The new Carbon Majors report claims that just a few big companies are responsible for 80% of carbon emissions. But it is really about us; It’s the choices we make, the way we live, the things we buy, and the politicians we elect. lloydalter.substack.com/p/stop-blaming…

After I was invited to speak at the 27th International Passive House Conference, I submitted a paper about my proposed talk, 'Why Fabric Remains First,' where I attempt to challenge those who say 'heat pumps first.' Here it is! lloydalter.substack.com/p/why-fabric-r…

I originally titled this post, 'My book is coming out soon, and I'm terrified,' but spouse Kelly said I should be positive! But I wrote this book for everyone. Upfront carbon is emitted making everything from iPhones to hamburgers. lloydalter.substack.com/p/why-everyone…

The recent International Passive House conference focused on retrofit, and in my presentation, I questioned whether we would ever need another new office building, given the current glut caused by hybrid work and the coming impact of the AI revolution. lloydalter.substack.com/p/retrofit-and…

I have never struggled as much with a presentation as I did for this one for the Passive House conference in Innsbruck; I threw out a few versions over the last month and locked myself in my hotel room the day before the conference to figure it all out. lloydalter.substack.com/p/on-sufficien…

There was only one person I actively sought out in London, and that was Steve Webb of Webb Yates Engineers because I was so intrigued by what he is doing with stone and how it could replace concrete in many buildings. I was not disappointed. lloydalter.substack.com/p/architects-a…

What a great experience for the students.

'Less stuff, more joy'.

We could all try to embrace that message more.

Well done @[email protected] Architype.

One thing that impresses me about London is that they bury all the wires and cables instead of begriming the city with poles and wires as they do in Toronto. What a difference it makes. open.substack.com/pub/lloydalter…

It’s 3.14, Pi Day in USA (everyone else who writes dates sensibly has to wait until 22/7) a celebration of all things round. My look at round buildings: treehugger.com/mr-fuller-why-…

All the bathrooms of the future are nothing more than bathrooms of the present with fancy screens, singing shower heads and electronics, and never deal with the fundamentals of washing and waste, water and pollution and resources. My attempt: open.substack.com/pub/lloydalter…

70 years ago André Malraux proposed a 'museum without walls' suggesting that looking at photographs could be a richer experience than the real thing. I wonder if new tech like Apple goggles would make it work even better. lloydalter.substack.com/p/between-the-…

I have spent a lot of time in the bathroom lately, covering everything from the sink to the bidet, and today how we got our toilets. It's a story of one of the greatest misallocation of resources in history. lloydalter.substack.com/p/we-should-re…

This social housing project by Montgomery Sisam Architects doesn't look like your typical Canadian building, with its simple form and punched windows. It's an example of what I've called 'radical simplicity.' lloydalter.substack.com/p/social-housi…

Canada's Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is under attack for suggesting that adding more roads just induces demand. He calls for more transit and active transport. The country goes wild, calling it 'the slippery slope to climate tyranny.' lloydalter.substack.com/p/the-war-on-c…

While researching for a lecture on retrofit, I found an old post of mine about the Union Carbide Building, demolished for Norman Foster's clunkiest and ugliest building ever. Now that we can see what we are getting, here is a reminder of what we have lost. lloydalter.substack.com/p/bonus-270-pa…

I don't know who thought having a shower while standing on soapy wet curved metal was a good idea, but it isn't and causes thousands of injuries every year. lloydalter.substack.com/p/how-careless…

I am not very good at reading books, having concentrated on shorter media. In the last year I have forced myself to slow down and read, and was wowed by Barnabas Calder Brian Merchant Ed Conway and 𝚃𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚜 𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚎 🚇 Here are a few short reviews. lloydalter.substack.com/p/after-learni…

Every year I go to the Canadian International Auto Show with my tape measure to see how high the front ends of the pickups are, and this year we have a new winner: The GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate, which clocks in at 5'-1'. lloydalter.substack.com/p/car-and-truc…

Many people think that as they get older, they should have a home without stairs. But studies show that using stairs can add healthy years to your life. open.substack.com/pub/lloydalter…

So some hack Toronto architect is knocking off (badly) Studio Gang's Aqua Tower on Dundas opposite the AGO and doing radiator fins that will waste energy, and make the first few feet of the apartment uninhabitable. Gimme a thermal break already, we shouldn't be doing this in 2024