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Staffieri, President & CEO Mike J., Fibre Construction Technician Tony—
Congratulations to the 2022 OHBA Awards of Distinction winners.
Enbridge Gas would like to recognize the builders, developers, renovators and building industry professionals who received honours for their important work.
Thank you for your commitment to building more sustainable communities.
When it comes to dazzling homebuyers—and our judges it’s b oth what’s inside and outside that counts.
Sometimes you need to see and touch a space for yourself. These stunning examples helped close the deal.
30
There’s an art to harmoniously transforming homes (and, in turn, lives) without losing the design theme and plot.
59
A picture tells a thousand words. Here’s a novel’s worth of indelible memories from the 2022 Annual Conference and AoD.
From jaw-dropping kitchens to spa-retreat bathrooms, these functional spaces are all Instagrammable showpieces.
Finally back in person after three years, we all got a reminder of the intrinsic value of OHBA’s Awards of Distinction. 52
Among this year’s winners, a select handful stood out. Here’s the cream of the crop in building, design and marketing excellence.
From catching the eye to embedding into the brain, this marketing imagery and storytelling sends a clear message.
Behind the scenes and in front of the camera, there are outstanding OHBA members who deserve special attention.
EDITOR
Ted McIntyre ted@laureloak.ca
ART DIRECTOR Erik Mohr
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Ian Sullivan Cant
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CONTRIBUTORS
Luca Bucci
ADVERTISING
Cindy Kaye, ext. 232 cindy@laureloak.ca
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Sheryl Humphreys, ext. 245 sheryl@laureloak.ca
PRESIDENT Wayne Narciso
PUBLISHED BY Laurel Oak Publishing laureloak.ca ohba.ca
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Recognizing the importance of OHBA’s Annual Conference and Awards of Distinction
BEFORE STEPPING into my role as CEO of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association, I had heard how significant the OHBA Conference and Awards of Distinction (AoD) were to industry members. Experiencing it firsthand solidified that initial presumption.
The 2022 OHBA Conference was the first opportunity since 2019 for our members to get back together in person. At the beginning of the pandemic, OHBA shifted many events online, including our 2020 Awards of Distinction and 2021 Annual Conference. This year, however, we finally had a clear path to bring forward a bold and ambitious program of edu cational sessions, professional develop ment and industry celebrations.
Members gathered at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls for the start of a new year with the Annual Meeting of Members (AMM). The AMM provides the opportunity to establish association priorities for the coming year. With a continued imbalance between housing supply and demand, the AMM showed that our
association is serious about increas ing the volume and variety of hous ing options in Ontario. We outlined a strong advocacy path focused on streamlining approvals, increasing land availability, building infrastructure, capping costs and fighting NIMBYism.
Leading us down this path is OHBA’s new president, Louie Zagordo. Having served as 1st VP for three years, Louie’s move to president was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he arrives ready to meet members, hear their chal lenges and be a strong voice for local asso ciations. Louie has a great team behind him in the 2022-2023 board of directors, including the wise advice of immediate Past President Bob Schickedanz.
Turning to the 30th edition of the Awards of Distinction, I was tremen dously honoured to take an active role in this year’s AoD program. It was an immense pleasure to welcome industry members to the evening and hear first hand the stories of how these projects came to be. One thing that stuck with me was that these amazing projects don’t happen accidentally. Tireless work by builders, renovators and their teams is required to design, market and construct these new or newly renovated homes. Our industry is passionate and competitive about what we do, and I am confident this is the secret to Ontario’s thriving housing sector. When our mem bers continually push the boundaries of design, sustainability and practicality, they elevate our industry to new heights.
Receiving an Award of Distinction honour symbolizes not just excellence in new home construction and renova tion but also the ways in which hous ing has become more sophisticated, efficient, sustainable and focused on occupant comfort. Meeting many of our award finalists and winners after the ceremony, it is evident that members have end users in mind when envision ing future projects—ensuring individu als and families get the most out of their new or newly renovated home, not just in features but in practical design elements, materials and technology. In many ways, the AoD program provides a glimpse of where the industry is heading and where consumer priorities may be in the future.
The 2022 OHBA Conference could not have happened without the sup port of our host local, the Niagara Home Builders’ Association, along with countless volunteers, judges and staff. On behalf of the OHBA, we thank all those who had a role in making our first in-person conference back an incredible success. OHB
“THE AoD PROGRAM PROVIDES A GLIMPSE OF WHERE THE INDUSTRY IS HEADING.”LUCA BUCCI IS THE CEO OF THE ONTARIO HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION
Thank you to all of our 2022 submitters and credited companies. We greatly appreciate the time, effort, and dedication our members have put into making this awards program possible.
Aareas Interactive Inc.
ACM Designs
Activa Holdings Inc.
ADhoc Studio
ADI Development Group Inc.
Alair Homes
Alterra Group of Companies
Ambria Homes
Amexon Development Corporation
Amsted Design-Build
Angus Glen Developments
Apt. Agency
Argo Development Corporation
Arista Homes Ltd.
Aristocrat Floors of the World
Armour Heights Developments Inc.
Artcraft Kitchens
Aspen Ridge Homes
Atria Development Corp
Blackjet Inc.
BLD Homes
Blythwood Homes Inc.
Branthaven Homes
Brixen Developments Inc.
Bromont Group
Brookfield Residential
Builder Insight Group Inc.
Burnstein Brick
Cachet Homes Inc.
Calibrex Developments
Camrost Felcorp Inc.
Canderel Management Inc.
Caramel
Carriage Gate Homes Ltd.
Carrothers and Associates
Cassidy & Co. Architectural Technologists
Cedar Ridge Designs Inc.
CentreStaged
Ceramic Decor Centre
CinderBloc Collecdev
Concord Homes
Construct and Conserve Building Inc.
Coolaid Studios Inc.
Cooper Admin & Consulting
Core Architects Inc.
Cornerstone Marketing Realty Inc.
Cortina Kitchens Inc.
Cotton Inc.
CountryWide Homes
Covenant Construction
Craft Development Corporation
CroMade Cabinetry
David Small Designs
DECO Homes
Deer Creek Fine Homes
DeSantis Homes
DeSousa Homes Inc.
Dell Smart Home Solutions Inc.
Design Agency
Diamondcorp
Dietrich Homes
Distrikt Developments
Drake Khan Designs
DRT Custom Homes and Renovations Inc
ELAD Canada Realty Inc.
Eleven Eleven Real Estate Services Inc.
EMBLEM Development
Empire Communities
Enbridge Gas Inc.
Enticity
esQape design inc.
Esquire Homes
Fairmont Properties Ltd.
Figure3
Firmland Developments Corporation
Fourteen Estates Ltd.
Freeborn + Company
Fusion Homes
G. Ryan Design Inc. Gairloch Developments
GCW Custom Kitchens & Cabinetry Inc.
Geertsma Homes Ltd
Gemini Homes
Gentek Building Partnership Ltd. Georgian International Geranium
Gibbys Electronic Supermarket
Gladstone Media
Glenview Homes
Gold Park Homes
Gordon Tobey Developments Ltd.
Grandfield Homes
Graziani + Corazza Architects Inc.
Great Gulf Guidelines Advertising
Hallett Homes
Harwood Kitchens
Hayhoe Homes
Hobin Architecture Inc.
Hollandale Landscaping & Garden Centre Ltd.
Hunt Design Associates
Huron Creek Developments
IBI Group
II By IV Design
Impact North Inc.
IN2ITION Realty
Infinity Fine Homes
Jacinto Salcedo Branding and Marketing
Jane Lockhart Interior Design
Joey Ai
Kaneff Properties Limited
Kawartha Lakes Construction
Kingsmen Group Inc.
Kirkor Architects & Planners
Kylemore Communities
L.A. Inc.
Lagois Design Build Renovate
Land Art Design Landscape Architects Inc.
Laurysen Kitchens Ltd.
LightCACHE
Lindvest Properties Ltd.
Lockwood Brothers Construction
Losani Homes
Lucchetta Homes
MadHouse Advertising Inc.
Marlin Spring
Marshall Homes Corp.
Marz Homes
Mattamy Homes
McOuat Partnership
MENATWORK
Menkes Developments Ltd.
Metropia
Michael London Design
Minto Communities
Modern Skyline Corporation
Moen Canada
Monaghan Lumber Specialties
Montana Steele Advertising
Mountainview Building Group
NAK Design Group
National Homes
NEEZO Studios Inc.
New Horizon Development Group
NGEN Communications
Nickerson Home Appliances
North Drive Investments Inc.
Oke Woodsmith Building Systems Inc.
One Stop Fireplace Shop Ltd.
Orchard Design Studio Inc.
Panasonic Canada Inc.
Patton Design Studio
Plazacorp Investments Ltd.
Pratt Homes
Primont Homes
Pristine Homes
Profile Custom Homes
Pureblink
Q4 Architects
Qoo Studio Inc.
QuadReal Property Group
Quadrangle
Quality Homes
Queenscorp Group
Raw Design
Regal Crest Homes
Reid’s Heritage Homes
Richard Wengle Architect Inc.
Rinaldi Homes (Niagara) Inc.
Rise Developments
Riverside Millwork Group
RK Porter General Contracting Inc.
RND Construction Ltd.
RN Design Ltd.
ROCKPORT GROUP
Rosehaven Homes
Royal Lepage Citizen Realty
Ryan Design
Sabrina Albanese Design Inc.
Sean Homes
Sean.ca
Sherwood Homes Ltd.
Sifton Properties Ltd.
Signature Communities
Slotegraaf Construction Inc.
SLV Homes
Stafford Homes Ltd.
Stallion Homes
Starward Homes (2014) Ltd.
Stylehaus Interiors
Sundance Development Corp.
Suriano Design Consultants Inc.
Sweeny&Co. Architects Inc.
Tacoma Engineers Inc.
Tanya Collins Design Inc.
Teeple Architects
The Brand Factory
The Creative Co-opt
The Ensuite by EMCO
The Ironstone Building Company
The Marketing Factory Corp
The Rose Corporation
The Tricar Group
Timberland General Contractors (Windsor) Inc.
Tomas Pearce Interior Design Consulting Inc.
Torino Construction
Townwood Homes Inc.
Trademark Homes
Treasure Hill Home Corp.
Tribute Communities
Tridel
TruDotDesign
Trulife Developments Inc.
Truong Ly Design
U31
Urban Capital Property Group
Valery Homes
Valleyburn Properties Corp.
Veloce Luxury Homes
West of Main
Wiltshire Homes Canada Inc.
Windmill Developments Ltd.
Windrush Hill Construction Woodfield Design + Build
Worton Homes
180 Marketing
4 Architecture
52 Pick-up Inc.
AoD’s 30th anniversary was a celebration worth waiting for
It goes without saying that things were a lot different in 1991. Ontario’s population was 10.41 million (it’s 15 million today). In the midst of a threeyear recession, the unemployment rate had risen to 10.32%. The NDP’s Bob Rae was entering his second year as Ontario’s Premier. Gas was 50 cents a litre, the average price of a home was $234,313 (down from $255,000 in 1990). It was a mere 24 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs had hoisted the Stanley Cup. And the Ontario Home Builders’ Association launched the Awards of Distinction, a program focused on annually acknowledging the best in Ontario home building, renovation, design and marketing.
Today, the numbers and the people are very different. But some traditions endure. OHBA members from across the province again convened to honour their own at the 30th edition of the Awards of Distinction at the Fallsview Casino & Resort in Niagara Falls.
This being the OHBA’s first Annual Conference and AoD since 2020, and the first in-person ceremony since 2019, there was no shortage of accomplishments to honour after Covid forced cancellations and delays to this highly anticipated 30th anniversary affair.
Much of the praise at the threeday September event went to Bob Schickedanz, a man whose extended
three-year term as OHBA President earned him a special citation for the effectiveness, dignity and honour with which he guided the Association during the throes of the pandemic ( see p. 82).
It was emblematic of the industry as a whole. Like a gem cutter transforming a raw diamond into a flawless, sparkling jewel, so too did builders, renovators and interior designers continue to employ their vast skills to craft the perfect homes for their clients at a time when much of the world was shut down.
Those distinguished efforts earned the spotlight in Niagara Falls, with Awards of Distinction being dispensed in 43 separate categories, as the alwaysentertaining master of ceremonies James Cunningham held court.
Each of those glistening awards provides exponential value to the winning company: boosting team morale and pride for having been recognized among industry peers; providing free marketing of a newsworthy award; building client trust by separating a firm from the competition; and justifying higher costs via the recognition for their superior quality of work.
Time is precious and expenses limited, but if you don’t compete, you can’t win.
The following pages are packed with those who took the time to enter, and whose entries were deemed particularly worthy of acclaim. OHB
for
Situated along the banks of the Welland River, The Residences at Hunters Pointe is Lucchetta’s flagship community in the Niagara region, and this functionally fabulous, aging-in-placefriendly 1,734 SF bungalow is another feather in its cap. Featuring efficient lot use but with ample room for a two-car driveway and garage, the Newburg allows homeowners to welcome guests on the front terrace, then retire to the covered rear patio and lower terrace amid lush landscaping. Inside, the large main bedroom offers generous closet space and a four-piece bath. The open concept kitchen/dining/living flows well for optimal entertaining and includes a two-piece powder room. The lower level comes complete with a man-cave for entertaining and a second bedroom with an ensuite bath and soundproof walls.
for Mid-Century Vibes
“The Berkley” — Thorold
Credit to: Aristocrat Floors of the World, Artcraft Kitchens, Burnstein Brick, Gibbys Electronic Supermarket
for Black Beauty “The Phoenix” — Fort Erie
Credit to: Aristocrat Floors of the World, Artcraft Kitchens, Gibbys Electronic Supermarket, Nickerson Home Appliances
Preserving an enormous century-old walnut tree on the lot was a priority, so the home—as well as other townhomes on the project—needed to be designed around it. Consequently, instead of a typical rear yard, a side-yard outdoor patio and terrace highlight the centre of the lot, with the tree providing shade and a unique private enclosure. The interior layout allows residents to enjoy the view from multiple locations, with light filling the home through 270-degrees of internal glazing across both floors. The upscale interior highlights connections to past Classical architecture through the careful selection of tiles, oaks floors and crown moulding. The organic design incorporates a contemporary interpretation of Edwardian gables with a unique facade that recesses back and steps forward, creating an interesting and modern elevation.
The 5,956 SF Thomson epitomizes upscale luxury. Its second floor is a showcase of contemporary design, providing a grand principal bedroom with gas fireplace, oversized walk-in closet and a striking his-and-hers ensuite bathroom with a large freestanding tub and oversized glass shower. Another four bedrooms feature walk-in closets and access to ensuite bathrooms, while a unique gallery can be used as a work/school space, games area, etc. Designed to maximize family living space yet provide areas of privacy for all, its high-quality finishes and features include dazzling coffered and waffle ceilings. Exterior features include a beautiful mansard-style roof with multiple sections and a covered portico entrance. The home is sited on a rare double cul-de-sac, with a substantially deep lot backing onto a pristine conservation area.
for Glen Abbey Encore “Aubrey” — Oakville
Credit to: Caramel, Q4 Architects, The Brand Factory
The rear-lane four-storey townhomes at Union Village were designed with the comfort and longevity of residents in mind. Innovative features include allowing for the installation of EV charging, LED lighting throughout, a high-efficiency gas-fired heating system and a continuous air barrier for increased airtightness. All floor plans have been designed with input by Paul Ng, one of North America’s top-ranking feng shui experts. They’re all topped by a nearly 550 SF rooftop terrace, enclosed by 6’ privacy fences, with easy access to two third-floor bathrooms. Inside, three bedrooms are accompanied by a ground-floor den. Minto Communities worked with NAK Designs to preserve and incorporate a century-old Bur Oak tree into the community.
for The Sweet Retreat @ The Orchard “Type C1” — St. Catharines Credit to: Aristocrat Floors of the World, Artcraft Kitchens, Gibbys Electronic Supermarket, Nickerson Home Appliances
for Whitehorn Woods - Towns on Britannia “The Botanical Collection: The Cypress” — Mississauga Credit to: McOuat Partnership
MAKING THE MOST OF INNER OR OUTER SPACE When designing the Montague, the building team combined the convenience of a back-to-back townhome (little to no outdoor maintenance) with the luxury of a home with outdoor space. The Sky Terrace was then added to the original design—one that focuses on large open spaces, abundant light with large windows and an open-concept kitchen/dining/living room. A side entry has allowed for the incorporation of a den/office into the spacious ground floor. Storage and efficiency are also paramount in this four-storey, 1,405 SF, two-bedroom home, including a pantry and floor-to-ceiling cupboards, with 9’ ceilings on the ground and main floor. Textures and lines vary in the luxurious interior, with smooth quartz, ridged vinyl plank flooring, modern trim with minimal curves, wider window casements and chrome hardware.
Tucked in behind a treeline in the sandy dunes of Lake Huron, this infill cottage was designed as a high-tech summer home for a single couple, with an extra bedroom for weekend guests. An open concept with a flexible space living area, it features clean lines and extensive hidden storage behind architectural millwork throughout the home. Challenges included raising the ground level to protect from potential flooding. Stone and cedar shakes give the interior and exterior an earthy, natural feel, providing a seamless transition from outside to inside. The large, pitched roof houses the upper rooms, while giving the massing a compact feel. Its ridge twists across the house, making for dynamic interior rooms, while allowing for the best use of the largest roof cavities.
Advanced smart home technology and 60 years of steam shower engineering combine to create a home spa experience that synchronizes with your life and daily rituals.
The wide lot of this 3,450 SF home—a slab-on-grade design that will allow the retired owners to age in place—provides the canvas for creative landscape design, including four reflecting ponds. The indoor living space is easily expanded outdoors by a seven-panel folding door. On the porch, retractable drop screens and drop vinyl panels ensure the space can be enjoyed bug-free. The large (4’x9’) engineered sheets of natural limestone cladding the exterior are extended indoors (with a thermal break) to the great room feature wall, where a 120” linear fireplace provides a dramatic focal point. Outside, deep overhangs, designed with solar analysis, reduce heat gain in the summer while negating the need for air conditioning, as well as allowing sun to flood the home in the winter.
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for Century Condos — Grimsby
While its large rooftop terrace provides stunning views to the lake, this four-storey condo building adds to the urban vibe of Grimsby’s downtown streetscape with 6,000 SF of street-level commercial space. It features two separate lobbies—an upper to welcome guests from Main Street and a lower to welcome those arriving by car—and also houses a secure parcel room for deliveries, so residents don’t have to grant couriers access into the building. The exterior blends modern and historic influences with the use of limestone, brick and wrought iron detailing. Inside, a gold elevator door, gold mailboxes and other metallic features enhance the sense of opulence, while upgraded features are the standard, from luxurious step-in showers to vinyl plank flooring. DeSantis Smart Suite technology is integrated throughout to allow for the highest level of security, efficiency and comfort. An innovative Geothermal Heating and Cooling System, meanwhile, reduces the building’s overall carbon footprint.
for 10 Prince Arthur — Toronto
Credit to: Cinderbloc, Michael Landon Design, Richard Wengle Architect Inc.
for Yonge + Rich - Residences on Lombard — Toronto
for 89 Avenue Yorkville — Toronto
Credit to: McOuat Partnership
As half- and full-floor residences, the 20-storey 89 Avenue was designed to provide residents with as much space as possible to accommodate the level of luxury and privacy they are accustomed to in a large, detached home. The penthouse is a two-storey suite, while a limited collection of duplex residences are also available. Innovative Japanese rooftop Variable Refrigerant Flow systems allow for added space in suites below. Amenities include two dazzling lobbies (one with a fireplace), an indoor swimming pool with three cabanas bathed in sunlight from an overhead lightwell, a fully equipped private fitness studio, an expansive private dining room and a personal secured wine storage in the lounge. Canadian firsts in this Richard Wengle design include German Wohr parking system technology, where an auto elevator stores vehicles underground in a way that maximizes the use of space.
for 28 Eastern — Toronto
Credit to: Teeple Architects
for The Residences at Central Park — Toronto
Credit to: Core Architects Inc. and II By IV Design
for CIELO “Model G-03” — Toronto
Credit to: Montana Steele Advertising
Cielo’s G-03 suite makes the most of its 716 square feet, with a design that manages to create separate zones within a limited space. The open-concept layout features a kitchen/dining and living space in the centre of a floor plan that allows for two separate sleeping ‘wings,’ ensuring maximum privacy. Both bedrooms feature a private bathroom, while a stacked washer/dryer, small foyer and cozy den further adorn the space, almost all of which is bathed in natural light flooding in from a balcony that runs the entire width of the unit. The galley-style kitchen, which includes thoughtful fittings like an undermount sink, custom-designed cabinetry and soft-close door hinges and drawers, is conveniently positioned on the interior wall.
for Celeste — Toronto
Credit to: Sweeny&Co Architects Inc. and Truong Ly Design
for North Oak — Toronto
Credit to: Figure3, NAK Design Group and Quadrangle
for 89 Avenue Yorkville “Fifth Avenue” — Toronto
Credit to: McOuat Partnership
Spanning an entire floor at 89 Yorkville, the 3,927 SF “Fifth Avenue” model is a jaw-dropping threebedroom residence with two luxurious primary suites—each boasting a full walk-in closet, access to outdoor space and a three- or four-piece ensuite. A spacious grand foyer with bar area leads from the dual elevators into the elegant open-concept living and dining rooms. With a high-net-worth target demographic of individuals living in large, detached homes in and around the Yorkville neighbourhood, this space—bordered by windows on three of its four walls—is designed for elevated living, with high-quality built-ins, a stunning fireplace feature, private study and a kitchen complemented with a spacious island, full pantry and premium features such as La Cornue gas ranges from France, a first for a Canadian condo. Adding to the refined experience are home automation systems, heated ensuite flooring, a steam spa, natural marble floors, herringbone hardwood and solid stone countertops.
for Beaches Penthouse — St. Catharines
Credit to: Aristocrat Floors of the World, Dell Smart Home Solutions Inc., Nickerson Home Appliances
for The Residences at Central Park — Toronto
Credit to: Core Architects Inc. and II By IV Design
for Upper West Side Condos 2 — Oakville
Connecting the main courtyard to a secondary resident entrance on Trafalgar Road, Branthaven’s 5,285 SF lobby at Upper West Side Condos 2 in Oakville combines multiple-use functionality with maximum visual impact. Inspired by leading designers and the iconic NYC brownstones, all design elements are crafted, one-of-a-kind elements selected for their warm colours and tactile nature, including a custom brick wall and modern linear natural stone flooring that flows throughout, while soaring double-height windows buttress each end. After arriving beneath the porte cochere, guests enter via a double-door vestibule with a distinctive ribbed-glass partition. A freestanding granite-faceted concierge pod is a stunning showpiece and provides an Integrated Smart Connect system that allows residents to communicate with visitors live via one-way video. Overhead, stunning custom-crafted lighting cascades over the entire length of the lobby, the trailing reflections adding drama at dusk and beyond. Lush greenery and a showpiece sculptural, sky-lit tree ground the custom benches, introducing a natural element to the waiting area.
This stunning $204,000 transformation began with a small side addition to square up the back of this Ottawa home, the flat roof of which will allow for a future second-floor deck, while its grey stucco exterior blends with the shadows of a large tree on the property. Inside, barnboard-clad structural beams—incorporated into the design to save space and money—add visual interest. The openconcept design enabled the expansion of the kitchen and creation of a bar area for entertaining—a primary client goal assisted by the addition of two multi-use islands. Dual built-in steam ovens surrounded by floor-to-ceiling cabinets and drawers make efficient use of the floor plan, as does a pantry and a hidden kitchen storage cupboard beneath the stairs. While existing load-bearing posts and bulkheads were integrated into the design to reduce costs, the Amsted team hit glacier deposits of large boulders when installing the piers, requiring numerous large rocks to be removed.
for The Timberframe Revival — Sparta
Credit to: Freeborn + Company
Coming in at $255,000, the project goal of the circa-1842 Loyalist-style home in the quaint hamlet of Sparta was to unravel 150+ years of previous renovations to expose and emphasize the original craftsmanship of its timber framing, while making it more efficient for today’s living. Being an old pioneer-style home, it featured many small, segmented rooms and low ceilings. Valleyburn was able to open, expose and raise areas of the home to make it more functional for entertaining friends and raising a family, including vaulting the back section of the home for a beautiful and airy kitchen. An oversized kitchen island with an 8’x4’ quartz countertop features a custom-built apothecary cabinet, while a dramatic wagon wheel supplies lighting above. The exterior is symmetrical and elegantly simplistic. The builder worked closely with the local historical society and family descendants in maintaining the original charm, including a double front door feature, as the original owner had a small tailor shop on the left and living quarters on the right.
Servicing the residential building community for 40 years.
Contact: Adam Zaretsky 905-761-2471 azaretszky@appliancecanada.com
for Etobicoke Residence — Etobicoke
A TRANSFORMATION
This $2 million reimagination needed to respect the existing location of the house, garage, driveway and proximity to neighbouring homes, so MENATWORK elected to utilize the existing foundation and ground-floor platform in completely transforming the house into something that represents the character of both the husband and wife. At the same time as preserving and re-creating existing mouldings and decorative features, significant two-storey front and rear additions and a pair of two-storey side additions were fashioned. The existing stair location needed to be retained, which put constraints on the second-floor layout. So in order to get more space for the fourth bedroom, a cantilevered bump-out was added. The existing garage was also expanded to allow for more parking. The original part of the home was clad in a split-faced limestone, while the additions were clad in standing seam metal for the side walls and roof.
for Sunnylea Kitchen — Etobicoke
Credit to: Men at Work
The streamlined look of this modern kitchen, a $75,000 renovation, includes plenty of concealed storage cabinets—a must-have on our clients’ wish list. The HVAC bulkheads and ducts are deftly concealed within some of those storage cabinets. Push-latch cabinets throughout were the answer to the client request for a modern look with no hardware. Integrated appliances further contribute to the clutter-free look—a design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The adjacent cantilevered stairs give the space an airy look and feel, while ample clearance around the large island leaves lots of room to manoeuvre. The request for natural light was achieved by opening up the space and installing large windows and doors. Large-scale porcelain and sleek matte black fixtures throughout contribute a modern touch, while timeless white oak cabinets add warmth.
Conducted within the tight confines of the second floor of a condominium—while the homeowner continued to live there and in conjunction with existing condo association rules—this $117,000 project turned a dated, dark, pink 1980s bathroom into the personal spa oasis the single mother client dreamed of. A large skylight allows natural light to filter through—ideal for makeup application—while other eye-catching features include a deep bathtub, upgraded fixtures and a 62” vanity with a Calacatta Gold quartz countertop and a smoke-coloured penny tile backsplash that perfectly matches the details of the new floor-to-ceiling shower. Smart touches include retaining the existing plumbing stack (which provided substantial savings to the homeowner) and a secret medicine cabinet built into the underused wall space behind the door. Oversized porcelain floor tiles bring the space together and maintain the spa-like feel, while all plumbing fixtures are optimized for water efficiency with adjustable waterflow.
The kitchen of this three-storey production-built home is positioned on the second floor. Its original layout was modified by removing a servery and reconfiguring the walls to increase the overall area of this central space. A coffee bar, dividing the kitchen and family room, now enables light to be shared between the two spaces. A built-in pantry provides additional storage and display opportunities. The oversized island—its Calacatta marble echoed on the backsplash and the coffee station—houses the dishwasher, refuse drawers and a sink on one side, while a 10” overhang on the opposite side adds seating. Overhead, geometric paper pendants contribute to the aesthetics. Underfoot, sculpted light oak is complemented by a porcelain tile carpet for the ‘wet’ area in front of the stove and beneath the island. The builder included a SubZero/Wolf appliance package with induction oven and freezer drawers below the fridge.
Dropping the ceiling height over the kitchen’s perimeter cabinets not only helps distinguish this kitchen from the great room, it also draws attention to the Neolith backsplash, the slabs of which were carefully installed to ensure a continuous vein. Space between the main kitchen and the outdoor kitchen has been used to create a prep area with countertop area cabinetry, pantry and freezer space. The end wall cabinetry, meanwhile, houses the built-in refrigerator, wine fridge, wall ovens, coffee bar, sound system controls and wifi router, while separating the main kitchen from the hall space. The large 15’ island also delineates the kitchen from the living area, while providing bar-style seating for up to eight. Other artful touches include recessed undercabinet lights, shadow reveals to highlight details and create clean crisp lines, wide-plank European oak flooring, cabinets that open via electronic touch functionality, and thermostatic-controlled clerestory windows to add natural light and ventilation.
for Berkshire Residences — Oakville
Credit to: McOuat Partnership and Drake Khan Design
Pendants, ceiling pots, task and undermount lighting are all bolstered by a flood of natural light streaming through oversized windows and a door to the outside deck in the Heritage model of Rise Developments’ Berkshire Residences. This elegant, open-concept condo space features two separate pantries flanking the kitchen. An innovative, high-end and energy-efficient appliance package includes an integrated fridge, dishwasher, microwave convection oven, gas cooktop and a built-in Fisher Paykel electric oven, while an integrated garbage sorter keeps things tidy. Bespoke millwork incorporating soothing neutral cabinets and contemporary woodgrains is juxtaposed against Italian porcelain counters and backsplash, while custom cabinetry offers a selection of door finishes. Soft-close drawer slides increase the feeling of an elevated lifestyle, as does herringbone flooring and sophisticated coffered ceilings.
for 123 Portland —
Credit to: Sweeny&Co Architects and U31
for 10 Prince Arthur — Toronto
Credit to: Cinderbloc, Michael Landon Design and Richard Wengle Architect Inc.
A white and black palette, ultra-high-end finishes and plumbing fixtures, Scavolini cabinetry and a private balcony all provide luxury, comfort—and occasional solitude from the children—in this dazzling bathroom space. Curtain-wall windows and glass interior doors help capture the view, while at the same time providing physical barriers for privacy and noise. Although not part of the bathroom proper, a showpiece bedside Italian Agape tub is raised on a Neolith underlit platform. Separate water closets face different directions, as per the clients’ requests—one northward for full observation of the property, and the other east, for privacy. Heated toilets with sensors that clean and open upon entry and in-floor hydronic heating (supplemented by forced-air ceiling strip diffusers) increase the comfort factor. There are high-moisture TVs integrated into both vanity mirrors and in both water closets. And the shower needed to be primarily supplied by the well in the pool house, due to the high water volume demands of its six-head options.
North
Investments
for 10 Prince Arthur — Toronto
Credit to: Cinderbloc, Michael Landon Design and Richard Wengle Architect Inc.
for Lora Bay Masters — Thornbury
The Daikin Fit hybrid (gas/electric) heat pump system is a side discharge, smart HVAC system that won’t compromise on comfort and connects to traditional ductwork.
The lightweight, low profile, and quiet outdoor unit o ers solutions when a traditional cube style cannot. In addition, the Daikin Fit unit includes an inverter (variable-speed) swing compressor that supports ideal indoor comfort and e ciency.
an
system as unnoticeable as the air itself
for North Oak — Toronto
Credit to Figure3, NAK Design Group and Quadrangle
FLIGHT
Referred to as the Neighbourhood Nest, the two-floor lobby connecting Minto’s North Oak towers 4A and 4B offers a bird’s eye view from the second floor to a large indoor garden and the surrounding action below. Highlighted by an elegant spiral staircase, the space has been thoughtfully designed to promote well-being and connection, starting with the placement of the fully equipped fitness amenities, which hug the exterior of the building to optimize sunlight and provide views of lush greenspace. The ground-floor pet and bike wash are designed to be accessed quickly. Residents also enjoy two party rooms, one of which extends onto an outdoor terrace with a pergola, barbecues and seating overlooking the pond. The Nest’s calming biophilic design promotes socialization through the use of expansive glass walls showcasing the surrounding amenity program. But renowned interior design firm Figure3 also created a resilient space that features a backup power connection, communications system and critical goods refrigeration in times of emergency.
for The Saint — Toronto
Credit to: Figure3, Wallman Architects
for Muse Condos — Stoney Creek
Credit to: KNYMH Inc., McOuat
Partnership and Tomas Pearce Interior Design Consulting Inc.
A
In portraying Midhurst Valley as a sanctuary for three distinct target groups—growing families, up-sizers and retirees—this video features stories of actual families citing the community as the solution to each of their needs. The key messaging of live, enjoy, work, play, connect and grow by nature is complemented by the footage of amenities, the community and everything in between. Hyper-realistic 3D renderings and animations mix with family footage to support the compelling storytelling. Each of the three stories from the full video were geo- and demographically targeted to each audience group. The videos generated more than 14 million impressions, with the four builders selling 243 lots out of the 248 released within a week of the launch. https://vimeo.com/653738265/3ad3c8d507
for La Reserve — Oakville
Credit to: McOuat Partnership and Pureblink
for Empire Quay House— Toronto
Credit to: Pureblink
ANYTHING YOU WANT
Pureblink partnered with Empire to create a striking marketing campaign to promote Empire Quay House. It curated a “return to home” theme, where those who moved out of Toronto during the pandemic are now returning to the heart of the city. It is optimistic in nature and inclusive towards prospects, investors and high-end realtors. This 90-second marketing video served as the backbone for the overall campaign, showcasing seven different personas that represent the rich diversity of the target markets that embody the unique lifestyle Empire Quay House offers. Distributed across Google, YouTube, Facebook, the Toronto Star and 680 News), the ads generated 8.5 million+ impressions, 50,000+ views and 350+ leads in six weeks. https://vimeo.com/379345087
for The Dupont Residences — Toronto Credit to: Gladstone Media and U31
for DECO Homes Corporate — Vaughan Credit to: Guidelines Advertising Inc.
DECO’s overall approach has been to engage TikToking homebuyers with experimental/trendy social videos that can be shared on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram to develop an authentic, immediate brand voice and connect with homebuyers. Beyond showcasing upcom ing communities, DECO continues to emphasize its educational and engaging industry initia tives, including DesignForward and DECO LivedIn, inspiring homeowners with interior design solutions and addressing both physical and mental health. In 2021 alone, its Instagram page added 1,784 new followers, 15,370 likes and 2.09 million total impressions, while averaging 4,000-13,000 views per Instagram reel video. tiktok.com/@deco.homes?lang=en / twitter.com/DECOHomesca / instagram.com/deco.homes/
for Kylemore Corporate — Markham
Kylemore’s new website was part of a rebranding by Joey Ai to position it as more than a developer of luxury communities, but a creator of luxury lifestyles with a focus on every component of well-being. The site’s visual appeal lies in its stillness, allowing the audience to navigate their way through, at their own pace. Videos are catalogued in the gallery so as not to distract the eye, while large hero images create a sense of permanence. Family-oriented imagery focusing on lifestyle shots and portraits of outdoor landscapes are married with subtle copy, set against light pink and green backdrops to evoke comfort and calm. kylemorecommunities.com
for Allegro — Aurora
Credit to: Builder Insight Group Inc.
The Allegro ad campaign had two primary objectives: to showcase Geranium’s vision for a wonderful master-planned family community, and to reflect the prestige associated with a luxury residence at prices starting at over $2 million. Headlines including “Luxury & Location in Perfect Harmony” were reinforced in ads highlighting exciting exteriors—in particular Allegro’s highly desirable 61’ model, the Vivaldi, which boasts a three-car garage, covered porch and Juliette balcony. To reach the target demographic, the campaign employed traditional and new media choices including 15- and 30-second radio ads, site/directional signage and a series of e-blast ads. The marketing strategy also involved targeting a Chinese Canadian audience. Youtu.be/6LHdf_s9aYs
for Century Condos — Grimsby
Credit to: McOuat Partnership
Considering the high price point this landmark address commands (more than $1,000 per SF), it was essential that all elements of the Century Condos campaign be extremely high end in order to convey its prestige and exclusivity. The project’s French Art Deco-inspired brand identity was leveraged, with the prominent use of black and gold. Consistent with its social media campaign, the ad campaign was created to evoke the rejuvenation of the Roaring Twenties, with the promise of a more lavish and hopeful future. Century Condos was 90% sold within the first week of opening—a testament to the impact of the entire ad campaign. Youtube.com/watch?v=VaeDNXqCm8I
Working with MadHouse Advertising, Marshall Homes coined the name Cobie for this project. Short for Cobourg, the name immediately differentiates it from more traditional sounding projects. The concept was to connect the consumer with a community that had a human personality that was authentic, relatable and who reflected the project’s modern, urban qualities. The logo, a simple wordmark, represented Cobie’s friendly, approachable personality, appealing to younger, first-time buyers and empty-nesters who were looking for a fresh, active lifestyle. Throughout the branding, the logo is complemented with pink and orange hues to stand out amongst other advertising while being welcoming and friendly colours to convey a friend-next-door vibe.
for McMichael Estates — Kleinburg
Credit to: 52 Pick-up Inc.
for The Commons — Orleans
Credit to: TruDotDesign
for MRKT — Toronto Credit to: The Brand Factory
Located in the cultural epicentre of Toronto, MRKT is a condominium that offers residents an ideal “Life in Full Colour.” Its advertising campaign and accompanying logo encapsulate everything this downtown community stands for: it is confident, contemporary and quintessentially Torontonian. Tridel’s MRKT logo brings the nearby vibrant neighbourhoods to life with colour and original character across select touchpoints, reflecting the key brand values of vibrancy, culture and enviable lifestyle. The logo branding remains restrained and unobtrusive throughout these advertisements, leaving the audience to engage with these vibrant pieces— drawn to the colours and lifestyle imagery.
for 1 Jarvis — Hamilton
Credit to: The Brand Factory
for The Davisville — Toronto
Credit to: The Brand Factory
for 10 Prince Arthur — Toronto
Credit to: Michael London Design
PERFECT 10
Nestled amid stately Victorian houses and tree-lined streets in Yorkville, the residences at 10 Prince Arthur offer a lifestyle of elegance and exclusivity. A neighbouring 1920s building was converted into the presentation centre to provide visitors with a glimpse of the area’s lifestyle. Contemporary architectural signage lures you inside, where the model suite showcases the luxurious product, with full-scale vignettes, renderings framed as art and a scale model of the condo building. Ceilings are dressed with custom lighting, while a Vladimir Kagan freeform sofa offers a dramatic focal point in the living room. A range of materials and finishes are shown throughout the gallery, while still showcasing the interior designer’s vision for a grand space.
for Community Crafted Towns — Cambridge
for Midhurst Valley — Barrie Credit to: The Creative Co-Opt
for The Nine — Mississauga Credit to: NAK Design Strategies Inc.
Crafted from twenty-one 40 ft.-long shipping containers strategically stacked to create one dynamic space, this two-storey, light-flooded sales centre with 16’ ceilings shows off Mattamy’s bold new ideas as a builder. One of the many fun features is a Juice Bar for guests. Digital touchscreens allow visitors to explore an interactive site map and floor plans. There’s also a community-specific website, while videos that immerse potential homebuyers into life in The Nine play on TVs throughout the space. The Nine’s sales office provides a unique backdrop for Instagram-worthy moments, and has even become a popular spot for engagement and graduation photos, helping to reach even more potential homebuyers through social media.
for Festival — Vaughan
Credit to: Cornerstone Marketing Realty Inc., Design Agency and QuadReal Property Group
for The Residences at Central Park — Toronto
Credit to: Core Architects Inc. and II By IV Design
The Minto Communities Design Centre is thoughtfully crafted to help its homebuyers create extraordinary spaces. With three full-sized kitchens, several vanities, tubs and shower options, all materials used in Minto’s vignettes represent the vast range of products it offers. Every feature and finish is perfectly organized, with wall-mounted displays and hidden doors maximizing show space. The showroom is also set up to accommodate the differences when it comes to selecting finishes for low-rise homes vs. condominiums, with the latter optimized for efficiency and functionality. And specialty lighting was sourced to re-create daytime and evening lighting, allowing homebuyers to assess finishes and accessories at various points of the day.
for Century Condos — Grimsby
for Glen Abbey Encore — Oakville Credit to: Jane Lockhart Interior Design
ON-SITE SALES PRESENTATION / MODEL HOME/SUITE (UP TO 2,500 SF)
for Angus Glen South Village — Markham Credit to: The Brand Factory
This wellness-inspired showcase deftly combines Scandinavian-influenced sleek styling and natural materials with elements typically suited to a NYC loft. Across three finished levels, the home’s flow reveals extraordinary use of space. Its main floor encompasses the gourmet kitchen, dining area, abundant storage, two fireplaces and multi-purpose island, while 10-foot ceilings and oversized windows and doors create a light-filled area. An enlarged bathroom accommodates a freestanding tub and oversized frameless glass shower with bench. Flooring throughout is rift-sawn (straight-grain) natural oak, paired with oak stairs to each level, with oak cabinetry in the kitchen and master bathroom to match. Clad in porcelain to tie into the kitchen, the fireplace adds a stunning focal point while elevating the dining experience.
Brookfield Residential for Winding Trail — Uxbridge
Great Gulf for Yonge + Rich - Residences on Lombard — Toronto
Credit to: Montana Steele Advertising
Trails of Lily Lake — Peterborough
This 3,161 SF model of Dietrich’s Trails of Lily Lake home lays on the design elements in capturing the hearts and minds of buyers. From a shiplap feature wall at the entry, a niche in the hallway between staircases and a living room art niche with lighting above, to a linear electric fireplace and waffle coffered ceiling in the living room highlighted with a unique light fixture. Also adding appeal are four covered porches, two of which are screened-in, as well as a highly functional laundry room on the upper floor that includes spaces for hanging clothes to dry, folding, storing laundry baskets, as well as a laundry sink with quartz countertops.
for Whitehorn Woods - Towns on Britannia — Mississauga Credit to: McOuat Partnership
In light of the Covid pandemic, National Homes didn’t build a sales office for this project nor publish a physical brochure. That freed up budget dollars to invest in an impressive interactive digital brochure, which also aligned with the company’s goals of sustainability. Appealing to young move-up buyers, empty-nesters and families seeking a balance of nearby amenities while still being surrounded by nature, the brochure stresses the builder’s tagline: “You are the Greenprint.” The digital flip-book format features animated GIFs and videos throughout, as well as icons that home seekers can interact with for more information. Across its first few pages, a single animated line evolves into a minimalist drawing of a women, then to a green stem and, finally, to an orange flower—a nod that this is where family, community and nature bloom.
for The Heights of Harmony — Toronto Credit to: PUREBLINK and The Brand Factory
With a tagline of “10 Prince Arthur. Luxury Perfected,” this brand was understandably positioned as a landmark address in Yorkville, where transcendent design and fashion inextricably unite. The brochure was designed as a polished hardcover art book and accompanying case—a keepsake wrapped in luxuriant white velvet with the “10” icon foilstamped in rose gold. Large areas of white space and minimal copy throughout mirrors the vastness of the residences’ wide-open living spaces. Imagery of dramatic architectural and interior features are complemented by a series of aspirational fashion illustrations from an international artist, distinguishing the project from competitors who typically use standard lifestyle photos. A custom-drawn branded pattern using the numerical forms of the “10” has also been integrated.
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for SuperSuite — Barrie
Credit to: Jim Piggot Design
In 2021, the City of Barrie mandated that all new-home developers incorporate secondary suites into their sales programs, with the goal of meeting intensification targets and providing more affordable rentals. While most looked at basement apartments, Deer Creek considered a novel approach that would avoid full living quarters below grade as well as the painful OBC requirements for firewalls, fire dampers, etc. The builder’s solution was the SuperSuite. Building on lots as narrow as 38’ wide and incorporating design principles similar to a semi-detached home, they created a side-by-side secondary suite, rather than one on top of the other. A vertical firewall extending from the basement to the underside of the roof sheathing avoids the need for horizontal fire separations. It also means each unit includes a full basement separated by a poured concrete foundation wall. Both the primary and secondary suites have rear-yard access off the main floor, as well as their own dedicated furnace and water heaters, while a dedicated electrical panel to each unit makes maintenance a breeze and simplifies billing. And the front elevation blends into the community without indication of an extra suite.
for Seaton Bloom — Pickering
Credit to: NAK Designs and Q4 Architects
for Presto — Scarborough
Credit to: G. Ryan Design Inc.
for Millcroft Towns — Burlington
CHECKING
Situated in an ideal neighbourhood setting in Burlington, with nature nearby, yet moments from dynamic urban living, Branthaven’s Millcroft Towns provides the opportunity for carefree luxury townhome living for a discerning group. The project offers 10 unique two- and three-storey floor plans. One challenge facing this intimate enclave was convincing traditionalist buyers to embrace the modern exterior architectural aesthetic. Branthaven spent considerable time and planning to achieve the right balance of modern lines and materiality to appeal to the target audience. The front elevation was especially well-received, unencumbered by a typical garage-dominant facade. The rear facade is distinctive with its recessed natural oak-look double garage, full-width private terrace, large windows and pleasing peaked roofline. Millcroft Towns’ 2,355 SF Knightsbridge model provides everything the target audience—move-up professionals and smart-sizing locals—would want on their musthave list, including an open-concept living area, home office, luxury ensuite, bedroom with spa bath options, a lower-level rec room, smart storage and an entertainment-sized terrace.
for Century Condos — Grimsby
Credit to: KNYMH Inc., McOuat Partnership and Tomas Pearce Interior Design Consulting Inc.
An OHBA Awards of Distinction victor in both the Mid-Rise Architecture and Mid- or High-Rise Ad Campaign categories, and a runner-up for On-Site Sales Presentation, DeSantis Homes’ Century Condos gets the nod for this year’s Mid-Rise/High-Rise Project of the Year. Situated on Main Street in downtown Grimsby, the four-storey project’s marketing campaign leveraged its French Art Decoinspired brand identity with the use of black and gold, while the grainy texture and black-and-white treatment of the woman featured throughout harkens back to Roaring Twenties, when the world rebounded from another major pandemic with a time of celebration, style and opulence. Innovative features include two lobbies (including one for those arriving by car), a geothermal heating and cooling system, a secure parcel room for deliveries, a large rooftop terrace with dazzling views across Grimsby to the lake, and DeSantis Smart Suite technology, which allows for the highest level of security, efficiency and comfort. Residents also have access to a convenient e-car share program, e-bikes and e-scooters.
for 10 Prince Arthur — Toronto
Credit to: Cinderbloc, Michael London Design and Richard Wengle Architect Inc.
Collecdev for CIELO — Toronto
Credit to: Montana Steele Advertising
Make it six Ontario Home Builder of the Year awards for Tridel Corporation. The Toronto-based builder earned its latest honour based on its ongoing commitment to building sustainable communities, its involvement and initiatives within its communities and its devotion to customer engagement and service. A winner for Mid-/ High-Rise Logo for its MRKT condominiums in Toronto, and a runner-up for Mid-/High-Rise Project Video for The Dupont Residences, Tridel is Canada’s largest builder of sustainable condominiums, with 18,000+ green suites in the marketplace and a ‘Built Green Built for Life’ promise that reflects its commitment to building environmentally responsible communities. Among its many examples of community support last year was more than $200,000 of investment in social enterprises, community organizations and non-profits. Its Take Action program diverted 610+ lbs. of e-waste and 1,000+ lbs. of clothing from landfills. It is also the principal and founding sponsor of the BOLT Foundation, which connects under-resourced youth to education/ careers in construction through training and financial awards. Tridel’s W.I.S.E. (Workforce, Industry, Society, Environment) CSR vision is based on a values-driven mandate embracing sustainable business practices, community economic development, engagement, corporate giving, and more.
A runner-up for both Best Bathroom and Best Kitchen Renovation at this year’s Awards of Distinction, SLV Homes has long been a leader in the Sudbury and District community and home building industry at large, and has established itself as a go-to custom renovator in the region. From a community standpoint, SLV has provided custom-built homes for the “Ultimate Dream Home” lottery in support of the Hard of Hearing Foundation for over three years, built with donated labour and materials. It also chairs Amazing Taste Sudbury, which has raised more than $100,000 in four years for the Northern Cancer Foundation, and has partnered with local schools to educate young people on a rewarding career in the industry. A Renomarkcertified builder, SLV exceeded sales targets by almost 25% last year, with more than 50% of business being referrals, while maintaining a strict code of conduct and ethics to ensure that clients receive a final product that incorporates style, luxury and value (SLV)—all while building to the highest possible standards.
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To celebrate OHBA’s 30th-anniversary milestone, a special recognition award was presented to Minto Communities at this year’s annual conference and Awards of Distinction (AoD) in Niagara Falls. A leader in the industry, Minto claimed honours in almost every category, reflecting its top-shelf, diverse high-rise and low-rise GTA communities. Claiming the most AoD hardware of any developer, its awards included wins in the Best Amenity (North Oak Tower 1 and 2 in Oakville) and Best Attached Multi-Unit Home (Union Village RearLane Townhome in Markham).
“What a milestone moment to be recognized by our peers in
OHBA’s celebration of the 30th anniversary,” said Brent Strachan, President, Ontario, Minto Communities. “It’s especially an honour to win in the design categories, because our talented teams are always thinking about ways we can improve our homes for residents today by infusing wellness, connection and nature.”
On the heels of the success of North Oak Tower 1 and Tower 2, Minto recently launched the much-anticipated North Oak Tower 3, which will be part of a geoexchange community energy system, while offering a similarly wellness- and connection-inspired residence with an extensive amenity program.
You might say it was an Instagrammable moment as Peterborough & The Kawarthas Home Builders’ Association’s Executive Officer Rebecca Schillemat, President Garnet Northey and Marketing & Communications Coordinator Shanelle Jackson took the stage with other PKHBA members to receive Local of the Year honours Sept. 19 at OHBA’s Annual Conference at the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls. Whereas social media was perhaps underutilized in the past for PKHBA, it was now a not-so-secret weapon in helping separate it from OHBA’s 27 locals for this year’s distinction.
“OHBA is a grassroots organization—our success is tied to the success of our locals,” observed the Ontario Home Builders’ Association’s new president, Louie Zagordo. “This local has made significant contributions. They actively interact with their local government for their members and the industry at large. They’ve also begun to partner with local school boards to encourage careers in the skilled trades to help combat the looming trades shortage. And they actively use their voice on social media and beyond to educate their local community and advocate for the needs of this industry. To top it all off, the two staff members heading it have been with the association for just over a year and have already made massive strides.”
Indeed, Schillemat, whose previous work included a tenure with the Peterborough and The Kawarthas Association of Realtors, was hired in July 2021, before being promptly promoted to Executive Officer the following month. Jackson, for her part, only came aboard as a part-time employee that September.
“I was surprised to win,” Schillemat concedes. “We’ve only been here a year, but we’ve put a lot into the association since we’ve started. We have actually been recognized by two different chambers of commerce in our region for our marketing, for our revamped social media. Some months the numbers are 1,000% higher, year over year, but even compared to good months, we’ve had at least 100% increases.”
PKHBA’s face-to-face work has also been impactful. “We do a lot of work with our school boards,” Schillemat says. “In Peterborough, we are very lucky that we have Fleming College, which has a Trades and Technology department. And Fleming’s Frost Campus in Lindsay has a Heavy Equipment Operator program. We work with Fleming to promote skilled trades and have members who sit on their program advisory committees. And the local Catholic School Board is very involved in our association. They make sure that what they are teaching the high school kids is what’s needed in the industry.”
Schillemat herself and several PKBHA members volunteer with area junior achievement programs to promote skilled trades and guide them to the next step to become business owners themselves. Part of that education is to illuminate youth on the fact that there is money to be made in trades professions.
“It helps that our MPP here, Dave Smith, spoke at the chamber in the spring and said, ‘I pay my plumber as much as I pay my lawyer!’
“And you also don’t have nearly the education costs to be a plumber compared to being a lawyer.” OHB
The trembling voice of OHBA Past President Pierre Dufresne spoke to the emotion and sincerity of a Special Recognition Award he announced for the association’s Chief Operating Officer Sajida Jiwani during OHBA’s Annual Conference in September.
“Throughout the pandemic, OHBA has kept its doors open to continue to fight for the needs of its membership. But that was not without challenges. It was during the time that our former CEO Joe Vaccaro sadly left the organization,” said Dufresne, V.P., Land Development at Cavanagh Developments in Ottawa. “With uncertainty about what the future held, there was one person in
the association who stepped up to ensure that this organization continued to run. Someone who did not hesitate when a leader was needed. She is a mentor, an advisor, a sounding board, a confidante and, most notably, a friend to many. She is our rock. (Sajida) has been with the association for 19 years and has never looked for praise and recognition. She works behind the scenes to keep this ship sailing in the right direction. She puts the needs of others, the staff and this association above her own. She is a true leader and deserves to be recognized for her outstanding contributions to this association.” OHB
A stalwart veteran of OHBA’s building code committee, Mountainview Building Group Operations Manager Mike Memme got the nod as Member of the Year at the association’s annual conference in Niagara Falls in September.
“Mike has made significant contributions to the residential construction industry, the provincial association and his local association, the Niagara Home Builders’ Association,” noted OHBA’s new president, Louie Zagordo. “He consistently demonstrates a high level of commitment to priority issues for the industry, particularly on challenging and highly technical building code files that impact the sector as a whole.”
“It was absolutely a surprise. I completely feel honoured to receive this,” admitted Memme, whose family builder business has been in operation since 1979. “I’m just doing the work that I think needs to be done for the industry in general. There’s been a lot of work going on in the building code front, and there’s a lot more work going forward. Maybe this was a carrot to keep me motivated,” Memme laughed.
“I like being involved with what’s going on. It’s good for my business and it’s good for the association,” Memme added. “I know from experience that being involved in the beginning of the process can be very helpful. It allows us to prepare in a way that helps avoid any surprises. I’m very hands-on in our business, so have a good feel for how code changes will impact people in the field. I personally struggle when I see more and more decisions being made further and further from their application, so I like to be involved to be a balancing force to that. It can help prevent unintended consequences.”
Memme graduated in Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo in 1991 and went right to work the next day at Mountainview. He and his partner, President Mark Basciano, became the primary principals of the company after Mark’s father, Nick, passed away in 2001.
The OHBA David Horton Leadership Award recognizes an executive officer for their outstanding commitment to the industry and their local association. This year, Greater Ottawa HBA’s Executive Officer
Jason Burggraaf was the worthy recipient for his group’s work in advocating for his region amid complicated demands to meet expected new-home requirements. But the work is ongoing.
“Over the past two years, GOHBA has had to deal with the development of a new Official Plan and growth strategy, and we are still pressing our concern that the Plan will not provide a sufficient amount of housing for our forecasted population growth,” says Burggraaf, pictured above between OHBA CEO Luca Bucci and President Louie Zagordo. “As well, we’re seeing a number of new housing policies—and increased costs—introduced locally, including the High Performance Development Standard, Parkland Dedication, the New Community Benefits Charge, the municipality’s response to Bill 109, and initial work on a new comprehensive Zoning Bylaw and Inclusionary Zoning.”
Beyond his official jurisdiction, Burggraaf has also played a key role at the provincial association level, serving on the OHBA’s provincial election campaign committee, the Tarion-Industry Working Group, the Advocacy Co-ordination Table (ACT) that helped fill in the gap between OHBA CEOs, and the provincial Executive Officers’ Council, which promoted Burggraaf to Chair in September.
“We were also heavily involved in working with the Housing Affordability Task Force and getting the provincial government to implement its recommendations,” Burggraaf adds. “Really, though, it’s just critical to get involved at the provincial level right now. That’s where the action is in terms of supporting housing affordability and supply. Keeping the industry open over the pandemic really showed the value to members of a strong, active provincial association.”
Despite all the efforts of Burggraaf and his team, the David Horton Award was a surprise.
“It’s incredibly humbling to be recognized, but, in turn, it just makes me want to do more,” Burggraaf says. “Just as members are passionate about their businesses, I’m passionate about the business of the association.”
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Alicia Dimitrov-Lawrence, Executive Officer of the Niagara Home Builders’ Association, received an OHBA Conference Special Recognition for her local association’s work in hosting the 2022 Annual Conference at the Fallsview Casino Resort. OHB
Holding the presidential post of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association is a great honour. Only 54 men have attained the lofty position since the Association’s founding in 1963. But there has never been a president called to duty for quite the elongated term of Bob Schickedanz.
Managing Partner at FarSight Homes, Schickedanz is the only person to ever wear the presidential crown for three years, and the first to retain it more than a single term since William Docherty in 1976-78.
COVID-19 was the primary fly in the ointment of traditional protocol, preventing normal operations of industry affairs and political interaction, while also complicating the usual training, transition and scheduled arrival of Louie Zagordo as the Association’s next president.
Then came the departure of long-time CEO Joe Vaccaro and extensive search for his replacement.
OHBA needed stability during an unstable period in its history. Schickedanz was the prototypical oak required to help weather the storm.
“The entire association owes Bob a tremendous debt of gratitude for his tireless commitment to industry members and his significant role in fighting for a stronger home construction industry in our province,” noted Zagordo during the President’s Gala at OHBA’s Annual Conference in September in Niagara Falls. “I cannot thank Bob enough for all he has given to the industry over the past three years. It is an immense honour and privilege to take over from him, and I know we will
continue to count on his experience and insights in the years ahead.”
While the continuity and consistent voice to government was invaluable to OHBA, it was not without a weight upon Schickedanz’s shoulders. “Certainly by the time I got to the second year, I understood what it entailed and where our industry was at. But it was a lot of energy to juggle that and my regular business, because our industry in general has been extremely busy and it has been difficult to get things done,” Schickedanz related in July. “In many respects it was very rewarding to give back to an industry that has been good to myself. However, by year three, it was more of a challenge than anticipated. But when Joe stepped down as CEO, there were a lot of volunteers who stepped up and helped, and I am most grateful for that.”
Schickedanz was also appreciative of the special nod from OHBA at this year’s conference, as well as the accolades from his peers that have followed in the wake of the event.
“I am humbled and overwhelmed by the kind remarks,” he says. “We ahieved a lot, particularly navigating through the pandemic in a successful way, given the circumstances. We were able to still build and renovate homes for people who were expecting to move in. We fulfilled our role. I shudder to think what the landscape would have looked like had we not accomplished those significant milestones. Where would people have lived after selling their old home or when waiting for the completion of a major renovation? I’m really proud of everybody who helped make that happen. We got a lot of things done. But you’re always left wishing you could’ve accomplished even more.”
Having relinquished the presidential duties, Schickedanz, in mid-October, reflected on his tenure and how life has changed.
“To borrow a term, I’m no longer the tip of the spear—it’s more of a supportive role now, while handing off on things that we were working on collaboratively to make sure it’s a smooth transition and that President Louie is up to speed,” says Schickedanz, who is now more fully focused on his duties at Stouffville-based FarSight Homes.
“It’s on to a new balance,” he says. “New challenges keep coming up.”
And what does that mean for his wife Claritta after Bob’s extended three-year term as president?
“Instead of her asking whether I’m going to be home for dinner, she’s now asking, ‘Why are you home so early?’” OHB
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