Heritage Retrofit Paves Way to Net-Zero Future

Article from The Globe and Mail (2024) | Conversions, Regeneration, Urban Planning

Curator: Ana-Mihaela Faciu

Westmount, Canada

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Why we recommend it: This article details the conversion of two heritage row houses in Toronto's Yorkville area into a 16,000-square-foot net-zero commercial office, harmoniously integrating architectural preservation with sustainability. The project showcases modern design and ESG principles, contributing to climate action while providing high-performance workspaces. The developers adopted an integrated design process for their 2022 redevelopment. A key part of this process was the collaboration from the outset of architects, engineers and sustainability experts. This approach differs from the traditional model, where design and technical execution are handled sequentially. The project also demonstrated the potential of targeted municipal programs to empower smaller-scale climate leadership in the built environment.

Key takeaways:

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