You do not need to go inside to view the film -- you can access it from the sidewalk. Sit on the bench next to the front door if you’re able.

In 2005, the EAC bought an old salt box house. It took 10 months and 150 volunteers to turn the old home into a ‘green’ office. Fast forward a decade and the number of staff, volunteers and members had nearly doubled, requiring a bigger space. The EAC embarked on another major renovation in 2015 that included adding a third story, maximizing energy efficiency, and creating a more welcoming, accessible space.

Fern Lane

The artist would like to begin by acknowledging that “Fern Lane” was created in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.

2705 Fern Lane has been the EAC’s home since 2005. It has undergone two major renovations, making the 106-year-old house one of the most energy-efficient offices in Canada. The EAC is incredibly proud of the cooperation and collaboration that went into these ambitious energy-retrofits. My goal was to create a dynamic, energetic animation that celebrated both the building and the community that made it happen.

I also wanted the creation of the animation to reflect the EAC’s values as much as possible. With this in mind, I only used materials that I already had on hand. The EAC had a large archive of photographs of their renovations, and I had a large supply of old photo stock I’d rescued from the garbage years ago. It made perfect sense to put this stock to use in the making of this animation.

Sarah Gignac is an artist and writer. Her short animations have screened in festivals across North America and around the world. Her most recent film, Rage Monster, is currently available on CBC Gem.

Sarah’s work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, From Our Dark Side, and various artist residencies. She is currently developing a project that reimagines her grandmother’s experiences in World War II through a feminist lens. Sarah works at the public library and is trying to learn how to grow veggies. She lives and creates in Mi’kma’ki / Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

EAC’s Location History: 1971: Carlton Street. The living room. 1971 - 86: Dalhousie University's Forrest Building. The basement. 1989: Veith Street. Veith House. 1995: Granville Street. Now a parking lot. 1996: Argyle Street. Now a bar. 2006: Fern Lane. Now one of the most energy efficient office buildings in the country.