Architek Sustainable Building Products provides solutions that breathe life and sustainability into the modern structures we live and work in. Providing products, resources & expertise to architects, contractors and landscape designers, it’s never been easier being green. A R C H I T E K . C O M 1 . 8 8 8 . 3 1 7 . 9 2 2 6 Engineered Solutions For Living Buildings BuildingsThat Live. Living Facades These trellis systems provide excellent protection for building cladding systems, thermal conservation & acoustic buffering. Climbing plants allow for large coverage inexpensively. Photovoltaic Solar Panels PV solar works symbiotically with living wall & green roof systems. PV Solar cells work 30% more efficiently when kept cool by plants, reducing the building’s carbon footprint. Rooftop Rainwater Cisterns Reservoir for circulating recaptured rainwater. Irrigates surrounding green roof system. Can reduce (& sometimes eliminate) HVAC cooling costs radiantly. Water Management: Rainwater Harvesting Captured rainwater can irrigate landscapes, cool the building and provide an optional grey water source for flushing toilets etc. Living Walls Architek’s living wall systems cost less, use less water, and require far less maintenance. They provide beauty to the building’s exterior or interior and can utilize recaptured rainwater. Green Roof System Reduces storm water run-off and urban heat-island effect. Cools and improves surrounding air quality. Increases lifespan of roof. Provides thermal conservation & offers excellent habitat for pollinators. Water Management: Permeable Pavement Permeable pavements allow the movement of stormwater through the surface. In addition to reducing runoff, this effectively filters pollutants from the water table. www.rcabc.org  l  7 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE purchase of a vehicle that is perhaps a little more extravagant. I have worked hard, long hours for many years, so why not? Well, here’s why not… yet more government gouging! In addition to all the business and income taxes imposed on B.C. resi- dents, the provincial government has also imposed a five per cent increased surtax on luxury cars. Not that I am really into that market, but if you were to purchase a car in the price range of $125,000 to $149,000, you would be looking at a total of 20 per cent PST/ GST added to the final cost. That would mean forking over another $25,000 to drive a decent, high-end vehicle. I guess I will stick to my good old, reliable jalopy. With keys in hand, I am looking forward to hitting the road to sit down with my industry peers to discuss their concerns and listen to their advice on how we, as an association and an industry, can get even better. So, please keep the doors open and the coffee on, and keep an ear perked for my roaring muffler as I rumble down the highway. I’m looking forward to meeting with many of you on the road. With keys in hand, I am looking forward to hitting the road to sit down with my industry peers to discuss their concerns and listen to their advice on how we, as an association and an industry, can get even better.