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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

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

The finest quality

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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.

Ideas, Sustainability, Technology, Top Stories, Trends

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

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The search is on

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LJM Developments constantly looks to incorporate green living into their projects

A Burlington-based development company has one very telling guiding principle – to provide sustainably appropriate designs with its ever-growing list of green projects.

It’s not a wish list, either, for LJM Developments; it’s a fact of life. With a track record that showcases the eco-centred attitudes of LJM, there are many examples that highlight their ‘living green’ mentality.

“LJM Developments is constantly looking for ways to innovate its designs and technology to incorporate green living and more efficient use of energy,” says Shaheryar Mian, Business Development Manager at LJM. “The company looks forward to introducing future projects with this very important environmental initiative in mind.”

One has to look no further than three projects currently in development, under construction, or completed. Mian pointed to Waterview Condominiums in Grimsby, as well as Appleby Gardens Condominiums and Ironstone Condominiums, both in Burlington.

Waterview’s Phase 1 is now 75 per cent sold. Phase 2 is launching in Spring 2015. There will be close to 300 condos in three high-rise towers – a first, Mian says – and LJM plans to utilize geothermal energy at the site. Compared to a resort-style setup, there will also be a rooftop terrace, with each unit facing out onto Lake Ontario.

He points out that “people can walk out to the lake and have access to the beach right there. We find that the building has been selling really quickly, especially given that it’s the first building of its kind in the area.”

Another project that personifies modern green living is Appleby Gardens at the corner of Corporate Drive and Appleby Line. Right away you notice how residents can easily access basic amenities close by. They are within walking distance of restaurants, fitness facilities and shops. Better still, they are kitty-corner to grocery stores, schools, green spaces, trails, the QEW highway and the Burlington GO station.

“We also put in independent unit controls for heating and cooling,” Mian says. “There is also independent suite hydro metering, and some appliances are Energy Star.”

Appleby Gardens, he says, “is an area that has developed tremendously in the last five years. And it’s just four kilometres from Lake Ontario. It sits in the middle of a developed neighbourhood, and a place that’s very attractive for young couples and young people, as well as couples who wish to retire there.”

Perhaps the Ironstone project best demonstrates LJM’s green track record. Completed a couple of years ago, and fully occupied now, Ironstone provides a setting that appeals to families wanting to live in an urban neighbourhood, yet also seeking a green lifestyle.

Standing out as one of the first high-rise residential buildings in Canada with full geothermal heating and cooling throughout, it was a trailblazer, to be sure. With the market fluctuations of oil and gas, never more evident than in today’s marketplace, the sustainable energy source proved an attractive addition.

But LJM took their green initiatives even further, starting with a 1,500-square-foot rooftop courtyard. Residents, then, were able to enjoy outdoor living, capped off with an outdoor hot tub. There are also outdoor kitchen facilities, dining and lounge areas. The list goes on. Other green initiatives include water conservation through low-flow faucets and toilets, auxiliary solar elements, a room for recycling, and secure bicycle parking. Even during construction, LJM utilized green construction practices, using building materials with recycled content and waste management reduction procedures.

“It transformed Burlington’s skyline and became the tallest building in the city at the time,” says Mian. “It was the first green building in the area and was recognized across Ontario for its green initiatives.”

Web:
www.ljmdevelopments.ca

With over a decade of unsurpassed excellence, LJM Developments is a recognized industry leader in real estate development. The company has developed highly-acclaimed signature projects that are a perfect synergy of world class architectural design and cutting-edge construction quality. The company has launched key initiatives in Southern Ontario, including Toronto, Burlington, and Grimsby.

 

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Ground-breaking – in more ways than one

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GeoSource Energy has been riding the geothermal wave for over a decade

To say there’s been a swing in the learning curve about geothermal energy would be an understatement.

Back when GeoSource Energy began cementing its reputation as a ground-breaking leader in the field back in 2004, there were a lot of myths about the process, says company CEO Stan Reitsma, but today awareness of the technology is increasing and “it seems at least now that many developers have heard of it, either positive or negative. But at least they know it exists.”

Because of the inroads made, Reitsma sees nothing but positives in the near future.

“Based on ongoing conversations with clients, potential clients and different levels of government, we see that the technology, in general, is starting to get a buzz associated with it,” Reitsma says. “People are starting to see the true advantages of it and seriously looking at implementation of it, or have already included it in their buildings.

“Now, with the anticipated increases in the cost of natural gas, we can see nothing but positive with geo in the foreseeable future.”

In the past decade, he says the type of geothermal work has changed a lot. At one time it was almost all residential with geothermal grants to retrofit houses, with very little being done commercially. Now, he says, the business has transitioned.

“I think, both commercially and privately, it’s matured an awful lot in the past 10 years,” says Reitsma. “It’s not quite mainstream yet, but it’s becoming that way.”

One trend he’s noticed is that once developers utilize geothermal in one building project, they tend to follow up with the same technology on subsequent jobs.

“That certainly suggests to me that they like it,” Reitsma says. “A lot of our job is education and we’ll continue to do that.”

To that end, Reitsma points out that he strongly believes GeoSource stands out among its competition.

“What makes GeoSource different is our dedication to innovation and quality in design and installation,” he says. “ We continue to look for improvements such as higher performing grouts and heat exchangers and cleaner, more efficient and faster drilling techniques and rigs, all to improve the economics and assist moving geothermal mainstream. We are challenged by many things such as geology and weather, but our investment in equipment, people and systems allows us to control our challenges and successfully deliver on-time and on-budget.”

Not one to stand pat, Reitsma points out that there have been some key changes to the geothermal industry that GeoSource is on top of.

He says there are several important developments, including pending changes to the Ontario Building Code, targeted for 2017, that would require significant reduction in energy use.  That, in turn, means that developers of office and multi-residential buildings could be facing changing code requirements.

“And as we see it, geothermal offers a reasonably simple way to meet those requirements,” he stresses. “Other options such as an improved envelope may become limiting, more costly, or less desirable for the end user.

“With geothermal, the developer is not forced to make other large changes, something they are definitely adverse to do.”

Another development to be aware of, he says, is the availability of finance options for geothermal systems. Now, long-term financing that was previously limited to common area condo equipment, for example, is now available for the geothermal part of the a building.

“We are also seeing the entry of several large utility type companies that are willing to provide turnkey geothermal systems or purchase them once constructed,” Reitsma notes.  “Because geothermal is competitive with conventional HVAC systems, the return on investment is attractive and risk is low because geothermal systems are simple and robust. 

“Finally, broader understanding of geothermal systems and experience gained on recent projects is leading to improved implementation of the technology.” 

Web / http://geosourceenergy.com

Founded in 2004, GeoSource Energy Inc. is a Canadian-based geothermal drilling corporation whose focus is provision of safe, high-quality, and cost-competitive geothermal vertical loop installation service to geothermal heat pump installers and contractors in Southern Ontario. GeoSource Energy is dedicated to using the latest geothermal drilling technology to ensure each installation is completed to the satisfaction of every customer and contractor. Its goal is to make geothermal energy available and affordable for the average Canadian home or business owner.

Architecture, Building Envelope, Green Energy, Sustainability, Technology

KINGSHORE Windows & Doors known for high-quality products and top-notch service

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When it comes to windows and doors, it seems KINGSHORE Windows & Doors Inc. has all the bases covered.

“When we started KINGSHORE we wanted to build a brand that would be recognized for high-quality products,” says co-owner Frank Plasa. “As an example of our top-notch service, we make it our policy to double-check every product before it leaves our shipping doors.”

Says co-owner Donald Cain: “If we wouldn’t put the product in our own home, then we won’t put it in yours.”
KINGSHORE spends considerable time sourcing materials and suppliers that complement the company’s level of quality, the co-owners agreed. They say high-end custom homes, mid-rise buildings, renovations and large remodeling projects are their specialty, adding that they have some of the best ratings for windows on the market today.

In addition to manufacturing vinyl windows, KINGSHORE recently started to manufacture aluminum windows. “We had so many requests for aluminum windows for both residential housing and for mid-rise buildings that the decision to manufacture came easily,” says Plasa.

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With so much information available today on the internet, Plasa says many consumers are dropping into the KINGSHORE showroom, knowing exactly what they want. “We have builders and architects who send their clients to our showroom to meet with us,” he explains. “We spend the time to educate them on all the products we have. No pressure, it’s part of the service we offer. We try to help them make their decisions as pleasant a buying experience as possible.”

Plasa says KINGSHORE does very little advertising, explaining that the majority of business comes from referrals and repeat business. “It’s a real sense of satisfaction when we receive a call from someone saying they were referred to us. We know we are doing things right.”

KINGSHORE carries a complete line of custom homes’ products, matching the needs of the homeowner, builder, architect or designer. They manufacture vinyl windows with multi-points locks, folding contour handles, with dual glazing or triple glazing options. They also manufacture all aluminum windows for those huge wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows.

“In addition, we carry a complete line of wood windows as well as wood interior windows with an aluminum cladded exterior,” Plasa continues. “Both these types of windows and doors can come primed, painted or stained, depending on our customers’ needs. Bi-folding doors, oversized lift and slide doors add ventilation and beauty to any home.”

Recently, says Plasa, KINGSHORE had a request for a very high-end product from Germany. “As a result, we now import an amazingly high-end tilt and turn product line from one of Germany’s top manufacturers. That’s why our tag line is ‘Solutions for every Project.’ No matter how big the home, how modern the look or how customized the product must be, chances are we can fill the requirement.

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“With so many mid-rise buildings under construction and planned in Ontario, our ability to manufacture aluminum windows and doors for the first-floor retail units and vinyl windows for the higher levels ensures the projects meet their budgets.

“Our windows are tested to meet and exceed stringent code requirements and our ability to be a single source supplier ensures customer delivery schedules, colour

coordinations and complete product requirements are all achieved. We have numerous mid-rise projects scheduled each year and that number is growing. With our unique ability to offer different types of windows with different features and benefits we are attracting many interested builders, developers and architects seeking something different, something special for their project, and that’s what we do.”

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Cain agrees that “your remodeling or renovation project has never been so easy,” with KINGSHORE. “We take the time to answer all your questions and provide solutions to any obstacles. Product options, colour options, glazing options – they are all detailed during our consultation stage. Each home goes through our production line one at a time. Every employee is focused on quality, not quantity. That’s why we have so many referrals. Our installers are some of the best in the industry. They represent our company during the entire remodeling process so it is important to have the best.”

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Lepage Millwork has been manufacturing window and door products for over 50 years. “Their quality is absolutely amazing,” says Cain. “We have put these products in numerous homes throughout the city and they complement any home style and décor. Specialty shapes and bar patterns, custom-styled wood doors can all be achieved. Bring us your drawings or pictures from a magazine and chances are we can have it made for you.”

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If it’s tilt and turn windows and doors you need, KINGSHORE imports from Kneer-Südfenster in Germany. “This product line is like furniture” say Plasa. “I have been in the windows and door business for over 32 years and I have never seen quality tilt and turn products like this. Available in all wood, wood with exterior aluminum cladding, all vinyl, or vinyl with exterior aluminum cladding, these tilt and turn products can be used in remodeling projects, new custom homes, as well as mid-rise buildings. Their quality and energy efficiency is hard to match.” (Also available for passive housing projects.)

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The proper Balance

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Upscale builder combines high-end reputation with green acumen

The Balance Building Group has methodically built its reputation since beginning operations back in 1960; a reputation that hinges on its growth as an upscale homebuilder.

Along the way, Balance has been cognizant of the swing to more sustainable construction practices and brings that acumen to the table, as well.

“We see the sector growing as clients are becoming more knowledgeable about green building and costs of materials are becoming more feasible,” says Balance owner Mauro Capovilla. “And we certainly have noticed that clients have been looking into conserving energy and maintenance costs.”

Keeping that in mind, the Balance focus continues to pay the utmost attention to detail, says Capovilla, adding that “we offer a variety of commercial and residential services such as luxury home design and upscale home renovations and additions.”

When clients ask about green components, Capovilla says his company researches every request in-house and with its associated trades.

He cited, as an example, the work done for an urban renewal project at a

property on Lisgar Street in Toronto, which featured a total upgrade of

all energy-related components so that minimum standards were exceeded.

Balance also takes pride in its recognition as an environmentally-friendly contractor, with all debris removed and disposed of in a legal manner – absolutely no illegal dumping.

This conscientiousness certainly extends to all facets of the Balance operation, with luxury custom home design and building, with modern basement finishing and comprehensive project management part of the mix.

Capovilla points out that Balance’s reputation as a renowned, high-end homebuilder has positioned the company as a premium provider for extraordinary, luxurious estates. He says Balance looks forward to “creating your luxury, dream home, masterpiece” in the future.

“If the frame is strong, it provides the necessary support for everything that follows,” he says. “But if it’s weak, no amount of finishes can hide its flaws. From the foundation walls, to the framing of the structure, to the final exquisite features, inception to completion, we can turn ideas into reality.”

As master builders, explains Capovilla, Balance knows what it takes to create a masterpiece. His team provides a seamless mix of experience, creativity, knowledge and integrity to design and build a client’s vision.

Specializing in distinctive, elegant solutions that cleverly conceal modern conveniences, Balance provides one-of-a-kind details, period reproductions and specialty finish work that make each home reflect the dream of its owner. Utilizing skylights, clerestory windows and gallery level lighting, Capovilla believes the strategic use of light is seminal to the architectural solution.

“Our architects combine their extensive knowledge with award-winning interior designers, to create beautiful monuments to luxury living,” he says. “Whether we are designing and building a new custom home or completing a major renovation on an existing home, we strive to offer a superior home building experience.”

Custom framing is at the heart of the Balance philosophy and a core feature of its business. Capovilla says its custom homes and residential framing projects are examples of some of the best framing in Ontario.

“Our list of accomplishments includes multi-million dollar mansions, custom home construction, and lavish upscale home renovations,” he says. “The pride and craftsmanship that goes into the work we produce as luxury homebuilders is simply unmatched.”
Capovilla added that Balance continues to strive, and source, new and alternative products and methods that provide for sustainable buildings.

“Reliability, honesty, and quality workmanship are traits we pride ourselves on,” he says. “However, nothing says more about our unsurpassed commitment than what our customers say about us.

“We want our clients to feel secure in knowing that we will treat their house as if it were our own. We will diligently work to deliver the project on time and on budget. We will maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, and we will have open and honest communication through all stages of construction.

“This, in turn, will foster strong, trusting relationships, which will invariably result in an exceptionally rewarding building experience.”

Web: www.balancebuildinggroup.com

 

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Building on a time-tested green reputation

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RND Construction a pioneer in providing a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable development

It’s no secret what RND Construction brings to the table.

Since 1990, the Ottawa-based company has been a pioneer in green building, cementing a reputation as one of their city’s foremost general contracting firms.

On their office walls, you will find a plethora of certificates and awards for innovative ecological building practices and other evidence of the company’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainable development.

The oldest of these, in fact, might be a framed certificate honouring RND President Roy Nadram’s completion of a Canadian General Standards Board course on insulating homes for energy conservation nearly 30 years ago, long before green became an industry buzzword.

In the intervening years, RND has thrived on the passion and skill it takes to build custom homes at the forefront of sustainability, energy efficiency and quality. By developing innovative construction methods, RND has established itself a trusted advisor and collaborator, building numerous Energy Star, R-2000 and LEED homes.

“We understand that your home is one of the most significant investments in life,” says Nadram, formally educated in engineering and economics, but also a Gold Seal Certified Project Manager, Certified Construction Superintendent and LEED Accredited Professional.

“We have worked with many homeowners, ensuring that their aspirations are successfully met by the homes we build for them. And we thoroughly enjoy collaborating with architects and our clients to provide support and advice at every step of the design and construction process.”

RND takes environmental sustainability very seriously, understanding that it’s crucially important to meet essential human needs for a healthy, comfortable indoor climate. So for each project, RND strives to meet those needs without compromising the future, ensuring that the three pillars of sustainability – economics, society and environment – are factored into the equation.
In short, RND takes on the challenge so homes can be designed and built to improve clients’ lives. As such, each of their homes is durable, saves energy costs, hedges against increasing energy costs and guarantees a higher resale value.
To show how these goals are reached, Nadram cited three examples of RND’s LEED Platinum Ottawa work – A Nelson Street home, with architect John Donkin, an Ivy Crescent home from architect Christopher Simmonds and a Wood Avenue home, with architect Linda Chapman.

Nelson Street

“This house began with a desire for self-sufficiency on a tight urban lot in the centre of Ottawa. Off-grid living was not expected, but maximizing green space and natural light and minimizing energy use were the owners’ top priorities.

“The site is heavily landscaped, with a vegetable garden, fruit trees and berry bushes in the front yard, green roofs on the garage and entry and a roof garden off the second floor. A trellis of galvanized steel and BC fir covering the south and east faces of the home extends the garden up three storeys.

“Hugging the north side of the lot, the house maximizes solar exposure and provides a private side garden sheltered from the street by a detached single car garage. Openings on the north are minimized and south glazing maximized, improving solar gain and providing a warm sunlit interior in the winter months. The environmental performance of the house is exceptional and has an EnerGuide rating of 85.

“Upgraded insulation, a sophisticated mechanical system including heat recovery systems, exceptionally airtight construction, good solar orientation and effective summer shading devices, green roofs, permeable low water usage landscaping and rainwater recovery all contribute to the technical performance of the home. The sunlit interior and the green, growing landscape at grade and above make the sustainable nature of the home more than a technical achievement. It is a living presence in the day-to-day life of the homeowners. They live in a garden.”


Ivy Crescent

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“The award-winning Zen Barn is built in a historic and eclectic Ottawa neighbourhood. The linear composition of the home is interrupted by the vertical volumes of light wells, the stairs, and the courtyard. The resulting inter-penetration of views, light, and space along the south side of the home creates strong indoor-outdoor connections.

“White lacquer and stained ash cabinetry flow through the interconnected kitchen, living, and dining spaces. The exterior is clad with reclaimed white oak barn boards. The building’s orientation allows passive solar exposure at the east, west and south sides during winter months. Concrete floors provide thermal mass, absorbing radiant heat throughout the day and then releasing it as temperatures drop at night.

“All of the features and design strategies result in a home that is energy-efficient and pleasant to live in. It is estimated that there will be a 19 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (compared to an average home) and an energy consumption reduction of 46 per cent. The home achieved an EnerGuide rating of 82, 10 points higher than what is required by the Ontario Building Code.”

Wood Avenue

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“Imagine being able to step into the past without sacrificing the present. That’s what it seems like at this home, that stands out as a tangible example of how a newly designed environmentally responsive and responsible building can still emulate the vernacular motifs of the past.
“Patterning itself after Georgian aesthetics, the home puts on a very regal face. It is clad in red brick with ornate corner quoins, and soldier courses with keystones above the majority of its windows. An arched entranceway is flanked on either side by bay windows with large colonial wood trim. The remaining multiple windows are punctuated with thin white mullions and black accent shutters. Combine that with the lawn garden inspired landscaping and the exterior result is spectacular.

“The interiors are just as spectacular, and if you weren’t told by someone about how FSC certified woods, EPA certified fireplaces, low VOCs components, roof rainwater cisterns, recycled contents glass, ceramics and drywall were used – and that all of the natural soapstone, marble and granite was locally sourced – they would still stand apart for their beauty alone.

“And there are more advanced building technologies apparent, but don’t think about that – just enjoy stepping into a Georgian Dream.”

 

Web / http://rndconstruction.ca

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REINVENTING PARIS

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Planning Korea tackles sustainable challenge and chips in with futuristic egg-shaped pods

When you hear the words futuristic sustainable architecture mentioned, it’s a safe bet that the name Vincent Callebaut will come up as well.

That’s certainly the case, again, with the Belgium-based architect proposing 2050 Paris Smart City, where he envisions remaking the French capital into a city of green.

His ambitious idea was commissioned by the Parisian elected council, but he’s not the only thought-provoking architect to get in on the act – Planning Korea has also taken a stab at transforming Paris into a sustainable city.

Planning Korea, a Seoul, South Korea-based group of artists and architects, stepped up to the plate and created a concept entitled L’air Nouveau de Paris (New Paris Air), which takes sustainability considerations to a whole new imaginative level.

The initial artists’ renderings, submitted by Planning Korea, as part of its proposal, show how large, egg-shaped metallic spheres could be supported by long necks, or stems, of differing heights. Each “egg” unit tower would be made up of a grouping of office spaces, residential units, commercial spaces and commercial facilities. Connecting all of them would be bridges, so people could move freely between pods.

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Said a spokesperson for Planning Korea: “The concept of L’air Nouveau de Paris is a practice of consilience of space which suggests the air of Paris for the 21.5th Century.”

They went on to say that the architectural design did not follow any typical form or building context.

“As linked directly and indirectly with each other, spaces floating in the air have a unique organic structure, considering individuality and connectivity at the same time.”

In their proposal, Planning Korea provides vague descriptions of what sustainable features would be included, although the common theme of air quality is maintained throughout.

“The airspace that breathes into each other is the encounter between past and future, the conversation between society and individual, the moment between idea and creation and the medium that connects Paris and the world,” says the proposal. “The area around the architecture, society and environment then integrate as a point of view, making a consilience.”

Moreover, the proposal went on to describe the design motif for L’air Nouveau de Paris.

“It was dragged from the observation of a micro world of nature, with little organisms in the gardens and woods in downtown of Paris, co-existing within the macro world of artificial structures – the buildings.”

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Planning Korea’s description also maintained that micro-organisms in nature are quite different, generally, than man-made structures in urban areas, but that L’air Nouveau de Paris would change that.

“As these living complexes take a key role in sustainability and resource circulation, [we feel] L’air Nouveau de Paris will be crucial to sustainable urban revitalization of Paris.”

Should the plan come to fruition, it would reportedly be constructed at the Ternes-Villiers area of Paris, in a sprawling 3,891-square-metre space, sometime around the middle of this century.

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