Vancouver’s tallest residential tower launches

Brivia Group has officially launched the Curv, a 60-storey tall residential tower in Vancouver. It is being touted as the tallest residential tower in downtown and the world’s tallest passive house building, establishing a new benchmark for design and environmental performance as Vancouver marks a significant milestone in the pathway to net zero.

The tower is expected to break ground in 2024. According to Brivia, it will be the most energy-efficient structure of its kind, developed with 50 per cent less carbon pollution for rezoned developments, and up to 90 per cent less carbon pollution compared to towers built in 2014.

“Brivia Group is committed to innovation and setting a new standard for both luxury and sustainable real estate development in Canada,” said Kheng Ly, president and CEO, Brivia Group. “CURV is one of our most ambitious projects to date and when we embarked on this incredible journey, we knew we had to do it right with a team of leading professionals in a fitting and visionary city. CURV is a symbol for what is possible for future developments around the world, showcasing how buildings will help cities achieve their green goals through elevated sustainability, comfort and design. Along with our partner on CURV, Henson Group, we’re proud to be contributing to the advancement of the industry.”

The award-winning team behind the project includes world-renowned British architect, Tom Wright, best known for his design of the iconic Burj al Arab in Dubai, and celebrated architectural designer Andres Escobar in collaboration with design studio Lemay_id.

“CURV will be a trailblazer, setting a global standard for what’s achievable with Passive House. I am truly excited to see the positive impact this high performance, decarbonized building design will have on its occupants, the City of Vancouver – and indeed, the building industry everywhere. I look forward to a time when every high-rise that comes after CURV strives to emulate its success,” said Chris Ballard, CEO of Passive House Canada.

B.C. building code increases energy efficiency

New construction in B.C. will now be cleaner and more energy efficient with the BC Building Code changes coming into effect May 1, 2023.

Most new buildings will need to be 20 per cent more energy efficient than base 2018 BC Building Code, which is in line with B.C.’s commitment to zero-carbon new construction by 2030.

“New energy-efficiency regulations are a key measure to help British Columbia meet our CleanBC 2030 goals,” said George Heyman, minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “We are building a future with better, healthier communities for families, while taking action on climate change. Our government is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in B.C., now and in the future, has access to a healthy environment.”

The higher energy-efficiency requirements are a progression of the BC Energy Step Code, introduced in 2017, which local governments can use to encourage or require energy efficiency that goes beyond the requirements of the BC Building Code.

The BC Energy Step Code enhances energy efficiency in new construction, while the Zero Carbon Step Code focuses on emissions reductions from new construction.

The Zero Carbon Step Code provides tools for local governments to encourage or require lower emissions in new buildings. Together, the changes meet commitments in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 to gradually lower emissions from buildings until all new buildings are zero carbon by 2030 and are net-zero energy ready by 2032.

“Working together with industry, B.C. can meet our housing needs and our climate goals,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “These measures are essential changes to the BC Building Code that will help us meet our CleanBC commitments to make new buildings cleaner and more energy efficient.”

The province is now co-ordinating templates and best practices to facilitate these building code changes for local governments and the construction industry.

One-time affordability cheques coming to vulnerable Manitobans

Announced May 9th, the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit (CMHB) is providing $154.6 million in housing benefits to support over 17,000 vulnerable Manitobans. This cost-shared program was co-developed by the federal and provincial governments through the Canada Housing Benefit initiative.

“Through the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit, our government is providing financial support to low-income Manitobans who are in need of a safe, affordable place to call home,” said federal Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Minister, Ahmed Hussen. “The changes announced today will improve the program and provide more substantial supports to those who have accessed these benefits. This is another example of the National Housing Strategy at work to provide results for Canadians.”

The CMHB provides financial assistance to eligible renters who need help paying for housing costs, including youth transitioning out of the care of Child and Family Services, people who are at risk of homelessness or who are homeless and people living with mental health and addiction issues in designated supportive housing buildings.

“Access to stable housing improves the lives and health of Manitobans and the whole-of-government Manitoba homelessness strategy recognizes the importance of retaining housing for those at risk,” said Manitoba Families Minister, Rochelle Squires. “Through the CMHB, we will continue to support the housing needs of vulnerable Manitobans, including those at risk of and experiencing homelessness, and provide affordability support that meets the needs of low-income renters.”

The ministers noted that the Manitoba government will provide a one-time payment of $350 to all recipients of non-EIA Rent Assist in July 2023 through CMHB funding, and is making a number of other important changes to the program to enhance the benefit for those who need it, including:

increasing the benefit amount to a maximum of $350 per month for all recipients of the CMHB from $250 per month, retroactive to April 1, 2023;
providing an additional $72 on top of the maximum benefit for anyone paying a cold rent (rent that does not include utilities), retroactive to April 1, 2023;
removing the two-year time limit of the benefit for youth transitioning out of care and people living with mental health and addiction issues once they transition from designated supportive housing buildings into the private market (there is no time limit on the benefit for those at risk of homelessness or who are homeless); and
raising the age of CMHB eligibility for youth transitioning out of care to 26.

Updates to the program are expected to be implemented by July 1, 2023. For more information, visit gov.mb.ca/housing/progs.

Gateway to Scarborough Village

The aging plaza at 3730 Kingston Road in south Scarborough, Ontario, is poised to become a vibrant, mixed-use community hub, pending approval from Toronto City Council. Located near the Guildwood and Eglinton GO stations at the edge of Scarborough Village, the neighbourhood is characterized by its mix of high-rise apartment buildings, strip malls, townhouses—and to the south, upscale family homes overlooking Lake Ontario.

“It’s a busy intersection that many people pass by on a daily basis and home to some well-loved local businesses that serve the needs of the community,” said Mark Chemij, Director, Development at TAS. “Over time, the two-storey plaza and neighbouring church property have become rundown and underutilized.”

But all that is about to change if the visionaries at TAS and SvN Architects have their way. The proposal for the site includes a 20-storey tower with community-serving commercial uses on the ground floor; generous amenity spaces for residents including an expansive outdoor courtyard; landscaping improvements and beautification along Kingston Road; and ample purpose-built rental supply, with 10 per cent pegged for affordable.

“Given the location has historically been car-oriented, there are limited amenities for pedestrians around this site,” Chemij said. “The existing building is set back from the street with surface parking along the frontage and there is no sidewalk along the Scarborough Golf Club Road. The proposed development will provide a new sidewalk connecting the sidewalk to the north of our property to Kingston Road and include adjacent retail space accessible by pedestrians walking by.”

Future ground-floor residents will be delighted to know that all units facing both Scarborough Golf Club Road and Kingston Road will include terraces, allowing them to look out over the attractive landscape elements promised for both street frontages. According to Chemij, the exterior design includes planters and seating at the south-east corner of the site near the retail, a space intended as a gathering place for tenants and pedestrians alike.

For those relying on public transit, the building’s proximity to the Guildwood and Eglinton GO stations is a feature that can’t be beat, as is the proposed Eglinton East LRT stop located directly next to the site. Targeting a wide demographic, including young professionals and families with small children, a plethora of conveniences will be on hand, making a car-free existence a viable option for tenants ready to ditch the vehicle.

Meanwhile, for those seeking a higher aesthetic and a vibrant, connected community to call home, Chemij says to look no further.

“Having a central amenity courtyard is a feature of purpose-built rental apartments you don’t see often in Toronto,” he said. “We envision this space to be an extension of residents’ indoor living spaces and want it to look and feel like an outdoor living room that can change and adapt to their needs and the seasons. The architecture also has a unique juxtaposition of materials and colours to differentiate between the inner and outer elements of the building. The courtyard creates a void in the massing and is flanked by lighter facades to brighten the space, while the remaining facades are treated with darker masonry to create this contrast.”

If all goes according to plan, construction on the development will begin in late 2025. In April, TAS filed a ZBA re-submission and first SPA submission for the project after purchasing the site from the previous owner in 2022. At that time, a denser 14-storey building with 435 market rental units, 383 parking spaces, and 2,784 square feet of commercial space had been planned for the site—features TAS has chosen to scale back for the sake of efficiency and affordability.

“As we looked at the project through the lens of our impact framework, we saw an opportunity to create a more environmentally efficient building that would better serve the community’s needs, while also providing returns for our investors,” Chemij said. “This project will serve the community by creating a more vibrant public realm, more attractive, modern retail spaces, and new housing options for individuals and families, including those seeking affordable rental homes.”

The plans are currently being reviewed by Toronto City Council. We will update on the status of this project as more news becomes available.

Low-carbon heating facility to turbocharge Toronto’s decarbonization

Enwave broke ground today on a new low-carbon heat pump facility at their Pearl Street Energy Centre. The project is expected supply enough green heat to reduce emissions in Toronto by about 11,600 tCO2e, which is equal to converting more than 10 million square feet of office space to net zero.

The three-storey facility, on track for completion by 2024, will be a boon for buildings targeting the highest level of Toronto Green Standards as well as Zero Carbon Building certifications from the Canadian Green Building Council.

“Buildings in Toronto generate more than half of our city’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Toronto Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie said in a statement. “New technologies, like Enwave’s expanded heat delivery system, will play a critical role in the reduction of our cumulative carbon footprint. The City of Toronto is proud to partner with Enwave to help fulfill our TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and reach net zero by 2040.”

At street level, bold graphics and educational displays will articulate Enwave’s vision for efficient, affordable low-carbon energy delivery, and their commitment to net zero. Select glazed areas of the building will display the latest equipment at work.

The existing 60-year-old building at 120 Pearl Street will undergo updates, with a complete recladding of the façade using modern materials such as black metal, aluminum, and windows with a frittered glass pattern.

The new facility is made possible by the installation of new assets that recycle district waste heat to produce hot water via electrification using dual-use heat pumps, electric feeds, and generators. This technology is optimized due to the scale and magnitude of buildings connected to Enwave’s heating and cooling district.

“The addition of a low carbon heating facility to our Pearl Street Energy Centre is a significant milestone for us and Toronto’s district energy grid, because it allows us to provide decarbonization at scale,” said Carlyle Coutinho, CEO of Enwave Energy Corporation. “As leaders in the energy transition, we are always looking at innovative ways to expand our positive impact and serve even more of Ontario’s residents, institutions, and businesses.”

The Pearl Street Energy Centre expansion and renewal project is funded through Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund, Champions Stream and a $600-million loan commitment from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to accelerate the scale and build-out of Enwave’s low carbon systems in Toronto and Mississauga.

“As world leaders focus on global climate action, our innovative investment is a tremendous opportunity to make urban communities greener and more sustainable,” said Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank. “The district energy projects will benefit those who live and work in Toronto for generations to come.”

Feature photo: The groundbreaking of Enwave’s Pearl Street low-carbon heating facility in downtown Toronto. From left to right: Sashen Guneratna (Managing Director, Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank), Carlyle Coutinho (CEO, Enwave Energy Corporation), and Todd Smith (Minister of Energy, Government of Ontario).

Lax fire safety oversight flagged in NS audit

Nova Scotia’s Auditor General has issued a scathing critique of lax fire safety oversight in the province. In a newly released report, Auditor General Kim Adair raises a long list of concerns related to the Office of the Fire Marshal, including: overdue or overlooked inspections; incomplete evidence for required investigations; inattention to building plan reviews; lack of monitoring of municipal fire inspectors; absence of quality assurance standards and procedures; shoddy record-keeping; and conflict of interest with the Fire Inspectors Association of Nova Scotia.

“Management is failing to adequately protect the public from fire safety risks,” Adair concludes. “The Office of the Fire Marshal is not completing core management functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling. The Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing is failing to complete its statutory obligation to oversee and monitor compliance to the Fire Safety Act.”

Her findings are gleaned from an audit of filed documentation for fire safety building inspections, fire investigations and building plan reviews for the two-year period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Adair’s review comes 12 years after a previous Auditor General deemed Nova Scotia’s Office of the Fire Marshal was unsatisfactorily carrying out its mandate.

In the latest review, the auditors particularly focused on schools, hospitals, nursing homes and public housing, which are identified as buildings that accommodate “vulnerable” occupancies. Sampling of the Fire Marshal’s documentation revealed both outdated lists of properties in the queue for inspection, meaning that some facilities were overlooked, and delays in required inspections ranging from five to 445 days.

Among recommendations, Adair calls for a process for regularly updating and ensuring the accuracy of the list of properties in the Fire Marshal’s information system. She also recommends a policy for plan reviews and inspection of new buildings and major renovations, which will clearly establish the required steps, sign-offs and sequence of actions.

In Nova Scotia, developers/owners are required to submit building plans to the Fire Marshall for review when they are constructing: assembly buildings more than three storeys in height and larger than 6,450 square feet (600 square metres) or designed for an occupancy of more than 40 people; care and detention facilities; long-term care homes and other residential buildings licensed or regulated under the provincial Homes for Special Care Act; and industrial buildings accommodating hazardous activities.

Auditors found that reviewers are not consistently following up with submitters when their plans are missing information. Nor are fire safety officials routinely confirming that builders have remedied any non-compliances identified during the plan review.

Additionally, required inspections of such buildings may not be completed during construction or prior to occupancy. “There is no enforcement mechanism that requires owners to notify the Office of the Fire Marshal when construction inspections are ready to take place,” the Auditor General’s report states.

Both the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing received the Auditor General’s report prior to its public release and have pledged to get to work on some new policies and procedures this month. Other recommendations are to be fulfilled over the course of 2023-24, with those reliant on implementation of a new software system not expected to be in place until the 2026-27 fiscal year.

“We recognize we can improve on some of our administrative processes, and I assure you that work is underway. It’s our commitment to the Auditor General and all Nova Scotians,” affirms John Lohr, the provincial Minister responsible for the Office of the Fire Marshal. “Nova Scotians can be assured staff in the Office of the Fire Marshal are professionals who are focused and dedicated to protecting people from fires and ensuring buildings are safe.”

Canadians named Architizer A+ Awards finalists

Architizer has announced the 2023 shortlist for the 11th annual A+Awards, the world’s largest and most democratic architectural awards program, honouring the best architecture and spaces from around the globe.

From boundary-pushing timber constructions to environmentally sensitive housing and hospitality projects to innovative building adaptations and renovations, the 2023 finalists reflect the imaginative work of architects to solve pressing global challenges through design. The shortlisted projects employ new approaches and technologies to meet the unique needs of their users and stakeholders, while showcasing unprecedented variety in program, materials, and formal design.

Several Canadian firms made the shortlist including Leckie Studio Architecture + Design. The Vancouver based firm is shortlisted in three categories: Best Medium Firm, Best Young Firm and for a multi-family residence at SFU in the Residential Un-built Multi-Unit category.

Another Vancouver firm Measured Architecture was named a finalist for their Shor House project on Mayne Island in the Best Sustainable Private House.

Double finalists include Diamond Schmitt for Best Cultural Firm and for the firm’s reimagination of David Geffen Hall in the Cultural Hall/Theatre category. Lemay was named for the Intact Assurance Ice Center and SOPREMA Woodstock in the Sports and Recreation – Stadiums and Arenas and Factories and Warehouses categories respectively.

The 2023 program spotlights architects and designers working at the forefront of sustainable design. More than 5,000 entries were received from 96 countries with the jury selecting finalists in the program’s 120 categories. The 592 projects that made the cut achieved high marks across the judging criteria, which include points for form, function, and social and environmental impact.

Architizer will announce the 2023 A+Awards Winners in late May, followed by a live celebration of the Winners at the Paris+ art fair in October.

The evolution of technology in commercial cleaning

We have all seen the headlines about how technology will change the cleaning industry. Customers have likely seen them too, and perhaps it is prompting some discussion about the quality or cost-effectiveness of the services provided. We all know there is more to facility cleaning than whether a robot can do the work instead, so how do we get comfortable with those conversations?

As we move forward with technology, it always requires a level of human interaction. Being able to learn helpful new technology and presenting those solutions to customers keeps the brand customer-focused while technology evolves to everyone’s benefit.

One of the ways that technology is helping right now is with labour. Facility cleaning is a labour-intensive industry, and most, if not all, businesses have been impacted by those challenges. Robotic cleaning systems can help us deploy short-staffed labour to areas that desperately need it. If an auto-scrubber can replace a worker in one area, that labour can be recapitalized in another place, driving greater value to the customer, the company, and to employees. When the brand delivers more value to customers, everyone wins.

Making a shift

Pre-pandemic, the cleaning world wasn’t a topic of discussion. Typically, the work happens at night when people have gone home, and nobody really sees our industry at work. The pandemic shifted that focus, creating a sudden greater awareness of the value of having a clean and healthy work environment.

In many ways, when the spotlight shone on cleaning services, it brought credence to what many cleaning companies have always maintained, that clean and healthy environments make for better workplaces. In healthcare facility cleaning, being under the microscope was the norm, but in office buildings, conversations about removing viruses and germs from surfaces and ensuring the air quality began. There were more discussions on how cleaning impacts the workplace and how the brand helps a customer be more productive if fewer people were off sick. It wasn’t just about a clean office; it was about contributing to a healthy workplace.

The other side of increased awareness is that it served as a springboard for technological developments to replace the work of people with the work of robots. Should a company invest in robotic cleaning for a better result? Should facility cleaning service providers start replacing people with robotic cleaning systems? While those questions are being asked, they simply aren’t the right questions. What companies and service providers should be asking is, “How can robotic cleaning augment existing services?”

Again, it’s an opportunity to bring solutions to customers and deliver more value.

The cost of technology

Technology can mean progress, but it is also expensive. Before we onboard a robot that shoots UV light to disinfect surfaces at a cost of $100, 000 and require cleaners to use that technology, we need a business plan that ensures we can still be competitive in contract bidding. Is that technological option valuable enough that customers will pay for its use? Or is there another way to obtain the same result in a more competitive way?

The other thing that plays into our decision-making process is that technology evolves. What was cutting edge this year will not be cutting edge next year. Cleaning companies need to prioritize the customer experience; if the innovative system we are trialing doesn’t make that experience better, it doesn’t make the cut.

As an example, our company once trialed a new, machine-based cleaning system for industrial spaces that captured and removed debris while also removing contaminants and bacteria on surfaces. It was a good machine that performed well – our challenge was how well it would work with our business model.

We went through the process with a few franchisees who deployed it with their cleaning contracts. The result was very positive in that it performed well and helped augment their labour. The innovative system performed at the quality level we required, and franchisees were able to use the human labour normally required for that role in another area, allowing them to do a better job in a more cost-effective way for the customer. We eventually onboarded that system.

The human element

The key to remember about technology in the facility cleaning industry is that it is directed by humans. It does what you tell it to do. The technology doesn’t know there is an accident in aisle three; it just knows to go there because it has been told to follow a certain path. You still need people, and that’s good news for cleaning service owners and employees, and attracting people into the industry. It’s an opportunity to direct the technology, not be replaced by it.

Innovation is driven by human creativity and human ingenuity. We are the owners and inventors of new advancements. The goal of creating these systems is to take a certain way of doing things and make it more effective, either by providing a better result or by performing the same service for a lower cost.

There is a high standard to meet for the people creating new ideas in our industry, and we should be helping them create better options. Technology can do good things for us, but it cannot do it without our leadership.

Joshua Ussiri, president of ServiceMaster Clean, has over 10 years of experience, playing an instrumental role in developing ServiceMaster Clean’s strategy, leading a network of 400+ franchises, and spearheading transformational changes to accelerate sales growth and deliver operational excellence.

A condo resident’s role in the fire safety plan

For a high-rise fire safety plan to be effective in 2023, residents must be aware of their unique roles and responsibilities when it comes to preventing, preparing and responding to fire emergencies.

Complaints and inquiries during and after a fire alarm often occur without a basic understanding of life safety systems and the work of on-site security and concierge staff during an emergency—which doesn’t involve answering phones.

Typical oversights among residents can include assuming an alarm is false, waiting to evacuate once the fire department pulls its hoses off the truck, or calling the concierge when the alarm goes off to inquire about procedures.

For all high-rise buildings in Ontario, fire safety plans are required by Section 2.8 of the Ontario Fire Code. The Code states, “a fire safety plan shall be prepared, approved, and implemented in buildings and premises.” This implementation is a vital component as it demands distribution of the roles and responsibilities to everyone in the building—including residents.

A fire safety plan located at the front door in a little white box is valuable, but if no one is aware of their vital role in that plan and what they need to do in the case of an emergency, then the plan has already failed.

Residents should have a basic understanding of the following to make informed decisions and protect others:

The varied life safety features and systems in a building.
How these features impact resident safety. Not all buildings are the same. There are limitations of having only one smoke alarm in a suite. Additional smoke alarms should be considered for better protection.
The vital role of building operations and security personnel when a fire alarm goes off. Residents can often flood the security desk, not knowing what to do.
The decision to leave a suite during a fire alarm is that of the resident, after reviewing evacuation procedures found within the building’s approved fire safety plan. This includes discussing human behaviour during fires, challenges of the fire department response in high-rise buildings, and emergency preparedness for persons requiring assistance during evacuations. This allows residents to make informed decisions before the fire alarm sounds. The only way to achieve this is to engage and communicate the roles and responsibilities in advance of an emergency.
Understand and feel comfortable with their options in the event that they cannot leave due to smoke or fire. For example, to properly “defend in place”, a resident must ensure that they have the materials needed to assist them, such as duck tape, towels, and water, and how these items are deployed.

At all high-rise residential buildings, emergency procedures are posted prominently on every floor, typically located at every fire exit in the building.

Property managers communicate the applicable pages of the plan to occupants after the fire safety plan has been approved, as part of their implementation requirements, and again every 12 months to provide regular reminders to residents.

The above serves to meet the requirements of the Fire Code – if emailed, the plan may not be read or shared with others within a suite.

Educating residents

After their initial training, building staff are required to conduct quarterly fire drills to test their action and must maintain proof of this training and ongoing testing. On the other hand, there is no training requirement for residents who, nonetheless, should be able to confidently react during an emergency.

To remedy this, hosting an annual resident education session at a building, typically held in the building’s party room during the evening, brings an opportunity to review procedures and ask questions.

This can expand upon current trends derived from post-fire investigations, lessons learned and fire prevention over the past year. Learning from the actions or inactions of occupants and staff at other high-rise fires can strengthen emergency preparedness planning.

These sessions should be site specific and delivered by those who are intimately familiar with the building’s fire safety plan. Many property managers hold annual education nights, through wine and cheese events, and even virtual sessions have been completed to capture everyone in the building.

Additionally, this session involves reviewing how persons requiring assistance (PRA) during a building evacuation are to respond, and how to effectively prepare in advance of fire alarms. PRAs may be described as anyone who has reduced mobility, a speech, hearing or visual impairment, or a cognitive limitation, regardless of whether it is temporary or permanent.

In Ontario, the building owner is required to work with residents to develop a list of PRAs and ensure that these residents are aware of their roles, responsibilities, and procedures, as outlined within the approved fire safety plan.

In the event of an evacuation, the PRA list, along with a copy of the fire safety plan, is to be made available to municipal emergency services upon their arrival. Residents requiring special assistance need to have their questions answered in advance of an emergency and the in-person educational sessions are an excellent format to do so.

When should these educational sessions be held?

The ideal time is in October or November—just before the colder months when a high percentage of fire fatalities occur. A common challenge for property managers is encouraging residents to participate in fire safety initiatives, either in-person or virtually.

Unfortunately, many residents are under the impression that fire safety is the responsibility of the management team only. They’re either not aware of the important role that they play, or the management has not suitably engaged them in this effort.

Developing a fire safety plan and program, educating everyone, and continually reviewing the program are essential components to keep a high-rise building as fire-safe as possible.

Jason Reid is the senior adviser for Fire & Emergency Management with National Life Safety Group in Toronto. He has worked with international embassies, government, public and private sector critical infrastructure facilities; commercial/residential high-rise buildings; world class shopping centres and mass assembly facilities. He can be reached at: [email protected] Main: 647-794-5505 Toll Free: 1-877-751-0508 www.nationallifesafetygroup.ca.

Luxury 43-storey condo set for Corktown

EMBLEM Developments will launch a new 43-storey luxury residential community in Corktown at 250 King Street East in Toronto.

ALLURE, as its called, will rise with 509 premium units and a retail podium that is curated for residents. A mix of 9,950 square feet of indoor and 8,223 square feet of outdoor hotel-inspired amenities is being planned. Arcadis IBI Group is designing the condo, with sleek neutral interiors by Burdifilek—a firm known for working with the W Hotel and Holt Renfrew.

Designer Janice Rosenberg and Rolls Royce will also collaborate on the project. Developers are rolling out an exclusive Rolls-Royce Chauffeur service for residents.

The community will also connect over an innovative smart building automation technology, combined with a 24-hour concierge service. A cycle studio, health and wellness spa, private screening room, co-working lounges and children’s play areas are just a few other features.

“These kind of buildings are rare and feel special from the time they are conceived all the way to the premium they fetch compared to others when sold in the resale market,” said Kash Pashootan, EMBLEM Development’s founder and CEO.

‘Windows’ of opportunity for home retrofits

Residential and commercial buildings reportedly account for 17 per cent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions. In low-rise homes, including condos, up to 35 per cent of heated air can be lost through the windows during the heating season, contributing to higher costs for owners and unsustainable energy consumption.

Some windows are better at keeping heat within a home, especially as their technology significantly improves. According to a report from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), broadly deploying the best innovations would reduce total home energy use by 9 per cent and GHG emissions by more than 5 megatonnes.

For instance, windows with the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2023 designation (ER of ≥40 with U-Factor of ≤ 1.05 (0.18) are now considered to be the best rated windows. They are made from cellular PVC, such as RevoCell windows, which have the highest energy rating for residential windows in Canada.

Why does this matter?

The Canadian government launched an ambitious plan called the Canada Greener Homes Grant in May of 2021 for primary homeowners in the amount of a $5,000 grant to retrofit existing homes.

By replacing, for example, old windows with more energy efficient windows, homeowners are able to save money on heating costs while lowering GHG emissions, which will help permit Canada to reach its climate objectives as laid out in the Paris Agreement in 2015.

Since Canada’s emissions trajectory for GHG emissions is projected to be 742Mt in 2030 and Canada’s target is 523 Mt6, the federal government decided to expedite things and has expanded the eligibility of the grant for different types of homes for Ontarians exclusively. In January of 2023, NRCan formed a joint venture with Enbridge Gas and is now offering grants of up to $10,000 in Ontario called the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program.

Eligible types of dwellings under the HER+ program

· Single and semi-detached homes

· Row housing

· Townhomes

· Low-rise multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) which are three storeys or less with a footprint not exceeding 600 m2.

Homes that do not qualify for the program

· Homes that are not the owners’ primary residence and do not have an active Enbridge Gas account

· MURBs with more than three storeys or larger than 600m2

· Cooperatives

· Homes built less than six months ago

· Mixed use buildings that are less than 50 per cent residential.

To be eligible for the HER+ $10,000 grant for energy retrofits, the home must be located in Ontario and heated with natural gas provided by Enbridge Gas. This is also applicable to rental properties; hence property managers should take note of this new program.

For example, an owner who has five townhouses in Ontario, all heated with natural gas provided by Enbridge Gas, can be eligible for the $10,000 grant for each townhouse. Each townhouse requires an individual gas meter to be eligible.

Where to start?

Contact a registered energy advisor to schedule a pre-retrofit energy assessment to see if the home/townhouse/MURBs is eligible for the HER+ grant ($10,000) or the Greener Homes grant ($5,000 for primary home owners that do not heat their homes with Enbridge Gas). Most reputable window and door companies that have energy efficient windows work hand in hand with credible energy advisors, whom they can recommend to the owner or property manager. The energy advisor will submit all the paperwork on their behalf. Once the work is completed, a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation is required. The rebate cheque can take approximately 16 weeks after the registered Energy advisor has summited the post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation to HER+ portal.

The HER+ grants offer up to $325 per window opening if the old window is replaced with an ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2023 certified (ER of ≥40 with U-Factor of ≤ 1.05 (0.18)) window registered on the NRCan website. The window needs to be made in Canada to be eligible for the grant and be ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2023 certified to get the maximum amount of money.

Once the condo board is informed of grant opportunities, a property manager can help guide cost savings, while reducing GHG emissions in your building.

Thomas Noël is the director of the condominium division for Nordik Windows and Doors, the largest window and door replacement company in Ontario for the residential sector, including townhouses and condominium complexes four storeys or less. Thomas Noël sits on the Expert Advisory Council for Windows for the Ministry of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and advised on the launch of the $2.6 billion Canada Greener Homes Grant.

Toronto buildings to demonstrate decarbonization

Private multifamily buildings make up the largest share of projects set to demonstrate decarbonization technologies and procedures through Toronto’s deep retrofit challenge. The newly announced slate of participants in pursuit of at least a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy-use intensity includes six multifamily buildings of varying heights and vintages and two heritage office buildings.

The deep retrofit challenge is underwritten with $5 million from Natural Resources Canada’s acceleration fund for energy-efficient buildings and aligns with Toronto’s goals for citywide net-zero emissions by 2040. Project proponents are eligible for grants of $18.58 per square foot ($200 per square metre) or 25 per cent of capital costs, whichever is the lower value, to a maximum of $500,000.

In turn, they are expected to conduct a comprehensive whole-building analysis to determine the best mix of retrofit measures to achieve the targeted reductions with a payback of no more than 20 years. They must also: have a separate plan to minimize embodied carbon related to the retrofit; complete the work by January 31, 2025; and report the process in a format that can serve as guidance for deep retrofits in similar types of buildings in Toronto and throughout Canada.

“Through the deep retrofit challenge, we are accelerating emissions reductions and creating pathways for other buildings to follow,” says Toronto’s Deputy Mayor, Jennifer McKelvie. “Reducing emissions from buildings across Toronto is a critical piece of the City’s TransformTO net zero strategy and something we must do quickly to address the climate crisis.”

The eight projects were chosen from 14 applications submitted last fall, and all have stated savings objectives that surpass the program’s minimum thresholds. The buildings range from 9,300 to 210,000 square feet and were built from 20 to 141 years ago.

The University of Toronto brings the oldest candidate — a circa 1882 two-storey office building at 88 College Street — and Toronto Community Housing is seeking emissions and energy-use reductions at a low-rise 175-unit subsidized housing complex in Willowdale. All other participants are private sector landlords.

Among them is Dream Unlimited, which is also pursuing deep retrofits in 19 buildings through a separate project with funding from Canada Infrastructure Bank’s building retrofits initiative. Dream’s smaller complement of three buildings in Toronto’s deep retrofit challenge includes: a 95-year-old, 13-storey art deco office tower at 350 Bay Street; and 100+-year-old low-rise and 60-year-old midrise multifamily buildings in the Annex neighbourhood.

At the youthful end of the scale, Minto’s 18-storey, 181-unit multifamily tower at 61 Yorkville Avenue was built in 2003. It’s the largest of the deep retrofit candidates, at 210,000 square feet, and is in pursuit of an 82 per cent reduction in GHG emissions along with a 51 per cent moderation of energy-use intensity.

All project proponents have agreed to disclose a minimum of five years of post-retrofit utility data and other design and project cost details that the City of Toronto may want to communicate to the public. As well, rental housing operators must subtract the incentive funding they receive from any capital costs they submit in seeking above-guideline rent increases.

Commercial hygiene technology is a breath of fresh air

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses made changes in their commercial hygiene routines in response to public health guidelines. As a result, many businesses – especially in customer-facing industries like retail and hospitality – continue to invest in their environment to make their shared spaces safer and more hygienic.

Creating a cleaner air environment indoors

Today, Canadians have a greater awareness and understanding of the importance of indoor air quality. With Canadians spending up to 90 per cent of their time indoors according to Environment and Climate Change Canada ^[1], it’s increasingly important to address microscopic particles like dust, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and microbes like bacteria and viruses, that pollute the air we breathe.

While most commercial spaces have central ventilation systems, it may be unclear to both customers and owners how effective filtration and ventilation are, especially when they’re unseen. Coupled with increased awareness of indoor pollutants, visible purification technology can help people feel safe and confident in indoor environments. In a recently conducted air quality survey, 82 per cent of Canadians said they believe air purification is important in indoor working environments, citing reasons including reducing airborne microbes to limit contracting or transmitting illness, improving long-term health by reducing harmful airborne particles, and for an overall fresher feeling environment. ^[2]

Using tools like portable air purifiers provide an easy way to improve air quality in any commercial space. However, choosing the right machine for your business can be a challenge. Consider these key features when investing in an air purifier:

The size of your space and the volume of air you need to filter. Air Multiplier technology also projects the purified air to the full room, expanding the purification benefits to larger spaces.
Current air quality issues in your space. Old buildings may be dusty, commercial products may off-gas volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde, allergens are a year-round problem, and viruses can spread through the air. Dyson purifiers are scientifically tested to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, allergens, and viruses like H1N1 influenza.^[3] Many purifiers are also equipped with a catalytic filter that traps and destroys formaldehyde continuously, breaking it down into carbon dioxide and water.
Consumers increasingly demand standards like HEPA. These advanced filter systems capture 99 per cent of particles including allergens, pollutants, bacteria, pollen, mould spores, and gases.

Improving the washroom experience

While air quality might be effectively invisible, hygiene in shared washrooms is anything but. A 2021 global survey found that empty paper towel dispensers were among the top five frustrations for Canadians surveyed about using public washrooms, followed by a lack of toilet paper, unclean toilets, no soap, and blocked toilets.^[4]

But while customers find a lack of paper towels frustrating, 24 per cent of Canadians surveyed were unsure about the cleanliness of air from hand dryers.^[5] Choosing the best option for a shared public washroom can be a challenge, but armed with the right information, businesses can make informed decisions that improve the washroom experience for all customers.

Some of the key factors to consider include:

Your budget. While hand dryers can be more expensive upfront, their long-term benefits can far outweigh these costs, some costing up to 99 per cent less to run than offering paper towels.
Not only do hand dryers not contribute to paper waste or the perception of a dirty washroom, but advanced filtration can also make them a more hygienic choice if equipped with HEPA filtration.
Washrooms are high-touch areas and can benefit from touch-free technology. Allowing customers to dry their hands quickly while limiting touchpoints can ensure a cleaner space for all. Some faucet hand dryers are completely touch-free, providing a washing and drying solution that switches automatically between water and air and dries hands in just 14 seconds.

RELATED: Using tech to improve washroom hygiene

The bottom line

As the specialized hygiene standards from early in the COVID-19 pandemic become normalized, consumers will continue to expect investments in technology from the businesses they frequent. Understanding your business’ needs and priorities when making hygiene investments can be a differentiator from your competitors, providing consumers with a safe and elevated experience.

Dr. Salomé Gião, lead scientist at Dyson, leads the claims for environment control, wearables, lighting, and Dyson Airblade. Alongside leading research studies to support these categories, Salomé has also recently co-authored two scientific papers.

_{[1] Global survey conducted in July 2021 across 20 countries worldwide (UK, DE, ES, FR, IT, NL, US, CA, MX, CN, JP, MY, SG, AU, TW, HK, IN, TR, AE, BE) with 15,100 respondents in total (500 in Canada), aged 18 years-old or above. Individual percentages vary per country.}

_{[2] Global survey conducted in July 2021 across 20 countries worldwide (UK, DE, ES, FR, IT, NL, US, CA, MX, CN, JP, MY, SG, AU, TW, HK, IN, TR, AE, BE) with 15,100 respondents in total (500 in Canada), aged 18 years-old or above. Individual percentages vary per country.}

_{[3] https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/campaigns/canadian-environment-week/clean-air-day/indoor-quality.html accessed 15 Feb 2023}

_{[4] Dyson’s 2021 Washroom and Air Quality Survey}

_{[5] Dyson purifiers were challenged with airborne influenza A (H1N1) virus and MS2 bacteriophage at an independent lab, using a 30 m3 chamber. After 60 minutes at maximum fan speed, the airborne concentration in the chamber was reduced up to 99.9 per cent. Real-life efficacy may vary.}

Royal Columbian Hospital tower hits milestone

The new 10-storey acute care tower, part of the Royal Columbian Hospital redevelopment project, has topped off. Work will now focus on building the new rooftop helipad and patient-care areas.

The tower will add more beds, introduce new equipment and technology, increase patient privacy and enhance healing with natural light and green spaces.

“Royal Columbian Hospital means a lot to people in New Westminster and the Lower Mainland – it’s where we welcome new generations, receive care when we need it the most, and where we have the hardest moments with our loved ones in the end,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and MLA for New Westminster. “It’s great to see the progress that has been made to create a new acute-care tower that will increase the hospital’s capacity and provide a state-of-the-art working environment.”

The hospital redevelopment is a multi-year project that will take place in three phases. Phase 1 involved the opening of a new 75-bed Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre in 2020. The acute-care tower is estimated to be complete in 2025. EllisDon is the contractor for phase 2 and phase 3 of the project.

Phase 2 includes the new acute-care tower, which will have beds for intensive care, cardiac intensive care, medical, maternity and surgical patients. The new, larger emergency department will have a medical imaging unit that will reduce travel times for procedures. There will also be new operating rooms and radiology suites that will connect with the existing Health Care Centre to create an interventional “super floor.” Phase 2 will also provide more maternity beds and maternity operating rooms. In addition, the tower will also have a two-level underground parkade.

Phase 3 will upgrade areas in the existing Health Care Centre and Columbia Tower.

Royal Columbian Hospital provides specialized services for people throughout the province. It is the only hospital in B.C. with trauma, cardiac care, neurosurgery, high-risk obstetrics, neonatal intensive care and acute mental-health care all at one site.

Bird wins Canada’s tallest modular build contract

Bird Construction has been awarded the tallest ever modular build in Canada. The 14-storey modular project located on East King Edward Avenue in Vancouver is valued at approximately $50 million.

The construction management services contract for BC Housing’s Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative is part of a joint agreement between the City of Vancouver, BC Housing, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to deliver a minimum of 300 permanent supportive homes on five city-owned sites.

The East King Edward Avenue building will consist of 109 studio homes, with the base of the building holding a commercial kitchen, dining room, multi-purpose room, and tenant laundry. The building will be collaboratively operated by Vancouver Native Housing Society and Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society.

The project design was supported by Bird‘s pre-construction design services, with the final design delivered by Stantec and Bird‘s Stack Modular business. The seamless exterior design will include elements that represent Coast Salish and Urban Indigenous Peoples, with the facade highlighted by timber-like panels and blank exterior wall space for culturally themed murals. The building will meet Passive House standards.

As the first modular project of this height in Canada, it will meet Passive House standards and use volumetric modular steel. With off-site design and construction of the units, the modular approach substantially reduces construction time, facilitating faster occupancy than traditional builds and reducing the impact on the local community during construction, while ensuring strict quality control, rigorous safety standards, and significant energy performance in line with Passive House standards.

“We are proud to be selected to provide our forward-leaning accelerated construction method to communities in need of housing. Modular construction is gaining considerable momentum in North America and our Bird Stack team has been actively demonstrating the benefits to build more efficiently and fast-track delivery of important infrastructure to the market,” said Teri McKibbon, president and CEO of Bird. “The strong design partnership, coupled with early engagement and collaboration between the project partners and the community, has ensured this vital housing initiative will move forward.”

Energy efficiency anchors NB climate action

Energy efficiency is central to New Brunswick’s planned $47- to $57-million in climate action spending over the next year. A newly released list of 73 initiatives includes approximately $17 million for energy upgrades in the residential sector to be deployed by NB Power, and another $2.8 million earmarked for projects in government buildings, schools and health care facilities.

Funds will also be directed to climate change adaptation, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, clean fuel strategies, and climate awareness and education. Although New Brunswick has now switched from a provincially administered carbon tax to the federal backstop model, Finance Minister Ernie Steeves confirmed there is still “fiscal flexibility” to fulfill previous program commitments during his 2023 budget address earlier this spring.

“We remain committed to taking action to address climate change and will continue to prioritize the implementation of the province’s recently released Climate Change Action Plan – Our Pathway Towards Decarbonization and Climate Resilience,” he said.

“Our government remains committed to addressing this issue head-on,” concurs Gary Crossman, New Brunswick’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Many of these investments will help us make progress on items in the action plan.”

Nevertheless, there is an expectation that uptake will fall short on some of the initiatives. “Although the estimated cost for these projects is $57 million, the department (Environment and Local Government) expects under-expenditures over the course of the year will permit the projects to be accomplished for the $47 million budgeted,” the government’s release states.

Some of the key energy efficiency allocations for 2023-24 include: $10 million to support an existing retrofit program targeting low- and moderate-income households, which would also extend funding to cover mini-split heat pumps; $2 million to develop and launch an energy efficiency financing program, such as low-interest loans or on-bill financing; $3 million for initiatives in the non-profit and social housing sectors; $2 million for retrofits in government of New Brunswick facilities; and $1.5 million for programming targeted to First Nations communities.

Smaller expenditures include funds to implement Energy Star Portfolio Manager in Francophone school districts and to upgrade metering, find operational savings and support energy management training in government owned and broader public sector facilities. As well, $500,000 has been flagged for a pilot project to explore approaches for energy performance labelling and disclosure.

Two complementary programs have been allocated a total of $8 million for the advancement of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. NB Power has $4 million to expand the public charging network, with an emphasis on augmenting the number of fast-chargers in “key areas where access bottlenecks exist” and installing a mix of level 2 and level 3 chargers in municipal facilities and hospitality zones. The New Brunswick government will put the other $4 million toward incentives for purchasing EVs and home chargers.

There is also $425,000 to further the installation of EV chargers at Horizon Health Network facilities. That includes the Saint John Regional Hospital, the Moncton Hospital, the Miramichi Regional Hospital and the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton.

Pest Prevention Strategies that Work

Building owners in Canada are well aware of the damage pests can cause to the exterior of a structure. In some instances, evasive action must be taken to ensure the damage isn’t too serious. From birds nesting in vents to insects burrowing in wood, being on the lookout for unwanted critters is in the best interest of every property owner, whether its at an office, residence, facility, or heritage home.

“A common issue we see in buildings clad with an Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS) are holes produced by woodpeckers and Northern Flickers,” said Ryan Coles, Principle at RJC Engineers. “While there are EIFS repair strategies available from all the major stucco suppliers, and solutions touted to prevent further openings, going this route means you’re only repairing small sections of the building at a time. A whole building approach would be better, or at the least, that section of wall.”

But holes in the cladding are just one concern when it comes to unwanted guests. Other issues include:

birds nesting in vents, creating potential fire hazards above and beyond the negative impacts they have to mechanical exhaust function;
rodents chewing their way through wires and walls, and taking up residence indoors;
carpenter ants creating passageways through any accessible, moist wood. If you have carpenter ants, you likely have wood rot and bigger issues than ants;
and in some geographic areas, termite colonies wreaking havoc on the wood structural components of a building, rendering it potentially unsafe.

All pest infestations need to be addressed in a timely manner to preserve the integrity of a building. Furthermore, it is critical to ensure the cause of the infestation is addressed. No one wants a repeat incident on their hands, particularly if it has associated health risks and results in the need for costly repairs.

As such, Coles recommends conducting bi-annual walkabouts of the exterior, basement, and attic spaces to monitor for signs of suspicious activity like animal droppings, nesting debris, wood shavings, or small holes. If complaints come in from occupants, it’s important to act decisively.

“React right away for anything that is reported throughout the year,” he said. “Proactively install things like bird spikes and ensure there are no openings in the exterior wall, soffit, roofs, or balconies where critters can get in. It can only take a hole the size of your pinky to let in a mouse.”

For bird nests, however, don’t act too quicky as there are rules pertaining to migratory birds that must be abided by all building owners: “Depending on the type of bird, you may not be allowed to disturb the nest until off season in accordance with the Migratory Birds Act.”

Lastly, the best way to prevent or address a pest infestation is to work with a trusted expert. Having a pest management program in place that includes thorough reviews and addresses the needs and vulnerabilities of your building is the only way to limit your exposure. Building envelope consultants and contractors are typically needed to uncover the cause and provide critical insight.

To find out more about RJC’s services visit www.rjc.ca or contact Ryan Coles directly at: [email protected]

Educating residents

When should these educational sessions be held?

Creating a cleaner air environment indoors

Improving the washroom experience

The bottom line

ASHRAE Building Decarbonization Conference

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