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By Willems Ransom, mcCallumSather
The Southwest Community Branch was conceived as the first civic building in Kitchener’s emerging Rosenberg neighbourhood, shaping the identity of a community before surrounding development was built. The building is organized on an east–west axis to maximize southern solar exposure for rooftop photovoltaics. Passive design strategies shaped the architecture: a compact single-storey form, high-performance envelope, optimized glazing ratios, solar control, and airtight construction. Active systems of geothermal heating and cooling, variable refrigerant flow (VRF), and dual core high efficiency enthalpy recovery units by Tempeff contribute to the energy efficiency of the building. All gypsum board is supplied by CertainTeed and the building automation system by Reliable Controls. Vegetated roofs by ZinCo, exposed structure, and rooftop photovoltaics make environmental systems legible to visitors. Read the article …
Winner of the Institutional (Large) Award in the 2026 Canadian Green Building Awards, this project by Habit Studio Moriyama Teshima Architects, in joint venture with Acton Ostry Architects, is a 10-storey net-zero carbon assembly occupancy educational building for George Brown Polytechnic’s waterfront campus in a once a neglected industrial zone in Toronto.
Passive design strategies include natural ventilation from solar chimneys, prefabricated panels that ensure airtightness, and the use of timber to sequester carbon. The building also employs photovoltaics on the sloped roof; daylight harvesting that reduces electrical demands for lighting; and efficient heating and cooling systems to reach net-zero. As the structural partner, Walters Group provided both the structural steel package and the timber bridge installation. Vegetated roofs on the flat portions were installed by LiveRoof.
Read the article … See the winning projects and teams, and the original submissions.
The Green & Healthy Building Rating Comparison Matrix (GBM), just launched by EcoSpex, is an online resource that provides an unbiased comparison of 11 leading green building and health-focused rating systems. The tool helps architects, specifiers, building contractors and project teams map credits, requirements, and documentation across multiple frameworks, reducing duplicated effort and simplifying the certification process.
For details, contact dgriffith@sabmagazine.com
Winner of the Residential (Small) Award in the 2026 Canadian Green Building Awards, this project by Taylor Architecture Group was inspired by traditional northern British Columbia pit houses. Developed through Likhsilyu Clan community collaboration, the project provides a culturally safe, home-like setting for gathering, ceremony, learning, and retreat, strengthening connections to land and tradition. As a certified Passive House building, the Healing House construction is characterized by extreme airtightness, a super-insulated envelope, and abundant solar gains. To reduce operational energy use, heating and cooling are supplied by a high-efficiency air-source heat pump, supported by backup electric heaters for peak conditions. ERV systems provide consistent, balanced ventilation while recovering heat and maintaining indoor air quality. CertainTeed supplied GlasRoc and M2Tech Shaftliner Type X for the interior. Most of the flooring consists of Marmoleum resilient flooring Forbo. A high-efficiency air-source heat pump by Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada provides heating and cooling with backup electric heaters.
Read the article … See the winning projects and teams, and the original submissions.
Saint-Gobain Canada has launched its new CertainTeed Recycle program in Quebec, through its subsidiary CertainTeed Canada, to help the construction industry divert gypsum waste from landfills. Following a successful pilot program with the city of Sainte-Catherine, CertainTeed’s plant on the south shore of Montreal obtained provincial approval to start receiving clean gypsum waste to be recycled and reintroduced in the production of its gypsum wallboards.
In partnership with New West Gypsum Recycling, which will run the gypsum recycling line at CertainTeed’s Sainte-Catherine plant in the Greater Montreal Area, the goal is to divert up to 80,000 tonnes of gypsum waste per year. According to RECYC-QUÉBEC, nearly 250,000 tonnes of gypsum waste are sent to landfills every year in Quebec. As part of the launch, CertainTeed is partnering with one of Canada’s leading general contractors, Pomerleau, to divert gypsum waste from their job sites. Contractors interested in participating in the CertainTeed Recycle program can contact CertainTeed Canada’s team. alexandre.lainesse@saint-gobain.com
SABMag’s 2026 Directory of Sustainable Products and Services for Sustainable, High-Performance Building has company listings organized by Product Category and by LEED Category: a quick reference for finding products. Examples of featured listings include:
Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems – Kohltech’s Windows and Doors combine beauty and craftsmanship with performance and energy efficiency. With an extensive array of glass and decorative options, as well as ENERGY STAR and Passive House certified products, Kohltech can meet your project needs.
Evolve Builders Group – CLIMATE CONSCIOUS CONSTRUCTION – 25 industry leading years 35+ knowledgeable staff. Passive House. Strawbale. Rammed Earth. Renovations. Test our reputation for expertise with costing, carbon calcs & construction on your next custom, high-performance, low-carbon home. Guelph KW – Grey County – GTA – Greater Sudbury.
Pretium – Pretium has extensive Energy and Carbon Reduction experience, helping clients to not only meet, but exceed their goals. Our team includes members certified across multiple programs for both new and existing buildings. These team members have firsthand knowledge of what it takes to meet even the most stringent energy and carbon goals effectively and efficiently.
Teritt Indoor Environmental – Trusted provider of indoor air quality testing services for LEED and other green building projects across Canada. We are a specialized testing agency, having performed air quality testing on over 450 new construction projects in the green building sector since 2010.
VETTA Windows & Doors – Aluminum clad triple-glazed wood windows and doors; high performance, Passive House and FSC certified; German steel hardware; all custom-made to your shape, size, colour specifications; and high grade anti theft and acoustic barrier performance.
Presented by John Straube, Ph.D., P.Eng., RDH Building Science
This technical webinar will explore how precast enclosures can provide effective thermal and rain control, while complying with the evolving requirements of the National Building Code of Canada and NECB 2025.
The interactive session offers practical guidance and best practices for design, detailing and installation of high-performance precast concrete building enclosures. Precast Enclosure Types and Layouts; Thermal and Rain Control; Thermal Bridging; Joint Details; and Durability and Maintenance.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the discussion and ask their questions during the live session. Earn continuing education credits.
The transformation of the Redford Township Library by the original architects MCD Architects and builders McCarthy & Smith converted an 18,000-square-foot space into a vibrant Children’s Library and expanded teen space. The reimagined space takes young readers on a river-themed journey through distinct natural environments brought to life with interactive elements like spinning flowers, a live green wall, and a performance stage. Acrovyn by Design® wall coverings from Construction Specialties (CS) contribute to the immersive environment while also protecting surfaces and ensuring sustainability and durability with up to 50% post-consumer recycled content.
CS continues to advance building performance with the introduction of the A6390 Acoustic Louver, raising the standard for airflow efficiency, quality and aesthetics. The high-performance acoustic louver offers 33% free area, providing exceptional airflow capability without compromising sound control. This product was designed as a solution for two of the most prominent complaints stemming from data center building and design – sound control and energy usage. c-sgroup.com
Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc. has announced enhanced warranty coverage for the Ecodan WUZ, one of the newest additions to its hydronic heating portfolio. Designed specifically for Canada’s climate, the all-in-one air-to-water heat pump system delivers efficient hydronic heating, cooling, and domestic hot water production in a single solution while simplifying installation for contractors. The warranty program, one of the most comprehensive for heat pumps, offers 10-year or 12-year parts and labour warranty coverage through Mitsubishi Electric residential dealer programs. The Ecodan WUZ features Mitsubishi Electric’s Hyper-Heating INVERTER® (H2i®) technology, enabling reliable operation in outdoor temperatures as low as -30°C while maintaining strong heating capacity in extreme cold. At the heart of the system is a fully integrated hydrobox, combining key hydronic accessories. EcodanWUZ.ca
Deep retrofit momentum is growing across Canada, with more building owners, managers and investors moving from early planning to implementation – and initial success stories show deep retrofits can deliver better value. But financing barriers, and lack of clarity around cost and return on investment, and a fragmented policy landscape remain top barriers to achieving retrofits at scale. These findings are reflected in a market sounding report from the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) and Purpose Building: “Accelerating Deep Retrofits – A Year of Insights on Progress and Barriers.” It shares insights about current attitudes and emerging trends on building retrofits across Canada, drawing from participants in The Purpose Retrofit Accelerator. Read more …