Raising the bar on sustainable housing
Innovative design and construction practices across the GTA are pushing builders to raise the bar on environmental performance and sustainability of new homes and businesses. Sustainability is a term that is used often and it can mean many things. Broadly, sustainability means meeting our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It’s not always easy to accomplish because it takes a balancing act of economic, social and environmental priorities. But as this region grows and evolves, it is becoming more important to create communities that will endure for future generations.
All builders must meet the strict standards set out in the Ontario Building Code, which was recently amended to include more energyefficiency requirements. Some builders are even going a step further.
Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) member TAS Design-Build has a proven track record in green building and creating sustainable initiatives that engage the community. BILD’s Green Builder of the Year in 2014, TAS took an innovative approach to designing and building DUKE Condos, an eight-storey development now under construction on Dundas St. W. in Toronto’s popular Junction neighbourhood.
Designed by fellow BILD member Quadrangle Architects, every suite will have an innovative system that reduces energy demand and enhances air quality. There will also be planters to harvest herbs and vegetables on all south-facing terraces and a green roof.
All TAS buildings, including the DUKE Condos, will have a 40/60 ratio of window to solid surfaces on the exterior in an effort to increase the building’s energy performance.
On the commercial side, land developers and builders are also introducing innovative ways to construct sustainable buildings. Hullmark Developments restored a 117-year-old brick warehouse with the help of Quadrangle Architects at 60 Atlantic Ave. in the city’s Liberty Village neighbourhood.
Reuse of the building is an important sustainable aspect of the project. The site was excavated, exposing the basement to a new outdoor courtyard and turning the lower level into a bright, open space that now houses a brew pub with outdoor beer garden. The building’s original brick walls and heavy timber beams were restored, high ceilings were reinstated and generous windows were installed with a new heating, cooling and air quality system.
The project recently received three awards from three different organizations including a Toronto Urban Design Award.
In Peel Region, BILD member Orlando Corporation just installed 24 electric vehicle chargers at Heartland Town Centre. It is the single largest installation of electric vehicle charging stations in Canada. Green building and initiatives engage the community for a better lifestyle.
Sustainability means meeting our needs while making sure future generations’ needs will be met, which can be difficult
This forward-thinking installation at one of Mississauga’s biggest outdoor shopping malls is one way to minimize drivers’ environmental footprint while encouraging sustainable travel.
The strides builders and developers are making in sustainable construction benefit new homeowners, tenants and everyone living in the GTA. Bryan Tuckey is president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association and a land-use planner who has worked for municipal, regional and provincial governments. Follow him at twitter.com/bildgta, facebook.com/bildgta and bildblogs.ca.