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involving certified Passive House designers
Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and since buildings consume up to 40 per cent of global energy use and contribute up to 30 per cent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, they are a key piece of the puzzle towards a low-carbon future.

Established by the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt, Germany in 1996, Passive House was one of the pioneering concepts for building low-energy houses and is the only internationally recognized, science-based energy standard in construction of hyper efficient building envelopes that are applicable to almost any building type or design.

A building standard that is energy efficient, comfortable, affordable, and ecological all at once, these are just some of the benefits to implementing Passive House standards and involving certified designers during the process.

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The right way to approach reserve fund studies
A reserve fund is an account with a financial institution like a bank, loan or trust corporation, or credit union that is separate from the condominium’s operating fund, and is used to pay for major repairs and replacements that may be necessary to the building’s elements.

A reserve fund study must be prepared by a specialist like an engineer and provides both a physical assessment and a financial plan to determine how much money will need to be allocated for the fund to ensure repairs will be paid for. When it comes to understanding and maintaining the physical assets of your condominium complex and mitigating your repair costs, nothing matters more, and is more impactful, than reserve fund studies and planning.

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The benefits of the design-build project delivery method
Design-build project delivery is one of the most popular and fastest growing methods used to deliver construction projects across North America, accounting for over 40 per cent of all non-residential construction. But why is that, and what is the design-build delivery method?

Unlike the traditional design-bid build method, the design-build delivery method involves the designer and contractor working together from the beginning, as a team, providing unified project recommendations to fit the owner's schedule and budget. Any changes are addressed by the entire team, leading to collaborative problem-solving and innovated approach. While single-source contracting is the fundamental difference between design-build and a more traditional method of construction, equally important is the culture of collaboration inherent in design-build.

This is one of many undeniable advantages of a design-build delivery method, compared to a construction manager where there is often no contractual relationship between the team of designers and the builder. These are some of the additional benefits one can expect from a design-build project delivery method.