Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My “Backyard“

Photo: Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My “Backyard“
2012 @ Martina Ernst

Inspired by nature - this is part one of a two-part essay. Part two will be posted on May 17.

The magic lies in something that is difficult to explain,
but in short it is an oasis in the middle of an urban environment.

My “backyard” is a park. The park is a mixture of paved pathways, parking spots, people amenities, a swimming pool, rough and cropped lawn areas. High rise buildings to the east, north and south low rise buildings, golf course to the west. The Humber River lies to the north. The park is totally man made, several little lakes act as reservoirs for the overflow run off rain water coming from the adjacent higher ravine areas.

But somehow the City of Toronto managed to create a basis where over time different stakeholders could claim their niches. Home to a whole host of animals: turtle, fish, geese, frogs, kingfishers, other birds, beavers, muskrats, domestic cats, raccoons (in the past I have even seen foxes and further on deer) which seem to be thriving in and around the lakes.

The City’s management seems to be limited to cutting some of the grass areas occasionally (the geese keep the grass fairly short), making sure that the overflow grills are clean, the beavers have a habit of blocking them off (I think the beavers are winning) and cleaning the garbage. Everything else seems to be left to its own devices.

The magic is not its spotlessness, believe me it is not. There is rubbish and goose poop everywhere. It is not that any of the views are spectacular, they are not, most views in nature are likely to be better. Nor is it the size of the lakes or their designs, they are tiny and probably more functional than anything else. And sometimes it smells of decay due to the decomposting of organic material.

The magic lies in something that is difficult to explain, but in short it is an oasis in the middle of an urban environment. A small working eco-system, where “wild” animals live side by side with humans; each is tolerant of the other. Most people there respect the animals and just enjoy watching them. The magic is in the co-existence of its stakeholders (animals, plants, people) in that environment and making it their own. It is making a potentially dead and boring space, exciting and alive.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Photo: Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My “Backyard“
2012 @ Martina Ernst

Habitat Toronto: Helping Others and Supporting Women in Construction

Photo: Elida Huignard, President 2006-2010, Head of Operations Wo-Built Inc.
at a volunteer shift with Habitat Toronto for the WOMEN BUILD: May 1-12, 2012
May 2012 © wobuilt.com

Photo: Elida Huignard, President 2006-2010, Head of Operations Wo-Built Inc.
at a volunteer shift with Habitat for Humanity Toronto's Women Build: May 1-12, 2012
May 2012 © wobuilt.com

Photo: Elida Huignard, President 2006-2010, Head of Operations Wo-Built Inc.
at a volunteer shift with Habitat Toronto for the WOMEN BUILD: May 1-12, 2012
May 2012 © wobuilt.com

Photo: Elida Huignard, President 2006-2010, Head of Operations Wo-Built Inc.
at a volunteer shift with Habitat for Humanity Toronto's Women Build: May 1-12, 2012
May 2012 © wobuilt.com

Photo: Elida Huignard, President 2006-2010, Head of Operations Wo-Built Inc.
at a volunteer shift with Habitat Toronto for the WOMEN BUILD: May 1-12, 2012
May 2012 © wobuilt.com

Recently Wo-Built's co-founder Elida Huignard took part again in the Habitat for Humanity Women's Build weekend; hammer, hard hat and all. As a crew member of the CAWIC team we achieved two of our goals which are dear to us: helping others in need and showing our ongoing commitment to support women in construction.

Thank you, Elida, for representing us in this great cause and judging by the pictures it was a lot of fun. I cannot think of anything better; helping others in a fun community way.


Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and

To learn more, read Habitat Toronto's 2012 Women Build: Wearing a Hard Hat, Supporting a Great Cause

Screenshot: Habitat Toronto for the WOMEN BUILD: May 1-12, 2012
Elida Huignard Fundraising Goal: $200; Amount Raised: $415
Sponsors: 6; 100% of Goal Achieved! Thank you for your support.
Credit: torontohabitat.ca

Indoor Landscapes: Companies See the Light of a whole New Level of "wow, cool!"

Image Montage by Wo-Built: Indoor Landscapes
Image Credits: Travels with Zen-Aida +
Plantscape - Interior Plant Service, Indoor Office Landscaping

Companies are beginning to embrace the notion of indoor landscapes with more enthusiasm, and it’s no wonder why. The business case is compelling; the players impressive; the wow-factor seductive.

eFig, a U.K.-based non-profit trade association of interior landscapers, have collected a number of reasons why organizations of all sizes and types should invest in professionally installed and maintained plants. Their list of benefits cites various researchers and studies that back up each claim.

The benefits of indoor landscapes to business begin with making a positive impression in reception and sales areas, to reduction in stress, sickness and absenteeism in employees, and an increase in overall productivity. But business leaders should be weary of that word: maintained.

There is something else at work in the mad rush to green interior spaces. It has something to do with what you might call the “wow, cool!” factor; not to mention landscape designers’ determination to “turf” existing notions of what’s “doable” indoors. Consider the following installations.

Image Montage by Wo-Built: “Turf” your notions about what’s “doable.”
Above Left: Grass floor key part of Hassell’s design for PTTEP’s new 46,000 sqm Headquarters.
Image Credit: HASSELL: Projects - PTTEP Headquarters;
Above Right: Grass walls by Heather Ackroyd & Dan Harvey transform church.
Read more: Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture,
Green Building: Living Grass Walls Completely
Cover the Interior of London's Dilston Grove Gallery!
Image Credit: Ackroyd & Harvey: Dilston Grove

That’s all well and good, but there’s a problem. Plants are alive. And, like all living things, they are dependent on their environment. Traditional / conventional buildings are notoriously “sick.” Adding some plants may improve things on one level, we may be creating more problems than we know.

Living walls costing tens of thousands of dollars in plant replacement costs; putrefying soil having detrimental effects on indoor air quality; inappropriate water usage causing more harm to plants than good. Interior landscapers will say anything is doable—even maintainable—but is it really sustainable?

Wo-Built loves “wow, cool!” And we would never have created Peapod Life if we didn’t believe in the benefits of indoor landscapes and healthier spaces. But we also know life comes with strings. We don’t overpromise. And with all-glass designs, you can count on the fact that transparency is our business.

Peapod Life is unique. It’s not about forcing living landscapes into sick buildings or dead spaces in the hopes of healing or resuscitating them. We build autonomous living spaces from the ground up, with an eye on creating fully integrated indoor ecosystems that are beautiful, cost effective and sustainable.

Peapod Life is based on biomimetic design & build philosophies. Our mission is to create sustainable indoor ecosystems supported by living structures that maximize the benefits for all life, especially our clients. Forget about what’s doable. See the natural light of what’s actually livable. Peapod Life.

Yeah, with Wo-Built, you could say it’s time for a whole new level of "wow, cool."

Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Doors Open Toronto 2012: Our Picks from #DOT12 Buildings List

Timeline: 1812 - 2012: 13th annual Doors Open Toronto 2012
200 Years of Building Our City
In commemoration of the War of 1812 Bicentennial
Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27, 2012
More than 135 architecturally, historically, culturally
and socially significant buildings will open their doors for
the weekend and highlight the people who built our city. All for free!
Explore city building and city builders!
Credit: City of Toronto: 2012 Doors Open Toronto

"May the Doors always be open."
- Christopher Hume, Toronto Star, 2011

Doors Open Toronto is back, this time celebrating 200 years of Toronto City History. There are some amazing buildings to be visited, from historical to modern.

Last year we visited the Humber Arboretum Centre for Urban Ecology, an example and showcase how green building systems can work together to form a great space and at the same time show how we can reduce our ecological foot print. We loved our visit there and we highly recommend visiting the Centre.

One of my favourite past-times is looking at buildings and as usual Door Open Toronto is a bit of a Busman’s holiday. With Peapod Life, our integrated indoor garden living space, gathering steam, we are concentrating our visits to the buildings with green designs.

This year’s candidates:

Artscape Wychwood Barns
Architect and year: Unknown, 1913
Subsequent architect(s)/ consultant(s): Joe Lobko at du Toit Architects Ltd./Artscape 2007

This building is close to the office and we have attended a few community events there before. We can highly recommend visiting it.

Corus Quay
Architect and year: Diamond and Schmitt Architects, 2007
Subsequent architect(s)/ consultant(s): The interior of Corus Quay was outfitted by Quadrangle Architects Ltd.

Loved my visit there last year at a networking event. Amazing building with great green design.

Hugh Garner Housing Co-operative and Mountain Equipment Co-op

These buildings have a green roof initiatives which we would like to check out.

Karma Co-operative, Inc. - NEW!

The architectural interest is the 100 year old building the co-operative is being housed in, but as Peapod Life is also a food initiative, we would love to talk to the Karma Food Co-operative about their views and philosophies.

Toronto Botanical Garden

Plants, of course we love plants, but this building is interesting as it renovations in 2005 won it its silver LEED awards.

We will report back on our findings after the Doors Open weekend.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Get Peapod Life™ Indoor Garden Living Space for your Non-Profit or Community Organization at Cost

Peapod Life designs indoor garden living spaces for many applications.
Ask us how you can acquire Peapod Life™ at cost for your group,
non-profit or other organization that serves the local community.
2012 @ peapodlife.com

"Gardens, scholars say, are the first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn they are saying, let's stay here. And by their connection to the land, they are connected to one another."
- Anne Raver
Source: The New York Times: Home & Garden: Growing

Peapod Life™ is announcing an exciting offer for non-profit and other community groups in the Greater Toronto Area. Now you can get Peapod Life for your organization at cost.

As part of its community outreach program aligned with a social mission to increase food security for suburban and urban neighbourhoods, Peapod Life is offering organizations an opportunity to build fully useable community spaces that have integrated indoor vertical gardens, solar power and more.

The urban gardening movement is experiencing a renaissance in Toronto. Peapod Life supports all efforts to green rooftops and utilize other available green spaces. Our approach to healthy living brings the benefits of fresh air, natural light and organic gardens indoors, 365 days a year.

Peapod Life recognizes the need for indoor community centres for neighbourhood gatherings, meetings, young people, learning, spiritual development, meditation and worship, and a host of other uses. We believe such centres are ideal for Peapod Life’s approach to living structures that support life.

Be it the slow food movement, urban garden sharing, or food swapping programs, we believe Peapod Life represents the ideal space for grassroots initiatives revolving around food security and healthy living.

Imagine your neighbourhood or community with its own Peapod Life building, providing essential space for young and old alike to participate in whatever activities near and dear to their heart, at the same time producing organic fruits and vegetables all year round.

Peapod Life is committed to the future of neighbourhoods and communities: with strong bonds and grassroots efforts to improve everyone’s standard of living: from energy and food security to health and overall happiness and well-being.

That’s why we are offering Peapod Life to not-for-profit and other community groups at cost.

Contact us for more details.

Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Urban Farming and Peapod Life: Grow Kids’ Connection to Community, Culture and Curriculum

Collage: Children’s Lives Enriched with Gardening
Images Credit: MS Office Clip Art

"Students in a mostly Latino high school in Chicago improved their grades in science and the eating habits of an entire neighborhood with a program that began by installing greenhouses on the roofs of the school buildings and spread to one of the main parks in the city.”
Read more: Fox News Latino

This report Urban Farming Improves Nutrition in Chicago Neighborhood by Fox News Latino in the U.S., indicating the positive impact of urban gardening on kids and their community in Chicago is just the latest evidence in support Peapod Life’s push into education.

Overcrowding is a problem in many schools, and given the choice between building new greenhouses and new classrooms, most schools would probably opt for applying shrinking budgets to more learning space. Peapod Life gives educators a third option: indoor garden learning spaces.

The connection between children and gardening is both elemental and elementary. I certainly remember working our family’s three-quarter acre lot in the summertime, not to mention countless trips to “pick-your-own” farms. It was a connection to the earth that I’m sure has served me well.

The National Gardening Association has “been working to renew and sustain the essential connection between people, plants and the environment” for over 35 years, and have a website dedicated to children’s connection with gardening: www.kidsgardening.org.

One cannot help but wonder how urbanization and modernization are adversely affecting future generations, as children become less in-tune with the natural world, and more connected to artificial, synthetic and/or virtual representations of reality. Certainly, Jamie Oliver seems to think so. Peapod Life’s idea of combining an indoor garden space with a fully functioning learning space counters the disturbing trend highlighted by Jamie Oliver and others. It gives children living in urban centers a taste of living and working the land, an authentic connection with life. And this is only the beginning.

Studies have shown that focus and attention improve dramatically with the presence of plants. Peapod Life’s indoor garden learning spaces could offer parents and educators a natural remedy for ADHD and behavioural problems, as opposed to overmedicating children. The healthy organic food they eat will help counter the negative neuropsychological impacts of MSG and other excitotoxins present in processed foods.

Finally, no matter what their cultural origin, children deserve to connect with the best traditions of their past, including native dishes, ingredients, flavors, and recipes… and by connect I mean prepare from scratch. Peapod Life gives them the chance to grow, harvest and prepare authentic meals from scratch.

Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Habitat Toronto's 2012 Women Build: Wearing a Hard Hat, Supporting a Great Cause

Screenshot: Join Habitat Toronto for the WOMEN BUILD: May 1-12, 2012
Please Sponsor Elida Huignard in Habitat Toronto's 2012 Women Build!
Credit: torontohabitat.ca

"The Habitat for Humanity Toronto Women Build (May 1-12, 2012) brings the women of this city together to help families living in need.
It's an exciting and rewarding way to make new friends, learn new skills and show how much we can do when we put our efforts into helping each other."
- Habitat Toronto's 2012 Women Build

Habitat Toronto's 2012 Women Build

In one of Canada's most affluent cities, tens of thousands of hard working families are trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty where they do not have a safe and decent place to live. I am choosing to do something about the poverty housing issue in my city. Together we can give Toronto families a better life and future.

I'm participating in Habitat Toronto's 2012 Women Build. In May, I will be picking up a hammer and donning a hard hat with hundreds of other women to help build 6 homes for local families living in need.

You can help support my efforts to make a difference by making a secure online donation using your credit card. Click on the link below:

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1424956

For more information on how YOU can participate in Habitat Toronto's 2012 Women Build, please visit www.torontohabitat.ca/womenbuild

Together we can give Toronto families a hand up and build healthier, happier communities.

Thanks for your support!

Elida Huignard
President 2006-2010, Head of Operations
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

We would like to give our wholehearted support to Habitat for Humanity which is a wonderful cause after our own heart. Wo-Built's co-founder Elida Huignard is taking part again in the Habitat for Humanity Women's Build this weekend; hammer, hard hat and all.

This is a great cause and please support her generously.

Wo-Built's Team

links:

Read Elida's experience volunteering with Habitat for Humanity as part of the team for the Toronto Womens’ Blitz in May, 2009: Building Homes - Leading Women into Construction.