High density living follows passive strategies
The opportunities for Canada
EXPANDING ROLE OF ENERGY
SIMULATION IN NET ZERO MURBS
Integrating envelope design, energy storage and heat pumps
Designed to LEED Gold, Zero Carbon, and WELL Building Gold
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Build Canada Homes
& Products
Portland Commons: Designed to achieve LEED Gold, Zero Carbon, and WELL Building Gold
Cite Angus Phase II – Bloc 4: High density follows passive strategies
Ulster House: Prototype targets gentle density and sustainable living
Expanding Role of Energy Simulation in Net Zero MURBs: Integrating envelope design, energy storage and heat pumps
Jones Residence Reno: 1945 cabin reimagined
Bioregional Materials: The opportunities for Canada
(S) efficient house: Compact design a rethink on housing and retirement
The Winning Teams: 2025 Canadian Green Building Awards
Designing for Zero Carbon Building: An overview of process and recent examples
Building Prefabrication: Two projects demonstrate the benefits
Solar air heating: Innovation and flagship projects
The 2026 Directory of Products and Services for Sustainable High-Performance Building: Our annual Special Supplement … and more!
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Since Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of a new federal agency called Build Canada Homes (BCH) in September, the response from industry stakeholders and non-governmental organizations has been mostly positive.
The re-engagement of the federal government in a national housing strategy is long overdue, and the stated goal of BCH to tackle Canada's housing crisis is ambitious, wide ranging and socially progressive. It includes:
• to significantly increase the supply of affordable housing through large-scale, long-term projects
• to leverage publicly owned land to reduce the base cost of building
• to provide flexible financing for builders
• to encourage modern, sustainable construction methods including prefabrication
BCH envisages a collaborative approach, working with provinces, municipalities, Indigenous communities, NGOs and the private sector.
Growing the supply of affordable and community housing will require the active involvement of mission-driven organizations whose core purpose is to advance social, community, or equity-focussed goals.
These organizations will include non-profits, co-operatives, Indigenous housing providers, and those supporting women, people with disabilities, newcomers, and groups in need of supportive and transitional housing.
Fostering a new Canadian housing industry focused on efficiency and increased production will require a paradigm shift from traditional site construction to factory-based prefabrication, where material efficiency, productivity and cost control can all be significantly improved.
While building homes faster is critical to the success of this initiative, we must also continue to emphasize solutions that are high performance, low carbon, resilient against extremes of heat and cold, and truly affordable relative to the household income of the target demographic.
While repetition underpins the speed and economy of factory production, we must not forget that architecture should be responsive to regional materials, topography and climate – as well as the scale and density of its physical context – whether low or high. Also important are the qualitative attributes that support occupant wellbeing and social interaction, both of which are fundamental to community resilience.
This issue features residential projects at a variety of scales, demonstrating the synergies that are achievable between the quantitative performance goals of environmental sustainability and the qualitative goals of community engagement.
Jim Taggart, FRAIC Editor
Only Kalwall offers the power of beautifully balanced daylighting. Unlike other glazing products on the market, Kalwall provides predictable, glare-free daylight that blocks harmful UV-A and UV-B rays while transmitting the full spectrum of visible light for perfect color rendition within interiors.
To be most productive, one needs to be comfortable first. Add superior light quality and views to the outdoors along with natural ventilation to enhance indoor environmental quality and people thrive. Daylighting done right has been proven to increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and improve mood. Kalwall works hard so employees can work smart.
Translucent Kalwall panels provide perfectly diffuse daylighting that evenly bathes spaces in natural light, meaning fewer lights on during the day. Our high recyclability and low embodied carbon ratings are planet friendly. Even better, our best-in-class thermal performance means you get superb daylight without any solar heat gain. That means savings for electrical and cooling costs, which is good for both your bottom line and the environment.
By Giovanna Boniface, Chief Commercial Officer
Canada’s path to sustainability must include reconciliation. As the building sector grapples with the climate crisis, equity, and ecological degradation, Indigenous knowledge and leadership offer powerful guidance for regenerative practice. Since 2020, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Truth and Reconciliation Task Force (TRTF) has been helping to redefine the architectural profession through this lens—shaping not just what we build, but how and why we build.
Informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report (2015), the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019), and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), the TRTF has laid the foundation for change. It challenges the profession to move beyond symbolic gestures and into spaces of genuine Indigenous leadership, cultural safety, and systemic accountability. The recent transition in Task Force leadership marks a significant moment. Founding co-chairs Alfred Waugh (Treaty 8, Status Indian), FRAIC, and Sim’oogit Ksi-Baxhlkw | Dr. Patrick Stewart (Nisga’a), PhD, FRAIC, are stepping down after five years of transformational work. Their leadership helped the RAIC formally adopt UNDRIP in 2021 and created space for critical education, mentorship, and cross-cultural engagement within the profession.
“Reconciliation in architecture must go beyond symbolism—it must shape how we design, plan, and teach,” says Waugh, known for his work integrating Indigenous values and sustainability in architectural design. Stewart adds, “Truth comes before reconciliation. We must continue moving toward respect, accountability, and real partnership.”
Taking up the co-chair roles are Darian McKinney, MRAIC, an Anishinaabe architect from Swan Lake First Nation with a strong foundation in community-based design, and Jennifer Cutbill, FRAIC, a settler architect of mixed European descent whose career has centred on ethical regenerative practice and ecosocial justice.
“The TRTF is a space for listening, learning, and acting,” says McKinney. “This work must be led by Indigenous voices and grounded in community.”
Cutbill notes, “Reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility. It requires embedding UNDRIP into everyday practice, and co-creating Ethical Space—where Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge systems engage as equals.”
www.raic.org/truth-and-reconciliationtask-force.
The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) has expanded its Zero Carbon Building –Design Standard™ to include some Part 9 multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs).
ZCB-Design is an established and proven framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new construction and major renovations. While the Standard is widely applied to Part 3 buildings, its expansion to Part 9 MURBs with five or more stacked units is essential for aligning smaller-scale developments with national climate goals.
CAGBC has published a pilot document for applying ZCB-Design v4 to select Part 9 multifamily buildings. The document outlines the new eligibility criteria for Part 9 residential buildings, along with unique technical requirements – particularly for embodied carbon.
Interested projects can reach out to zerocarbon@cagbc.org for more information.
Michael Quast has replaced Chris Ballard as CEO of Passive House Canada. Ballard led the organization for more than five years, significantly advancing the national conversation around sustainable, high-performance building. Quast’s accomplishments include designing and building Oakville's first straw bale home, spearheading branding initiatives with The Holmes Group, and shaping regulatory and consumer protection strategies in Ontario's new home warranty program. jessica@passivehousecanada.com
Utilize the power of wastewater for your sustainable heating & cooling projects, from district sized to individual buildings! Wastewater pairs well with geothermal, is consistent and is proven to reduce energy & water consumption while slashing carbon emissions. Broaden your design portfolio today!
sharcenergy.com
CertainTeed Canada has launched Lanaé, a sustainable glass fibre insulation, and Ecophon® Fade™, an advanced acoustic plaster system that delivers superior sound performance without compromising design flexibility.
Manufactured at CertainTeed’s insulation facilities in Redcliff, AB, and Ottawa, ON, Lanaé has received the following standards and certifications: GREENGUARD Gold; 0:0 ratings on UL Flame spread and Smoke spread testing; and CCMC evaluation. Lanaé insulation features:
• Up to 82% recycled content and a biosourced renewable binder for a reduced carbon footprint. It supports a circular economy with production waste recycled into the Ultratherm regrind insulation product.
• Reduced dust, odourless installation, and improved handling, recovery, and rigidity.
• Formulated without formaldehyde while improving energy efficiency and acoustic performance.
The spray-applied Ecophon Fade provides a smooth, seamless aesthetic acoustic solution on curved and angled surfaces and complex architectural forms, and delivers a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.80–0.90, depending on coreboard thickness and surface application.
December 3-5: The Buildings Show 2025, Toronto. https://informaconnect. com/the-buildings-show/. SABMAG readers save 20% with code TBS25SAB
AND BETTERBUILT STUDIO™
Construction Specialties has introduced STYX™ - lightweight aluminum linear profiles of 2”, 4”, or 6” depths and up to 10’ long to enhance depth and bring visual interest to both interior and exterior settings.
The profiles can also be curved to simulate flow, waves or visual movement on walls or ceilings while pre-made corners sport precise right angles that are attached in vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientations.
The new BetterBuilt Studio™ from Construction Specialties offers complete design assistance, including structural and mechanical engineering support, custom detailing, comprehensive drawings, advanced test reporting, and installation guidance. It allows designers to explore new configurations beyond traditional louvre, sunshade or façade elements.
BIGFOOT DOOR APPOINTED AS NORTH AMERICAN WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR OF SCHÜCO SYSTEMS
Bigfoot Door, a Mississauga-based family-owned manufacturer in the fenestration industry for over 45 years, has been appointed as the wholesale distributor
of Schüco aluminum window and door systems across North America.
Bigfoot Door has 15+ years of experience with Schüco systems, and will strengthen and expand the Schüco fabrication partner network across North America, ensuring fabricators have access to Schüco premium systems, technical expertise, and training.
ENGINEERED ASSEMBLIES OFFERS CUPACLAD, A NATURAL SLATE CLADDING
Engineered Assemblies, a supplier of world-class facade materials backed by leading expertise in Rear-Ventilated Rain Screen (RVRS) sub-structure assemblies, now supplies CUPACLAD, natural sate cladding with high aesthetics and durability. Its innovative fastening as a rainscreen cladding make it a competitive and sustainable cladding option. https://www. engineeredassemblies.com/en/materials/cupaclad
CANADIAN DIRECTORY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Visit SABMag's Directory of Sustainable Products and Services for Sustainable, High-Performance Building [sabmagazine. com/product-directory/ ] where products are organized by Product Category and by LEED Category. Examples of featured listings include:
Rockfon - Highperformance solutions with low environmental impact. That’s what Rockfon stone wool ceiling tiles and panels offer. In addition to delivering IAQ support and acoustic comfort, Rockfon ceilings also feature a low carbon footprint, geared towards minimizing the environmental footprint of buildings all over the world.
Canada Brick - Located in Ontario, Canada Brick manufactures an impressive selection of residential and architectural brick, including modern and traditional colour ranges and several premium finishes. Canada Brick has manufactured brick locally for 70 years and is a smart option to buy Canadian.
Dulux/PPG - Dulux Paints operates the largest network of company-owned paint stores across Canada with the scale to deliver outstanding services and experienced account representatives to help you meet any of your design challenges.
ECO Building Resource - Suppliers of High-Performance Membranes & Tapes, Sealants & Adhesives, Paints & Finishes, Insulation & MUCH MORE.
Innotech Windows + Doors - A BC-based manufacturer of Passive House Institute certified fenestration systems for deeply sustainable custom residences and multi-family developments.
Trane - We’ll meet you where you are — achieving building or project-specific goals for your customer — by combining sustainable and efficient equipment, optimized system control strategies, and the tools you need to get the job done.
Unitiwall - Redefining the way we build with a high-performance prefabricated wall system that streamlines construction, reduces ownership costs, and accelerates schedules by up to 80%. Sustainable and resilient, our all-in-one panel solution delivers superior energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and customizable cladding and window options, for quick, on-site installation.
Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing Inc. - Providing the Canadian marketplace with high-efficiency condensing boilers and water heater products manufactured by Lochinvar LLC. LEED BD & C Category potential for New Construction, Major Renovations and Homes for energy performance.
Canada Green Building Council - CAGBC membership unlocks the value of green buildings. Through industry-leading certifications like LEED and the Zero Carbon Building Standards, low-carbon training, and professional certifications, CAGBC supports the building sector’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impacts while improving energy efficiency.
Kalwall - Not a window. Not a wall. But you can trust Kalwall’s translucent daylighting systems to provide all the benefits of both. Museum-quality daylighting™ validated by complimentary daylight modelling; Best-in-industry thermal performance and solar heat gain control; Wind, fire and impact resistance. Meet all your project needs with Kalwall.
NZP - A passivhaus certified tilt and turn window manufacturer located in Quebec.
We offer high-performance products and support from our team of experts from the production of the plans to the installation. Our uPVC profile allows us to manufacture very large dimensions, install the best triple glazing available, and significantly reduce your energy use.
Unicel Architectural - Specialists in the manufacturing of high energy- efficiency timber curtain wall with proven RAICO technology. Each Therm+ H-I system (56 and 76mm) combines Passive House certification-level thermal insulation, along with superior wind resistance and greater air tightness.
Alberta Ecotrust: Retrofit AcceleratorWe offer support for sustainable buildings in Alberta through: Free deep-retrofit coaching services for building owners via our Retrofit Accelerator program. Access to free resources for better building practices through our Emissions-Neutral Buildings Information Exchange (ENBIX).
Evolve Builders Group Inc.Climate Conscious Construction – 25 industry leading years; 35+ knowledgeable staff; 100s of inspiring projects. Passive House. Strawbale. Rammed Earth. Renovations. Test our reputation for expertise with costing, carbon calcs & construction on your next custom, highperformance, low-carbon home. Guelph KW – Grey County – GTA – Greater Sudbury.
Green Building Initiative - Start your building on the journey to net zero. Evaluate performance. Implement change.
Jeld-Wen - One of the world’s largest solution providers to the building products industry and one of Canada's most recognized Window and Door brands. We believe a home is more than just shelter, it’s your legacy. So we design and manufacture products that are innovative, energy efficient and of the highest quality to build lasting value for the homeowners and the professionals who use them.
Tempeff - Building on over 20 years of European innovation, Tempeff is pleased to offer air to air Dual Core® energy recovery ventilation equipment with up to 90% energy efficiency in winter without any requirement for an energy robbing defrost strategy. In these times of escalating energy costs, and concern over environmental impact, Tempeff Dual Core® Technology is the highest efficiency solution available for your building ventilation needs.
By John Gillanders
Portland Commons is a high-performance commercial office and retail development, integrating with the surrounding neighbourhood through its preservation of surrounding heritage buildings, terraced massing and activated, pedestrian focussed street presence.
By contributing high-quality employment and retail spaces, this project strengthens the economic and social fabric of an important mixed-use district, just steps from the planned Front and Spadina GO and commuter rail station.
The Project is designed to achieve LEED Platinum (Core + Shell), LEED Zero Carbon, and WELL Building Gold standards, supporting the highest levels of energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and occupant physical and mental well-being through access to outdoor terraces, biophilic elements, and abundant natural light.
Commons serves as a model for sustainable, future-ready office developments supporting the dynamic life of an active
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By Maude Pintal
Cité Angus Phase II is located on the last vacant lot of the Technopôle Angus site, in the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie district of Montreal. Technopôle Angus is part of an integrated approach to sustainable development, revitalization, and access to home ownership for families wishing to settle in the heart of the city.
By LGA Architectural Partners
Completed in the spring of 2025, Ulster House, Toronto’s first multiplex condominium, exemplifies gentle density, market affordability, thoughtful design, and environmental responsibility. The infill project comprises four condominium units with a total floor area of 377 m² and a 56 m² laneway suite.
original. Handmade in Denmark.
Developed in 2008 in a collaboration between the Dutch architects Min2 bouw-kunst and Petersen Tegl.
Adapted in 2011 by Lundgaard & Tranberg for Sorø Art Museum, Denmark.
Designed for cladding roofs and façades. Mounted on a wooden or metal structure.
Different types of clay and firing temperatures infuse the bricks with texture and rich colour variation.
Easy to mount and remove. Infinitely recyclable.
14 shades and two standard formats: 528 x 170 x 37mm and 528 x 240 x 37mm. Customised colours and formats by appointment.
Handmade in wooden moulds. Mixed by hand and exported all over the world. Option of firing with biogas.
By Chris Flood
Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs) occupy a critical place in Canada’s urban decarbonization strategy. These high-density residential forms are growing rapidly in every major city and represent a large share of new construction floor area. They also embody a paradox: MURBs can be more energy-efficient per capita than low-rise housing, yet their dependence on centralized heating and cooling systems, complex envelope geometries, and dense electrical loads present substantial challenges to achieving net-zero performance.
Against this backdrop, energy simulation is evolving from a compliance exercise into a design intelligence tool. For decades, simulations were deployed at the end of design - largely to demonstrate NECB or ASHRAE 90.1 compliance to regulators. Today, forward-looking design teams are integrating simulation from the earliest concept stages. This transition is enabling more robust decision-making around electrification, heat pump system selection, code compliance, and carbon reduction strategies.
This article explores the shift in the role of simulation, the pathways for electrification in MURBs, and how integrated modelling is helping teams navigate code complexity, manage grid impacts, and deliver projects that balance costeffectiveness with sustainability.
CAGBC makes sustainability a competitive advantage in a shifting market, giving members solutions to protect their assets and advance their bottom line through certifications, expert knowledge and skills, data-driven insights, and government advocacy efforts.
Want to learn more?
Contact getinvolved@cagbc.org
Solidify your sustainability investments with trusted third-party certification platforms including the LEED rating system and the Zero Carbon Building Standards.
Access support for your projects from the experts at CAGBC to help realize your sustainability goals.
We’re here to help. cagbc.org/certify
Grow your green building expertise with on-demand courses, live workshops and events, and now, the new Zero Carbon Building Micro-Credential.
With individual and private group training, CAGBC has what you need to upskill your workforce for a low-carbon future.
Get started today. cagbc.org/learn
Innotech Windows + Doors is a Canadian manufacturer of high-performance windows and doors. The Defender 88PH+ System combines decades of fenestration knowledge to deliver a robust window and door system that is not only Passive House Institute certi ed, but that also delivers the air, water and structural performance required for highly sustainable housing developments.
By Jordan Jones
The village of Kaslo is located on the west shore of Kootenay Lake in southeastern British Columbia on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and Sinixt First Nations. Settlers used Kaslo as a sawmill site from 1889, but the village expanded because of the silver boom of the late 19th century. The village retains several buildings that date from this period as well as the sternwheeler, S.S. Moyie, which operated on the lake from 1898 to 1957.
What began as a humble summer cabin nestled along Kootenay Lake has been reimagined as a permanent home that honours the past, embraces the present, and thoughtfully considers the future. The project transforms a well-loved family retreat into an adaptable home for retirement, while maintaining a deep connection to its familial and community legacies.
Visit our on-line Directory to see hundreds of listings of companies which supply products and services for sustainable, high-performance building. Listings are organized by Product Category and by LEED Category. Our Directory is created with the help of our partner:
SITE | LANDSCAPING |
RAINWATER HARVESTING
ACO Systems
Filterra Bioretention Systems/Langley Concrete Group
Make Way Environmental Technologies
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Roth North America
Wishbone Site Furnishings
STRUCTURE & EXTERIOR ENVELOPE
Airfoam Industries
Arriscraft
Canada Brick
CAYAKI Charred Wood/ CFP Woods
CBC Specialty Metals and Processing
Corbec
Engineered Assemblies
475.Supply
International Timberframes
Live Roof Ontario
MAPEI Canada
Radon Environmental
Sapphire Balconies Ltd.
Siga
Thames Valley Brick & Tile
Unitiwall
THERMAL, WINDOWS & DYNAMIC GLASS
Cascadia Windows & Doors
Duxton Windows & Doors
Inline Fiberglass Ltd.
Innotech Windows + Doors
JELD-WEN Windows & Doors
KALWALL
Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems Our 2025 Partners
NZP Fenestration passivhaus windows and doors
Silex Fiberglass Windows and Doors
Unicel Architectural Corp.
VETTA Windows & Doors
COATINGS AND INTERIOR FINISH PRODUCTS
Dulux/PPG
Eco Building Resource
Forbo Flooring Systems
MAPEI Canada
Rockfon
ELECTRICAL | PLUMBING | HVAC | RENEWABLES
AquaTech Sales and Marketing Inc.
Daikin Applied
Fantech Canada Ltd
Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc.
Sharc Energy
Sloan Valve/Dobbins Sales
Tempeff Inc.
Teritt Indoor Environmental
TRANE
GREEN DESIGN SUPPORT + PROFESSIONALS
Alberta Ecotrust
Canada Green Building Council
Canadian Precast Concrete Quality Assurance
Certification Program
Evolve Builders Group
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Green Building Initiative
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Save EnergyNB
As the recipient of DIALOG’s 2023 Iris Prize, our practice’s internal research opportunity and grant, I travelled to Europe in the spring of 2024 to learn from real-world examples of bioregional design: buildings and practices that draw on local materials, traditional knowledge, and innovative low-carbon techniques to reshape how we build.
While applications of bioregional design varied by region, project, and practice, they shared several common threads: design and construction leaders in Europe are leveraging what they already have – local materials, traditional craft knowledge, a deep commitment to reuse, and a culture of design experimentation – to innovate for a healthier built environment. The following is a field report showing how bioregional design is already being done and how Canada might follow suit.
In Germany, the Vitra Campus commissioned architect Tsuyoshi Tane to design a sustainable garden house as a signal of a lower-carbon future. Intended to support the maintenance staff of the Piet Oudolf Garden, the structure – built from thatch and timber – embodies a shift from resource extraction to the use of regenerative materials.
By Ryan McClanaghan
The future of sustainable construction in Canada lies in the untapped potential of our bioregions. Trading globalized construction supply chains for international knowledge-sharing on sustainable design strategies won’t just help us build more responsibly – it has equal potential to deepen our connection to place.
On almost every element of the building, Tsuyoshi Tane collaborated with craftspeople to create custom design solutions, highlighting the role of local craft in advancing low-carbon design. The building is also an economic demonstration, teaching younger generations traditional regional methods of making and building. The takeaway: innovations often begin with small-scale projects like the garden house, but they can generate insights with broad, scalable potential.
In Basel, Herzog & de Meuron’s HORTUS – short for House of Research, Technology, Utopia, and Sustainability – is a five-storey, 150,000-square-foot office building at the Basel Link Technology Campus. Designed to be energy-positive within 31 years, its material palette is also firmly rooted in place, featuring locally sourced wood, clay, and cellulose. The building’s most impressive innovation is its rammed earth floor system. Earth excavated onsite was compacted into vaults, flipped, and installed, then layered with thin cross-laminated timber for structural performance and a sand acoustic layer made from crushed brick. Coming together to form an elegant example of circular material use, HORTUS demonstrates that ambitious, largescale buildings can meet rigorous technical standards and owner’s ESG ambitions while embracing local, low-carbon materials.
DING, Design Museum Ghent’s renovation and mass timber expansion by Carmody Groarke, TRANS Architects and BC Materials, presents an example of reuse that meets Eurocode standards while significantly reducing environmental impact. The design features custom brick made from recycled concrete, glass, porcelain and hydrolyzed lime for binding – a choice that generates just 30 per cent of the embodied carbon of traditional brick. The design required and passed testing for Euro-code compliance, such as freeze-thaw resistance, serving as another proof point that sustainability and building performance for code compliance aren’t mutually exclusive.
1.
By Maegan Murrins and Rayleen Hill
Sitting on a small lot of a tight urban street on the outskirts of downtown Halifax, the (s)efficient house overlooks a south-facing garden while keeping the east views of the industrial lands to a minimum.
The retired homeowners wanted to downsize in retirement. With 960 sq. ft. of living space on one level, the house has minimal upkeep and future accessibility potential. An additional 300 sq ft of garage space allows for the storage of cars and other items. The living space has the opposite “gull wing” roof shape allowing the main living spaces to have high, vaulted ceilings which make the compact interior feel voluminous.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNING TEAMS OF THE 2025 CANADIAN GREEN BUILDING AWARDS. The annual program to recognize excellence in the design and execution of all types of sustainably-designed, high-performance Canadian residential and non-residential buildings and interiors, both new and renovated.
ZAS ARCHITECTS + INTERIORS AND BUCHOLZ MCEVOY ARCHITECTS (DUBLIN); AND INTROBA. COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL (LARGE) AWARD FOR THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS. (l to r): Merritt Bucholz, Karen McEvoy, Marek Zawadzki, Andrzej Gortat and Carmine Canonaco of ZAS Architects; and (l to r): Mike Godawa, Jamie Dabner and Jeff Phinney of Introba.
DIALOG. COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL (SMALL) FOR THE UBC SMART HYDROGEN ENERGY DISTRICT (SHED) – HYDROGEN GENERATION AND FUELING STATION. (l to r): Martin Nielsen and Kyle Bruce.
SOLTERRE DESIGN. EXISTING BUILDING UPGRADE AWARD FOR THE ROSS CREEK ANNEX. David Gallaugher.
MONTGOMERY SISAM ARCHITECTS. RESIDENTIAL (LARGE) AWARD FOR THE HAMILTON PASSIVE HOUSE MODULAR HOUSING. (l to r): Daniel Ling, Jake Pauls Wolf, Enda McDonagh, Victoria Ngai, Kevin Hutchinson, Zheng Li and Sonja Storey-Fleming.
PURE INDUSTRIAL. COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL (LARGE) AWARD FOR THE LAKERIDGE LOGISTICS CENTRE. (l to r): Peter McFarlane, Jonathan Rovira, Rawan Khan, Lori Hipwell, Michael Duff and David Owen.
PERKINS&WILL. INTERIOR DESIGN AWARD FOR THE PERKINS&WILL VANCOUVER STUDIO. (back to front): Manuela Londono, Markus Brown, Rufina Wu, Cindy Nachareun, Naomi Tremblay and Amy Brander (on screen).
DIAMOND SCHMITT ARCHITECTS AND PHILIP AGAR ARCHITECT INC. INSTITUTIONAL (LARGE) AWARD FOR FANSHAWE COLLEGE INNOVATION VILLAGE. (l to r): Sarah Low, Amanda Van Amelsfort, Sydney Browne, Elcin Unal, Ewa Rudzik, Micheal Leckman. Missing from photo: Martin Gauthier, Kourosh Fathi, Michael Kim, Amy Norris, Christina Pascoa, Philippa Swartz, Jimmy Hung, Eva Xiao, Judith Geher, Nicole Wilke, Ronny Sepulveda, Michael Jess, Philip Agar, Andrew Ransom and Eric Shell, all of Diamond Schmitt Architects.
BEAUPRÉ MICHAUD ET ASSOCIÉS, ARCHITECTES IN COLLABORATION WITH MU ARCHITECTURE, NCK ET MARTIN ROY ET ASSOCIÉS. EXISTING BUILDING UPGRADE AWARD FOR THE HÔTEL DE VILLE DE MONTRÉAL/ MONTREAL CITY HALL. (l to r): David Gour, Nicolas Gautier, Antoine Cloutier-Bélisle, Camille Chabot, Patrick Ma, Jonathan Levesque, Menaud Lapointe, Nelly Charpentier, Maxime Bonesso, Camille Charest, Etienne Miloux, Sabrina Richardson, Catherine Lamarre, Pierre Beaupré, Josette Michaud, Jean-Daniel Mercier and Baptiste Aitken, all of Beaupré Michaud et Associés, Architectes.
SOLTERRE DESIGN. INSTITUTIONAL (SMALL) AWARD FOR THE NOVA SCOTIA NATIVE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE AND RESILIENCY CENTRE. (l to r): Joshua Stromberg, Jennifer Corson and Keith Robertson.
BAIRD SAMSON NEUERT ARCHITECTS/WF GROUP. INSTITUTIONAL (LARGE) AWARD FOR THE CANADIAN CENTRE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION, UNIVERSITY OF PEI. (l to r): Rana Alsharif, Madison Tousaw, Andrea Macecek, Jon Neuert, Sean March, Shannon Clark, and Corinne Barak.
CSV ARCHITECTS. INSTITUTIONAL (SMALL) AWARD FOR THE FOREST EXPLORERS OUTDOOR EARLY LEARNING CENTRE. (l to r): Alex Sargent, Richard Gurnham and Jessie Smith.
Q1: How do VELUX products contribute to resilient construction and improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ)?
VELUX offers innovative skylight systems that promote healthy ventilation and leverage the natural beauty of daylight to transform interior spaces. We are passionate about making products that perform better and help people to perform better. Sunlight and fresh air have dramatic effects on IEQ and occupant health, from improved mood to increased productivity. At the same time, people spend about 90% of their time indoors in the northern hemisphere. These insights inspire our team to deliver solutions that bring the health benefits of fresh air and daylight into our clients' homes, schools, and offices.
Q2: Where do you think the greatest opportunities lie in advancing resilient design and construction as a norm for the building industry?
We see a big opportunity to take advantage of what we already have. Roughly 80% of North American buildings that will be standing in 2050 have already been built. The opportunities, therefore, lie in how we can transform these spaces, adapt them to our current needs, and upgrade their performance to meet our modern energy goals. Virgin materials are diminishing in supply due to overuse, and the built environment accounts for about a third of the world’s waste. Therefore, there is a great need for our industry to take advantage of the materials which already exist, through practices like urban mining and retrofitting. By focusing strategically on circularity, we can put less strain on our diminishing natural resources.
Q3: How can circular design make cities more resilient, affordable, and livable while also lowering carbon emissions?
Circular design allows us to transform spaces and buildings to keep up with our modern needs and uses, without imposing the high environmental and economic costs of new builds. Updating these spaces to our modern standards is not just desirable, but necessary. Data, such as the statistics pulled from the VELUX Group’s Healthy Building Barometer, shows that the values of resiliency, affordability, and livability are intertwined. For example, by improving the resilience of the built environment, less energy is required to maintain and operate these spaces. There are also clear benefits to sourcing recycled materials for lower carbon emissions as well as resource independence. We inherently become more flexible during periods of international instability by drawing from the resources and materials that are available to us now.
Q4: How does VELUX incorporate circularity into its business model?
We aim to integrate circularity throughout our value chain. We start by working to source materials with higher recycled content and embedding circularity principles into the product design process. At the same time, we are reducing waste in our own operations and beginning to transition our packaging in North America to recyclable, paper-based solutions. We’re expanding these efforts with some great pilot programs in Europe, such as a take-back service for older windows. We also conduct demonstration projects that highlight our circularity approach. For example, we recently renovated one of the buildings at our production facility in Denmark to convert it into what we call the LKR Innovation House. Our team was able to reuse more than 50% of the original materials associated with the building. For our team, circularity isn't just a mantra, it’s the foundation of all our business and product decisions.
Q5: What do you think the building industry needs to do to advance its circularity goals?
I think the building industry is a sector with many challenges and even more opportunities. There are barriers to our progress, though, in our culture and mindset. The tendency has been to ask, “what’s the next project?” or “where can we develop next?” But have we stopped to assess what we already have and how we can repurpose it to serve our evolving needs? Or when we build new—how can we do so with decreased impact. Considering not just the immediate future, but also longer-term, including changes in weather, usage of space, and other factors? Industry leaders have the opportunity to benefit from the value of what we already have by recycling materials and retrofitting spaces to align with the new reality and selecting products where circularity is taken into account. We have the technologies and the knowledge at our disposal— now it’s time to put them into action.
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