Environmental awards celebrate efforts in building healthier homes
Consider them part of Edmonton's growing green team.
Three local builders — Habitat Studio, Jayman Built and Landmark Homes — have been honoured for their environmental commitment at the recent Canadian Home Builders' Association-edmonton Region's gala celebrating the 2022 Awards of Excellence in Housing.
The awards, held earlier in April at the downtown Edmonton Convention Centre, included a special environmental category that saw Habitat Studio named as Best Single Family-small Volume Builder, Jayman Built as Best Single Family-large Volume Builder, and Landmark Homes as Best Multi-family Builder.
About 1,100 people were on hand for the in-person event. The previous two award shows were held virtually because of the pandemic.
REPEAT PERFORMANCE
Habitat Studio is no stranger to the CHBA-ER'S environmental award.
“We've actually won this award every year since its inception, but it's still an honour to make it as a finalist as there are a number of great companies doing great work in Edmonton,” said Trevor Hoover, partner and Habitat's senior designer.
“Each year I get quite nervous whether we can do it again or not. Our team works hard to try and keep ahead of the pack but the pack is catching up.”
Habitat Studio was founded in 1992 and has become a leader in energy efficiency and sustainability.
“Almost every home we build is net zero ready if not net zero,” said Hoover. “We just completed a home that is completely off grid and 100 per cent self-sustainable. Many of the net zero characteristics go into every project we design and build. For example, the direction of the sun plays a major role in the design and development of every home, along with insulation, air tightness, HVAC systems, etc.”
Our culture about a home has changed, added Hoover, “and it's now about the things you can't easily change in a home, such as insulation, windows and efficient HVAC systems. There are so many things to consider when trying to make a home more energy efficient,” he said.
Habitat mostly works with infill homes, and does a number of acreages.
“Winning this award puts a little pep into our step,” said Hoover. “It reminds us of what we love to do and that we are doing good work.”
CORE VALUES
For Jayman Built, environmental responsibility is just what it does, said Charles Fay.
“We do not build this way just to win awards, we build this way because it is the right thing to do and it is part of our core values,” said Fay, vice-president, Jayman Built Edmonton. “It is wonderful, however, to be acknowledged for what we do on a daily basis and we are extremely proud of winning
this award.”
Environmental responsibility and energy efficient innovations have become part of Jayman's DNA, noted Fay.
“We have been leading the industry since 2005 when we were the first builder to bring Built Green to Canada,” he said. “Since 2019, we have made huge strides in the energy efficient inclusions in our homes — that are standard — from solar panels to our net zero ready and net zero certified homes. We are also pioneering in heating and cooling pumps as part of the mechanical system.”
Also since 2019, Jayman has installed more than 3.38 megawatts of solar power on 1,656 homes and saved more than 2,119 metric tonnes of carbon emissions. If these panels were in a single location,
they would cover nine acres.
“This is the largest residential solar installation in Canada,” said Fay. “We ensure that our materials are recycled, we source local products and install only low-flow fixtures in our homes. Each Jayman Built home saves 3.34 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.”
Jayman is building in 13 greater Edmonton communities.
MULTI WINS
Humbled and honoured, that's how Landmark Homes feels after winning the 2022 Environmental Award.
“Reza Nasseri, Landmark Homes' founder and CEO, is very passionate about the environment, he put in so much effort and invested heavily in sustainability
practices,” said Moheb Habashy, Landmark's marketing manager. “Winning this award means the world to us, and our commitment to the environment is fundamental to our identity and corporate beliefs.”
Landmark, which builds its homes inside a climate-controlled facility in the city, points to the following practices that contribute significantly to saving the environment: building homes off-site to lessen its carbon footprint and waste — it cuts construction vehicles trips significantly, it says — building using computers and robotic arms, and using engineered lumber, which Landmark notes is a huge contributor to saving trees.
Meanwhile, Landmark equips its homes with a Hi Velocity System (instead of a traditional furnace),
which it said consumes less energy than a traditional furnace and provides healthier, cleaner air.
“We are also a Built Green certified home builder meaning we use products and materials that adhere to building standards designed to create environmentally friendly homes,” said Habashy, adding that the award recognition is a driver and motivation for Landmark.
Landmark Homes won the award in 2020 as the Large Volume Builder and in 2021 and 2022 as the Multi-family Builder.
Landmark is building in Aster, Chappelle Gardens, Creekwood Chappelle, Desrochers Villages, Glenridding Ravine, Larch Park, One at Keswick, Rosewood at Secord, Rivers Edge, Saxony Glen and Walker Summit.