Fascinating 1976 Green Building Film on the Web

Over the past few months the National Film Board of Canada has been releasing its movies online.  Among many of the excellent films and documentaries is this dry, yet fascinating gem from 1976 exploring various green- and energy-efficient building methods during the oil crisis of the 1970s.

It's interesting to compare the 1970s with today's eco-efficiency building movement.  Whereas the 1970s buildings were primarily focused on energy savings for cost purposes, today we also look at greenhouse gas reductions and improved human health and well-being as reasons why we need to build green.

A good illustration of the evolution between these 1970s projects and those of today is the story behind The Ark in PEI (as seen in the video) whose designer, John Todd, helped pioneer the field of ecological design.  The Ark integrated many of his ideas that led to the wide use of composting toilets and living machine biological wastewater treatment systems.

(When you're done with this spend some extra time on the NFB site.  All Canadians between the ages of 28 and 33 would particularly appreciate the Log Driver's Waltz).