EcoVillage 1 was meant to influence industry and improve society in a small way. It was also to demonstrate the 4 in 1 ROI ("return-on-investment") and profit the "quadruple bottom line" (the planet, people, the future, and the economy), as detailed in our Corporate Vision & Mission Statement (Corporate Mandate).

Our firm was to manage site planning & development, design & construction of all buildings. The work would have included: design guidelines, environmental mapping, ecological planning, community design, architectural design, engineering and "pattern language" for a small sustainable community for 25-50 housing units. Alternative construction methods (i.e. strawbale, rammed earth and SIPs were to be used. There was to be no gas, water or sewer connections. Electrical connections were to be made to export surplus green clean electricity to a gird dominated by coal.

It would have been a "combustion-free" community, without any gas, coal, oil or wood appliances. It would have tried to achieve an "Ecological Footprint" of 1 ha/person and an energy target of >0.5 Wh/m2/DD of grid energy and a minimum reduction of 80% Greenhouse Gas emmisions. Community income would have been generated from: "tradable permits", environmental credits, renewable energy and rental of work spaces inside and outside (urban farming, greenhouses, shared execucenter).

The pilot project was planned to demonstrate a fundamental paradigm shift from terminal (fossil) fuels to a Sustainable Future and would have been unique in North America and Europe. Construction was scheduled for the Spring of 2002 but has been put on hold indefinitely until a new piece of land is found. It would not be heaven, utopia or paradise. But it would focus upon and utilize the lessons and experience of 25 years of professional work in the sustainable building field.

The presidents of: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Canadian Home Builders Association and the Canadian Housing & Renewal Association have pledged support for this project. It would have been governed by the realities, opportunities, constraints, challenges, compromise, and achievements of the real-world, as they presented themselves. Together, we could have been part of the solution rather than the problem, and have done our part to provide a living example of a better world and brighter future for present and future generations.

See our EcoVillage 1 (Bear's Paw - original location) concept poster, site plan, and eco-inventory map.

See the second location in NW Calgary concept plan, site plan.

*NOTE: All images copyrighted. All rights reserved.

See Jörg Ostrowski's resume.