Trusted engineers with decades of experience
Advocating
Natural Building Solutions
Join us in promoting sustainable construction practices across Canada with natural building materials.
About CANBE
CANBE, the Canadian Alliance for Natural Building Engineering, is a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the appropriate use of natural materials and technologies in construction through research, consulting, and public engagement.
En français, nous sommes CBIEN, la Coalition pour le Bâtiment et l’Ingénierie avec l’Environnement Naturel.
Natural building technologies minimise negative impacts at the beginning of, throughout, and at the end of their working life, maximizing the positive impact!
These tend to be low-processed raw and bio-based materials taking diverse forms, ranging from cob to straw bale, hempcrete to wood fiber batts, rammed earth to clay 3D printing, and many others. In our experience and by most measures, natural building technologies tend to be better for the earth and humanity, if designed and built well – that’s where CANBE comes in.
CANBE members are experienced consulting engineers and design professionals specializing in natural building materials and technologies. They offer the expertise necessary to design sustainable and regionally appropriate structures that benefit both people and planet.
Part of the Solution
Natural building materials are part of the solution to many challenges facing society today and for many generations to come. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, CANBE aims to proliferate natural building design and construction practices from coast to coast.
CANBE’s mission is to educate and empower Canadians to embrace natural building systems for a healthier, more regenerative future.
CANBE commits to accelerating Canada’s adoption of natural building materials and methods by working collaboratively with individuals, governments, and organizations to enable local and system-wide solutions.
In the Works
We’re just getting started! This is our introduction and commitment to Canadians. In the near future we plan to:
- share our building code development work,
- assemble a directory of existing natural building projects in Canada, and
- share our bioregional guideline map of appropriate materials.
We invite you to join our mailing list and check back with our page regularly as we develop this space and share with you more of our goals and vision for CANBE and what CAN BE.
Join our mailing list!
How We Can Help
Research & Development
Conducting and reporting on innovative research towards the adoption of natural building technologies in construction.
Strategic Consulting
Offering tailored guidance to public and private industry sectors to effectively integrate best practice natural building technology solutions into their projects, policies, and building codes.
Public Education
Raising awareness and understanding of natural building materials and technologies, through events and outreach, in communities across Canada.
Professional Training
Providing practical training through workshops and technical resources to equip building professionals with the skills to implement natural building materials and technologies.
Team CANBE
CANBE members are experienced consulting engineers and design professionals specializing in natural building materials, technologies, and applications. They stand at the ready to offer the technical expertise necessary to design sustainable and regionally appropriate structures to simultaneously benefit people and the planet.
Anthony Spick
P.Eng., Anthony Spick Engineer
Christina Goodvin
P.Eng. Candidate, B.Eng., M.A.Sc., P.D.C., Goodvin Designs and 3D Space Terraform
Elli Terwiel
P.Eng., OLY, P.E., MMIE
Elli has over 7 years of specialized structural engineering experience in natural building materials and systems, including strawbale, cob, rammed earth, earth masonry unit, heavy timber, and adobe. She also has a Master’s degree in Management of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Tim Krahn
P. Eng., Building Alternatives
Mark Fleischhaker
P.Eng., Metaphystations Structural Engineering & Design.
Your Name?
Your Credentials & Profession
This could be you. Get in touch to find out about joining the CANBE team.
Get in Touch
Send us a message. We look forward to hearing from you!