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EcoSpex has launched a Canadian verified product platform revolutionizing how construction materials are specified for green and healthy buildings. The platform helps manufacturers increase sales by automating and digitizing the environmental certifications and other relevant documentation of their products on one platform so that Developers, Owners, Architects, Engineers, General Contractors, Interior Designers, and sustainability professionals can cut the time it takes to decide the suitability of products for sustainable building from hours to minutes.
Register for the free webinar: June 26 at 3 to 4 pm eastern time. ecospex.com/event-list.
Completed in April 2022, the 1800 sq.m Fire Hall No. 17 is the first fire hall in Canada to earn CaGBC Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) – Design certification and Passive House certification. It is also now LEED Gold certified. Metered data shows that the new building has reduced its energy use by an average of 83% compared to the previous Fire Hall 17, despite being twice the size. When comparing energy use intensity (per m2), there is a 91% reduction. The new fire hall has also achieved a 99% reduction in operational carbon emissions compared to its predecessor. The building is finished with Vicwest 22Ga AD-300-SR flush seam metal cladding. Finished with CertainTeed Type X gypsum board, the kitchen, outdoor patio, and dayrooms have south and east exposure to take advantage of natural light. A Zehnder Comfoair 160 heat recovery ventilator from Airia Brands provides balanced ventilation with a constant supply of fresh air. Read more …
Diverso Energy, Canada’s leading geothermal Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) provider, and Mattamy Homes, one of North America’s largest privately-owned homebuilders, have announced a joint venture in which Diverso will provide geothermal services to select Mattamy residential developments across Canada, including single-family homes, townhouses, and multi-family mid-rise and high-rise developments. The partnership makes possible lower-emission communities without compromising affordability, homeowner experience or aesthetic design. Select Mattamy homes will feature fully electrified, emissions-free heating and cooling. Diverso designs, builds, owns, and operates geoexchange utility systems allowing clients to leverage the significant benefits of geoexchange without the financial or operating risks associated with the technology.
Watch for the Summer issue of SABMag on the Canadian Green Building Awards
The Summer issue of SABMag, coming out in early July, will cover the 11 winning projects of the 18th annual SABMag Canadian Green Building Awards as follows:
Commercial Industrial (Large)/Prix commercial/industriel (grande taille)
National Sponsor: Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute
Category Sponsors: Inline Fiberglass, Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada, Jeld Wen and Amexon
Our congratulations to the teams of the winning projects which will be fully published in the SABMag Summer Awards issue. The winning projects and jury comments can be found here.
SABMag’s new 2025 Directory of Sustainable Products and Services for Sustainable, High-Performance Building has just been launched. Listings are organized by Product Category and by LEED Category. The Directory also offers a quick view of the structure of LEED and is a quick reference for finding products. Examples of featured listings include:
FABRIQ architecture – FABRIQ architecture is a Montreal-based firm that delivers innovative and sustainable design solutions for clients across Canada. Several LEED projects are currently certified or underway.
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.
Silex Fiberglass Windows and Doors – SILEX offers energy efficient, Canadian made Fiberglass windows and doors that enhance building performance, cut energy costs, and promote sustainable construction practices.
Forbo Flooring Systems – Marmoleum is CO2 neutral (from cradle to gate) due to natural ingredients that absorb carbon dioxide and a low energy production process, resulting in a sustainable floor that looks beautiful and lasts over 30 years.
Rockfon – High-performance solutions with low environmental impact. That’s what Rockfon stone wool ceiling tiles and panels offer. In addition to delivering IAQ support and acoustic comfort, Rockfon ceilings also feature a low carbon footprint, geared towards minimizing the environmental footprint of buildings all over the world.
Forbo’s Marmoleum Modular collection presents sustainable linoleum tiles in various sizes and designs that allows you to create stunning floor designs. The planks and tiles are created around visuals of wood, concrete, stone and marble and can be used to mix and match or on their own, both delivering a beautiful sustainable floor. Explore the Marmoleum Modular designs.
Michael Quast named new CEO of Passive House CanadaMichael Quast has replaced Chris Ballard as CEO of Passive House Canada. Ballard led the organization for more than five years, significantly advancing the national conversation around sustainable, high-performance building. Quast brings more than two decades of leadership experience in construction, sustainability, and brand development. His accomplishments include designing and building Oakville’s first straw bale home, spearheading award-winning branding initiatives with The Holmes Group, and shaping regulatory and consumer protection strategies in Ontario’s new home warranty program.
By: Jeff Ker, Engineered Assemblies
When discussing façade solutions with a client I never raise the subject of warranty, unless I’m specifically asked about it. Why? I focus on the performance and relevance of the material in the proposed environment. Success of a material is never about warranty. Full stop. How do we avert potential catastrophe? The first step would be to implement a process that clearly defines a pathway towards warranty compliance. The second step would be to follow it. Certified Series by Engineered Assemblies Inc. provides such a pathway by responding to the need for transparency, due diligence, and proper installation. It is the intention that Certified Series will become an industry standard offering a superior program of delivery and ensuring that all RVRS (Rear Ventilated Rainscreen Systems) system installations are conducted properly and that the façade manufacturers’ warranty requirements are met. Photo: The high-performance ceramic (TONALITY) cladding system is used on the façades of the Nova Scotia Community College, Waterfront Campus (NSCC). Photo: The high-performance ceramic (TONALITY) cladding system is used on the façades of the Nova Scotia Community College, Waterfront Campus (NSCC).
CertainTeed Canada has launched Lanaé, its groundbreaking sustainable glass fibre insulation. Manufactured at CertainTeed’s insulation facilities in Redcliff, AB, and Ottawa, ON, Lanaé significantly reduces environmental impact while maintaining superior thermal performance and acoustic comfort.
Lanaé’s introduction in Canada follows extensive testing, certification processes, and collaboration across global Saint-Gobain teams, leveraging international expertise to ensure the product meets quality and sustainability standards. Lanaé insulation features:
Lanaé has received the following standards and certifications: GREENGUARD Gold; 0:0 ratings on UL Flame spread and Smoke spread testing; and CCMC evaluation. certainteed.ca/lanae.
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