Thinking and acting green has quickly become the mantra of not only a generation but also our industry. As with many complex issues the execution of good intentions is often a complicated endeavour. This couldn't be more true than with building green.

Construction, in its current form, is an inherently un-green process. Significant amounts of resources and energy are required to achieve our building needs. It was for this and many similar reasons that LEED was created. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design has green building as its goal.

Our goal is to explain how flooring is involved in LEEDing the green movement. LEED is a voluntary certification system in which building projects earn points for complying with sustainable standards such as, water efficiency, materials and innovation in design. The more points a project earns, the higher its certification level.

Under LEED, improved building performance is certified with the following ratings:

• Certified: 26-32 points
• Silver: 33-38 points
• Gold: 39-51 points
• Platinum: 52 or more points

The prerequisites and credits in the LEED rating system are organized into five principal categories:

• Sustainable Sites
• Water Efficiency
• Energy and Atmosphere
• Materials and Resources
• Indoor Environmental Quality

Flooring falls into the Materials and Resources category. A total of 15 points can be earned in this category, which encourages design strategies that reduce and reuse material resources, reduce construction waste, and encourages the selection of building materials that are environmentally friendly. A startling yet not surprising fact is that, "The construction industry consumes 40% of global material and generates 33% of our solid waste."

A building can earn LEED points in the Materials and Resources category by complying with the following guidelines: Maintaining 75% of existing walls, floors and roof = 1 point

Maintaining 95% of existing walls, floors and roof = 1 point

Maintaining 50% of interior non-structural elements (interior walls, floor coverings, doors and ceiling systems) = 1 point

Using salvaged, refurbished or reused materials, products and furnishings for at least 5% of the total cost of building materials = 1 point (10% of the total cost of building materials earns an additional 1 point)

Using 7.5% post consumer/industrial recycled content materials = 1 point (15% post consumer/industrial recycled content materials earns an additional 1 point)

Using 10% of regionally extracted, manufactured and processed materials** = 1 point (20% regionally extracted, manufactured and processed materials earns an additional point)

Using rapidly renewable materials (plants harvested within a 10 year cycle) for 5% of the total value of all building materials and products = 1 point>

Using a minimum of 50% of wood based materials and products for wood building components including structural framing, finished floors, furnishings = 1 point

Using “Regional Materials” is one of the exciting ways in which flooring can help a LEED project. Reducing fossil fuel emissions from shipping by producing materials locally or using more efficient methods of transportation can have a significant environmental impact. Please find below what classifies as “regional materials”

** What classifies as “regional materials”?

• 10% of building materials or products of which 80% of the mass is extracted, processed and manufactured within 800 km of the project site or…


• 10% of building materials or products of which 80% of the mass is extracted, processed and manufactured within 2400 km of the project site and shipped by rail or water or…


• 10% of building materials or products that reflect a combination of the above extraction, processing and manufacturing and shipping criteria (e.g. 5% within 800 km and 5% shipped by rail within 2400 km)

Grey Eagle Casino

The Project: A new casino located on the Tsuu T’ina Indian reserve in Calgary, Alberta that houses 600 slot machines, table games, high rollers area and several restaurants. The casino opened in December 2007.

Our Role: Bousada assisted the designer/architect with many aspects of design development, from sourcing materials and providing detailed budgets and specifications, to offering design suggestions and finding trades and services. Materials used include large format carpet tile, specialized anti-static carpet tile, natural stones, custom stone cutting, the latest vinyl designer tiles, and glass floor light tiles.

Challenges: Creating a casino design that marries the glitz of Vegas with an aesthetic that honours the history of the land on which it is built was a challenge that involved careful thought. And the fact that smoking is allowed in this casino (the only smoking casino in Alberta) affected our material choices. Also, this being a large-scale job located in another province made coordinating the project a little more complicated.

Cassie Campbell Community Centre

The Project: A 165,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art, multi-use community centre that will be the largest and most modern in Brampton, Ontario. It will house two indoor ice rinks, a swimming pool, running track, fitness centre and much more.

Our Role: Bousada is installing the gym floors and skating rink floors, as well as the intricate ceramic tiles in the indoor Olympic size pool. The entire project requires 165,000 sq. ft. of various flooring materials.

Challenges: Bousada loves a good challenge and the indoor Olympic size pool has provided us with one. The pool’s construction involves complex engineering to ensure proper drainage and slope, which makes the installation of ceramic tiles more challenging. In addition, we have to co-ordinate the installation of 70 different types of tile in the pool.

What’s hot in flooring and home design? Here are this year’s trends, according to the design experts at Bousada.

Materials made from sustainable and renewable resources: Cork, bamboo, marmoleum, wool and sisal carpeting (all featured in our gallery)

Natural hypoallergenic products: Wool carpeting, stone tiles, cork and hardwood floors

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Spa inspired: Adding spa-like elements (such as, slate tile walls) infuses a home with a feeling of a relaxation and calm. Decadence: Moving away from minimalist styles and returning to an ornate and decadent design aesthetic.

Art deco chic: Drawing inspiration from the theatrical art deco style of the 1920s and 1930s. Sleek, polished wood veneers contrast with highly textured carpeting, fabrics and furs.

The retro look: Adding fun and informal design elements such as, shag carpets, glass mosaics and subway tiles in new styles, colours and sizes.

Texture, texture, texture: Creating drama and visual interest using textured tiles such as, leather, crocodile and grainy woods.

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Rich browns and blacks: Can be achieved using exotic hardwoods such as Ipe, Jatoba, Wenge, Merbau, and Tigerwood or in espresso-stained domestic hardwoods such as, walnut (like our gallery floor) or hickory. Colours inspired from nature: Warm tan tumbled marble used with cool water-toned glass mosaics and grey stainless steel tiles.

White hues paired with high contrast colours: Ivory walls and black slate floors with white subway tiles punched up with brushed nickel and shimmering red glass inserts.