Resources for first meeting 2025.01.10: BeHome DADU resources. NOTE: BeHomes as featured below were intended for modular prefabrication. There is a MUCH more economical variant without all of the steel and lifting points, etc. intended for site assembly, but at least you can see a full set here as a preview of the site-fabricated tech … Continue Reading
Category
Passive House

TEDI and Ventilation, the tail that wags the dog
I will keep this post as short as possible because it is complex, and because it is complex I’ve made a calculator. Without discussing the actual interplay of 8 key variables pertaining to TEDI and ventilation, it would be impossible to separate facts from opinions, and pet theories from hard analysis. In a nutshell however, … Continue Reading

Netting Zero for Less
This paper proposes an open standard (data transparency), that uses a post-occupancy method of
certifying buildings based on actual performance data obtained from physical building attributes and utility
bills. This analysis results in a certification label that compares against provincial and/or federal
benchmarks and federal climate change mitigation targets.

Future Heating
We were initially under the assumption that we had to make an all-or-nothing choice: basically a) go 100% electric to get to zero carbon, or b) replace a gas furnace with a new gas furnace and lock in to a carbon-emitting heating system for the next 20 years – the estimated life of the system. That’s a false choice…

Mid-Century Matters
Mid-Century Modern design has always appealed to me, the low pitch, butterfly roofs, big beams that shoot through floor-to-ceiling glass, consistent ceiling to soffit transitions, natural materials, quirky cantilevers, open concept Kitchen-Living-Dining areas, what’s not to love? For houses that were designed in this style from the 1940’s through to the 1970’s, the ‘Atomic Ranch’ aesthetic has proven itself to be timeless because it’s good.

Architects, Air and SarsCov2
We are approaching nearly a year of life with COVID-19, yet the pandemic appears to be only worsening. By the time this gets published, worldwide deaths will have exceeded 2 million, yet few countries seem to have this under control. The purpose of this post is to appeal to Ontario Architects and Engineers to consider how architectural and engineering interventions can reduce the transmission of this virus

ArchiCad, EcoDesigner and Passive House
The real promise of BIM/BEM (Building Information Modelling/Building Energy Modelling) is to get more, and better information faster directly from the process of creating architecture. This immediate performance feedback can streamline coordination, increase the parity between the design model and reality, and to optimize results.