listen to the Q&A period for this educational session click here.

 Audio edited by http://h2opodcast.com.