Ontario Home Builder - Early Spring 2020 by Ontario Home Builder

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Contents

42 Casting Call Why the business of precast concrete is reaching new heights

A World of Inspiration

Winning designs from eight countries to get your creative juices flowing

51 Ride the Waves Four trends shaping modern residential construction

36 Obstacle Course

69 Time to Open Up

You might see a path to success, but you’ll need to clear these 10 hurdles first

Bigger continues to be better in the world of windows and doors

9 One Voice #we need 1 million homes. So here’s what needs to change. 11 Ontario Report A pre-budget consultation, OHBA’s Housing Tour heads to Vienna, class is in session for the Institute of Building Excellence, your local association events calendar and more. ohba.ca

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17 Inside Storey Want to know the secrets to designing for accessibility? Four experts share their wisdom. 21 Trending Hot products for the home include a new stone from Céragrès, a House Hydrant from Aquor, Weiser’s smart security and a better carpet pad from DMX .

59 Building Buzz DeSantis’s new game plan, London’s innovative Eve Park, living on the edge in NYC, raising awareness of the trades and Tarion heightens the customer service standard 78 Frame of Mind It’s alive! Well, the walls are, at least, with this California project.

ON THE COVER

Poland’s Mobius Architects went to great lengths to blend Green Line House with its natural surroundings. Photo: Pawel Ulatowski

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

The official publication of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association EARLY SPRING 2020 | Vol. 36 Issue 2

EDITOR

Ted McIntyre ted@laureloak.ca ART DIRECTOR

Erik Mohr ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

Ian Sullivan Cant GRAPHIC DESIGN

Marikha Saira, Megan Drummond COPY EDITOR

Barbara Chambers CONTRIBUTORS

Avi Friedman, Tracy Hanes, Dave Henderson, Joe Vaccaro ADVERTISING

Tricia Beaudoin, ext. 223 tricia@laureloak.ca Cindy Kaye, ext. 232 cindy@laureloak.ca PUBLISHER

Sheryl Humphreys, ext. 245 sheryl@laureloak.ca PRESIDENT

Wayne Narciso PUBLISHED BY

Laurel Oak Publishing laureloak.ca

ohba.ca

Take a photo of our QR code and sign up for digital updates and news! Ontario Home Builder is published six times per year (Winter, Early Spring, Late Spring, Summer, Fall, Awards). All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher © 2020. For address corrections please email info@laureloak.ca or phone: (905) 333-9432. Single copy price is $5.00. Subscription Rates: Canada $12.95 + HST per year, USA $29.95 USD. Order online at http://ohba.ca/subscribe-or-buy-past-issues CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 42011539 ISSN No. 1182-1345

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

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One Voice

REAL DEMAND FOR REAL SUPPLY

Transformation is needed if Ontario is going to deliver 1 million more homes CHANGE REQUIRES WORK AND

commitment. To paraphrase Albert Einstein: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is not just the definition of insanity; it condemns the outcome to failure. OHBA and the #homebeliever campaign have been changing the conversation around Ontario’s housing market to focus on supply as the only reasonable response to our growing population and real housing needs. We know that the world recognizes Ontario as an economic destination. Beyond just the GTA, from Windsor to Ottawa, we have welcoming, safe communities with reliable infrastructure, excellent universities and access to world markets and financial resources. People are coming here and they need homes, so we require a housing system that provides options to meet their needs. In fact, the government tells us there will be 2.6 million more #homebelievers living in Ontario by 2031. That is the real demand that the federal, provincial and municipal governments need to respond to if we are going to get serious ohba.ca

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“THE UNCERTAINTY THAT CHANGE BRINGS CAN BE DIFFICULT, BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORT OUR INDUSTRY MEMBERS.” about housing affordability, choice and economic prosperity. And 2.6 million more #homebelievers means #weneed1MILLIONhomes over the next decade. That’s the outcome required by the housing system if Ontario is to meet demand, an outcome that the previous system could never deliver. The current Ontario government recognized that the housing system they inherited was condemned to repeating past failures, and they committed to

the work and attention needed to make transformational system changes. Their plan has touched every aspect of the housing system, with more to come, with a focus and determination to match the name of the government’s signature housing bill: the More Homes, More Choice Act. Beyond the changes to the development approvals system, there have been changes (or proposed amendments) to the Conservation Authorities Act, the remediation and excess soils framework, the New Home Warranty Program, the home-building regulator, the skilled trades and apprenticeship system, the Construction Act, prompt payment and much more. Along the way, OHBA has been an active stakeholder, participating, proposing and responding to the government’s transformational approach. Our members have long been asking for change, and OHBA hears the membership concerns. The uncertainty that change brings can be difficult, but we are committed to support and inform our industry members along the way. The elephant in the room is that we need more housing supply and choice across Ontario. But instead of viewing population growth as a problem, let’s view it as an opportunity. New housing can be a cornerstone solution to climate change, the employment skills gap and the economy. And OHBA’s work continues to reflect our industry membership’s effort, focus and commitment to get more housing supply and choice in the market, and create communities and neighbourhoods that respond to the change happening across Ontario. We want to give #homebelievers the chance to live in the greatest province in the greatest country in the world. OHB

JOE VACCARO IS THE CEO OF THE ONTARIO HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

Ontario Report

OHBA PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION

TARRY TO BE HONOURED AT EQ AWARDS

OHBA submitted its recommendations for the 2020 Provincial Budget to the Ministry of Finance and to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs in January. The Pre-Budget Submission (available at Ohba.ca) delivered a number of key messages and priorities to the provincial government, including: HBA is supportive of and looks forward to working with the O government to implement the Housing Supply Action Plan and explore further opportunities to reduce timelines, streamline approvals, reduce red tape and improve Ontario’s land-use planning system to deliver housing to the market faster. HBA supports the Made in Ontario Environment Plan and is O working with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to explore further opportunities to reduce red tape and eliminate duplication. ddress the underground economy and climate change through A a combination of policy initiatives, including a home renovation tax credit specifically targeting improving the energy efficiency of Ontario’s 5 million existing homes. ontinue to make significant investments in public transportation C and transportation infrastructure to address increasing congestion, and to enhance provincial investment in other key areas of core infrastructure, especially upgrading and expanding water and waste-water systems.

It’s going to be a memorable night for Doug Tarry at this year’s EQ Awards. V.P. of Operations at Doug Tarry Homes and a Past President of the OHBA, Tarry will be inducted on Tuesday, April 14 at this year’s EnerQuality gala, which annually recognizes the outstanding work of Ontario home builders. Doug’s ongoing commitment to building Energy Starqualified homes and, more recently, to Net Zero and Net Zero Ready homes has made a significant and long-term impact on the new construction industry.

EQ AWARDS NIGHT DATE:

Tuesday, April 14

TIME:

6:00 pm-11:00 pm

LOCATION:

Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre 801 Dixon Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M9W 1J5 To purchase tickets to the gala, visit Enerquality.ca.

Try-A-Trade Featured at LHBA Lifestyle Home Show “Work now costs more because it takes more time because of the shortage of workers,” observes London HBA CEO Lois Langdon. “And it’s not limited to the vital skilled trades on jobsites; it now includes those whose best tools are a computer and their own creativity. Even departments ohba.ca

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at City Hall are struggling with a lack of educated workers. Plans take longer to review and inspections are stretched beyond the provincially mandated 48hour turnaround.” In an attempt to help educate the public (including the next generation of job-seekers)

of the huge demand, while removing the stigma of industry jobs being uneducated blue-collar in nature, the London HBA took a proactive approach by reaching out to thousands of attendees of the LHBA Lifestyle Home Show last month to show them there are well-paid,

satisfying creative careers waiting for them. With numerous hands-on activities at the show’s TryA-Trade feature, attendees were able to challenge their dexterity and dabble in electrical, among other tasks, while discovering the right career path to suit their abilities and passions.

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

Ontario Report

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN OHBA heads to Austria

OHBA is excited to be travelling with a small group of builder/developer members on its upcoming International Housing Study Tour to Vienna, Austria. The May 10-13 tour will have a strong focus on modern architecture, energy sustainability, transportation and smart-city technologies. Tour delegates will have a tremendous opportunity to connect directly with European business counterparts and visit the most innovative and leading-edge residential

construction sites in the fastest-growing German-speaking city in the world. Joining us will be our partnering sponsors: EnerQuality, Building Knowledge Canada, Cricket Energy and Ozz Electric. The four-day spring tour will feature local guides, meetings with housing, planning and building officials, a historic architectural walking tour of Viennaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s city centre and a modern tour of the emerging new communities surrounding the newly

built Central Railway Station. OHBA will also visit the under-construction 2.2 million square metre Smart City Aspern, which is set to be home to 25,000 people when completed in 2023, as well as tour the WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) campus, which includes a signature building by architect Zaha Hadid. Be sure to check out an upcoming edition of Ontario Home Builder magazine to see photos and a tour report.

INSTITUTE OF BUILDING EXCELLENCE COURSE CALENDAR The OHBA and our Institute of Building Excellence is committed to providing professional development opportunities for the residential construction industry. Arguably the most valuable of those opportunities is a certification program, which provides builders and renovators with something tangible they can use to promote their business and keep a competitive edge in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. Approved by Tarion Warranty Corporation, these courses ($350 each) are required to obtain warranty coverage. So get ahead of the competition and start fulfilling your training requirements today! Visit Ohba.ca/courses-and-calendar/ today to enroll in a course near you. 12

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

TARION CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WARRANTY Increase your awareness and understanding of the elements of Customer Service and Warranty that directly affect the everyday operation of your building or renovating company. Management and staff will gain a better understanding

of the importance of exceeding services expectations.

INSTRUCTOR: Stefanie Coleman LOCATION: OHBA office DATE: March 19

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SITE SUPERVISION Helping both novice and experienced superintendents improve their awareness and understanding of the primary elements of construction supervision, this course will result in improved performance and profitability for your building company. Review methods to get employees and subtrades to work together to get the job done on time and on budget, while meeting standards for quality and

using new and innovative methods and materials. You will learn techniques to improve planning and scheduling of complex projects, get people working as a team and keep your projects on the path to successful completion.

INSTRUCTOR: Greg Labbe LOCATION: OHBA office DATE: March 27 ohba.ca

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SPACE

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Ontario Report

Local Association Events (excluding golf)

Date

Event

Local

Contact Name

Contact Number

March 7-8

Home & Lifestyle Show

WEHBA

Daniella Spadafora

519-948-3247

March 10

AGM

GOHBA

Jason Burggraaf

613-723-2926 x.224

March 13-22

National Home Show

BILD

Tiffany Kohl

416-391-3446

April 3-5

Stratford Home & Leisure Show

SABA

Derek Smith

519-271-4795

April 4-5

Home and Lifestyle Show

SDHBA

Gisèle Regimbal

705-671-6099

April 8

Ottawa Reno Day

GOHBA

Jason Burggraaf

613-723-2926 x.224

April 12

Awards of Excellence

NHBA

Alicia Dimitrov-Lawrence

905-646-6281

April 16

Awards of Excellence

DRHBA

Stacey Hawkins

905-579-8080 x.1001

April 17

Housing Design Awards

PKHBA

Danica Logan

705-876-7304

April 17

Build Brantford

BHBA

Fred DeCator

519-755-9690

April 22

Awards of Distinction

HHHBA

Cindy McIntosh

905-575-3344 x.3

April 23

24th Annual SAM Awards of Distinction

WRHBA

Hayley Hopkins

519-884-7590

April 24

BILD Awards

BILD

Tiffany Kohl

416-391-3446

April 29

Building Innovation Trade Show

GOHBA

Jason Burggraaf

613-723-2926 x.224

May 5

Industry Luncheon

GDHBA

Melissa Jonker

519-836-8560

May 8

President’s Industry Dinner

LHBA

Lois Langdon

519-686-0343

May 12

President’s Dinner Meeting

NHBA

Alicia Dimitrov-Lawrence

905-646-6281

TBD - June or July

Meet the Mayor Luncheon

GOHBA

Jason Burggraaf

613-723-2926 x.224

June 2

Land and Development Conference

BILD

Tiffany Kohl

416-391-3446

June 2

Trades Appreciation BBQ

STEHBA

Angela DeVries

519-852-6025

July 8

28th Annual Charity BBQ

BILD

Tiffany Kohl

416-391-3446

July 15

Charity BBQ

HHHBA

Cindy McIntosh

905-575-3344 x.3

September 24-27

Ottawa Fall Home Show

GOHBA

Jason Burggraaf

613-723-2926 x.224

October 2-4

Fall Home Show

BILD

Tiffany Kohl

416-391-3446

October 4

Ottawa Reno Tour

GOHBA

Jason Burggraaf

613-723-2926 x.224

October 23

President’s Ball

KFHBA & KHBA

Alex Pacheco

613-547-0986

October 24

Housing Design Awards Gala

GOHBA

Jason Burggraaf

613-723-2926 x.224

November TBD

30th Annual Industry Luncheon

WRHBA

Hayley Hopkins

519-884-7590

November TBD

SAM Awards Luncheon

GOHBA

Jason Burggraaf

613-723-2926 x.224

November 12

Membership Drive

CKHBA

Dan VanMoorsel

519-365-2739

November (TBD)

Golden Hammer Awards

STEHBA

Angela DeVries

519-852-6025

November 13

ACE Awards of Creative Excellence

SCHBA

Sandy Tuckey

705-718-1202

November 14

President’s Gala

HHHBA

Cindy McIntosh

905-575-3344 x.3

November 22

Golden Hammer Awards Gala

WEHBA

Daniella Spadafora

519-948-3247

November 27 (TBD)

Christmas Charity Auction

PKHBA

Danica Logan

705-876-7304

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

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Vehicle may by shown with optional features. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR based on Ford segmentation. ^Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. †6000-series aluminum alloy. *When properly equipped. Maximum payload of 7,850 lbs. on F-350 DRW Regular Cab Long Box with 6.2L gas engine and Heavy-Duty Payload Package. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR based on Ford segmentation. **When properly equipped. Maximum gooseneck tow rating of 37,000 lbs. on F-450 Regular Cab 4x2 diesel. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR based on Ford segmentation. ^^ When properly equipped. 1,050 lb.-ft. with the 6.7L Power Stroke® Turbo diesel engine. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR based on Ford segmentation. ©2020 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

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Inside Storey bathroom (or one that could be easily converted) on the main floor. Designing for visitable parameters means that if you have a temporary condition, such as a ski accident, or you have a more permanent condition, you can still live in your own home. “A grab bar can make all the difference in a person’s ability to live in their home longer, but the ones on the market are not the ones you want to put in your beautiful home, especially if you just renovated your bathroom. But you can put an integrated grab bar that’s aligned with the shower alcove—something you can lean on and grab that’s safe and will result in a more adaptable home that suits your needs for longer.

HOME FREE

Harnessing best practices for inclusive design BY TED McINTYRE WITH DESIGN-FOR-THE-AGING EXPERTS MICHELE COHEN, MARGOT SCHULMAN, AMY POTHIER AND LINDA KAFKA

WE’VE ALL HEARD the numbers, but they’re still staggering: By 2030, more than one-quarter of Canada’s population will be aged 65 or over. And with 1,200 Canadians turning 65 every day, the ratio is increasing. That brings with it a rising challenge of addressing inevitable cognitive and physical deterioration in a population that doesn’t ever want to move out of their home. But it shouldn’t mean the end of quality living, notes a foursome with expertise in the field: Amy Pothier, Inclusive Design and Building Code Strategist at Gensler; Margot Schulman, principal at Schulman Design; Michele Cohen, principal of Health Sciences with NORR Architects and Engineers; and Linda Kafka, principal at the Living in Place Network and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP). The foursome were part of a seminar entitled “Designing for an Aging ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

Population” at this year’s Interior Design Show in Toronto. Pothier cited a UK study noting that 80% of the homes the current population will grow old in are already built, but that just 7% of them have even basic accessibility features. Stats like that have this group concerned. OHB: BEYOND CODE, WHAT SHOULD BUILDERS AND RENOVATORS CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING FOR SENIORS? MARGOT SCHULMAN: “We’ll raise

all the electrical outlets so that they’re 20 inches above the floor, and bring the switches down. People love it becuse they have trouble bending down.” AMY POTHIER: “I think they need

to include seniors in the conversation and product testing and integrate the parameters for visitable housing— no-step entrance, a clear path through the main floor and an accessible

MICHELE COHEN: “It was encouraging that in 2017 the Ontario Building Code added the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act). But there are also guidelines you can follow from the Facilities Guidelines Institute that are not part of the OBC. “For example, it’s difficult for those with disabilities to detect whether a floor is shiny or wet. So lighting and surfaces should prevent glare. “And colour selection is important. It can help with wayfinding (particularly in a seniors’ home). People lose their ability to distinguish certain colours as they age, so contrast is important. In a completely white bathroom, it might be hard to differentiate between fixtures and floors. “And handrails can be life-changing. But you need to think about having the proper backing if you’re going to be able to later adapt a space for handrails, or reinforce a bathroom ceiling to be able to put a lift in there to help a support worker or loved one mobilize the patient. Where you put the plumbing should be considered, so that if you’re in a wheelchair or walker there is ample clearance for turning radius and knee clearances beneath the sink. Hot pipes should be properly wrapped. “We need to eliminate one- or twostair transitions, and leave five feet of space to manoeuvre a wheelchair—six feet for a scooter. Modifications can be ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

Natural limestone.

as simple as ensuring that every fire alarm in the house has a visual alert. “And think about where you’d put an elevator in a new home to help the homeowners age in place. “Allowing people to easily control their environment—lighting, sound, temperature is also key.” WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GUIDES OUT THERE TO ASSIST BUILDERS AND RENOVATORS? AMY POTHIER: “CMHC Accessible

Housing By Design has guides on how to make individual portions of a residence accessible. And the CSA B651, Accessible Design for the Built Environment, has requirements for residential spaces. There’s also the government’s National Housing Strategy Co-Investment Fund, which includes requirements for making accessible apartments and provides a baseline checklist. It’s great that there is federal funding out there for developers who are trying to create accessible rental housing but who can’t make the business case.” LINDA KAFKA: “There are also

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

training programs like CLIPP, endorsed by the NKBA, and the CAPS program from the National Association of Home Builders in the States. The U.S. is about 15 years ahead of us in terms of the need for accessiblilty in residential, but a lot is filtering to Canada. CHBA has licensed the CAPS program and is converting it to Canadian (standards). Eventually they’ll have a list of accessibility-related products that will be open to the trades as well as consumers. And CMHC has an innovation fund they’ve earmarked to put toward new and creative building. I think we’ll start seeing a lot more funding to support home modifications so people can live in place. IS THERE A FINANCIAL ARGUMENT TO AGE IN PLACE? LINDA KAFKA: “The whole idea of

modifying my home isn’t just because I’m turning old; it could be my mother visiting or my cousin in a wheelchair. And there’s always a cost to modifying. But the alternative is ridiculous. My mother resisted a renovation, even though her bathroom was a death trap. ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

And then when we had to move her to a retirement home, we ran into a worse scenario, since we were paying $6,500 a month but the retirement building (built in the ’70s) was no better—she was in a wheelchair and couldn’t even use the facilities. We then located her to another newer, fully accessible facility. But if we had just taken the money and insisted on doing the renos, she could still be living in her home today and would have saved a lot. We had PSWs and family support, so there were no isolation or assistance issues. “As a baby boomer, I will not go down that path. I will renovate and design my home so that my space adapts to me as my needs change. On the rise are companies like Daniels Corporation, Great Gulf Homes and Minto, who recognize the importance of designing products that adapt to us. Builders and renovators who understand the importance of designing and building for living in place will have a competitive advantage.” ARE THERE MODELS OUT THERE FOR BETTER SENIORS’ HOMES? MARGOT SCHULMAN: “I visited the

Hogewey Dementia Village in Holland and met the founder. It helped form the vision I have behind Curatta Village. It would be a 1.5-acre, gated community with 24-hour security that would allow people experiencing dementia the right to live in an engaging village-like community that honours their wellbeing, with best practices in dementia care for both residents and caregivers, so that there is less staff turnover. It will focus on what residents can do, instead of what they can’t do. There will be 10 bungalows of about 4,000 square feet with personalized bedrooms—each housing seven people whose lifestyles will be similar, right down to the decor and foods they like. And there will be areas to wander and feel the sun on their backs, with a sealed property perimeter. There will be different recognizable doors for each bungalow, perhaps different trees outside. The main street amenties will range from from a grocery store and exercise classes to cooking clubs. Lots of choice. And a restaurant is open to residents, the public and staff too.” OHB ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

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APRIL 14, 2020 | SHERATON TORONTO AIRPORT HOTEL & CONFERENCE SUBMIT NOMINATIONS OR GET TICKETS AT ENERQUALITY.CA/EQ-AWARDS

EnerQuality is proud to name Doug Tarry as the recipient of this year’s Hall of Fame Award. Doug is Past President of the Ontario Home Builder Association and is a second-generation builder whose ongoing commitment to building ENERGY STAR® qualified homes, and more recently, to Net Zero and Net Zero Ready homes has made a significant and long-term impact on the new construction industry.

Celebrate with us at the EnerQuality Awards. The deadline for submissions and Early Bird Pricing is March 13, 2020. Submit nominations or get tickets at enerquality.ca/eq-awards today.

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THE VIEW FROM AFAR Lif tMaster helps you keep an eye on visitors P. 26

THE ITALIAN CONNECTION Lombarda from Céragrès’ magnifies contemporary architecture with a collection inspired by Ceppo di Gre, a stone commonly used in 20th-century Milanese constructions. Characterized by the varied dimensions of the aggregates, ranging from highly discreet to the most pronounced designs, Lombarda adds a unique cachet in a sought-after environment. Three natural and neutral colours that respect the spirit of the product are available in 24”x24” format. They offer a semi-polished finish with a deliberately moderate brightness to maintain fidelity to the appearance of the natural stone. CERAGRES.CA ohba.ca

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

Trending PLUG INTO THE NEXT GENERATION The Aquor House Hydrant is the first leak-proof, modernized stainless steel outdoor faucet to be introduced into the home building market. Aquor’s unique product eliminates concerns about freezing pipes near outdoor water access points, significantly outperforming comparable brass sillcocks. As soon as the House Hydrant is disconnected, the outlet automatically seals, drains and winterizes.

FROM START TO FINISH Perfect for modern home designs, the new Sawn finish from Arriscraft delivers a clean, smooth finish. The company’s Stack (pictured) and Midtown thin-adhered stone both feature this unique look and offer a broad colour selection including light, dark and earthy tones. This exciting new finish is a great option for contemporary designs or renovation upgrades and adds modern flair for interior projects. ARRISCRAFT.COM

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Hard work pays off. We invented the first work van in 1896. And we’ve been working to reinvent it ever since. Whatever your workday holds, your Mercedes-Benz Van will hold. Because we’re the proud sponsor of every workday. Select 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans clearance during March. Special rates and rebates for qualifying models and customers.

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Trending HEAVENLY LIGHT Connected in linear strains, a dramatically suspended array of LED luminaire hubs forms the geometry of a bold cube of dazzling luminance with Cosmic Cube, the latest addition to the Constellation series from Sonneman – A Way of Light. Scaled in two sizes, Cosmic Cube is stocked in 25-light or 49-light configurations, while custom sizes can be imagined to suit any project. SONNEMANAWAYOFLIGHT.COM

SAFE AND SOUND DeWalt’s ToughSystem 2.0 Radio & Charger delivers powerful 360° sound and durability. Dynamic Range Control gives users the optimal sound for indoor or outdoor use, with four integrated, high-performance full-range speakers, an active subwoofer and passive bass resonator. It features integrated Bluetooth connectivity, a 2.1A USB port and a storage compartment for a battery, phone and the included AC power cable. Engineered for the jobsite, it’s IP54-rated for dust and water resistance. DEWALT.CA

A DESIGN THAT’S COOLER THAN MOST Samsung’s brand new Bespoke refrigerator establishes a completely new category of customized home appliances. Through the creative use of materials and colours, homeowners can put their personal stamp of style on their kitchens. They can even customize the functions of the refrigerator with Flex Zone, a compartment that can be used as either a fridge or a freezer. SAMSUNG.CA 24

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

STANDING TALL What goes nicely with a freestanding tub? How about Lenova’s new FST01SS Freestanding Tub Faucet? Measuring a regal 4 ft. tall, the spout of which offers an 11 7⁄16” reach, this long and lean design makes an impactful style statement. Crafted of premium stainless steel and offering a 10-year limited lifetime warranty, it consumes minimal square footage, making it ideal for smaller spaces. LENOVASINKS.COM

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Servicing the residential building community throughout Ontario for over 35 years. Contact: Adam Zaretsky 905-761-2471 azaretszky@appliancecanada.com

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DON’T TOUCH! Kohler’s new Touchless Toilet offers touchless flushing through the integration of a sensor placed in the flush lever of the toilet. By simply placing your hand in front of the lever, users can flush without spreading bacteria. The flush lever features a sensor light, adjustable through the Kohler app. KOHLER.CA

PARK THAT THOUGHT LiftMaster’s Smart Garage Camera expands its myQ experience while integrating Amazon Key delivery. Partnering with a LiftMaster Smart Garage Opener, the camera comes with a magnetic base and 140-degree wide-angle view. From the myQ app on your phone, you can also control your garage door, view live feeds and speak with the delivery person. You’ll also receive alerts and HD recordings when motion is detected— in either regular light or night vision. LIFTMASTER.COM

WIFI THERMOSTATS TAKE THE FLOOR While smart thermostats are compatible with most residential HVAC devices, they’re not for use with electrical floor-warming systems. But Emerson’s new Warm Tiles ColorTouch line is designed to easily control such systems, including a wifi-enabled version that gives consumers remote access to control any Warm Tiles floor-warming system from a smartphone or tablet. It can also track power consumption with an energy log. EMERSON.COM ARIA OF INFLUENCE The simplicity and integrity of concrete take shape through the fine lines and smooth surfaces of Permacon’s Aria stone. Its minimalist avant-garde design provides a timeless and universal element to any architectural project. Offered in three neutral colours, including the new SoHo Grey and Heron as well as the popular Rockland black, Aria stone allows the creation of a modern canvas with a linear or ashlar pattern and harmonizes with the company’s Melville collection of landscaping products. PERMACON.CA 26

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PHOTO: ERIN FEINBLATT/ANACAPA

Hanging over Southern California’s Gaviota Coastline, Anacapa Architects’ Off-the-Grid Guesthouse is at one with its spectacular natural surroundings.

Winning residential designs from around the globe BY T ED M c I N T Y R E

While the competition at Ontario’s annual Awards of Distinction and CHBA’s National Awards for Housing Excellence consistently push entrants to new heights, there’s also inspiration to be drawn from elsewhere in the world. Here’s a look at 2019’s award-winning homes and condos from eight other countries around the globe— each a sublime work of creativity and architecture.

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AUSTRALIA

Daylesford Longhouse (Partners Hill)

The non-descript exterior of this 110-metre-long shed belies a diverse ecosystem inside—one that includes a variety of living spaces.

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

According to the ArchitectureAU Awards jury, “the Daylesford Longhouse is more than a remarkable home—it’s also a hardworking farm building, a verdant greenhouse and a new business setup, all within a 110-metre-long shed. The opportunity to create a generous volume within a singular footprint is cleverly exploited and the timber and brick buildings within the shed form an internal terrain. The scale of the shed responds to the expansive landscape setting, but once you’re inside, it shifts to the human scale, making it a comfortable space in which to live and work.” Resting upon a 20-acre property in central Victoria, the unique structure wears many hats, including a cooking school, event venue and greenhouse, not to mention a residence. “The internalized productive landscape is afforded protection from the locale’s hostility; rainfall is harvested and stored to ensure regular supply,” notes the builder, Partners Hill. But the structure can also “be opened up completely as weather permits,” the jury noted. “A verandah forms the transitional space between inside the living quarters and the rest of the building,” the jury adds. “Ladders and stairs lead to spots to sit and drink a glass of wine, various guest quarters and storage spaces. “This home is the Australian House of the Year for the commitment to the design intent, their innovative approach to a relatively complex brief and its joyful collection of architectural expressions.”

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House in Akashi

JAPAN

(Arbol Design) The 2019 International Property Awards’ Asia Pacific division winner for “Architecture: Single Residence Japan,” as well as being shortlisted for Best Urban House in the world by Dezeen, this minimalist timber-clad bungalow is much more than it appears from the outside. Situated on a quiet residential street in Akashi, Japan, it’s divided into three sections, each with its own courtyard, a traditional Japanese-styled room facing onto the garden, a shared living and dining space and a private laundry. Bedrooms sit opposite a huge shared closet space at one end of the home. Natural ventilation and daylight make their way through thin slits in the wooden exterior, while small windows and overhead shafts in the courtyards allow natural light to scatter throughout. Apart from space to grow fruit trees and other plants, the courtyards provide the family with enclosed spaces to hang clothes to dry naturally.

Although each space flows into the other, small steps or differentiating floor finishes help delineate each of this home’s three sections.

MALAYSIA

PHOTO: (TOP) COURTESY ARBOL DESIGN

While there’s 11,000 square feet of greenspace below, the Sky Deck, extending out from a 27th-floor bar, is the showpiece of D’Rapport Residences.

D’Rapport Residences Among a list of accolades for Acmar Group’s flagship project, D’Rapport Residences, was the 2019 award for ASEAN Property Awards’ Best Urban Condo Development. A 9.12-acre oasis within the hustle and bustle of Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur, the five 38-storey ohba.ca

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(Acmar Group)

towers contain 1,099 condominiums. Managed by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the development offers retail and grocery conveniences, a tennis court, two lap pools, 11,000 SF of landscaped greenspace, a full-sized basketball court, spa, sauna and fitness room, as well as plans for

golf simulators, an indoor putting range, game stations, a home cinema system and badminton and squash courts. But it’s the Sky Deck, including a pool, gardens and bar, that really catches the eye, providing arresting panoramic views over the sparkling Kuala Lumpur skyline. ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

POLAND

Not until you are in close proximity to this northern Poland property does its striking design reveal itself.

(Mobius Architects)

From a distance, masked by its green roof and an earth embankment, this home blends in with the wild landscape of Warmia in northern Poland, providing intimate camouflage so desired by its clients. The 2019 International Property Awards winner for Best Architecture Single Residence (Poland), the 5,384 SF house takes only a small part of the

plot, which contains a natural fold that served as the starting point for the design. A 90 cm reinforced concrete slab suspended above the falling terrain forms an extension of the upper elevation, producing a distinctive clean line. Reinforced concrete slab supported by a system of columns provides a clear zoning of the house, with the living area

SAUDI ARABIA

DNA Architects has designed these parallel towers in Saudi Arabia to twist a full 90 degrees from their base.

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

on the ground floor and the bedroom area on the upper floor. A screen of glass walls, meanwhile, provides a transparent shield to the prevailing winds, while maintaining important viewing axes for the users. The brilliant work of architect Przemek Olczyk remains visible to its users from the inside, while adding value to the surroundings.

Twisted Towers (DNA Architects) The 2019 International Architecture Awards winner in the Skyscraper category, the 90- and 70-storey Twisted Towers in Riyadh geometrically transform 90 degrees from their base to top floors. The twisted facade helps create a variety of interior spaces with their own unique lighting and views, depending on the orientation of each floor. Luxuriously appointed inside, the building envelope responds to the surroundings and the distribution of its floors. On one side, the facade is full of glass and openings connecting apartment interiors with large terraces. The other side, made of titanium, reflects the sun all day long, emphasizing the building shape throughout the city skyline. The facade without terraces incorporates several photovoltaic panelsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; its sunny Saudi location being ideal for this kind of technologyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;making the building virtually net-zero in its energy consumption. ohba.ca

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PHOTO: (TOP) PAVEL ULATOWSKI/MOBIUS ARCHITECTS

Green Line House

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The Crescent at Donaldson’s

SCOTLAND

(CALA Homes) Winner in both the Innovation in Design and Show Home of the Year (Over £400,000) categories at the 2019 Scottish Home Awards, this 84-apartment development in Edinburgh has been described as the “most upmarket in Scotland’s recent history.” Situated on the property of the iconic Donaldson’s College in Edinburgh, the project is a “bold and sweeping arc” of glass-fronted apartments, the design of which was inspired by the traditional architecture of Edinburgh’s surrounding Georgian crescents, albeit with a very contemporary twist. Located within 18 acres of grounds that make up the largest new shared garden to be created in Edinburgh, CALA Homes notes the development creates the feel of a secluded private estate, despite being just minutes from the Haymarket train station.

Contemporary luxury marries beautifully with history aside Edinburgh’s Donaldson’s College.

Expansive views abound, while smooth and textured granite finishes juxtaposed next to glass provide a sophisticated and minimalistic composition at Villa Veyrier.

Villa Veyrier (Studioforma Architects) Taking home the International Property Awards prize for Best Architecture Single Residence (Switzerland), this Geneva-area home sits opposite a generous agricultural land facing France’s Mont Salève. Studioforma Architects suggested a 34

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

lounge area with parquet flooring that, together with sprawling kitchen glass doors, enables a seamless border between interior and exterior. Additionally, the outdoors is easily accessible through the panorama doors.

With a pool for the summer and firepit for the winter, the outdoor space caters to entertaining, but with an intimate corner as well. Indoors, the first storey features multiple rooms, including the master bedroom and a fitness area. ohba.ca

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PHOTOS: (BOTTOM) COURTESY STUDIOFORMA

SWITZERLAND

UNITED STATES

A ‘green’ roof tops this striking design, which embraces its remote Southern California coastal surroundings.

Off-Grid Guest House An American Institute of Architects 2019 Housing Awards winner in the Oneand Two-Family Residences category, this dramatic design offers stunning views of the surrounding Gaviota Coast landscape, part of the longest remaining rural coastline in southern California. The 1,800 SF home is topped by a green roof and, due to its remote location, is designed to operate off the grid, with

solar panels providing energy and water drawn from an on-site well, with a private water treatment system. “At the heart of the owner’s objectives for this project were preservation and protection of the natural environment,” notes the architect, Santa Barbara-based Anacapa. “Disguised by a low-profile and green roof, the home itself invites

PHOTOS: (TOP) ERIN FEINBLATT/ANACAPA

UNITED STATES

Rolling glass windows can be drawn back to provide a stunning 180-degree view of the Las Vegas skyline.

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(Anacapa Architects) sweeping (nearly 360 degree) views… through a generous amount of sliding glass and expansive decks, which cantilever over the foundation’s steep rock face. A simple material palette of steel, concrete and glass was selected, with rich walnut accents and custom fixtures and furnishings. The design includes a detached garage, which is also discreetly built into the hillside.”

Trilogy “Apex” (Shea Homes; KTGY Architecture + Planning) A 2019 gold medal winner for Best Multi-Family Model Home from the National Association of Home Builders, this Summerlin, Nevada penthouse savours outdoor living, taking advantage of the beautiful Las Vegas skyline. Take your private elevator up to the main living area, where the oversized kitchen island with waterfall edges provides a striking centrepiece. Drama is created through rolling walls of glass in the dining room that can be pushed aside to reveal the roomy wraparound deck. Walnut planking adds warmth to the soaring ceiling heights, while built-in floor-to-ceiling cabinetry adds ample storage to the multi-purpose study. ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

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OBSTACLE COURSE Ten hurdles to overcome on your path to change BY DAV E H E N D E R S O N What do diets, the metric system and new construction products and methods have in common? If you guessed ‘change,’ you’re partially correct. But while many suggest that people are naturally resistant to change, this isn’t entirely true. We are instinctively resourceful, creative and inventive creatures. Nobody who wins a million-dollar prize in the lottery would refuse to collect because the winnings might represent a substantial change in their life. Although the same change can excite one person while scaring another, we tend to look for the negatives when it comes to a new approach. Perhaps it requires a completely different way of looking at things that makes us feel uncomfortable or incompetent. Perhaps we don’t trust the new thing or find it overly complicated. Take the metric system. Canada ohba.ca

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implemented metric measurements in the 1970s, but many Canadians continue to refer to inches and feet, especially in home building. Our proximity to the United States is partially to blame, and the international trade of building materials causes manufacturers to play to the major consumption markets south of the border. But our building codes are all written in metric and metric is far more accurate and easier to use as a drawing and measurement tool. Still, 38x89 just doesn’t roll off the tongue like 2x4. Manufacturers may unveil new products, or some inventive person may come up with a new way of building, and yet builders resist the new ‘thing.’ Sometimes cost is to blame, but it’s not always that simple. What a lot of ‘outsiders’ fail to recognize is that many builders would like to change policies

or construction practices, but they get caught up in their own systems, corporate culture or red tape. Shawn Keeper is CEO of Dunsire Developments Inc., a home building company he launched in 2010. Only six years after its founding, Dunsire made the bold decision to build all of its homes to an incredibly highperformance net-zero-energy-ready standard. Keeper points out, “The single most difficult factor to overcome in making the leap from Ontario Building Code to net-zero-ready was pushing the team to take the first step when you don’t know what you don’t know, and then trying to mitigate for it.” Not knowing what’s beyond the horizon can be terrifying, and as Keeper states, trying to plan for the unknown is challenging. The following are some typical obstacles that changeproponents encounter: ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

1. TRAVELS SLOWLY

POOR COMMUNICATION

Some builders have multiple departments. So while a motivated manager may want to make a change to how something is constructed, the architecture department may already be three steps ahead in the development of the preexisting condition. To go back through the design process, make the change and alter drawings can be very costly and time consuming. Changes that affect design, construction processes or product specifications need to be considered early. Erminio Labriola, V.P., Low-Rise Construction for Brookfield Residential, says it’s critical to have all team leaders involved from the beginning “so that valuable information is exchanged from the onset and there is greater accountability from everyone for time and change.”

OUR INDUSTRY IS FAST-PACED AND CHANGE CAN BE REQUESTED AT ANY STAGE.”

CHANGES MID-PHASE IN A PROJECT

Marketing may have somehow specified the original component or method of construction into a schedule that forms part of every contract established for the subdivision. These sorts of revisions generally can’t be corrected until there is another phase of the project sold or new contracts put in place. From a customer satisfaction or warranty perspective, it is challenging to have two similar models in production with different specifications for fear that homeowners will compare standard features and question who got the better deal. Labriola argues, however, “Our industry is fast-paced and change can be requested at any stage. These are always difficult decisions. You need to listen to all involved on why the change is important, what the costs are and how it will ultimately affect timelines.”

3. APPLICATIONS PERMIT

Similar to the concern about changes to plans or specifications, many builders and designers have stock plans that they utilize for permit applications. Minor revisions to plans can sometimes sneak through the approvals process without upsetting the municipality and triggering permit revisions. 38

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

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But when a change causes a re-do of the building permit application, delays can be lengthy. Also, permits can be taken out months in advance of actual construction, so things may be lined up long before a project requests a few changes here and there.

4. AUTOPILOT PROCESS

Companies may have problems implementing changes due to employees simply doing what they have always done. Asking someone to zig when they have always zagged requires a lot of communication and constant verification of work processes. People go to their computer server files for standard details, standard forms, standard this and standard that. Changing processes means a manager or supervisor must watch to ensure the standards aren’t simply pulled out and dusted off by an employee who isn’t part of the decision-making chain or who perhaps missed their cup of coffee that morning.

LACK OF SUPPORT

Everyone within a company needs to be on board with change adoption, as builders, site supervisors or construction managers are generally overwhelmed with day-to-day operations. Adding a change means they need to slow down in order to absorb the new approach and implement it into their daily functions. The change will also require significant supervision on site to ensure trades don’t run on autopilot as well. Because of this hassle, perfectly planned change handed off from the head office can be abandoned simply because managing the new course may be too cumbersome, or the change isn’t actually supported on site.

6. TRAINING Trades training, site training, internal training, sales and marketing training— there are multiple reasons why change ohba.ca

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doesn’t happen easily. Sometimes it’s as simple as people not knowing enough about it or understanding why it’s happening, and so the support for change begins to crumble from within. Sometimes a trade must be taught how to adopt the change and any hands-on application or tricks to make its implementation relatively painless. Site staff have to understand as much as the trade so that they can monitor implementation for applicability and quality control. Internal staff need to be taught what the specifications or pricing structure is for this new way of doing things and what might be the implications to the internal administrative structure. Sales and marketing staff must understand the benefits so they can relay that information to purchasers—to offer and educate. So sometimes change doesn’t happen because the change instigator recognizes that there are far too many moving parts for them to chase and still fulfill their daily obligations. Training is often a full-time commitment.

7. SPECIFICATIONS Like process autopilot problems, specifications tend to sit on hard drives and servers until the contracts manager says, “We need the bid packages out now!” and can consequently remain relatively unchanged from the time they were originally written. In order for change to be adopted, the person responsible for writing and editing specifications has to have clear information about what the change is, how it is to be adopted, what trade(s) are going to be responsible for and what the stepby-step scope of work is going to entail. It they don’t grasp all that, they can’t articulate it in a clear and meaningful way.

8. CONTRACTS

CHANGES TO

For a trade to be expected to adopt something new, the change needs to find a way into their contract. In some companies, this is little more than a request. In other companies, this requires a complicated addendum to a contract—a ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

contract that may have been in place for a year or more. There are documents to sign, prices to negotiate, terms to be decided, penalties to be considered.

9. MONEY It’s easy enough to point the finger at something new and say it costs 10% more than the pre-existing widget. However, there’s usually more to it than a simplistic price tag. Change may sometimes come with a significant operational overhead cost that is extremely difficult to monetize. Perhaps a piece-worker loses money when they have to learn something new, or maybe the new thing is more time- and labourconsuming than the previous thing. A trade might lose preferred pricing if they have to change suppliers and establish a new relationship. Consider that everyone in the chain who touches something new has to take time and resources to adopt the change into their systems and processes. Productivity losses due to such adjustments are often difficult to explain. One can argue it’s for the greater good. However, if the change is a blip with no lasting effect (such as trying something new to see if you like it), then operational and opportunity costs are lost if the change is never adopted.

10. BEHAVIOUR I hate to say it, but humans, like most other animals, are conditioned to be lazy. If you can shoot a gun rather than chase down your supper, you expend less energy 40

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

to obtain more. It’s easier to continue doing what you’ve always done because you know it works, you don’t need to expend energy or resources learning something new and, of course, there is often fear and distrust in the unknown. “Change will not occur without behaviour change and persuasion on the part of managers,” notes Robert Rawlings, Regional Construction Manager for Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities. “Leading change requires high-level vision, but also ground-level execution.” Rawlings has seen—and had to deal with—change on many levels over the years. As an award-winning R-2000 builder, he was an early energyefficiency adopter before green was cool. “Change is a process that takes time and reinforcement and it’s best to engage people on an emotional level,” he says. “With your team on board, though, it can also be incredibly rewarding.” Keeper agrees. “The most satisfying part of implementing the change from OBC to net-zero was witnessing the daily actions of the team that ignited momentum to create lasting change and to do things better,” he notes. “The most frustrating part was those that would not try and wanted to stay exactly where they had always been.” Change is hard; not impossible. But proposers of change have to understand that it’s not always as easy as a handshake and an impassioned “Yeah! Let’s do it!” Most of the time, it requires full-time commitment to adopt the change and never look back. This is why diets typically don’t work. A diet is a short-term attempt to lose weight. Only a long-term approach to a healthier

lifestyle will achieve the permanent results that a dieter truly desires. It’s the same sort of lifestyle shift that’s required for builders pursuing change— an absolute commitment to a new way of doing things. So how do you get there? Start by spending quality time in two-way communication with your team members to explain the change and understand their perspective about the change effort you are proposing. Explain clearly to them why your change effort is beneficial to them as a group and as individuals. And give them a role in implementing the change effort. Never assume there will be 100% acceptance simply because people were told the change was happening. Plan your strategy around the difficult conversations with those opposed to change. Next, tie employee performance to adoption of the change. In order for this new approach to take root and be long-lasting, there has to be full buy-in from everyone in the company. But keep in mind when you are communicating the change that no one likes to be threatened. Performance reviews can be used as a metric to determine how people adopt change but should not be used as a hammer to forcefully drive change. And finally, celebrate change! Behavioural psychology shows that when we celebrate our achievements, there is more success in long-term adoption. It’s all part of ensuring that your new approach will be a change for the better. —Dave Henderson is Director of Builder Services with buildABILITY Corporation and a residential building quality control, building scientist and process efficiency consultant. OHB ohba.ca

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CASTING CALL Why precast concrete has an increasing role to play BY TE D M cI NT Y R E

hen traditional wood and steel construction has consistently provided a successful and predictable outcome for most residential builders, it takes a compelling argument to encourage one to break the mould. So it’s no small irony that the mould itself—in the form of precast concrete—is changing the minds of some builders. Not that it’s exactly new technology. Precast concrete dates to the Roman Empire, where engineers designed forms and moulds for construction use. English engineer John Alexander Brodie was credited with the first official precast concrete design in 1905, although the format wasn’t widely employed until the 1950s. Today, however, builders are discovering the advantages of combining a modular approach with precast technology. “Accelerated Building Construction (ABC) is the generic term used for an almost exclusive use of modular building components in developing a wide variety of structures, especially housing,” notes Ken King of Hanscomb Ltd., a Professional Quantity Surveyor, Royal Chartered Surveyor and Certified Technologist. “It offers significant savings in construction time with a fraction of the on-site workforce while, in some notable cases, offering cost savings over traditional construction methods. And the technologies and methodologies regarding quality, fit and finish of

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buildings completed under the ABC format have now improved to the point that they often exceed industry standards. “In British Columbia, we’ve see a dramatic increase of ABC using wood and steel modules for housing. Costs are still at a 10-25% premium for these systems specifically, but time savings are approximately 50% over traditional construction,” says King, who is also a regular instructor at Vancouver’s Langara College and the University of Alberta on a range of construction and related subjects. “The real excitement with ABC, though, is in the ongoing development of the precast concrete module for residential construction. Both structure and exterior wall systems are now available in advanced precast concrete elements with an impressive array of finishes and features. Recently, in Fort McMurray, nine separate condominium projects, each 150,000 square feet, were constructed using the ABC approach by an on-site crew of six workers. Each building was assembled in 55 calendar days at approximately two-thirds the cost of cast-in-place concrete construction! “I remember seeing passersby at one of those projects actually stopping to watch the building go up, saying, ‘This is really cool!’” King notes. “People don’t usually do that—they usually just walk past a construction site, because, well, what is there to normally watch? But with the modular precast concrete approach,

construction never really stops.” All architectural and structural building components are fabricated in a Canadian Precast Concrete Quality Assurance-certified environment prior to being installed in their final location. Apart from the usual precision of the design and fit of each part, thanks to the controlled environment, the process ensures that the mix, design, curing and tolerances of the concrete panels themselves are strictly monitored and consistent. There’s also the ability to install windows in the factory setting and test them to ensure a perfect seal. As for the product itself, precast concrete consists of roughly 41% stone, 26% sand, 12% cement, 15% water and 6% air (the latter of which helps with freeze/ thaw resistance specific to air-entrained concrete), and weighs in at 150 pounds per cubic foot. Whether slabs, hollowcore planks or double-Ts (a load-bearing structure that resembles two T-beams connected side by side) precast is capable of withstanding high loads even with long spans, thanks in part to being prestressed during the manufacturing process. That attribute allows for a very versatile design. And with precast stair cores (replete with railings) also precast inhouse, builders can erect an entire building with access to all floors as they go—a considerable safety advantage when compared to ladders or man-hoists for moving crews from one storey to the next. ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

The all-in-one package of Coreslab Structures was the primary lure for Starward Homes with their Scenic Trails project on Hamilton Mountain.

THE ADVANTAGES There’s also the beneficial thermal mass effect, since precast concrete absorbs outside and inside heat and slowly releases it. That delays the onset of peak heating or cooling loads, reducing energy consumption and peak demand. That, in turn, allows for downsized HVAC systems and a smaller initial investment. It also reduces temperature fluctuations within a building, enhancing occupant comfort. Other advantages include resistance to fire, impact, insects and mould, the ability to produce very high R-values, long-term durability, all-weather installation, no VOCs, almost endless options for colours, textures and finishes, as well as a much smaller footprint on site—both physically and environmentally. The latter helps keep the neighbours happy, explains Joshua Fede of precast concrete manufacturer and installer Coreslab Structures, a family-run business founded in Burlington in 1975 but now with 17 locations across North America. “We like to call it ‘Big Boy Lego,’” Fede says. “There is less assembly 4 4

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

on site, and the components are already finished, so there’s far less waste and our site impact is very minimal. Whereas for a cast-in-place building, if they are pouring concrete, they only have a certain amount of time to start finishing it. They might be there at 2 a.m. trying to finish off the floors, while we’re done at 4 p.m. and not interrupting neighbours while they’re getting home from work or trying to sleep.” Another attractive element is the risk and liability reduction due to far fewer trades on site and less coordination required. They’re all part of the intangibles of the long-term financial equation, Fede explains. “When we do presentations to builders, one of the things we stress is the total cost of ownership. If you compare our system to a different system, the initial number is going to be higher, but you are not comparing apples to apples. You have to consider that our total precast buildings are a fully completed system along with the intangible soft costs such as time saved on site and ease of managing the project. When you factor it all in,

“With the modular precast concrete approach, construction never really stops.”

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THERE’S ROOM TO GROW Hollowcore production at Coreslab’s Dundas plant. Precast facilities such as this traditionally boast significant acreage for storage, since components are manufactured before they’re required on site, and since more can be installed in a day than can be produced in the plant.

we know that our number and building solution is extremely competitive. “If you are looking at a two-storey wood structure, it’ll be hard for us to be costcompetitive. But if you start getting into a higher (or longer) building where there is a lot of repetition and economies of scale, that is where precast starts to shine. But even if we are on par with a typical conventional building, you still have a full concrete building versus other structure options that are; highly combustible during construction, and costly to ensure it meets fire codes post-construction” Provincial housing policies are also a driving force in precast’s popularity, says Fede. “A lot of home builders that typically do single detached homes or towns are slowly coming more into mid-rise, with recent mandates of increasing density in new surveys. They’re approaching us to do total precast jobs or even just hollowcore floors on their multi-level buildings.” A short supply of trades has also fed momentum, says Jason Stubbe, sales manager at Stubbe’s Precast in Harley, Ontario. “Many builders are having ohba.ca

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trouble finding a labour force and are looking for ways to speed things up.” How fast? “The rule of thumb is that we can do 10,000 square feet of floor and the supporting walls in five working days,” says Stubbe, whose company worked on The Onyx at The Barrelyards in Waterloo: four buildings—two total precast, two cast-in-place. The developer started the precast buildings roughly six months after the other two, but both precast structures were finished six months before the castin-place projects, essentially shaving a year off a three-year construction schedule. For Starward Homes, which is past the midway mark of its first precast concrete venture of Scenic Trails condominiums on Hamilton mountain, the primary lure was convenience. “It was the single-source coordination,” says Starward president Brandon Campbell, whose company is working with Coreslab Structures on the fourstorey, 144-unit project. “Coreslab is handling the structural component, the floors, as well as the facade. So you’re essentially putting the responsibility for

Looking to increase the square footage of a home without changing its footprint? Harley, Ontario-based Stubbe’s precast experts have a suggestion. “We have been doing a lot of hollowcore precast for garage floors and even entire ground floors on residential houses,” notes the 38-year-old family precast company’s sales manager Jason Stubbe. “The beauty of doing it in your garage floor is you get cheap space below your garage. You already have to dig out the basement four feet deep to put in frost walls; then you have to backfill everything and pour a floor. The labour to pour the walls to a full height is marginal, so if you add full-height walls (a lot of times this is in place already), hollowcore slabs and a concrete topping and waterproofing above the hollowcore, you now have a functional room under the garage that can be used for a variety of purposes: a hobby shop, storage, gym, etc. The cost of the additional square footage is very cheap. This would be a benefit to owners, but also to developers and home builders, as they can charge for more square feet, but get that extra space at a lower cost.”

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

The precast tower of The Onyx at the Barrel Yards in Waterloo required a year less in construction time.

the erection of the structure on one provider, instead of coordinating multiple trades. If something’s not fitting, it’s up to the precast supplier to find the solution. So there’s a cost certainty on a huge portion of your building. “We also liked the speed of construction and the foreseeable long-term durability of it—going with an all-concrete building, which comes with a certain noise attenuation premium,” Campbell says. “We had some consultants tell us that there’s a preferred market price advantage of a concrete building over a wood building.” But making sure all your ducks are in a row beforehand is critical, Campbell explains. “In order to have the most success, you have to make the decision early and agree to a time schedule. And you have to be prepared to stick to it. If we have a drawback on a building and our schedule slips due to pre-sales or our ability to get a permit and get into the ground, the precaster could now be working on another project. So you might have to wait for their production and installation window to catch up. It’s one consideration you might not have in other construction formats.”

PRECAST’S MANY FACES Campbell, whose company is in the early stages of another precast concrete condo project at 153 Wilson St. West in Hamilton, also appreciates the bounty of facade design options. “There’s actually quite of lot in terms of the masonry 46

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

Brick in look only, Stubbe’s Precast’s Bloor Street Apartments in Mississauga hint at the variety of available facades.

materials or the form-liners you can use,” he says. “And Scenic Trails is an example— it’s a very good-looking building.” “Precast’s aesthetic versatility means you can match it to virtually any colour, form or texture, meaning easy integration and historic compatibility within a neighbourhood,” notes M. E. Hachborn Engineering President Malcolm Hachborn, who boasts over 30 years of structural design experience with concrete, steel and wood structures. “There are thousands of options using formliners, from rib patterns to aged lumber to stonework, or you can attach granite, limestone, marble, porcelain tile, etc. to the face for additional aesthetics.” The key for making those moulds cost-effective is repetition, Hachborn explains. “A typical form-liner will cost $20 a square foot, so if you get one use out of it, it’s pretty expensive. But if you get 100 uses out it, it’s 20 cents a square foot, which is pretty economical.” Hachborn also notes the recent development of the product. “Wall panels continue to evolve with the introduction of new types of insulation (such as in double-wythe insulated wall panels, a sandwich of concrete layers with insulation in between). And with the increased modularization of adding windows to the panels, the entire wall system or building envelope can be installed as one piece.” “Our typical insulated wall panel used to be R-20, and we have more than effectively doubled that by introducing our new insulated panels that can easily achieve R-40,” adds Coreslab’s Fede. “So

CONCRETE FACTS The Canadian Precast Concrete Institute features a number of free-of-charge publications covering such topics as bestpractices, maintenance inspection and thermal performance calculation. Visit CPCI.ca.

an owner can save a ton of money going with smaller mechanical units at the time of construction. But they will also save during the life of the building because the insulation performs so much better.”

LIMITATIONS Although there are some engineering limitations to how high you can build with precast concrete, Fede notes that they can “easily go up to 30 storeys. And California has gone up to 40 storeys— and that’s in a seismic zone!” “The only downside is that compared to more conventional systems, the lead time is a little longer than developers are used ohba.ca

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to from an engineering and developing aspect, so we have to get involved in the process a little earlier on,” Fede observes. “But the beauty of it is that as the building’s units are being sold and the site is being prepped, we can start producing the building and have it stored in our yard, and once the site is ready we’ll have the whole building ready to assemble on site. Most people understand this, but we like to reiterate and stress that time on site is much more costly than time in the boardroom. So, the time up front will pay dividends once we mobilize.” While precast doesn’t lend itself to the flashy glazing of Toronto condo towers, it’s ideal for projects like rental buildings,” notes Wayne Harrison, vice-president at Burlington’s KNYMH Architecture Solutions. “We actually have to make them tougher for rental buildings than for condominiums, where owners tend to be more careful with their property,” Harrison says. For KNYMH, the precast side of the business is bustling, including a condo project for Carriage Gate Homes, another for Hamilton Housing and the recent Village Creek condos in Stoney Creek, a 100% precast project. But there are also challenges. Although precast concrete is generally accepted as providing superior sound insulation to traditional wood-framed structures, “an eight-inch precast floor is no longer being accepted as sufficient sound barrier,” says Harrison. “It might in fact be, but the suppliers have not yet acquired the paperwork acceptable to acoustic consultants/municipalities that a piece of precast meets the current residential sound requirement. So we’re having to do things on top or beneath precast floors to supplement the soundproofing, like a minimum one-inch concrete topping, or 1 5/8” insulation and drywall beneath, or other sound-deadening techniques.” And while there’s no question of its firebreak and storm-proofing abilities, a technical requirement for drainage is driving precast supporters batty. “The Ontario Association of Architects has its own insurance firm called Pro-Demnity,” Hachborn explains. “After years of approving the precast two-stage joint system as a rainscreen, they’re now taking a step back and saying that precast walls need to have a rainscreen behind 48

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

An example of the breadth of precast design, this project from Superior Concrete Products in Texas also includes fencing, boardwalk/front porch, beams, etc.

them (or within the system for doublewythe insulated panels). We’ve talked with several building envelope consultants and they all disagree. “I have done some research on the issue,” Hachborn notes. “What happens is that because you’ve introduced a high-volume cavity inside the panel, to pressureequalize that cavity, there’s air going in and out, which can bring moisture in with it. If you look at the amount of moisture that would penetrate a 100 sq. ft. area of 4” precast concrete, you’re looking at just 3-4 mm— (not even a teaspoon—over a 24-hour period with a 25 PSI wind load on it! But introducing the cavity and the recommended pressure-equalization venting within the joints in the system will introduce about 28 litres—four pails! It makes absolutely no sense. Concrete is not susceptive to mould or deterioration due to water, so even if you do get moisture in there, the concrete won’t fall apart and there’s no food source for mould, so there are no mould or air quality issues. “In the meantime, the owner/developer/precaster has to get a building envelope consultant to verify the design and the exterior details so that the architect has no problems with their insurance,” Hachborn continues. “The precast industry is working to educate Pro-Demnity about this area of concern,

because the two-stage jointed precast system is a perfect barrier system—similar to the curtainwall system, with the precast being similar to the glass, and the joints being similar to the curtainwall frames). Concrete doesn’t leak; it is the joints that have the potential to leak, so they have to be done correctly.” Regardless of the advantages or workarounds, changing your construction format admittedly involves a paradigm shift in project planning, says Hachborn. “You put a higher priority on preconstruction, prefabrication and modularization processes,” he says. “You get all of your trades involved early. And you get your precaster involved early, which enables you to appreciate all the benefits of precast—longer spans, lighter systems, etc. For example, if you do hollowcore floor slabs, you might be able to knock off six inches to a foot of height for every floor. So you might potentially be able to put an extra storey on a building while staying within your height limits.” “The biggest fear for many remains the unknown—not having worked with the product before or not understanding exactly what to expect,” says Fede. “People intuitively know it’s a great option—they just don’t know how to get there,” adds King. “The lights are finally going on.” OHB ohba.ca

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Building Moments

Don’t miss the boat on these hot home building technologies BY T R AC Y H A N E S

t’s no secret that the home construction industry has traditionally been a slow adopter of new techniques, materials and technologies. But to paraphrase Bob Dylan, the times they are a changin’. The pervasiveness of digital technology and people’s desire to be constantly connected is one driver; the increasing alarm about climate change is another. Home security is just one example of the difference digital technology has made in the home. Simple alarm setups intended to detect break-ins have evolved to sophisticated systems combining high-definition cameras with smarthome, wireless and mobile technologies to provide real-time situational awareness that homeowners can access on their smartphones. Sure, these systems protect against intruders, but

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also detect carbon monoxide and water leaks, allow for keyless entry, identify open windows and notify homeowners of package deliveries. Other trends are emerging as more people recognize the importance of reducing their carbon footprint. Buildings are the third-largest source of greenhouse gas in Canada, according to an Environment and Climate Change Canada report, with about two-thirds of their energy used for heating and cooling. New products and programs are aiming to address these issues. So it only makes sense that health and wellness are increasingly weaving their way into the construction and design of modern homes. Here’s a look at some of the latest technologies, products and programs that will dominate the coming year.

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

VIRTUAL REALIT Y

“There’s no need to build a physical model home anymore.”

TECHNOLOGY & HOME CONNECTIVITY Virtual Reality (VR) No longer just for gaming or for training personnel such as military officers and firefighters, VR is quickly finding its way into the architecture and home design worlds. Buyers often struggle to envision how floor plans, 3D renderings and models will translate into bricks and mortar. By wearing VR headsets, they can experience the illusion of walking through rooms or buildings in full scale. They can also see how various features and finishes will look, with the capability to make changes in real time. VR can also be used by all stakeholders in a project to fine-tune the design and details remotely. Another benefit is that VR systems are relatively inexpensive to set up (as little as $10,000) and a fraction of the cost of creating a presentation centre. One Ontario business embracing the technology is design firm Norm Li, which also creates visual content such as renderings and animation for the real estate, architecture and design industries. Last year, the Toronto Society of Architects held a VR primer

seminar for its members to learn what the technology may offer them. However, in a 2019 thesis, Design Architecture in Virtual Reality, University of Waterloo, architecture grad student Anisha Sankar questions whether it is the most practical tool for architects. The primary software to create VR content has been geared to programmers, she writes; thus architects will have to become skilled technologists and this may not be practical in terms of workflow. The thesis concludes that VR can be limiting if poorly executed and powerful if used effectively, but it takes a lot of effort and time to produce a detailed experience. At present, Sankar sees VR as a niche medium in the architecture world, but says in the future, it may eventually become an essential tool. It certainly has for Waterloobased LandMarkVR. Founder and CEO Anson Wang wowed the crowd at OHBA’s 2019 Conference last September with a presentation that allowed attendees to walk through an entire virtual model home via a VR headset. “There’s no need to build a physical model home anymore,” Wang suggested,

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

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noting that the technology not only makes the experience more interactive, but also allows potential homebuyers to tour homes and see the views from a mobile/web setting. PHILIPS HUE LIGHTBULB

Vintage look, Bluetooth control

WZMH Architects’ Intelligent Structural Panel (ISP) WZMH’s Intelligent Structural Panel, developed with partners Stephenson Engineering, Quasar Consulting Group, C3PoE and Argentum Electronics, took home the 2019 Award of Excellence at the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards. It takes all processes and components involved in constructing a building’s floor and shear wall and combines them into one smart component with the infrastructure included to power, monitor and control electric, mechanical and IT building systems. It uses lowvoltage DC and Power over Ethernet (PoE) as an intelligent highway for all connected lowvoltage devices such as cameras, lights, audiovisual and security systems, phones, blinds, etc. It allows for multiple plug-andplay devices and is, happily, vendor-neutral. It also reduces materials used to construct buildings and the time needed to complete fit-out work.

Ecobee and Nest Smart Thermostats The fifth-generation Ecobee SmartThermostat With Voice Control offers enhanced Alexa and multimedia support, compatibility with Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, more powerful audio components and dual-band wifi. It comes with a user-friendly app, third-party support and is easy to install. It has a single

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remote SmartSensor to help keep temperatures uniform throughout a house, with more range and longer battery life than previous generation Ecobees. Further, it’s now powered by eco+ for maximum energy savings. Nest smart thermostats, along with other Nest products such as security cameras and smart locks are now offered under the Google Nest brand. Nest and Google Home devices and services will now be integrated under a Google account, making for a seamless user experience. Nest users will benefit from Google’s industryleading security protection.

Philips Hue Lightbulb There are a lot of smart light bulb options, but Philips Hue is noteworthy for the range of its continually updated smart bulb line. New products include the Philips Hue Play Light Bar to create special effects for video game play and movie viewing, and a new selection of Edisonstyle bulbs, a notable design trend. Philips Bridge acts as a hub for lights, but is compatible with various systems such as Nest, Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings.

Eyedro Real-Time Energy Monitoring Eyedro Green Solutions’ RealTime Electricity Monitoring system is simple to install and learn, providing homeowners with real-time, easy-to understand information on their electricity use—and how to reduce it. Wired and wireless models are available, as well as a solar-ready version that can monitor power generation from PV panels and consumption. The system comes with free cloud service.

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

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Net Zero Adoption Program EnerQuality has launched the Net Zero Energy Technology Adoption Program (NZETAP), a new market transformation program to help builders overcome the barriers to net-zero adoption. The participating 23 Ontario builders will incorporate from one to three technologies from a menu of 18 into a Discovery Home, enabling them to test out the technologies without having to build an entire house to a net-zero recipe. Shannon Bertuzzi, EnerQuality V.P. of Market Development, says while there are innovative builders and technology suppliers in Ontario, there has been an imbalance between supply and demand, and this program will attempt to remedy that by matching and partnering builders and suppliers.

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The Delta-Dry & Lath from Dorken Systems Inc., winner of an architectural innovation award in the U.S., solves one of the building industry’s major challenges: managing moisture in stucco and manufactured stone buildings. This product, introduced last year, combines a rainscreen technology with a fibreglass lath in a one-step system. It blocks solar-driven moisture from moving through the wall to the exterior and eliminates moisture originating inside a house. Because it uses a fibreglass lath, installers don’t risk cuts caused by handling metal. By eliminating a construction step, it reduces costs and installation time.

Thermafiber Mineral Wool While Owen Corning’s Thermafiber’s mineral wool insulation

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

products have been around for some time—its commercial insulation products are in six of the 12 tallest buildings in the world—they are now available in Canada. While they save energy and control sound, Thermafiber products provide exceptional fire protection and are well suited to curtainwall construction (common in Toronto’s condo industry). The mineral wool is manufactured from rock and blast furnace slag from the steel industry, with a minimum 70% recycled content, and can be used to earn LEED credits.

iGen Heating System Featuring the look of a traditional furnace or boiler, iGen’s i2 is a self-powered heating system that generates and stores its own electricity, keeping the heat on during a power outage. It can be used with a home’s existing ductwork, thermostat, air conditioner and gas line. Three different i2 models are available: the basic one generates heat and electricity, while the top-of-the-line model has home energy storage and blackout-proof technology.

Tesla Powerwall With more homes utilizing solar energy, the Tesla Powerwall from MP Solutions provides a home energy storage solution and an app to allow homeowners to monitor, control and update their unit. Most homeowners use only a fraction of the energy their solar panels generate; the Powerwall 5 kW/13.5 kWh battery allows them to store that energy and save it for their own use later rather than feeding it to the grid. The Powerwall also provides backup during power outages and allows for use-load shifting.

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HOME SECURITY Vivant Home Monitoring Vivant is more than a home security system; it also offers inclusive smart-home integration. It has standard detectors like motion, entry and glass-break sensors, as well as flood and freeze detectors. It allows homeowners access to devices such as smart door locks they can control with their smartphone. All of its systems work with Google Nest devices and Amazon Echo. Options include doorbell and video cameras, voiceactivated home automation and customizable remote.

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Schlage Encode Smart Wifi Deadbolt This easy-to-install deadbolt has integrated wifi that facilitates remote monitoring from anywhere and lock control. It has easy-tomanage access code and virtual key allocation. It works with Amazon Alexa, Amazon Key and Google Assistant and can be integrated with Ring devices. Powered by four AA batteries.

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

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The ancient practice of feng shui (technically translated to “windwater”) harmonizes people with their environment through the arrangement of buildings, objects and spaces to create health and wealth. While still important to Asian buyers, this traditional Chinese art/ science has seen a surge in popularity as it is embraced by homeowners of all backgrounds. Internationally renowned Feng Shui Master Paul Ng of Richmond Hill, who started his practice with private clients 27 years ago, now works with 39 home builders. He’s part of the planning process of a new home or condo development from the start, sitting at the table with the builder, architect, interior designer, marketing team, etc. Recently, Ng worked with Minto on designs for 1,253 homes. Some feng shui principles builders should note? Minimize or eliminate cul-de-sacs, create welcoming front entries, don’t place staircases at the front door, utilize natural and smart lighting and ensure good air quality.

Passive House Passive House originated in central Europe and is an internationally recognized, science-based building standard. It

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

makes use of the sun, internal heat sources and heat recovery, making conventional heating systems unnecessary. In summer, passive cooling techniques such as strategic shade keeps houses cool. How effective is it? Passive House buildings use up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than conventional structures, and allows for the control of indoor air quality and temperature with simpleto-use, durable systems. Passive House Canada (passivehousecanada.com) is a national non-profit association and provides education, events and resources. There are about two dozen Passive House buildings in Ontario, including single and multiunit homes and institutional buildings.

Jeld-Wen AuraLast Windows Made from natural pine, AuraLast wood releases 96% fewer VOCs during the manufacturing process than conventional treatment methods. Its water-based solution is safer to handle than solvents, and the wood has virtually 100% protection against wood rot and also protects against termites and water saturation. Further, the windows are Energy Star-certified and allow for natural light in spaces, which is important in healthy home design. OHB

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Ontario Home Builders’ Association

Building Buzz N E W S A N D M OV E S F RO M T H E I N D U S T RY

CoMo in Stoney Creek offers a multi-dimensional community space, but there’s a special focus on gamers.

GAME PLAN

DeSantis Players’ Lounge caters to the modern buyer BY T E D M c I N T Y R E

Is your child—or you, for that matter—continually glued to the handset that manipulates characters in Minecraft, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Fortnite, World of Warcraft or a myriad of other video games filling TV and computer screens the world over? Homes By DeSantis caters to the increasingly popular trend at its new CoMo condominiums overlooking Lake Ontario in Stoney Creek. An amalgam of project’s theme of “coastal modern” living, CoMo features a unique Players’ Lounge. Designed to be an open community space with desk areas around the perimeter and additional seating on a couch, this tech-forward lounge includes a built-in media centre on the left or right of the primary oversized TV screen, where open HDMI ports are ohba.ca

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connected to the TV and resident gamers can bring down their consoles and simply plug in and play. While perimeter desks are not furnished with computers, they are set up so that players can bring their laptops and games side by side. The space, which additionally serves as a theatre room and a casual party space, is surrounded by a glass wall connecting to the gallery hallway, enabling people entering and leaving the building to see other residents, thereby encouraging community interaction. “We’re seeing the buyer for our condos squarely in the millennial age group. This particular group consumes media differently and games differently as well—it’s becoming more interactive than what you might imagine a typical gamer

experience would be,” explains Homes By DeSantis’ Director of Sales and Marketing, Serina Carbone. “Further, we see small fitness spaces are underutilized, as people gravitate towards either boutique facilities for yoga and spin or larger gyms with a variety of equipment. The tiny condo gym just can’t compete and we saw an opportunity to encourage resident interaction and create a unique space for our buyers.” And the game plan is for more than games, Carbone explains. “We are currently developing a project where we intend to create an art studio in the building. People crave (the opportunity for) creative expression and we’ve been watching as the Hamilton art scene gets national acclaim. It’s all about creating an environment that caters to our audience.” ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

I N N OVAT I O N

INNOVATIVE EVE PARK GETS ZONING APPROVAL

The much-anticipated Eve Park project, an innovative residential community on the west side of London, Ontario, cleared another milestone in December when local council voted unanimously to approve the zoning bylaws for the pioneering net-zero energy community. “We are really pleased that the zoning change had unanimous support from council,” said Derek Satnik, V.P. of Technology, Smart Communities for S2e. “We know, of course, that the City of London is deeply committed to sustainability issues, and it’s one of the reasons that a project like this is a great fit here.” Integrating green energy technologies with a site plan that focuses on community and shared greenspace, the groundbreaking Eve Park has been designed with an autonomous vehicle future in mind. The plan includes an electric vehicle car-share program, and removes garages from the home to allow for more pedestrian-friendly walkways and more outdoor space for uses such as parks, gardens, playgrounds or trails. The community will include approximately 80 households, and is designed to be offered at market rate. In their comments on the zoning approval, councillors noted the developer’s commitment to sustainability and alternative mobility. St. Jacobs-based S2e has co-developed the two largest solar farms in Canada, and has been technical advisor on a long list of projects including the neighbouring West5 project (Sifton Properties) and the first net-zero-energy 60

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

(NZE) supermarket in Canada (Longos, Stouffville), and is currently in the process of developing NZE communities in Mexico, as well as the U.S., where a second Eve Park design is planned. “We are all acutely aware of the climate crisis,” says Ashley Hammerbacher, Team Lead for the Eve Park project. “Our vision was to create the kind of sustainable community that could be a serious, viable part of the solution, one that could generate as much energy as it used, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and change our relationship with our environment and our neighbours. “I keep hearing that it must be too hard or too expensive,” says Hammerbacher. “Those are misconceptions, and we’re tackling them with the support of partners like Ellis Don, Gensler and others who are working with us to change perceptions of what is possible.” The sweeping, circular design of the buildings is a key identifying feature of Eve Park. The design creates community spaces and wide-angle views, says Hammerbacher, who notes that “the idea is that we want to live in a park, not a parking lot.” The company has kept in close contact with the London-area community as the project has developed, and hopes to break ground in the coming months. E D U C AT I O N

RAISING AWARENESS OF THE TRADES

Every Ontario guidance counsellor office should have three display walls: one for universities, one for colleges and a third for skilled trades, says a consortium of construction associations. “On that third wall, there should

be a monitor so that young people can watch dozens of fantastic two-minute video profiles of people telling their stories about their construction careers on the Job Talks website,” says Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), part of a coalition that commissioned the 50-part series. “We need to get the message out that there are thousands of well-paid, rewarding jobs that will be available for young Ontarians in the coming decade.” In fact, construction research group BuildForce reported in its 2019 labour market forecast that more than 103,900 new workers in residential, infrastructure and other construction sectors will need to be recruited in Ontario over the coming decade because of the rising number of retirements and meeting peak demands. And while there is certainly opportunity in the industry, the video series is not about the trades gap; it’s about job satisfaction. “Our profiles feature young people who embrace construction for its highly satisfying careers and enjoy the challenges of problem solving on the spot,” says Job Talks executive director Jon Callegher. “I think our coalition has done an excellent job of conveying a new image of working in construction: a future of possibilities that are bright, exciting, secure and fulfilling.” Among the happiest of those workers profiled is Larissa North, a bulldozer operator. “The fact that I get to be outdoors is really nice, but what I really like is that every day is different,” North says. “Some of the skills that make me a good bulldozer operator are that I’m detail-oriented and I’m always asking questions about operating the machine and how roads are put together.” Aside from RESCON, the coalition includes the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto, the Toronto Area Road Builders Association, the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association, the Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance, the Ontario Residential Council of Construction Associations and the Ontario Construction Careers Alliance. ohba.ca

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MAKE COMFORT A PRIORITY. The T10 Pro Smart Thermostat with RedLINK™ Room Sensor extends the thermostat’s reach into the rooms that matter – like bedrooms and living spaces. Homeowners can prioritize different rooms at different times of day, or, they can allow each sensor’s motion-detection technology to shift priority automatically as they move around the house. It’s a smart, simple way to help your customers feel right at home. Visit ForwardThinking.HoneywellHome.com/TSeries to learn more.

©2020 Resideo Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. The Honeywell Home trademark is used under license from Honeywell International, Inc. This product is manufactured by Resideo Technologies, Inc., and its affiliates. 03-00463 | TG | 02/20

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DESIGN

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LIVING ON THE EDGE

BUILDERS & CONDO DEVELOPERS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS

Hudson Yards’ Edge, the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor observation deck, opens to the public on March 11, offering visitors the opportunity to see and experience New York City like never before. This stunning platform sits 100 floors and 1,131 feet above street level, with views extending 80 miles over Western New Jersey and New York State. From a Champagne toast to leaning against angled glass walls overlooking the city, to stepping out onto the glass floor, “You’ve never experienced New York like this before,” says Jason Horkin, Executive Director of Hudson Yards Experiences. Edge will be open seven days a week year-round from 8:00 a.m. to midnight. General admission adult tickets are $36 online and $38 when purchased on-site. A Champagne bar is complemented by Peak, the restaurant, bar, café and event space on the 100th floor. Designed by William Pedersen and Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and extending out 80 feet, Edge is a marvel of modern engineering and structural design. Its 765,000 lb observation deck is composed of 15 sections, each weighing between 35,000 and 100,000 lbs, all bolted together and anchored to the east and south sides of the building. The 7,500-square-foot outdoor viewing area is surrounded by 79 glass panels, each weighing 1,400 lbs. ohba.ca

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From Vancouver-based Pinnacle International comes Canada’s tallest residential tower. Standing 1,027 feet and 95-storeys in height, SkyTower will be part of a threetower condo complex: Pinnacle One Yonge. Designed by Hariri Pontari Architects, this “thin, glass skyscraper is protected by a crystallike, faceted exoskeleton” and “will anchor the 4.4-million-square-foot waterfront development,” while offering 800 units ranging from 520 to 2,300 square feet, notes the Architect’s Newspaper. In total, One Yonge will feature more than 2,200 condominiums and 1.5 million square feet of office space. “One Yonge will be connected to a revamped public transit system and include improved pedestrian and cycling access via widened sidewalks, a 2.5-acre public park, and an inner courtyard set between the three buildings.”

BUSINESS

CMY

GREAT GULF NAMES NEW CEO

Ilias Konstantopoulos has succeeded Jerry Patava as Great Gulf CEO. After 13 years at the helm, Patava has handed over the CEO reins and taken on the role of Chair of the Great Gulf Strategic Advisory Board. 64

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

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Insurance

Protection. Built Over Time. Get with the Program Built on over 50 years of hands on experience, attuned to the home building and development industries, Masters Residential Builder’s Risk Program provides distinguished benefits and very competitive terms afforded by Program volume.

Navigating Change The industry is changing; creating new challenges and uncertainty to Ontario’s Condominium Developers. With over 40 years’ collective experience, our in-house underwriting team has frontline knowledge to help you navigate the unexpected, including Tarion’s application and bonding processes, security requirements, and more. Masters longstanding dedication to the marketplace makes all the difference to your project – and to your bottom line. Contact our Developer Surety Team Adil Darr adarr@mastersinsurance.com Connie Carreiro ccarreiro@mastersinsurance.com Mike Naples mnaples@mastersinsurance.com

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER SPRING 2020

Konstantopoulos brings more than 30 years of experience in operations, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and extensive real estate industry expertise. Most recently, he was CFO at Granite Real Estate Investment Trust, where he was responsible for all aspects of finance and contributed to Granite’s strategy and transformation.

Quality Reliability Va lue FIND OUT MORE

“Ilias will be overseeing all aspects of the Great Gulf Group, reporting to the (our) Strategic Advisory Board,” says Patava. “He will be continuing to strengthen and enhance our business relationships in both Canada and the United States.” BUSINESS

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    

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Spring is on the horizon and with it comes change at Tarion and enhancements to the home warranty program. Earlier this year, in response to recommendations made by the Auditor General, Tarion began seeking public feedback on interim changes to the Customer Service Standard (CSS) that would improve homeowners’ ability to seek assistance from the warranty provider. Tarion sought feedback on interim changes that would:

· Add a grace period to the first 30-day submission period.

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· Add a grace period to the request

for a conciliation period for all form types (such as 30-day, yearend, two-year and major structural defect forms).

· A llow for submission of more than one form in the initial 30-day and year-end periods.

· Add a grace period after the year-

end submission deadline if the homeowner can show that the builder was provided with written notice of the defect within the oneyear period.

· Make a policy change to the

definition of emergency claims to include any water penetration claim (as opposed to “major” water penetration only).

Feedback was also sought on the length of the grace periods and the types of written notices that should be acceptable. From January 20 to March 6 of this year, Tarion heard from a wide range of stakeholders, including builders, homeowners, other regulatory bodies, real estate lawyers, realtors, home inspectors and building officials. It received comments by written submission and also via in-person meetings, and is grateful for everyone who took the time to share their feedback in helping shape the interim changes to the CSS. Tarion will have more to share on the interim changes to the CSS soon and will be hosting builder updates throughout the province later this spring to ensure builders are aware of the changes. Watch for “Builder Update” listings in Tarion’s Breaking Ground newsletter. The interim changes are meant to improve homeowners’ ability to seek assistance from Tarion in the short term. Tarion will also be working over the next two years to develop long-term enhancements to the CSS and will be holding further consultations with stakeholders to gather input. For more information on proposed changes to the CSS, visit Tarion.com or subscribe to Breaking Ground by emailing breakingground@tarion.com. OHB ohba.ca

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

SAVE THE DATE OHBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ANNUAL CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 20-22, 2020 AT FALLSVIEW CASINO RESORT NIAGARA FALLS

Product Focus I DE A S FOR B U I L DE R S & R E N OVAT OR S

OF WALL WS O WIND PENS A LL O NA NAW IE W W IT H U P A V SL 8 4 ITS P. 71

Unlike many companies, Window City rigorously tests models used in new construction to ensure that energy ratings are on par with smaller windows.

OPENING UP NEW POSSIBILITIES Efficient windows and doors continue to make a big impression BY TED McINTYRE

Size isn’t everything, but it sometimes seems that way. “People keep wanting bigger doors— eight feet high and five and six feet wide,” says Muhamed Arbo, owner at Toronto’s Mondo Manufacturing. “Today’s house designs want to let the light in. Architects now are creating homes that are glass from floor to ceiling. And we can do all of it—we just built a tilt-and-turn window that’s eight feet high and about 40 inches wide.” ohba.ca

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A quick tour of this year’s Interior Design Show in Toronto revealed one manufacturer after another showcasing the latest in oversized doors and windows—particularly high-quality models. “We’re not Home Depot or IKEA,” offers Sebastien Fournier, V.P. of Business Development at Kadrium/ Sésame in Sherbrooke, Quebec, whose company was showcasing room partitions and huge interior sliding doors. “People are more and more

looking for high-end custom-made. It brings value to someone’s condo or home. Aluminum and glass design isn’t simply trendy—it’s something that will live forever. Our sliding doors are designed to offer more creative freedom for architects, builders and designers, thanks to all the available opening solutions and finishes. And the quality of our hardware ensures that the doors slide softly and quietly, whatever their dimensions. They’re suspended in ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

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Product Focus

Its Northern Tri-Pane Collection might help Jeld-Wen earn yet another Energy Star Manufacturer of the Year award.

the rail, with rolling supports chosen according to the weight of the door. A concealed fixed floor guide guarantees the stability of the door without a floor rail. The doorstops, integrated into the rail, make sure that the door closes in the desired position and are available with a soft-close option. We always have people coming to us who say that can only find this in Europe, not North America.” “A request we are seeing more often each day is for floor-to-ceiling windows,” echoes Jeff Sadr, CEO of Window City in Vaughan. “However, many manufacturers fall short in making these windows energy efficient. Window City has performed vigorous testing of large windows used in new construction builds to ensure that their energy ratings are on par with (smaller models)—a feat that has proven to be difficult to replicate from other manufacturers. We’ve also further improved the efficiency of large windows by adding LoĒ i89 glass from Cardinal Glass ohba.ca

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NanaWall’s new SL84 marries the slimmest aluminum profile available with minimal exposed hardware.

“The slimmest and most thermally efficient line of folding glass walls available on the market.” Industries, a new energy-saving glass that offers more light transmittance and less reflectance.” “We’re also seeing increasing demand. We go up to 3.5 metres (11.5 feet) for a sliding door, and up to 35 feet wide with nine feet per panel,” notes Hamad Waheed of Mississauga-based Bigfoot Doors, whose window and door products are increasing their smartphone remote operation functions. “It’s the level of production that makes us unique. They’re engineered in Germany with Schüco—the premier hardware system in the world— and then the profiles are brought in and manufactured here to their specifications.

“This frame is insane,” says Waheed while holding a cutaway example of the product. “All aluminum with thermal breaks and fully insulated. It’s Passive House-certified.” And what do you get when you combine the concept of floor-toceiling windows with sliding doors? Sliding glass walls! And few compare to NanaWall in that department. “Our gasketing, roller technology and the standard powder coat finish are all superior to most,” says Dar Kofoed, who heads up residential sales for Ontario at NanaWall. Brand new is the SL8 aluminumframed system, “the slimmest and most thermally efficient line of ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

Product Focus folding glass walls available on the market,” says Ebrahim Nana, founder and CEO of NanaWall. With a frame profile intersection of just 99 mm (3-7/8”), the SL84 provides a new level of aesthetics with the slimmest aluminum profile available and minimal exposed hardware. The system, which has been put through rigorous performance testing for air, water, structural and forced entry, also features continuous seals along the face of each panel frame, with two levels of insulating thermal breaks providing optimal defence from heat or cold. Depending on the desired glazing of the unit, maximum panel sizes can reach heights up to 11’6” and widths up to 3’7”.

SETTING NEW STANDARDS With ever-increasing sizes comes the challenge of retaining energy efficiency, but Energy Star is driving a lot of the industry’s innovation. And standards are increasing, reminds Amanda Soltys, marketing specialist with Golden Windows. “With the upcoming changes to Energy Star Version 5.0, we’ll likely see more of a trend to order more triple-glazed windows,” Soltys says. “Now that (climate) zones 1, 2 and 3 no longer exist, Canada only encompasses one zone, which resembles the old Zone 3 Energy Star specifications. For builders to qualify their homes for Energy Star, windows now have to meet the following compliance paths: minimum ER of 34 or more, and a maximum U-factor of 1.2 or less. In the meantime, builders can continue to install old Zone 2 windows, so long as they are listed on the archived NRCAN list of acceptable windows, which will need to be verified by their energy consultant for each project. Golden Windows is committed to working with builders and renovators alike to make sure that the requested specifications are met for each individual project.” Jeld-Wen has been a successful player in the Energy Star program. A three-time winner of the program’s 72

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

HISTORICAL TRENDS IN DEMAND According to a study by the Freedonia Group market research organization, demand for windows and doors in Canada totalled $4.9 billion US in 2018, accounting for 13% of the North American market. Though the Canadian market is much smaller than that of the U.S., per-capita demand is high and among the world’s most intensive rates due to: » A cold climate that supports investment in better performing windows and doors with improved insulative capabilities » Stringent building codes that prompt the use of higher priced products » Relatively large dwellings, which require larger and more windows and doors per structure However, more intensive sales per capita have been limited by trends toward smaller singlefamily homes in recent years due to affordability issues. In addition, a lack of habitable land suitable for property development, compared to the U.S., has limited building construction activity and associated window and door use. In looking at data through the years, a shift toward multifamily housing due to increasing single-family housing prices caused a relatively weak window and door market for most of the historical period: » 2009-2012: After a severe decline in 2009 due to the global recession, demand increased through 2012 as building construction activity increased. » 2013-2016: Demand in local currency remained relatively

flat as the number of singlefamily housing units fell over this period. Additionally, a shift toward multi-family housing due to increasing prices of single-family housing caused a drop in new residential floor space. » 2017-2018: Demand rose steadily, following a period of market weakness. A modest increase in building construction further boosted demand. However, expect modest increases moving forward, the study predicts. Demand for windows and doors in Canada is forecast to rise 2.1% per annum to $5.5 billion US in 2023, although it will underperform the regional average and represent one of the slower rates of growth for a major market worldwide. Growth in the larger new residential market will be limited by: » A decline in the construction of new housing » Ongoing high prices for homes in urban areas such as Toronto and Vancouver, which will continue to suppress homeownership rates » The implementation of more stringent lending policies aimed at curbing rapid growth in housing prices The largest portion of gains will come from the residential installation and repair segment, where demand will be supported by consumers updating their homes with more aesthetically pleasing and insulative windows and doors. However, faster gains will be prevented by the fact that the majority of Canada’s housing stock was constructed after 1980, reducing the near-term need for major repairs.

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Product Focus Manufacturer of the Year award over the past five years, Jeld-Wen says the company is committed to exceeding the next round of standards. And the introduction of the Northern Tri-Pane Collection supports the initiative. Its True Tri-Pane Technology provides two ½” air spaces, with Low E argon gas. The exterior pane insulates the interior panes and “delivers industryleading energy efficiency that meets and exceeds all Energy Star 2020 criteria,” the company notes. Designed and manufactured in Canada, this versatile collection also promises increased sound insulation. Mondo Manufacturing is also embracing the higher standards. “This year might be very good for us because of Energy Star 2020,” suggests Arbo. “We’re already there—we can do triple-glaze and we’re getting everything re-tested so that we’re ahead of schedule. Arbo’s optimism is buoyed by the possibility of consumer support from the government. “I think there are going to be some incentives for consumers,” he says cautiously. But it’s the quality of the merchandise that he most believes in. “We’re a mid- to high-end company. Canadian vinyl, Roto hardware, Cardinal glass, made in Canada and feature Super Spacers in all windows (an insulating and energy-efficient glass system where edge spacers are made of all-foam construction with zero metal, giving them low conductivity).” Mondo, whose niche is the Euro tilt-and-turn window, has added aluminum-clad exteriors to this year’s lineup. “We have it for the Euro and regular casement windows, as well as a new ultra-thin-profile casement window,” Arbo notes. “The style is popular in Quebec and Europe, with a great aluminum look outside that you can powder-coat or anodize any colour. But inside past the clad point, it’s all vinyl, so you’re also getting the energy-saving thermal properties.” As far as the Euro model goes, “One 74

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

Featuring best-in-class insulation, Novatech’s steel NHP door eliminates air infiltration.

DOOR TO THE FUTURE What’s the trend for 2020? “Entry door systems with improved energy efficiency to meet the requirements of ever-increasing performance standards and as a response to the growing demand for environmentally friendly product choices,” answers Quebec-based Novatech. In response, the company’s NHP (Novatech High Performace) is a new steel-door construction that eliminates air infiltration. Featuring best-in-class insulation to guarantee indoor comfort, superior energy performance and exceptional soundproofing, its components are designed for durability and peace of mind. Offering up to twice the structural integrity of a regular front door, NHP door comes with a 2 ¼”-thick slab featuring 30% more steel and PVC-clad wooden stiles, ensuring a tougher door that holds its shape even in the extreme cold and offers exceptional structural resistance. Further, the new model goes a long way to keeping temperature and humidity levels stable, thanks to a weatherstrip that surrounds the entire door in an unbroken loop. When compressed against the frame, the strip prevents virtually all air infiltration.

of the unique things is the concealed hinges, which you can’t see inside the house. It’s a classy, clean aesthetic,” Arbo says. “The second thing is that our frame is 4.5” thick. A lot of the companies who import have 3” or

2.75” frames. So with ours, you have a deeper frame and more vinyl and air chambers inside, so thermal properties are better. You’re also recessing the window a bit, so the wind’s not directly blowing on it as much. We also have a ohba.ca

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Product Focus

Boasting high-end hardware, Mondo Manufacturing specializes in Euro tilt-and-turn windows. Below, Quebec’s Kadrium/Sésame highlights a trend toward sliding glass doors to separate spaces.

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

bit of a sill, which is nice since it guides the water away when it snows and rains. We also have concealed drainage holes. The folks with thinner frames have drainage plugs, which you see from the outside. “Another advantage with the Euro is that you can go really big, because it’s steel-reinforced. And it can also swing inward, which is good for egress. So if you have one in the bedroom or the basement, you can swing it open and jump out of the house if there’s a fire,” Arbo explains. “Then there’s the flex screen. For many, the screen is usually an afterthought—a lot of folks will drill it into the face of the window frame. Ours, though, is basically frameless, sitting inside the window, so it doesn’t ruin the exterior look. “We’re trying to get the Euro passed as a Passive window to stay another level ahead,” Arbo notes. “It can go from 1 3/8” to 1 3/4” width in a triple unit, and we use two argon chambers and two low-Es. Some cheat and use only one with low-E, one with argon and leave the other chamber empty. But there are no shortcuts. We try to go with the best of the best, because the window industry can be a little grimy— I’d say 80% are low-budget windows.” Quality products not only keep the heat and cold at bay, but sound as well, Arbo adds. “There is a difference, although it hasn’t been officially tested here. You can also do laminate glass that is really sound-deadening compared to a triple-pane (and more impact-resistant in storm situations). We had one recent client whose room faces the street and he calls and says he had trouble sleeping last night. I said, ‘Oh no—I know we haven’t put the blinds on yet though.’ But he said, ‘No—I’m used to hearing a car come down the street before I see their lights, but last night I didn’t hear anything and just saw the lights and wondered what was going on?!’ And that guy was only on a casement triple-pane, which only goes to 1 1/4”! So it would be nice to get the decibels tested so that we have comparisons moving forward.” OHB ohba.ca

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2015-06-23 5:25 PM

Frame of Mind

PLANTING AN IDEA California project explores the benefits of living walls

SHOULD THE GREEN COVER of our front and backyards be planted on our facades and interior walls too? It may sound strange, but it’s something to consider it if we are to improve indoor air quality and fight climate change. A living wall (or green wall) is, in a sense, a vertical garden that can be completely or partially covered in plants. It’s also known as a bio-wall, which encompasses a more complete, specific view of its benefits in a structure, considering that it can be regarded as a freestanding element that acts as a partition, while at the same time housing vegetation. Aided by a built-in water distribution and irrigation system, it contains enough nutrients to feed its lush cover for weeks. The way a bio-wall is built allows microbes, or healthy bacteria, and dense root masses and foliage to develop. What naturally follows is biofiltration—the process of drawing air in through organic material that acts as a filter, reducing VOCs, carbon dioxide and other contaminants. Fresh air is then recirculated into the room. As the air quality of a home improves naturally, less stress is placed on internal mechanical ventilation systems, resulting in cost savings. What will a home with a green wall 78

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER EARLY SPRING 2020

look like? Consider the Brooks Avenue House from the firm Bricault Design. Originally a 2,000 sq. ft. dwelling, the Brooks Avenue House was extended to allow a growing family to remain in their Venice, California home. The 1,700 sq. ft. extension incorporates several environmental features, some of which draw the attention of passers-by. The most noticeable feature is the “green box” extending from the second storey—composed of three living walls and a roof garden—that encloses the master bedroom and creates a sheltered parking area. In the case of the Brooks Avenue house, the living walls are made up of a modular series of pre-planted panels designed specifically for the home— strategically designed to minimize environmental impact. Using appropriately-sized cells, construction was quick and simple, reducing production and installation costs. The home’s plants and vegetated walls take advantage of rainwater collected in gutters and catch basins. By using sedum and other indigenous plant species accustomed to the Californian climate, the occupants were able to maintain the walls’ and plants’ livelihood during periods of drought with minimal water. The living walls flow into the lush courtyard at the rear,

creating a full green wall which offers privacy from the street. (The harsher Ontario climate would restrict application to interior walls only.) The walls are appropriately described as “living,” changing with time and replenishing the air through a photosynthesis process that converts carbon dioxide to oxygen. It’s among a wide range of benefits that contribute to improved air quality, energy savings, not to mention thermal and noise insulation. Also contributing to comfortable interior conditions is the home’s passive design. With pivoting doors opening to the courtyard and a central staircase, fresh air freely moves through the doors, up the stairs and out through the skylight. Paired with the replenishing nature of the living walls, the home maintains desirable air conditions without the need for mechanical cooling. Aside from monetary considerations, there is the potential in a full bio-wall to improve the way of life of a building’s inhabitants. Beyond improved air quality, there’s the inspiring aesthetic effects that a green wall might have, contributing to a new and unique visual experience indoors. Indeed, neighbours and passers-by might be green with envy. OHB ohba.ca

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BUILDING ONTARIO SINCE 1903

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Ontario Home Builder - Early Spring 2020

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