All posts by Giulio

Green Energy, HVAC, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

Giancarlo Zema Design Group – Watery inspiration

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Solar-powered floating building can be positioned anywhere there are calm waters

Italian architect Giancarlo Zema has carved out a reputation by immersing himself in water-based projects.
Already well-known for his aquatic creations, Zema has set the bar even higher with his design of an eco-friendly floating building.

Called a WaterNest 100, this circular pod-like structure is made up of 98 per cent recycled materials, is powered by a rooftop solar system capable of generating 4 kWp and can be positioned anywhere there are calm waters, such as along rivers, bays or lakes. WaterNest 100 is the ideal solution for those wishing to live independently, exclusively and in complete harmony with nature.

“The inspiration came from observing the aquatic nests of water birds all over the world where they can live and growing their babies in total harmony with nature,” Zema told Gizmag.com in a published report. “So I thought of designing something similar that can help us to embrace life and allow us to live a floating experience in a natural and energy-saving habitat.”

This unit is 1,076-square feet (or 100-square metres, hence the name) of space. Utilizing recycled glued laminated timber and a recycled aluminum hull, the WaterNest 100 was designed exclusively for the British firm EcoFloLife. Different versions are appropriate for different uses. For example, the WaterNest 100 could be a house, office, laboratory, shop or bar/restaurant.

Balconies are located on the sides and large windows permit panoramic waterside views. On the wooden roof, there are bathroom and kitchen skylights, as well as solar panels used for the internal needs of the unit. Inside, the basic WaterNest 100 allows for a living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. But other configurations are pos sible, depending on needs.

In addition, there’s a sophisticated system of internal natural micro-ventilation and air-conditioning that positions the WaterNest 100 as a low-consumption habitat. A home automation system allows users to control lighting, draw curtains and blinds, and control the sound system. Preset lighting, air conditioning and sound profiles can be triggered, and users can monitor energy consumption and temperature.
The interior is warm and welcoming, featuring contemporary styles and innovations. The large windows allow light to enter and provide all-day illumination. The furnishings are of high design in recycled and recyclable material.

Natural materials, soothing colors and soft shapes provide an exclusive environment in direct contact with nature. Users can read a good book illuminated by the sun coming through the large windows, listen to soft music in an acoustically designed environment or relax on a chaise lounge close to a window that overlooks one’s own personal magical water location.

The layout is basically circular, with balconies located along the longer sides. Here are examples of the various options to be made available:

  • House or resort / This version of WaterNest 100 is ideal for a young couple or family of four, wishing to live in a new, eco-friendly and non-conformist manner, without sacrificing comfort, elegance or style. The interior includes a living room, dining area, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.
  • Office or lab / This version is more suited for a young and dynamic work team wishing to communicate and work in a single, one-of-a-kind space, in close contact with nature. WaterNest 100 can fit separate or adjoining workstations, a bathroom, storage and archives.
  • Shop or exhibition / This style is suited for those wishing to open an innovative floating business or exhibition gallery. A large open space can be used according to the various business needs with storage, dressing room and toilet.
  • Lounge bar/restaurant / Here is the ideal design to accommodate an innovative, charming environmentally-friendly restaurant for bio products, or an intriguing floating bar. There’s enough open space for a bar, stools, tables, chairs, kitchen and toilets, with seating capacity for 40 people.

Web / ecoflolife.com / giancarlozema.com

Architecture, Building Envelope, Green Energy, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

The White Tree

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Multi-purpose structure in France lauded as innovative and sustainable

 

The French city of Montpellier has ventured “outside the box” in pursuit of a design for a new sustainable multi-purpose tower.

After a competition, Montpellier selected architects Sou Fujimoto, Nicolas Laisné Associés and Manal Rachdi Oxo to come up with a unique design known as an architectural folly, or architectural folie, of the 21st century.

The result: A cross-cultural endeavor that embodies modern Montpellier. It’s name? The White Tree, or L’Arbre Blanc. The design is seen as an interchange between two generations of architects, with Sou Fujimoto from Japan, and its state-of-the-art approach complemented by Manal Rachdi Oxo and Nicolas Laisné Associés, representing a younger French generation.

The new tower is designed for housing, a restaurant, an art gallery, offices, a bar with a panoramic view, and a common area. From the project’s concept phase, the architects were heavily inspired by Montpellier’s tradition of outdoor living. The tower will be strategically located between the city centre and the newly-developed districts of Port Marianne and Odysseum, midway between the “old” and the new Montpellier.

The building is intended to meld with, and defer to, its surrounding environment, yet provides just the right added flair. Arching like a pair of wings hugging the contours of the Lez River down to Pompignane Avenue, The White Tree is intended as a natural form that will be carved out or sculpted over time by water or wind. It perfectly mimics a tree reshaping itself to grow into its environment, yet simultaneously enhancing it by offering much-needed shade.

Despite the name – The White Tree – this is by no means an ivory tower. Integral to the urban song, the building is seen as a public high-rise built for everyone in Montpellier.

The edifice will “extend its limbs,” from the ground floor restaurant and art gallery to the penthouse bar, serving as the main viewing area. This will make the tower that much more attractive as a source of pride for Montpellians and a point of interest for tourists. A common space has been added to the public bar where all the residents from any floor can have a private scenic view.

The 17-story high-rise will dominate the Montpellier skyline, creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to soak in the breathtaking expanse, with a view of the ocean, the Pic Saint-Loup mountains, the sprawling city and the Lez River below.
The White Tree has been imbued with Mediterranean character and Japanese culture alike, with dense yet permeable peripheries where inside and outside join forces. The lines are blurred between room and balcony, while uniquely indulgent exterior expanses surrender themselves as full-fledged living spaces. Well-provisioned hanging gardens will take up more than half the space allotted for residential units and offer up places to arrange plants, tables, chairs, benches, storage spaces, etc.
Spaces in the living spaces know no difference between inside and outside – residents will be free to move through them instinctively. The balconies are proportioned to make people gravitate toward the outdoors, like “leaves fanning out to soak up the warm nourishing sunlight.”

Residents will be able to select from a variety of versatile spaces. They will select a setting (west-facing three-bedroom, southeast two-bedroom, etc.) and a preferred floor plan from a list of possible layouts.
The architects sought to encourage free-choice architecture, which they see as underpinning tomorrow’s housing trend, where everyone starts with a “housing stock” when they buy their apartment and are not confined to manufactured articles, regimented layouts or turnkey spaces. Instead, they are given possibilities, modular interior spaces they can choose from in a catalogue of optional features and floor plans.

Just like a tree, the tower will feed off its locally-available natural resources to drastically reduce the energy it needs to expend. It will devise passive strategies to induce comfort and use as well as control environmental impacts and scale back emissions. An unconventional, yet dialectical, process will passively cool units with solar fireplaces. The building implements passive strategies and provides natural and sustainable resources that reduce and control the amount of energy emitted.

L’Arbre Blanc is the tallest folie in Montpellier’s architectural arsenal and is looking to become the city’s focal point; a landmark that serves as a lighthouse, or guiding star, at night, amid the regional urban skyline.

It’s to be an exclusive outlook on the surrounding area, a gift to all the city’s residents and visitors.

It’s to be a starting point from where the vista branches out and your eyes can take it all in: the land’s silhouettes, the open water, the longing it creates for far-off lands and Montpellier’s rich historical heritage.

Erected in a pivotal location for the city, at its core, The White Tree (L’Arbre Blanc) is the very symbol of the Mediterranean, the “midland sea” that has forever been a crossroads, a meeting point between Europe, Africa and Asia.

 

 

Architecture, Building Envelope, HVAC, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

Big changes

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Stunning new home for engineering at York University a far cry from nondescript parking lot

The transformation could not have been any more scintillating.

It wasn’t that long ago when visitors to the back end of the York University campus would have been greeted by a plain, unremarkable parking lot.

But now, with the completion of the Bergeron Centre – housing the Lassonde School of Engineering’s educational facility – there’s an astonishing new gateway to the university; a gateway that connects students and provides a new and creative set of values and culture.

Triangulated glass panels form a shimmering “cloud” facade – inspiring limitless blue-sky thinking, innovation and unconventional approaches. And Lassonde has created a home for Renaissance engineers who are free to explore their passions and gain different perspectives from the world around them.

At the heart of the concept is sustainability.

“Sustainability is an important factor at York University and this particular project represents the latest in green building and development strategies at this campus,” says Paul Stevens, Senior Principal, ZAS Architects, whose company designed the project. “Moreover, York’s original goal was LEED silver, but through the design development process, it was strongly encouraged that we strive for gold, if achievable within the established budget.

“We are currently tracked towards the gold level – to the delight of the university and the school of engineering.”

Dubbed “The Cloud,” for its rounded appearance, the interior is equally remarkable, with open layout learning spaces. The “cloud that sits above a rock” motif beckons, creating social and collaborative spaces that sit alongside intense research and academic areas. All in all, this design facilitates innovative and inspirational cross-pollination of ideas and values.

The involved and collaborative design process resulted in a world-class facility that expresses new pedagogies of a new “landscape of learning” that is visually and physically connected back to the building’s campus surroundings and supports every aspect of learning and student life.

Lassonde’s dean, Janusz Kozinski, and his staff were insistent that students at the school come first and should feel it is their building – not the faculty’s, or even York’s. As a result, academic services and student clubs are strategically located at the main entrance. The best panoramic views and social spaces are on the main level where students gather.

This student-centric philosophy resonates through the building, from the labs and classrooms to the corridors, which become places to learn, complete with ever-present small niches, banquettes and whiteboards. The open layout mirrors the look and feel of start-up businesses that often begin in flexible, raw spaces. The entrepreneurial spirit is one of the objectives of the program and the building reflects that.

Since opening in September 2015, the school is seeing the intended results – attracting students who are not even in the program because it is such a wonderful place to study and socialize. The building is fostering interaction and collaboration among students from different faculties – all happening naturally due to the thoughtful ZAS design and an inspiring Renaissance vision.

All in all, a visitor would definitely be left with the feeling that interesting, creative work is at play there.

Web / zasa.com

 

Architecture, Building Envelope, Green Energy, HVAC, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories

Q & A with Michal J. Cerny

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Green Building and Sustainable Strategies Magazine catches up with the President and CEO of Ambassador Fine Custom Homes

When Michal J. Cerny is designing for Ambassador Fine Custom Homes, he spends a considerable amount of time ensuring that energy efficiencies get the same consideration as sophisticated interior finishes and eye-pleasing exterior finishes.

You have won many awards for your builds, including Best Custom Home in Canada above 4000sf SAM Award by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and Best Custom Home in GTA Award by the Toronto Home Builders’ Association. What kind of energy efficiencies and green build standards do you incorporate into your designs?
We design about 65 per cent of the homes we build. Naturally, part of that process is constant communication with the client and consulting with them as to what their energy efficiency needs and goals are. For the better part of the past 10 years, we have had most of our clients agree to the extra expense of using 2lb BASF closed cell spray foam insulation throughout the house. We always install HRV’s (Heat Recovery Ventilators), Hepa and Media filters, High Efficiency Furnaces, low flush option toilets, energy rated bathroom fans, LED light bulbs in our pot light fixtures, greywater recovery systems, waterproofing our foundation walls using RubberRWall, in-floor heating, and we encourage the client to purchase energy efficient appliances.

Expand more on your use of 2lb BASF closed cell spray foam insulation in so many of your homes.
We typically fill wall cavities with about 5.5 inches giving a final insulation factor of about R33 once the refrigerant gas has escaped from within the cells. Imagine what a difference this made when before the revised 2012 Ontario Building Code, wall insulation ratings in the GTA were R20. Even with the new 2012 OBC increased ratings between R24 and R27 pending upon efficiency of windows and furnace, we are still delivering a better finished product to the client.
Most people don’t realize how 2lb spray foam insulation actually hardens to the point that it becomes part of the building envelope in more than purely its insulation intended use. It can provide structural enhancement to the house and assists in keeping studs in the same installed condition as compared to being affected by humidity and temperature swings in the home. We took a video of one of our guys trying to hammer out this spray foam and homeowners are in disbelief as to the inherent strength of this product.

Explain why you think more homes should be installing greywater recovery systems.
This is a subject that is a specialty onto itself.   I believe this is one of the most underutilized energy efficiency opportunities. At Ambassador we are striving to implement this into all our new home builds, effective 2016.
In very broad strokes, devices capture heat from residential greywater, through a process often called greywater heat recovery. Incoming cold water from the cty, rather than flowing directly into a water heating device, flows first through a heat exchanger where it is pre-warmed by heat from greywater flowing out from such activities as dishwashing, or showering. Typical household devices receiving greywater from a shower can recover up to 60% of the heat that would otherwise go to waste.
On top of that feature, the greywater generated from showers, baths and sinks enters the greywater system and passes over the Recover’s patent pending filter system removing fine particles from the water before it enters a holding tank. Once the shower or bath is finished, the system automatically begins the chlorination cycle followed by cleaning of the filter. The water from the holding tank fills your toilet tanks and for irrigation of your lawn.
As greywater contains fewer pathogens than domestic wastewater, it is generally safer to handle and easier to treat and reuse onsite for toilet flushing, landscape or crop irrigation, and other non-potable uses.   As long as your clients are willing to use non toxic and low sodium soap, you can add clotheswashing machines and dishwashers to the systems.
Energy savings plus water conservation equal money saved. Win-win for the client and the environment.

What about the price of LED light bulbs? Don’t they increase the cost of your client’s build?
When we build a home, we are as equally concerned about the lifetime cost of the build as we are with the actual immediate cost of the build. Meaning, are we using materials that will save the client money in the long run by using materials that are maintenance friendly.   A simple example is we encourage the client to use stone, brick or limestone, as opposed to stucco, that will fade or crack over time and require maintenance, which will cost the client more money over time.
Going back to the LED example, the electricity used over the lifetime of a single incandescent bulb costs five to 10 times the original purchase price of the bulb itself. What does this really mean in terms of cost to the client? An LED bulb will last some 50,000 hours versus 1,200 hours that a typical incandescent light bulb will. Yes it costs about $36 vs $1.25, but here is the savings – your energy cost over 50,000 hours of usage – LED will cost you about $86 vs incandescent $352.   Now use a multiple of some 150 pot lights in a typically-sized home we build.   That’s a savings of some $52,000.

You are well-known for having your award-winning homes built with in-floor heating. Can you expand on that?
The best way that I can summarize this is by the feedback we get from our clients. February of this year was the coldest February in our history. We got feedback that our clients’ furnaces worked a few days per week during that month, while the rest of the winter they turned on a handful of times.
It’s thermal comfort.  Homes equipped with radiant heat systems have interior environments that are highly favorable to human thermal comfort. Unlike many systems that directly heat the air, radiant floor heating gently warms the surfaces of objects in the room as well as the air itself. The warm surfaces significantly reduce the rate of heat loss from the occupants, allowing most to feel comfortable at room temperatures 1.5 to 2.5 degrees Celsius lower than with other methods of heating.


The system operates quieter, cleaner and reduces fuel usage: Radiant heat systems have a proven record of reduced energy usage relative to other forms of heating, with savings resulting from several factors such as the ability to sustain comfort at lower indoor air temperatures, reduced air temperature stratification, non-pressurization of rooms (which leads to higher rates of air leakage), and the ability to operate with lower water temperatures.  Naturally savings will vary from home to home, but industrial statistics show estimates in the 20% to 50% savings range, pending on insulation, efficiency of window and furnace, quality of system installed, geographical area lived in.
On top of this, most systems are installed so that your domestic hot water is heated using the same boiler. Depending upon floor coverage, heat-loss calculations, spacing of radiant tubing, average temperature and flow, a second boiler will be required to accommodate both in-floor heating and domestic hot water heating (in past homes around the 6000sf range start to fall into this consideration). The client saves on energy costs and it’s nearly impossible to run out of hot water – no more family arguments over who used up the hot water.

Michal J. Cerny, PMP, P.GSC, is President and CEO of Ambassador Fine Custom Homes Inc., and has 29 years experience in multi-site project management and operations across North America.

Web / ambassadorfinecustomhomesinc.com

Architecture, Green Energy, HVAC, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

True to form

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Reid’s Heritage Homes continue as innovators with first net-zero energy project

One of Reid’s Heritage Homes’ company core values is “we are world-class innovators.” And make no mistake about it – the company takes this credo seriously.

Case in point: Back in September 2014, Reid’s Heritage Homes became the first builder to break ground in a national net-zero energy homes’ demonstration project. Then, less than a year later, they opened the doors to the Net Zero Discovery Home and over 400 interested members of the public lined up for a tour. Any way you look at it, that’s an example of innovation at work.

The Net Zero Discovery Home is the first to be completed as part of the national demonstration project to prove that net-zero energy homes can be built on a community-level scale. The goal is to make net-zero energy homes – which can produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis – fully accessible and affordable to all Canadians.

Reid’s Heritage Homes is building five homes as part of this project. Overall, five builders were selected to participate in the national project that will see the construction of at least 25 net-zero energy homes in four provinces—Nova Scotia, Québec, Alberta, and Ontario. This total will almost double the number of net-zero energy homes currently in Canada. The project is funded in part by the ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative (ecoEII), with contributions from each participating builder, industry suppliers and Owens Corning Canada.

While many agree that net zero is the future of the home building industry, a past barrier saw net-zero energy homes as custom-built projects, using elaborate designs, with complex and expensive heating, cooling and generating technology. This project, however, aims to make net-zero energy homes accessible to more consumers than ever before, using existing, often “off the shelf” high-performance equipment, insulation and building materials that are readily available to the average builder.

The back roof of Reid’s Heritage Homes’ Net Zero Discovery Home features 33 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels from Bluewater Energy which will produce the energy required for the home to achieve net-zero energy status. More importantly, the technologies underneath the façade are what make this net-zero energy home innovative and affordable.

One of the critical technologies is the insulated and airtight design providing an advanced envelope system made possible by the Owens Corning CodeBord® Air Barrier system, which significantly reduces air leakage of the home. The triple-pane windows by JELD-WEN Windows enhance comfort and insulation while providing noise reduction. The home also incorporates the latest air source heat pump space heating technology from Mitsubishi Electric and a leading-edge hybrid air source heat pump hot water tank from Rheem Canada.

Due to the volume of information coinciding with the net-zero energy home and overall initiative, Reid’s Heritage Homes recently released a collection of informative technical videos on its designated YouTube channels. A video – About Net Zero by Reid’s Heritage Homes – provides a detailed overview of exactly what a net-zero energy home entails, with appearances by company executives and industry partners. The videos then break into more detailed focus on net-zero energy features, covering topics such as advanced building enclosures, home comfort systems, fresh air systems, ultra-efficient electrical, high- efficiency water solutions and renewable solar power.

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Built in the Westminster Woods community of Guelph, Ontario, the project’s inaugural home will be used as a show house for the remaining four net-zero energy homes to be built by Reid’s Heritage Homes.

The second home is currently under construction and was recently listed for sale. The home features the popular Fairmeadow Craftsman floor plan and has three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and offers 1,775 square feet of living space.

Some of the features include:
* Insulation in foundation walls and under slab, improving the efficiencies of heat loss through the basement floor;
* Flex ducts providing the home with improved air circulation;
* Comfort zoning on the main and second floor to allow separate temperature controls;
* Drain water heat recovery system;
* Battery back-up rough-in;
* LED spotlights, energy monitoring, and over $42,000 in upgrades.

The home is currently priced at $554,382 and will be move-in ready by February 2016. For a limited time, the builder is offering a discount of $35,000 off the sale price. The remaining three homes will be completed by spring of 2016.

About Reid’s Heritage Homes
A modern approach to traditional homebuilding. Built on a solid reputation of quality, integrity and service, Reid’s Heritage Homes is one of Ontario’s leading builders, with a history of homebuilding that dates back to 1947. The same enduring values that motivated our founder, Orin Reid, inspire our many diverse communities today. Our commitment to these values applies across the Reid’s Heritage Homes’ family of companies, including Williamsburg Homes in Kitchener and Sherwood Homes in Collingwood.

Architecture, Green Energy, Ideas, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

Minto Bside to set new sustainability benchmark in Toronto with electric car offering

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Minto is no stranger to setting sustainability benchmarks within the real estate industry. The developer has long held a reputation for prioritizing green initiatives and environmentally-aware design in each of its residential projects across Canada.

True to form, Minto is once again pushing the green envelope, this time turning their attention to the issue of green transportation. In conjunction with the launch of Bside, the second phase of their highly successful Minto Westside project, Minto has partnered with Nissan to offer purchasers a bold new incentive: Buy a parking space equipped with an electric vehicle (EV) charging station along with your condo, and Minto will throw in Canada’s top-selling, fully electric car, the Nissan LEAF®.

This program not only provides fantastic value but also raises awareness about the lack of EV infrastructure in the downtown area. In many cases it is not a lack of environmental sensitivity that’s stopping downtown residents from going ‘electric’ but actually a lack of EV charging stations in the core. Through this green initiative, Minto hopes to increase the ubiquity of green transportation downtown while also helping future residents live a more sustainable lifestyle.

“The majority of high-rise buildings are faced with the challenge of overcoming a lack of infrastructure and space required for the transformers needed to install electrical vehicle chargers,” says Wells Baker, Director of Conservation and Sustainable Design at Minto. “Bside is aiming to set a new standard in Toronto: an environmentally progressive condo with a dedicated transformer for EV chargers, as well as space to add additional chargers as demand grows.”

It comes as no surprise that this simple, green feature has quickly become a selling point for the project, with residents from other Minto properties requesting for EV charging stations at their condominiums. Contrary to traditional car transportation in a city like Toronto, EVs don’t rely on gas, making them a cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative. Despite the obvious benefits, EVs have yet to become mainstream in the core, a deficiency that Minto is looking to change.

“Our goal is to design for the future,” says Baker. “Installing EV chargers at Bside gives residents who want a vehicle in the city the ability to make an affirmative environmental decision. That alone is a huge step forward, but we wanted to take that next step and actually incentivize a decision towards the more sustainable option.”

A pioneer in sustainability, Minto is known for consistently producing energy-efficient residential developments. Since 2006, Minto has certified over 2,800 units using various LEED programs on a variety of projects in Toronto, including MintoMidtown – North America’s largest condominium to achieve LEED Gold certification.

Prioritizing high-end design as well as sustainable practices, Bside located at the corner of Front and Bathurst, offers state-of-the-art, design-forward suites from a price point rarely seen in the downtown core. Starting from the low $200s the project pays tribute to Toronto’s original warehouse districts by reinterpreting the architectural style of the area’s heritage buildings. Bside’s convenient location appeals to urban end users with busy work and play schedules. Weekends can be spent wandering the historic King West entertainment district, sampling the neighborhood’s high-end boutiques, charming cafes and five-star restaurants such as Buca and Lee or satisfying a culture fix at the nearby Princess of Wales Theatre and TIFF Bell Lightbox.

 

 

Architecture, Building Envelope, Green Energy, HVAC, Sustainability, Technology, Trends

Ahead of his time

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Mark Rosenberg ‘one of the pioneers’ of energy-efficient homes in the Toronto area

All the latest talk about energy efficiency in new homes is mostly old hat to Mark Rosenberg.

Since he began building custom homes in the Toronto area back in the 1980s, the president of Mark Rosenberg Design Build and Codyco Properties Ltd. has been offering energy-efficient components to customers.

“I was one of the pioneers of infill housing, incorporating new homes into established areas,” says Rosenberg. “In fact, no one else was doing that at all. Plus, from the outset of my career, I started using triple-glazed windows, high-efficiency HVAC systems, upgraded ceiling and wall insulation, green residential roofing systems, and capturing rainwater to be stored, and used, in irrigation systems.

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“Very early on, I started incorporating smart home features in the homes. Even when clients were hesitant, as they often didn’t understand the early systems, I suggested roughing them in for their future capabilities. Even now, I remind them that, down the road, roughing in can save a lot of money, and damage to the home, if they eventually decide to install them.”

Prior to starting out on his own, Rosenberg worked for a large development company, where he gained expertise in all aspects of building – from development, planning and contract servicing to overseeing construction.

He soon found his own niche in the custom design market, incorporating the contemporary with the traditional. He also likes to “bring the outside in,” which, again, ties in with his penchant for creating environmentally-friendly homes.

“During the day, I want the client to be able to walk through the home with no lights switched on and have the home full of natural light,” he says.


He likes to combine rugged features with elegance and high-end details. And it’s his attention to detail that has won Rosenberg many admirers and repeat customers.

“I always work very closely with my clients and have a personal relationship to ensure they are getting exactly what they want in their new home,” he explains. “I get quite involved from the outset on decisions regarding floor plans, design features, colours, moulding choices, mechanical systems etcetera.”

Bolstered by an architectural background, Rosenberg seamlessly becomes involved in the design process.

“Clients like knowing they have a hands-on builder,” he says. “And I also have tradesmen – or craftsmen, as I like to call them – who have worked for me for over 25 years. These longstanding relationships allow for exceptional service and quality with all the homes we have built together; so much so, that many clients return to us to build their second or third homes, as well as the first homes for their children.”

Web / markrosenberghomes.com

Style, Sustainability, Technology

Ahead of the curve

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Heidan Construction makes it a point to stay ahead of green industry trends Some people try to keep up with the Joneses, but Daniel Meirovitz of Heidan Construction Ltd. goes much further than that.

As president of Heidan Construction, Meirovitz makes it a point to constantly stay ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding the sustainable needs of his clients.

“We definitely keep up with the times and adapt to the changing needs of clients to build exactly what they request for any green project in their homes,” says Meirovitz, whose company offers construction services in the design/building of custom homes, additions, renovations and commercial office spaces.

“Each client has his or her own definition of what they feel they want to spend or understand to do their part to help the environment. For some, it just means simply purchasing more energy-efficient new appliances, but to others it is a top priority.

“From pre-heat solar hot water tanks, geothermal heating, window replacements, smart home technology, green roofs, spray foam insulation to instant hot water tanks – it’s a long list.”

He stresses that staying up to date has become one of the top priorities for Toronto-based Heidan Construction. “For sure, there’s fast-pace change in the industry.”

With over 18 years of experience, Heidan Construction’s goal, Meirovitz says, is to take each client through a seamless and pleasurable process.

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One client, Dr. Michael Aharon of East Village Dental Centre in Oshawa, Ontario, had this to say about the working experience with Heidan Construction: “Heidan Construction contributed immensely to the successful renovation of our dental office. The workmanship, professionalism, and efficiency of the team and sub-contractors met our every expectation. Quality was never compromised, even while working under the strictest guideline. Daniel was available at all times to address questions and concerns. A very positive experience, which produced an amazing modern dental office.”

Heidan Construction strives to deliver all projects in a timely fashion, on budget, and with strict attention to detail, says Meirovitz. “We have proven immaculate customer service and a quality trade force.”

At one time, Meirovitz seemed headed for a legal career. After graduating from university, he was accepted in law school, but he took a year off to pursue his interest in the construction industry. The rest, as they say, is history.

“As I was honing and developing my skills I knew I would need within the construction industry, I realized I wanted to pursue my passion for construction,” he recalls. “I’ve never looked back.”
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After earning his construction-management certificate at George Brown College, he worked as a carpenter before becoming a superintendent for a subdivision builder. He soon realized, after building over 100 houses and two blocks of townhouses in nine months, that he could branch out on his own.

Some of the diverse projects Meirovitz has been involved with over the years include: The Niagara Fallsview Casino, various high-rise developments, restoration projects, medical/dental offices, subdivision and townhouse complexes, as well as exclusive custom homes.

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“I always try to keep up with the times and understand technology so I can stay ahead of my clients to offer ideas and suggestions to meet their needs,” he adds. “A lot of builders take on a project, hire a super, and then show up once or twice a week. But I’m on-site every day. I have a relationship with my clients, and I think that’s one of the things that separates me from other builders.”

Web / heidanconstruction.com

Building Envelope, Green Energy, HVAC, Sustainability, Technology

A 50th birthday to remember

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Bel-Con Design-Builders made sure ‘more than the tractors are green’ at Clow Farm Equipment

Clow Farm Equipment celebrated its 50th anniversary in a big way thanks to a full-scale green makeover provided by Bel-Con Design-Builders.

The Kingston-area company, founded by Oakley Clow, left no stone unturned, either, building a brand new store situated on Highway 15 just north of Highway 401, equipped with a full complement of sustainable features.

“Oakley and his son Doug, were concerned about quality, fit and finish right from the start,” says Bel-Con president Tom Gunsinger. “ They’d seen a similar John Deere Dealership constructed by Rice Construction, the Butler Builder in St John New Brunswick. The Clow family Oakley, Shirley and Doug were all great to work with and a breath of fresh air with their commitment to constructing an efficient, comfortable, low maintenance building.”

(In “industry terms,” the facility in New Brunswick is referred to as a ‘Butler building.’ That means, to the layman, that a ‘Butler building’ utilizes the Butler Manufacturing building-solutions company for the design, manufacture, and marketing of metal building systems for commercial construction.)

Clow Farm Equipment was all in, as it turned out.

“The client appreciated Butler’s attention to details, right down to the trims,” says Gunsinger, whose Belleville-based company has been affiliated with Butler since 1978. “And, when they contacted us, they expressed their desire to have an energy-efficient and comfortable building. “
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For starters, Bel-Con worked the following features into the new Clow Farm Equipment building:

  • The wall system is Butler’s eShadowall panel with an accredited tested R-value of R21.1;
  • The MR-24 roof system utilizes Butler’s Thermal Liner System (TLS-12) which has an accredited tested R-value of R38.7;
  • And natural light was important as well, Butler’s SunLite Strips were used in the shop to provide daylight harvesting.

Gunsinger points out that the use of Butler’s systems provided other green building benefits, as well, including high recycled content of the entire structure, roof and wall systems.

“The client also had a desire to ensure comfort for their staff, so we incorporated radiant in-floor heat in the perimeter offices and showroom, as well as throughout the entire shop,” explains Gunsinger. “The mechanics, we were told, are often on the floor when servicing the equipment, so that keeps out the cold. We also included energy-efficient lighting systems, occupancy sensors and low-flow plumbing fixtures.”

Butler’s attention to building green hinges on the premise that “taking actions today so opportunities for future generations won’t be inhibited.’ They combine green technologies and practices with systems’ construction efficiencies to make sustainable buildings more affordable.

Some examples of how Butler Manufacturing is doing that, include:

  • Products that reduce material use. All Butler projects optimize the amount of steel used to meet exact design specifications;
  • Salvaged/recycled products. Butler building systems contain up to 74 per cent recycled steel;
  • Reusable or recyclable materials. Butler steel buildings can be disassembled, relocated and reused, making them adaptable to different end uses and extending their usable life;
  • Butler buildings require minimal maintenance to last much longer than their intended warranties. The MR-24 roof system has a proven in-place performance of over 40 years.

Gunsinger says Bel-Con is definitely on the same page.

“Our focus is to encourage our clients to look at the total cost of ownership (TCO), as opposed to just the initial construction costs,” he explains. “Studies have shown that, on average, the construction cost only accounts for 10% of the TCO of a facility, with the other 90% spent on lighting, heating, cooling and maintenance.

“By investing in high-efficiency and long-lasting systems the owner can realize significant savings over the life of the building. Another study shows that for every $1 invested in energy efficiency, there will typically be a savings of about $6 in total building operating costs. The roof system, itself, is very sustainable as its life expectancy is over 30 years. In fact, for another client, we recently replaced a metal roof that had been there for 47 years!”

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