Winners of the 2013 Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia’s (REFBC) 2013 Land Awards were announced at a gala on October 25.

The Foundation named three winners, one each from the private, non-profit and government sectors. The projects were chosen for their demonstrations of innovation, leadership and collaboration in sustainable land use in B.C.

In the non-profit category, the Atira Women’s Resource Society was recognized for its Container Housing Project. The Society used recycled shipping containers to build 12 self-contained studio suites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The choice of materials was commended as it dramatically reduces the cost and time needed to construct housing.

The City of Colwood’s Solar Colwood project won in the public sector category. Colwood collaborated with 14 organizations to reduce energy consumption and costs, while creating clean-energy solutions. The program included home energy retrofits, electric vehicle charging stations and public education programs.
Vancouver’s first solar-powered laneway house was named the private-sector winner. Lanefab designed the Net Positive Housing Project using green-building practices to construct the home in an underused urban space.

“Tonight’s award recipients should be proud of the vision, creativity and collaboration that were hallmarks of these projects,” says REFBC Chair Kelly Lerigny. “The Foundation is pleased to shine a spotlight on the exceptional work done by each winner and to recognize the commitment all have demonstrated towards sustainable landuse practices.”