All posts by Giulio

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

Lofty goals

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Times Group recognized as a green leader by practising what it preaches

Every successful movement needs a leader and Times Group fits that bill with environmental stewardship across the Greater Toronto Area.

From smart site planning, to energy conservation, to waste reduction, to water savings, Times Group has maintained a record of excellence across the GTA’s real estate development spectrum.
A premier name in the industry for over 25 years, Times Group was has been honoured with the BILD Award for Green Builder of the Year (High-Rise), a true testament to its green building philosophy.
A firm commitment to the environment and green living is at the heart of every project Times Group undertakes. An example: As an early adopter of York Region’s Sustainable Development Through LEED Program, all Times Group projects there have noticeable environmental benefits.

On winning the BILD award in 2013, it should be noted that it was the company’s first-ever entry. The Times Group was recognized for outstanding leadership in the implementation of green building practices and adoption of sustainable building techniques, from site planning to design, construction and occupancy.

Since the turn of the 21st century, already with a firm footing in the arenas of commercial development and home building, Times Group focused its considerable skills, resources and strengths on high-rise residential condominium development. Again, the company’s core family values of quality, trust and tradition propelled Times Group into completing one successful condo project after another.

By 2015, Times Group was leading the developing industry with over 20 exquisitely designed residential condo residences in the Toronto downtown core, North York, Richmond Hill, Markham and Etobicoke. With a firm commitment to sustainable development, in fact, Times Group pioneered the first and second LEED-certified residential condominiums in York Region, a crowning testament to the company’s dedication to both the environment and the community.

Times Group’s foray into sustainable buildings started with Majestic Court, a 532-suite condo innMarkham. This building achieved LEED Gold in 2011, becoming Ontario’s first LEED-certified, privately developed multi-unit residential high-rise outside of Toronto. With the success, the sustainable strategies employed on Majestic Court have been carried onto all subsequent projects, including Eden Park Phase I and II, and Markham Uptown’s River Park and River Walk.

Majestic Court turned into a real source of pride. The location offers residents numerous transit options, right at their footsteps, including York Region Transit/VIVA routes and GO Train service at the nearby Unionville Go Station. For cyclists, the building is equipped with over 100 visitor and resident bicycle parking spaces (located by building entrances and within designated racks and rooms in the underground parking levels). There are also many nearby parks, parkettes and bike paths to explore. Finally, Majestic Court is walking distance from many exciting shops and restaurants. For music lovers, the Flato Markham theatre is directly across Highway #7.

As a leader in sustainable development and construction, Times Group encourages all its residents to take advantage of every option when choosing a mode of transit, and that means being able to get around without relying on the conventional automobile. In their communities, mobility has never been easier and new transit services and options are made available every year.


Moreover, In 2014, Times Group introduced a new initiative at Uptown Markham designed to promote healthier and more active lifestyles in the community, all the while reducing the time residents spent in their cars. In partnership with the City of Markham and sees Times Group promotes transit, commuting, cycling and other active lifestyle information on its corporate website.

And in its BILD submission for 2015, Times Group can again be seen highlighting its sustainable approach, drawing attention to its commitment to parks – unlike other developers, Times Group often builds its own municipal and private parkland – as well as creating opportunities for active transportation, and promotion of transit integration into its projects.

Shadi Aghaei, Vice-President of Times Group Corporation, says the company has even adopted a new integrated design process (IDP) for a more holistic approach to high-performance building design and construction.


This IDP relies upon every expert member of a project team sharing a vision of sustainability, and working collaboratively to implement sustainability goals. This process enables the team to optimize systems, reduce operating and maintenance costs and minimize the need for incremental capital. IDP has also been shown to produce more significant results than investing in capital equipment upgrades at later stages.

“We also have a carefully thought-out and designed metering system to ensure that our customers benefit from the most cost-effective utility billing systems,” Aghaei explains. “And we continue to offer our customers some of the lowest condo fees.”

Web / timesgroupcorp.com

Times Group is a premier name in the industry with 25 years of business and a record of excellence across the real estate development spectrum of the Greater Toronto Area. Inspired by core family values, Times Group has become a leading player in the land acquisition, planning, design, development and construction of premium-quality commercial and residential properties. With a focus on exceptional quality and enduring value, Times Group is actively engaged in the development of high-rise condominium projects, distinctive homes and condominium townhouses in the GTA.

Architecture, Style, Sustainability, Top Stories, Trends, Wood

A secret place

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The Grotto Sauna is a feat of old-world craftsmanship and new-world sustainability
There’s something striking and arresting – and in this case, mysterious – about the all-wood Grotto Sauna.

All we know – because the owner has requested complete anonymity – is that this sculpted place designed by the PARTISANS group of Toronto is located somewhere at the northwest edge of an island on Georgian Bay.

“Unfortunately, the exact location, budget and client identity are strictly confidential,” says architect Alex Josephson, the co-founder of PARTISANS.

But there’s no mystery about what makes this sculpted space such a sophisticated exercise in building science. Inspired by an Italian grotto – a secret water-filled cave concealed within unsuspecting rock formations – the design pays homage to the extremities of the Northern Ontario landscape.
“Wood is a part of the Canadian ethos and, inevitably, a part of our lives here,” says Josephson, “especially through our cultural connection to the land, the true north, strong and free. It has been an incredibly interesting learning experience.”

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The Grotto Sauna is a highly sustainable structure that established a successful methodology for addressing the challenges of building ambitious architecture in remote and environmentally sensitive regions.

A simple but dignified exterior, built from charred cedar prepared using the traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban method, conveys a weathered appearance – it’s as if the building has been hidden in plain sight for centuries. By contrast, the warm, curved interior emulates Lake Huron’s waves and mirrors the Precambrian shield—a soft, undulating rock surface that has been worn over billions of years.

“We believe that wood is a timeless material that lives beyond trend or fashion,” says Josephson. “In that sense, I believe that sophisticated wood design resonates as a sustainable material purely in its lifespan and resiliency.

“Our office was very committed to using local wood for the grotto, so it was sourced from a Northern Ontario forest that was slated for clear cutting. We made sure that our trees were part of a reforestation program.”

Web / partisanprojects.com

Architecture, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends, Wood

A taste of Spain

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The ‘wood dances’ in the visionary art nouveau design featured at Bar Raval

Some might go to a bar to get a relaxing drink after work.

But at Bar Raval, Toronto’s pintxos hotspot located in the city’s Little Italy district, visitors can expect much, much more – architects from PARTISANS have created an art piece and a space that is quickly becoming a local must-see institution.

Canadian culinary impresario Grant van Gameron and his partner Mike Webster, the Bar Raval owners, entrusted PARTISANS with bringing their ambitious vision to fruition. And they got more than they bargained for.

“From the early, conceptual planning, all the way through to the final stages of construction, they pushed us to envision beyond what we imagined possible,” says van Gameron.

Yes, Bar Raval is a tapas-style bar, fashioned after similar ones found in Spain. However, that’s where the comparison ends, really. The design itself developed out a connection between the formal histories of art nouveau, the plethora of cured slabs of meat, and the anatomy of the chefs themselves – a tattooed group of intellectuals. And the design in a three-dimensional tattoo manifest in sculpted CNC’d mahogany.

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Architect Alex Josephson, the co-founder of PARTISANS, says his team likes to think of themselves as “alchemists.”

“We are committed to constant exploration, no matter what the functional or material challenges,” he explains. “This project and another called Grotto Sauna are testament to our dedication to controlling all sorts of matter; in these cases that happened to be wood carved in totally innovative ways.

“But this is just the tip of the iceberg for us. They just happen to be wooden. In contrast, our other work coming online soon will be completely different.”

He says PARTISANS feels wood is a timeless material that lives beyond trend or fashion.

“In that sense, I believe that sophisticated wood design resonates as a sustainable material purely in its lifespan and resiliency. Saying that, we have had to invent new technologies and methods with working in wood, but it’s been an incredibly interesting learning process.”

Web / partisanprojects.com

Uncategorized

Richcraft Recreation Complex – Kanata

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By Sarah Hicks, Ontario Wood WORKS!

Construction of the Richcraft Recreation Complex – Kanata (RRCK), in the in the north-western part of the City of Ottawa, fulfilled a long-standing need for a major recreation centre in this rapidly growing area. The $43 million, 77,000 square foot complex used a Design-Build construction process to provide the best possible design, value, and return for the City within an accelerated delivery schedule. The facility is considered an emergency shelter so it was designed and constructed to meet post-disaster standards.

At the outset, the City of Ottawa presented a strong sustainable design agenda, requiring high energy performance from the building and low environmental impact from the construction. Residents also wanted a more sustainable facility so the RRCK was designed to meet the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability requirements for LEED Gold certification.

Community input during planning led to a design concept that felt more like a ‘home with a big backyard’ than an institutional recreation complex.   The use of wood played a crucial role, not only in the approach to sustainability, but also in the aesthetic design, and the resulting facility has been embraced by local residents.

“We had tremendous success in our first year of operation,” says Chantal Laporte, Facility Manager at RRCK. “In 2014 we had over 1.3 million visitors and we are expecting growth over the next several years as Kanata North expands further with new home building projects.”

The facility’s mechanical systems include HVAC systems that meet ASHRAE 55-2004 Thermal Comfort Conditions for Human Occupancy, ground source geothermal heating and cooling, a grey water recovery system for the pool and showers areas, and a Building Automation System which monitors and controls all building mechanical systems for maximum efficiency.

In addition to these energy-efficient operating systems, the structure itself has been carefully considered to minimize its environmental impact. Life cycle assessment studies, which assess products from acquisition through to final disposition, have shown that certified wood has the lowest impact on the environment when compared with steel and concrete.

Christopher Williams, Vice President of Timber Systems Limited, the project’s timber fabricator, echoes the importance of life-cycle analysis. “The City of Ottawa’s choice to use wood was not just for appearance’s sake,” he says. “While the wood certainly does look stunning, the long-term efficiency and environmental impact of material choices really matters for structural materials; if more owners considered life-cycle impact, we’d see more uptake in wood’s use.  It is, after all, the only renewable structural material we have!  But construction budget always matters, and the facility’s design and layout lent itself to a cost-effective structure too.”

The facility’s structure utilizes 341 m3 of wood in the form of glulam beams and tongue-and-groove decking. The WoodWorks Carbon Calculator used the volume and species information to estimate the total mass of wood in the building and the associated carbon impacts. The structural wood materials in RRCK sequester 269 metric tons of carbon dioxide and, by using wood instead of another building material, an additional 524 metric tons of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions were avoided. This net carbon benefit of 793 metric tons of carbon dioxide is equivalent to taking 151 cars off the road for one year.

This free calculator can be found online at: http://cwc.ca/resources/online-tools

The structure housing the main lobby, central corridor and fitness areas is primarily composed of glue laminated timbers with a wood roof deck. All recreational activities within the building can be viewed from this central hub. The 38mm and 64mm deep tongue and groove roof deck increases the R-value of the roof assembly. When compared to other roof deck materials, wood has an inherent resistance to heat transference that gives it superior thermal performance.

The natatorium roof is also a heavy timber structure. Humidity problems such as condensation and corrosion, which are a common concern with steel roof framing in pool enclosures, were eliminated by using wood. Although a mechanical system is employed to reduce humidity in the pool area, humidity levels can often still be higher at the ceiling level because the warmer, moister air rises. The humidity levels at ceiling level, however, are not so high that they’d present a durability concern for the wood and because wood is a hygroscopic material, naturally able to absorb and release moisture, the wood roof itself helps moderate the humidity level and improve air quality making wood the best material for a pool enclosure.

The eight-lane swimming pool is one of the most popular aspects of the Complex. Traditionally, city recreational facilities feature six-lane pools but the public was so determined that an eight-lane pool be installed that the local council helped raise $1.7 million to put toward the additional cost. The natatorium’s bright and open double-height space over the lap pool deck overlooks the green roof.

The RRCK is a resounding success, both as a building and as a community centre. Recipient of a Wood Design Award for Green Design from Wood WORKS! Ontario, this award winning building is an excellent example of beautiful, sustainable, municipal infrastructure. “We were fortunate enough to work with such a great client / owner collaborative,” says project architect Gerry Pilon, Salter Pilon Architecture. “Through a shared project vision, a warm and welcoming atmosphere was realized utilizing natural wood elements throughout the facility.”

Looking beyond its sustainable features and impressive energy performance, RRCK is a building that people love, and well-loved buildings endure, often long beyond their projected service life because they are enjoyed, maintained, and even adapted over time to remain relevant to changing user requirements.

The wood products in RRCK do so much. They sequester carbon, increase the energy efficiency of the building envelope, improve air quality and provide a safe, welcoming environment for staff and patrons alike. And, although the RRCK is new today, when it does finally reach the end of its service life many years from now, the wood can be reclaimed for other purposes, extending its useful life and enabling the facility to do one more good thing for the environment.

Carbon Calculation for Richcraft Recreation Complex Kanata

Photos credit: John Kealey Photographs

Architecture, Style, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends, Wood

The Sky’s the Limit – Wood you believe it?!

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By Natalie Tarini

Communication Manager and Canadian Wood Council Secretary

Wood Innovation and Design Center
Photograph by: Ema Peter, Courtesy of Michael Green Architecture, Vancouver BC

When we’re young, we’re encouraged to dream big. But somewhere throughout the process of growing-up, we begin to add limitations to the stretch of our imagination.

In nature people gasp in amazement at the sight of a strong and towering tree that has stood the test of time; but are more apt to shake their heads in disbelief when the topic of tall wood buildings is broached – why is that?

Tall wood buildings are not a new concept – 1400 years ago, wood-frame pagodas 19-storeys tall were built in highly seismic areas of Japan, and remain standing to this day. With advanced construction technologies and modern mass timber products such as cross-laminated timber, glued-laminated timber, and structural composite lumber, building tall with wood is a viable building option that is gaining traction.

One of the best ways to learn, is to follow by example. With the successful completion of tall wood buildings around the world (9 and 10-storey buildings in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, a 14 storey building just being completed in Norway and a 24 storey building to start construction in fall 2015 in Vienna, Austria), tall wood is gaining momentum with design communities in densely populated areas where land for construction is limited. In a country that is experiencing its own challenges with urban intensification and greenhouse gas emission levels, tall wood buildings would seem the obvious choice for Canadians. And yet, there is a lack of education associated with wood construction that hinders the appreciation for the research, technology, and more importantly, the successful examples of tall wood buildings, that prove that wood is a practical option for tall building construction.

The Wood Innovation and Design Centre (WIDC) in Prince George, British Columbia, is presently one of the world’s tallest modern all-timber institutional buildings, at 29.5 m – consisting of 6 storeys with a mezzanine and penthouse. “It’s one thing to read a report with numbers that prove that this is possible,” explains Etienne Lalonde, VP of Market Development for the Canadian Wood Council. “But there’s something more innate about witnessing a live demonstration and experiencing the benefits that this type of construction has to offer – seeing is believing.” Designed by Michael Green Architecture, the WIDC building is about celebrating wood as an aesthetic and sustainable material. To demonstrate the opportunity for similar projects, the WIDC’s design focuses on elements that could be easily replicated rather than serving as a showcase – integrating cross-laminated timber floor panels, glulam columns and beams, and mass timber walls that beautifully display the possibilities that exist for wood cohesion throughout a building.

The benefits of wood construction span beyond durability and aesthetics. In a society that is growing evermore environmentally conscious, there is a case for wood construction and the reduced impacts it has as a building material on the environment. As the only renewable building material, trees sequester harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) from the surrounding atmosphere and wood products release less carbon during the manufacturing stage when compared to other building materials. An example of this environmental benefit can be found at the Mountain Equipment Co-op building in Vancouver, British Columbia. This project used 2,394 cubic meters of lumber and sheathing – for a total potential carbon benefit of 5,393 metric tons of CO2. That’s the equivalent to taking 1,030 cars off of the road for a year or the energy that it takes to operate a home for 458 years. “Today, wood structures continue to deliver as they have in the past, but our understanding of wood has now broadened to include the environmental sustainability benefits and a new found appreciation for emerging wood technologies” explains Michael Giroux, President of the Canadian Wood Council. “The sky’s the limit, and we’re going there.”

Canada has a long and rich history with wood construction. It is now time for the perceptions to catch-up with the scientific advancements that have and continue to be made for wood products. Tall wood buildings is a vision that benefits all of us from an economical and environmental point of view. When it comes to pushing the boundaries of your imagination, sometimes all you have to do to find inspiration is to look up at the trees!

Architecture, Building Envelope, Ideas, Sustainability, Technology, Wood

Why a wood house is a good house

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The folks at Confederation Log & Timber Frame know all about the many green benefits

First, let’s clear up one misconception about log homes – they are definitely not bad for the environment.

In fact, says Rick Kinsman, president of Confederation Log & Timber Frame, just the opposite is true.

“The biggest sources of environmental problems are homes that use an abundance of such materials as concrete or drywall,” says Kinsman, whose company has embraced the concept of green building since its inception more than 35 years ago. “Those materials I mentioned often end up in landfill sites and require a lot of energy to produce.”

Which brings us to wood, which is a renewable resource. Virtually all the wood Confederation uses is harvested from mature/end-of-life-cycle white pine from a responsibly managed forest. In addition, the logs are then air-dried versus kiln-dried, which conserves energy. And, compared to other major building supplies, wood consumes less energy across its life cycle, contributes less pollution and has a lighter carbon footprint.

“Similarly, people often think that log homes are ‘leaky’ and don’t have the same R-value as stick frame homes,” says Kinsman. “In reality, log homes are more energy efficient than conventional homes (R20-R24).”

In the case of Confederation, Kinsman says, the idea of a ‘leaky’ home couldn’t be further from the truth, thanks to a variety of innovations that mean their customized homes will perform today and for decades to follow.

Confederation has redefined the traditional ways of joining logs together to produce a truly energy-efficient home. They’ve also introduced new ways to install windows and doors and a thru-bolt system which allows for your logs to always be tight.

But perhaps the most ground-breaking development offered by Confederation is their new EEE – Engineered Energy Efficient – Log, which makes them a key differentiator compared to other log home builders.

Fully engineered and tested, the EEE Log is constructed using Confederation standard dry white pine. Carefully chosen planks of wood, free from insect damage, fungal stains or other physical defects, are laminated together with a structural bonding resin under very high pressure. The core is filled with high-density insulated foam, which accounts for the higher R-value.

Manufactured logs have the same appearance as traditional logs, but will not shrink or settle over time. The likelihood of checks, splits or stains occurring in the wood is virtually eliminated and maintenance is minimal. Another benefit is that logs are straight and remain that way.

“While conventional log homes continue to represent the bulk of our sales, we have now introduced the EEE Log, which has the same look and feel of a traditional log home, only it has a higher R-value.

“The vast majority of log homebuilders in Canada don’t offer anything like the EEE Log. We are only aware of one other product in this country that tries to replicate what the EEE Log is doing in terms of energy efficiency. But, unlike the EEE Log, it doesn’t look like a real log.

“For consumers who are really focused on higher than average R-values, but want the charm and ambiance of a log home, the EEE log is the ideal solution.”

Such was the case with owner Ray Anderson, who opted for an EEE Log for his Gatineau, Quebec cottage. “It appealed to me instantaneously because of its high R-Value. Our dream was to put up a cottage we could use more comfortably in the winter months,” says Anderson, noting that the EEE Logs will help to keep energy costs down, making it more affordable.

Over the past year, now that Confederation has built EEE Log homes both in Ontario and Quebec, Kinsman says the feedback has been very positive.

“It’s still a relatively new industry and many consumers – purists if you will, still prefer to build a solid wood home,” he says. “And there’s also an erroneous perception that these EEE Log homes cost considerably more. In reality, though, the homes only cost about five per cent more than conventional homes and this small added expense is more than offset by ongoing energy savings.”

But, like anything visionary and new, knowledge and awareness about the EEE Log is limited, Kinsman adds.

“As awareness grows, so will demand,” he says. “EEE Logs have been built in both Ontario and Quebec, and with a dealer network in several parts of Canada and the U.S. that is also growing, this will spike sales as well. Performance data as far as energy savings go should help considerably, as well.

“With the whole matter of carbon reduction growing in terms of perceived importance, and with anticipated changes in how our provincial and federal governments respond to this challenge, we firmly believe that will have a positive impact on the demand for EEE Logs as well.”

Web / confederationloghomes.com

Confederation Log & Timber Frame has been in operation since 1979. A family business with a dedicated and skilled staff, the company is particularly proud of its history in the log and timber frame building industry and involvement in constructing residential, commercial and industrial buildings around the world.

Green Energy, HVAC, Ideas, Sustainability, Technology, Trends

Attention to detail

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Polar Bear Water Source Heat Pump takes geothermal installations to another level

Dennis Campbell spotted an opportunity to help retrofit a central Toronto building – and he took that opportunity and ran with it.
Campbell, the President of Polar Bear Water Source Heat Pump Mfg. Inc., was already a tenant at 501 Alliance Avenue, owned by S. Strashin and Sons Limited, when he found out that a quote utilizing another system for air conditioning and refrigeration had been made for work needed at the building, which is located near the heart of the city.

“I was then asked to provide a competitive geothermal bid,” recalls Campbell. “With the other bid, I was concerned with the amount of refrigerant flowing in a multitude of piping lines in the ceilings of every floor on the four-storey structure.”

Campbell then made his pitch to Elliot Strashin MD, President and CEO of 501 Alliance Investments Inc., and its parent company, S. Strashin and Sons Limited.

“I was given a shot at quoting using geothermal technology and Polar Bear-manufactured equipment,” Campbell says. “I suggested that the building, with four floors of 65,000 square-feet, plus a basement, required at least 225 tons of cooling and/or heating for the central structure … and an additional 40 tons for the 54,000 square-foot, one-storey side structure.”

The rest is history. Along with its presentation team, engineer Imran Majeed from Advanced Building Solutions and Stan Reitsma of GeoSource Energy, Polar Bear proposed using 275 tons of Polar Bear Water to Water heat pumps in 18 15-ton units with provisions to add another 45 tons.

“The building analysis indicated that the building was ‘cool dominant,’ therefore geothermal should have a tremendous advantage, as cooling is nearly 50 per cent cheaper than any other way.” Campbell says.

In the proposal to Strashin, it was proposed that 15-ton Polar Bear heat pumps would be manufactured with Copeland compressors and Packless water coils, utilizing only the best components for their stated used. (The geothermal, by the way, supplies 39 of the 80 lead points required to attain a LEED Gold certification.)

Additionally, a vertical loop system would utilize off vertical axis drilling for as much as 10 per cent to provide a much larger footprint, 192 metres (or 630 feet) down, Campbell says.

“Both passive and active ice melt around the building was to be incorporated,” he explains. “Pre-cooling the vertical loop system at the end of the winter would greatly reduce summer air conditioning costs. Active ice melt would only be used in loading docks, walkways and basement ramps.”IMG_2318

Bill Wolski, of Horus Technologies Inc., points out that an HVAC control system has been engineered so that any piece of equipment tied to the heating and cooling at 501 Alliance can be seen and monitored on designated computers or smart phones.

“We will be able to forecast loads and utilize night-time energy to either pre-cool the building, or heat it,” says Wolski.

Advanced Business Solutions, meanwhile, introduced a makeup air unit from BKM. This unit utilizes no fossil fuel heat or electricity other than that to run the fan motor to provide 90 per cent efficiency during the winter months._G5Q7986

This heat recovery unit utilizes two sets of aluminum plates, one set for exhaust air and the other for intake. Warm air from the building on the exhaust side transfers its heat energy into multiple aluminum plates; likewise the fresh air also passes through its own set of aluminum plates. The trick is, every 70 seconds, a very large damper switches the air flow. The fresh air intake then comes through the aluminum heat exchange plates which had previously collected the heat from the air being exhausted.

The quote, Campbell says, also included variable-frequency drive (VFD) pumps which provide only enough fluid flow through the building to the installed Polar Bear air handlers or fan coils, as required.

“Every air handler is to be equipped with a very special balancing/flow valves provided by Victaulic,” he says. “These valves eliminate the need for a balancing engineer. It matters not what part in the building they are located, flows of one gallon per minute (GPM) to 12 GPM can be called for, based on the conditioned space requirements as seen by the thermostats.”

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Campbell says that proposed air handlers would be equipped with ECM fan motors, providing up to five speeds. With this, excellent efficiencies will be realized through the control of air and water flows. Not just lower costs, he stresses, but absolute comfort for the tenant, with no more noisy systems with blasts of air each time there’s a call for heating or cooling.

“Good equipment is only part of a smart installation,” adds Campbell. “Good engineering and installation practices are also required. The fourth floor of the building will be up and operating by the end of June 2015, so visitations will be welcome.”

About line of heat pumps produced by Polar Bear
Residential standard Water to Air, Water to Air and Water to Water triple function units primarily used to heat outdoor pools. Water to Water and Water to Water to Air heat pumps primarily used in conjunction with in floor heating system. Dehumidification systems for pools. Reheat heat pumps, which absolutely control humidity along with Polar Bear’s newest line of digital compressors combined with multiple air handlers. All Polar Bear units are built with industry-leading efficiencies, but more importantly it’s how they are made. Top this all off with a recently manufactured 1.3-ton unit for condo apartments with an efficiency of 490 per cent, or coefficient of performance (COP) of 4.9, Polar Bear has the knowledge and experience to move forward.

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

A greater green vision

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Strashin’s 501 Alliance – a new hub for technology in the heart of Toronto

Elliot Strashin plans in greater shades of green.

Not only is his company renovating an existing commercial building to meet the LEED Gold standard, he is targeting green-specific businesses as tenants. Located in the geographic heart of Toronto, 501 Alliance Avenue is being repurposed to serve an environmentally-responsible commercial community.

“501 Alliance will provide a perfect environment for green technology and IT companies that need larger, loft-like space at rentals that are significantly lower than those in the downtown core, ” says Elliot Strashin MD, President and CEO of 501 Alliance Investments Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of S. Strashin and Sons Limited. “The Junction is Toronto’s most interesting, newly invigorated neighbourhood; High Park is the city’s most beautiful area . Both are a few minutes drive from us.

“Knowing they are creating in a LEED Gold environment will up everyone’s game. With everyone working in the building committed to a sustainable future, inter-office exchanges are bound to flourish. I trust that people will find synergies beyond their desks and screens – in our café and common areas, under our skylights, in front of our mural.

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“And, I believe our building can be the catalyst for creating a technology hub in the surrounding lands (200-plus acres) in the centre of Toronto. My goal is to create an address that means ‘green’ in much the way that Bay Street means ‘finance’ and Queen West ‘means’ art.”

Public transportation? Absolutely! 501 Alliance is located in the heart of the city, with access to the St. Clair dedicated streetcar, the Eglinton LRT, the Smart Track, GO Transit, plus buses and major highways near Weston Road and Black Creek.

The former Cooper Canada sporting goods factory was originally built in two stages, a one-storey section in 1965 and a four-storey section with full underground parking 10 years later. The Strashin project at the 380,000-square-foot facility involves gutting and renovating throughout, targeting LEED Gold certification.

Some of the major green features include:

  • Geothermal HVAC
  • 300 KW solar farm on the roof
  • High SRI roof with local crushed, white marble
  • Stormwater collection for toilets and watering the grounds
  • High level of insulation to roof and walls
  • Argon-filled double-glazed curtain walls
  • LED lighting with motion and daylight sensors
  • Heated sidewalks and parking areas utilizing excess heat
  • Parking for bicycles and electric cars
  • Fibre-optic connectivity

The project, started in March of 2012, is expected to be fully completed by 2017, however Strashin stresses that “we expect to start receiving tenants to the renovated space by the summer of 2015.”
Strashin says he firmly believes that no matter what materials you use, no matter how carbon neutral you attempt to be, you can never surpass the savings in carbon emissions generated by re-using and repurposing an existing building. “The greenest building is the one that already exists,” he says. And his team has been following the credo for many years.
The company has specialized in transforming old factories into energy-efficient, repurposed buildings since 1993.
Strashin has assembled a formidable team of companies to work with on 501 Alliance. They include:

. Polar Bear Geothermal / HVAC

. Sustainable Edge / Green engineering energy modeling services

. Advanced Building Solutions / Geothermal HVAC design
. V2R / General contractor specializing in green building

. Tough Roof

. Affecting Change / LEED consultant

. Sky Solar / Provider of design-build solar farms.
“Unlike others in our field, we have traditionally eschewed the brick and beam look in favour of insulating walls and roofs, upgrading windows and adding higher-efficiency HVAC,” he says.

“I target my construction projects to be green because it makes economic sense,” says Strashin. “Green technologies and sustainable development will only become mainstream if it also makes economic sense. Everything we do is carefully engineered by our consultants and researched beforehand, to confirm the savings.”
Web / strashindevelopments.com

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Strashin Developments offers property management and redevelopment services. Its team has extensive experience in all facets of real estate investment, management and development including office, multi-family residential, retail and industrial properties. The company is currently managing, in the exciting Toronto Downtown West, a portfolio of redeveloped properties including 460, 471 Richmond Street West, 20 Maud Street, 20 Camden Street and 487 Adelaide West. These properties offer prospective tenants fully-serviced and modern space ideal for creative agencies and designers, new media studios, and showrooms. The property management office is located at 20 Maud Street, Suite 500, within a short walk from all downtown properties. The portfolio also contains strip mall developments with retail and residential components. These properties are fully-maintained, offering a range of stores from 1,000-square-feet to 2,000-square-feet and second floor apartments of one and two bedrooms.

Tel: 416-504-0077

E-mail: elliot@strashindevelopments.com

www.strashindevelopments.com

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Dellfina Homes best of the best in customized sustainable environments

For 25 years, John Custodio kept his nose to the grindstone, working for large companies in the Toronto-area building industry.

That all changed, in a way, in 2006, when he decided to strike out on his own, starting a business called Dellfina Homes.

“Quite simply, I wanted to own a business built on the true meaning of custom,” says Custodio, President of Dellfina Homes. ” And when looking to select a name for the business, I wanted the emphasis to be on fine homes.”
Right from the get-go, then, Custodio followed that plan, naming his new company after his mother, Delfina – which actually fit in seamlessly with the philosophy of the business.

“The translation of the name Delfina [sic] actually means ‘all that is good, classy and pure,’” he says. “And ‘anything that comes from the very finest, of superior quality.”

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Custodio’s goal to build a family business is continuing. His daughter is a full-time real estate agent with Royal LePage, and his son has just obtained an advanced honours diploma in architectural technology and is currently enrolled in a degree program of bachelor of technology.

To this day, Custodio has been true to his original vision. Dellfina homes are architecturally distinct, and exquisitely built, using only quality materials. He says Dellfina builds beautifully appointed homes with many unique features and classic finishes which create eminently livable environments, rich in every detail.

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With a proven history of craftsmanship and service, fit and service, Dellfina Homes, he says, will work with the client from the first planning choices to the final inspection.

“One thing you can be sure of, we will listen to your thoughts, needs, concerns and desires,” Custodio stresses. “And they we will build accordingly. The most important thing we do is build the home you’re dreamt of, to provide the memories that ‘home’ brings.”

Dellfina offers services including project management, construction management, design build and various other roles in general contracting, Custodio says, playing leadership roles in projects ranging from small residential to high-rise buildings.

Every home is built using solid-foam insulation to ensure that the ‘heart’ of the home is a perfectly balanced environment.

“Respect for our customers is the most important principle defining Dellfina’s corporate philosophy,” Custodio says.

Along those lines, Dellfina has embraced sustainable building in a big way, Custodio says. They realize that customers today are very conscious of energy efficiency in all areas.

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And the list of Dellfina’s available sustainable features for houses is an impressive one. They include:

▪ Passive solar and wind design;

▪ Use of recycled content;

▪ Use of materials with low embodied energy (how it’s made, how it gets to construction, and how it’s constructed);

▪ Pendant lighting – Compact fluoro or LED lighting. Use of motion-sensitive switches to activate and turn off where appropriate;

▪ Double glazing for windows;

▪ Triple glazing for roof windows;

▪ Low toxicity paints and floor finishes;

▪ Roof, wall and floor insulation;

▪ Energy-efficient appliances;

▪ Cross flow ventilation;

▪ Appropriate sizing of rooms and overall building;

▪ Two or three-storey configuration (e.g. cellar, living level, loft) to minimize footprint of dwelling;

▪ Ceiling fans for cooling;

▪ HRV and ERV;

▪ E-Coating windows;

▪ Low to no VOC paint;

▪ Water-conserving appliances;

▪ And dual-pane, low-emittance windows.

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Custodio, to recap, talked even more about the true meaning of “custom,” which is essentially Dellfina’s calling card.

“To me, custom means changing something to make it better,” he says. “When someone thinks of custom, they think about originality. At Dellfina, we strive for that. With my experience, and the input from clients, and our hand-selected trades, the end result is perfection.” _G5Q7851

Web / dellfinahomes.com

Dellfina Homes is a highly diversified home builder providing excellent quality, workmanship and services in the area of residential community contracting, new custom homes contracting, residential renovations and commercial projects. Dellfina’s hands-on approach to the business is one of many distinguishing attributes offered to homeowners. As trade professionals, Dellfina knows what it takes to develop relationships and build quality homes. The company understands what clients are looking for; the best value and quality, at a fair price.

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Sustainability-Plus

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Sorbara Group taking green building to another level with award-winning stormwater management

This is more than a tale of two cities – it is a story about two innovative projects in the GTA that have employed Low Impact Development (LID) techniques for stormwater management in award-winning fashion.

Both projects by the Sorbara Group of Companies – Prairiewood, in Stouffville, and Copperwood, in Kleinburg – have won a Living City Award from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority under the Healthy Rivers and Shorelines category in 2013.

LID, in short, is a technique modeled after nature. In the case of stormwater, LID allows for a more natural approach that provides opportunities to enhance the existing natural environment and minimizes the requirement for structures and facilities that are intrusive and require significant ongoing maintenance.

In the case of Prairiewood, sustainable elements have been incorporated into every element of the development, from the design of the overall community to the individual houses.

Phase 1 of Prairiewood consists of 51 lots on quiet cul-de-sacs and located within the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Area  and includes a large protected woodlot area immediately to the north. The site is designed for a more natural approach to a stormwater management system, focusing on natural infiltration through bioswales and a bio retention pond.

Bioswales, by the way, are planted with natural vegetation, and do not require traditional lawn care. They also enhance groundwater infiltration and reduce  erosion.  A bio retention pond is an alternative to a traditional stormwater management pond, and is covered with plants. Both follow an approach ensuring water from an LID community that enters natural waterways is clear and clean.

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“Prairiewood has also been designed to connect with the existing community,” says Catherine Pan, Development Manager at Sorbara Group. “An important aspect of this is the integration of existing public open space with new open space opportunities developed in Prairiewood.

“From the neighbourhood park – implemented through a partnership between the Town of Stouffville and Sorbara Homes – to the provision of trailheads, public space has been provided to allow for personal interaction, balance the urban environment and further the aesthetic and functionality of the community.”

Prairiewood will also hook into the existing trail network, thus providing options for connecting with the community.  In addition, GO Transit and local public transit are both easily accessible.

Pan says a plan has been created to protect existing trees and ensure their continued health during and after construction at Prairiewood. Additionally, a sizeable woodland feature and open space buffer lands found north of the community will be protected through their dedication to the TRCA.

The emphasis on sustainability extends to the homes, as well, with a number of elements offered to homeowners, including:

  • Rain barrels;
  • Dual flush toilets;
  • Low flow shower heads;
  • Full height basement insulation;
  • Installation of high efficiency gas furnaces;
  • Installation of high efficiency water heater or an in-line water heater in lieu of a hot water tank;

All homes in Phase 1 of Prairiewood were built to be Energy Star-qualified, with benefits that may include lower energy bills, improved comfort, and lower impact on the environment.

Phase 2 of the Prairiewood site is currently in the development stages and a launch is anticipated in 2016/2017.

In May 2015, a select number of lots were offered for sale at the Copperwood site, which is surrounded by an extensive open space and valleyland network to the north and west of the community. The site is approved for 154 single detached residential lots, each 60 feet wide.

 

The LID stormwater management approach at Copperwood is evident from top to bottom. And here are four examples:

  • Enhanced Dry Grassed Swales: A ditch replaced the typical urban curb and gutter stormwater collection system used to treat and reduce the rate of stormwater runoff. It is a naturalized method used to trap sediments and other pollutants and improve site aesthetics. It looks like a natural grassy patch of vegetation, but does not require traditional lawn care and grooming maintenance.
  • Infiltration Trenches: An infiltration trench is essentially a shallow hole filled with stones where stormwater filters through before draining into the soil.
  • Permeable Pavement / Interlocking Pavers:  Constructed using porous material, which consists of holes for water and air to pass through. This is an effective way to trap suspended solids and filter pollutants from the water.
  • Perforated Pipes: The most important characteristic of a perforated storm sewer pipe are the holes or slots in the pipe. These slots are openings that allow the storm water to be recirculated back into the ground.

The Sorbara Group of Companies is an integrated real estate development, investment and management firm with a history of growth in Ontario since 1942. Sorbara now owns, manages and operates commercial/industrial, office and retail properties; has a residential apartment portfolio; develops high-rise and low-rise communities; offers insurance services; provides construction management as well as planning and development services; and holds land in various stages of development in and around the Greater Toronto Area.

Web / sorbara.com