Wednesday, February 11
My Cart9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Building Affordable Housing With Competitive Timber Solutions
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction technology)
Location: Level 2: Rooms 208/209
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
- Technology, Innovation & Smart Buildings
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- WoodWorks at BUILDEX
- Prefabrication, Modular & Offsite Construction
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Institutional, Mixed-Use, Residential: Multi-Unit
Partners: WoodWorks
This dynamic session brings together industry leaders to share real-world strategies for driving cost competitiveness and thoughtfully designed homes. From innovative construction methods like prefabrication and mass timber to new technologies shaping the future of building, attendees will hear what works, what doesn’t, and why. This session will also explore the power of partnerships and collaboration models that unlock new pathways for delivery, along with insights into financing, funding, and regulatory solutions that can make or break a project. Join this presentation for practical takeaways and fresh ideas to help scale the impact of affordable housing.
Speakers
Annabelle Hamilton Technical Manager, Planning and Development, WoodWorks BC
Following the completion of her postgraduate degree from Ulster University in Northern Ireland, Annabelle has worked for several multi-family development companies, overseeing various multi-million dollar projects through the project lifecycle from acquisitions and municipal approvals to construction completion.
Robin Petri VP Development, Catalyst Community Developments Society
Robin Petri is VP of Development at Catalyst Community Developments Society, a nonprofit developer and operator of affordable rental housing. Robin has worked at Catalyst for over 10 years, developing, with a strong team of consultants and contractors, the 15 projects (over 1000 homes) that Catalyst now operates for its residents. Prior to Catalyst, Robin worked on River District while Director of Development at Wesgroup Properties and on Southeast False Creek and the Olympic Village while at the City of Vancouver. Robin has a Masters In Engineering from UBC and a Bachelor’s in Engineering from McGill University.
Noha Sedky Principal, CitySpaces
Noha is a Principal of CitySpaces Consulting, a leading provider of community planning and development consulting in Western and Northern Canada. With over two decades of experience, she has led impactful projects in policy, planning, research, and development, focusing on affordable housing, homelessness, and community-based impact. Part way through her career, Noha shifted her focus toward development, helping organizations bring their built project visions to life. She supports projects from early concept and feasibility, through design, approvals, construction, and completion. Together, Noha and the team at CitySpaces have supported non-profits and public institutions in building hundreds of non-market housing units and community facilities throughout Western Canada and the Territories. An active member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, Noha is often called upon to speak on issues of housing and homelessness, and is a passionate advocate for change in the housing sector.
Imelda Nurwisah Senior Development Manager, Community Land Trust
Imelda has ten years of experience in real estate development and urban planning. She is driven to create vibrant and resilient communities through a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. As a Senior Development Manager at Community Land Trust, she works with municipalities, lenders, and consultant teams to successfully advance projects through the development process. Imelda has expertise in pro forma development, project management, lease negotiations, and public engagement. Leveraging her skills, she has delivered affordable housing to nonprofits, First Nations, and municipalities across British Columbia as well as providing recommendations to municipalities, faith-based groups, and private portfolio holders on feasibility and redevelopment strategies, affordable housing policy frameworks, and land use recommendations. Her current portfolio of work at CLT includes a 76-unit downtown infill development (under construction), a 112-unit Passive House high-rise (under construction), and nearly 400 units in pre-development.
- Regular
- $85
Session Sponsor
Presenting Partner
Stream Sponsor
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
A Collaborative Approach to Tackling the Housing Crisis
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction management and supervision); 1 IDCEC General Hour
Location: Level 2: Room 224
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Interior Design
- Project Planning, Procurement, Management & Delivery
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Residential: Multi-Unit
This session will explore how proven collaborative methods such as Lean can help address the housing crisis. It will present the ways in which collaborative methods can leverage digital construction, mitigate risks, and enhance innovation while expanding construction knowledge and capacity. The speakers will discuss how these approaches can be utilized to address challenges such as tariff impacts and supply chain volatility, review the alignment of these projects with federal funding targeted to address the housing crisis, and present proven design and construction strategies that can be deployed to enhance efficiency. Additionally, the speakers will review the benefits of these methods in attracting and retaining talent, helping to address industry demand.
Speakers
Craig Webber Principal, CEO, Group2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd.
Craig is an Architect and Collaborative Delivery Advisor. He is a past president of the IPDA and one of the most knowledgeable speakers on collaborative delivery in North America. Craig has participated in over 40 Integrated Contracting Models and collaborated on multiple research projects with University of Washington, UBC, and University of Minnesota. He has presented at over 40 events throughout North America on collaborative topics ranging from Target Value Delivery to Contract Impacts on Profitability, Insurability and Risk. He has worked with provincial governments, municipal authorities, private companies as well as various industry partners to advance collaborative delivery methods and innovative construction technology.
Mehak Sidhu Intern Architect, Group2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd.
Mehak is an Intern Architect with Group2 bringing a strong foundation and a passion for collaborative design to every project. Over the past four years, Mehak has contributed to a diverse portfolio of Group2 projects including: UFV Student Residence IPD – a $130M project targeting LEED Gold, emphasizing Indigenous engagement and holistic housing design. Mehak continues to be an active participant in internal knowledge-sharing events such as the Group2 Coffee: Fundamentals of an IPD Contract and RAIC Lifecycle Building Assessment, reinforcing her dedication to professional growth and industry innovation.
- Regular
- $85
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing (DASH) to Speed Multi-Family Construction
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction technology); 1 IDCEC HSW-Building Code
Location: Level 2: Room 217
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Interior Design
- Technology, Innovation & Smart Buildings
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Prefabrication, Modular & Offsite Construction
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Residential: Multi-Unit
DASH is a non-proprietary platform aimed at streamlining the delivery of high-quality, multifamily housing by leveraging digital tools, standardized designs, prefabricated building components, and a coordinated supply chain. This innovative approach enables jurisdictions to scale up housing solutions quickly, efficiently, and affordably while focusing on five core goals: speed through standardized prefabrication, cost-efficiency with reduced waste, scalability that adapts to regional needs, environmental sustainability, and collaborative partnerships across the housing ecosystem. This session introduces the DASH platform as a powerful tool for accelerating multi-family housing production, demonstrating how it engages stakeholders throughout the housing spectrum to collectively address barriers to faster development of housing supply, ultimately creating a more responsive and effective approach to meeting urgent housing demands.
Speakers
Esther de Vos Executive Director of Research, BC Housing
Dr. Esther de Vos serves as the Executive Director of Research at BC Housing. As a pracademic with housing research and public policy expertise from both academic and operational perspectives, Esther is passionate about housing and wellbeing and working towards everyone having a home to call their own. She holds the Certified Practitioner credential from the Chartered Institute of Housing Canada and her Doctorate of Social Sciences (Royal Roads University) focused on social housing in Canada and tenant wellbeing. Esther also holds a Master of Public Administration (University of Victoria), a Bachelor of Laws (University of Alberta), and a Bachelor of Arts (University of Alberta). She has taught courses on public policy as Associate Faculty for Royal Roads University since 2019 and will be teaching affordable housing policy and planning at UBC in Winter 2026.
Albert Lam Associate, Iredale Architecture
Albert Lam’s experience ranges from architecture, BIM, innovation, and apprentice carpenter. He brings detailed knowledge of construction methods and a practical approach to resolving on-site issues. His project portfolio includes a variety of heritage, commercial and residential projects, as well as innovation development in sustainability and housing. He is passionate about global and community stewardship. Albert routinely works within international teams and has delivered presentation on innovation to peers globally. He also works closely with City policy makers and staff, as well as directly with communities, on social and economic development, including Vancouver’s Chinatown, the Downtown Eastside, and Strathcona.
Chris Hill Founder, Chris Hill Consulting Inc.
Chris Hill is a seasoned expert in sustainable construction and offsite manufacturing, with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and Master Residential Builder, Chris combines his financial expertise with a deep understanding of building processes. He has designed, fabricated, and constructed numerous prefabricated buildings and light wood-frame structures, focusing on energy-efficient, climate-neutral designs. Chris is a key thought leader in the prefabrication and offsite construction sectors, advocating for scalable solutions to address housing shortages, particularly in underserved communities. A board member for organizations like (Past) Passive House Canada, (Current) Safer Homes BC, Small Housing BC, and Hiy̓ám̓ Housing, Chris is committed to driving innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in the construction industry.
Franck Murat Senior Advisor, Aliova Consulting Inc.
Architect by training, Franck Murat is a pioneer and recognized leader in collaborative BIM, with 20+ years of experience on major projects in Quebec and France. Known for simplifying complex topics, he shares his vision and expertise to drive industry progress. His mastery of collaborative processes, information management, and asset lifecycle makes him a key player in both project delivery and organizational transformation. With a human-centered approach and insight into technical, operational, and strategic issues, Franck identifies opportunities, overcomes challenges, and delivers impactful solutions. Beyond consulting, he contributes to digital transformation through education as a lecturer at Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Environmental Design. A frequent speaker, he addresses human and organizational aspects of digital change. He is also a founding member and former President of Groupe BIM du Québec.
Michael Epp Director of Housing Planning and Development, Metro Vancouver Housing
Michael is a land use and community planner whose work has ranged from neighbourhood planning and visioning projects in New York City neighbourhoods, to managing planning departments in BC communities. As Director of Planning in the City of North Vancouver, Michael championed policies that significantly increased the rental and non-market housing supply, with the City of North Vancouver one of only a small number of municipalities that delivered targeted levels of housing. In his current role, Michael is leading the delivery of 2,000 new affordable homes across the region and advancing policies to help ensure at least 15% of new housing is affordable.
- Regular
- $85
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Precast Concrete for Mid-Rise Residential in BC
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction technology)
Location: Level 2: Room 220
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Technology, Innovation & Smart Buildings
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Prefabrication, Modular & Offsite Construction
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Mixed-Use, Residential: Multi-Unit
Partners: CPCI
Precast concrete has become a popular method of housing construction in western Canada. However, there is still relatively little precast presence in BC. Precast concrete can be an important part of the solution to BC’s housing supply challenges. The BC housing market needs a more diverse material supply chain, more prefabricated construction, and more resilient buildings. Precast concrete can fulfill all these needs. This presentation will examine how precast concrete can work in BC mid-rise residential construction, with examples and lessons learned from recent projects in Alberta. The advantages and limitations of the system will be discussed. The audience will see what type of projects are suited for precast and take inspiration on how it might work for their projects.
Speakers
Ray Li Technical Representative, Western Canada, Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
Ray is the staff liaison for CPCI Western Chapters (BC, AB, and MB/SK) and CPCI’s Sustainability, Safety, and Productivity committee. He oversees technical inquiries, provincial codes and standards, and industry education in Western Canada. Ray also leads CPCI’s efforts related to net-zero and life cycle assessments.
Kelly Grubb Principal, Structural Engineer, Grubb Engineering
Kelly is the founder and principal structural engineer of Grubb Engineering. He has over 30 years of experience in structural design utilizing all major engineering materials. His team over the past decade has been heavily involved within the precast concrete industry including plant engineering support, precast component design, modelling with BIM, and structural design of numerous precast buildings throughout western Canada.
- Regular
- $85
Presenting Partner
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Disrupting the Norm: Housing Reimagined for a World in Crisis
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction technology)
Location: Level 2: Room 221
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Technology, Innovation & Smart Buildings
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Residential: Multi-Unit
What happens when a developer, architects, engineers, and consultants team up to push past the limits of “business as usual” in housing and construction? With 7 of 9 planetary boundaries already crossed, housing costs soaring, and investments growing riskier, this group took on one bold question: how do we build better? In this session, attendees will see how innovators are reinventing the process. The speakers will discuss how they are tapping existing value chains, cutting wasteful iterations, slashing embodied carbon by 4x, and speeding up construction by 6x. They will also address how these initiatives are making buildings reusable, protecting workers and inhabitants from toxic exposure, proving that mass timber can compete on price for small-scale multi-unit housing, and more.
Speakers
Elisabeth Baudinaud Principal, Carbon Wise
Elisabeth is the Principal and Founder of Carbon Wise, a group of energy and carbon advisors providing combined operational and embodied carbon services. Carbon Wise aims to bridge the gap between the realities of on-the-ground construction and the imperative actions needed to meet our climate targets. Elisabeth and her team have established themselves as leaders in the field, with a strong commitment to sharing their knowledge—often publishing case studies to advance research on high-performance buildings and participating in policy development. Their leadership and innovation have been recognized through multiple awards, including the BC Embodied Carbon Award (2023 and 2024) and the HAVAN Trailblazer Award (2024), recognizing their impact on driving sustainable construction practices forward.
Bruno Stadler Project and Construction Manager, Timbase Canada
Bruno Stadler is more than a builder, he is a storyteller in wood. Born in Switzerland, he discovered early the beauty of timber as a living, renewable material and built his career around shaping it into meaningful spaces. With over 15 years of experience across Europe and North America, his journey has taken him from hands-on carpentry and timber framing to managing large-scale timber projects. Today, as Project and Construction Manager at Timbase Canada, Bruno pioneers prefabricated timber basements – a bold alternative to carbon-heavy concrete foundations. His work blends technical innovation with a deep respect for nature, creating spaces that are sustainable, warm, and human-centered. A family man, nature enthusiast, and steward of his own forest, Bruno lives the values he builds with: that working with wood is not only construction but also a way to leave the world better for future generations.
Jason Wegman Founder, Landscape Architect, gökotta studio + lab
Jason has spent over 27 years as a landscape architect. He focuses on blending nature, ecology, and human experience in design. He contributed to award-winning projects like Dockside Green, a world-record LEED Platinum development, and the SFU Observatory. He founded gökotta studio + lab in Vancouver, British Columbia, with a central mission: to use ecological restoration in both natural and urban environments to help mend our fractured relationship with Nature and, by extension, with each other. As of 2025-2026, Jason serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Society for Ecological Restoration, Western Canada chapter (SER-WC).
Stephane Laroye Principal, Architect + Urban Planner, SLA
During his 29 years in the industry, Stephane has participated in many project types and delivery methods. As an architect and urban planner, he participates in every stage of projects and leads projects from conceptual site planning through to project close-out. He enjoys being hands-on and actively involved at every stage of a project. Establishing Stephane Laroye Architect Inc. (SLA) in 2016, SLA is proud to provide master planning, urban design, site planning, feasibility studies (working closely with land economics consultants) on multi-family, mixed-use, placemaking and infrastructure projects, providing full services from schematic design, detailed design, contract documentation, field review, construction contract administration, and project close-out. SLA focuses on creating great work through collaboration, attention to detail and experience with a keen interest in high-performance buildings and engineered wood solutions.
- Regular
- $85
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Innovative Shearwall Strategies for Mid-Rise Wood Buildings
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction technology)
Location: Level 2: Room 207
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Technology, Innovation & Smart Buildings
- WoodWorks at BUILDEX
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Mixed-Use, Residential: Multi-Unit
Partners: WoodWorks
Vancouver Island is one of Canada’s most seismically active regions, and recent code updates have significantly increased seismic force requirements even further. This has made the design of wood-frame mid-rise residential buildings more complex and costly. Traditional lateral systems often struggle to meet these demands without adding wall length or sacrificing usable floor area, which impacts both affordability and design flexibility. This presentation explores innovative high-capacity shearwall solutions to address emerging risks through a design example of a fictitious residential building in Victoria. The first is the modified version of the already codified Midply shearwall system. The second involves a high-strength concept currently under development by FPInnovations using multiple rows of nails. When paired with lighter floor toppings, these strategies enable six-storey wood frame buildings to remain viable in very high seismic zones.
Speakers
Alejandro Coronado Technical Advisor, WoodWorks BC
Alejandro Coronado is a Technical Advisor with a multidisciplinary background spanning contracting, supply, and consulting engineering. With both a Diploma and a Bachelor’s Degree in Structural Engineering from BCIT, Alejandro began his career in single-family residential design and steadily advanced to contribute to landmark projects such as the Centre Block Base Isolation at Parliament Hill, the UBC Museum of Anthropology Great Hall Renewal, the Royal BC Museum PARC Campus, and a mass timber campus in Silicon Valley. Initially drawn to mass timber for its expressive architectural potential, Alejandro quickly recognized its broader value in addressing today’s social and environmental challenges. Through many years of hands-on experience, Alejandro has become a champion for sustainable construction and simple yet effective structural solutions.
Dorian Tung Manager, Building Systems, FPInnovations
Dorian Tung is currently the Manager of Technology Assessment at FPInnovations. Prior to this, he practiced as a structural consultant in Canada and the US, and obtained his PhD on earthquake engineering from UBC. As the Manager at FPInnovations, he has been working with scientists on projects related to structure, seismic, durability, energy, fire, acoustic, and vibration. Specifically, he has been working with his team on testing mid-ply and high-capacity shear walls to support the development of codes and standards. With the evolving ecosystem, Dorian is active in many working groups to facilitate discussions, remove duplicates, accelerate processes, with the goal to maximize impacts for the forest industry NOW using applied research data.
Mark Robertson Principal, WHM Structural Engineers
Mark is a Principal at WHM with close to 20 years of structural design experience. Through his extensive experience, Mark has established himself as an expert in providing cost-effective solutions to complex projects. He has worked on various residential, institutional, and commercial projects in various locations throughout Canada and the United States. He has been involved in numerous projects utilizing wood frame construction, including the first-ever use of CLT in a market residential project – Virtuoso.
- Regular
- $85
Presenting Partner
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Tall Timber and Affordable Housing: A Case Study
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction technology)
Location: Level 2: Rooms 208/209
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Technology, Innovation & Smart Buildings
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- WoodWorks at BUILDEX
- Prefabrication, Modular & Offsite Construction
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Mixed-Use, Residential: Multi-Unit
Partners: WoodWorks
As cities face growing pressures around affordability, climate resilience, and livability, innovative projects like Catalyst’s 18-storey CLT rental development in North Vancouver offer necessary solutions. Targeted toward architects, engineers, developers, and municipal leaders, this session explores sustainable mass timber construction and affordable housing. Attendees will gain insights into using CLT in construction and the unique challenges. In-depth review of challenges such as structural grid constraints, moisture protection, and prefabricated balcony systems, and how the team transformed these into creative solutions. Furthermore, it will provide insight into integrated mixed-use programming, BIM-enhanced coordination, and the permitting process for tall wood buildings, with practical takeaways for implementing similar projects in other cities.
Speakers
Rhys Leitch Principal, Integra Architecture Inc.
Rhys Leitch has been a principal at Integra since 2018, he has worked on award-winning projects ranging from sustainable design, high-end single-family, multi-family, and mixed-use residential developments. Originally from Australia, Rhys brings a unique approach to contemporary west coast architecture, paying special attention to the way materials, massing, and design respond to the context of a site. Recently his focus has been CLT mid and high rise projects, pushing the boundaries in different mass timber housing typologies.
Sean Binns Project Director, Kindred Construction
Sean is a proven construction leader with over 20 years of experience delivering major residential and commercial projects across the UK and Canada. As Project Director at Kindred Construction, he leads complex builds and champions innovation in mass timber, Passive House, and modular construction. A mentor and speaker, Sean fosters industry talent through strong partnerships with local universities.
Harrison Glotman Principal, Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers
Harrison Glotman is a Principal at Glotman Simpson with several years of experience working on complex projects across Canada and the U.S. Prior to joining Glotman Simpson, Harrison worked on high-end homes and retrofits in some of the most iconic buildings in New York and San Francisco. He completed his Master of Science in Structural Engineering with a full scholarship to Stanford University where he specialized in seismic engineering. The knowledge gained through this degree has proven to be incredibly valuable in building design on the West Coast.
- Regular
- $85
Session Sponsor
Presenting Partner
Stream Sponsor
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Designing Student Housing for Equity, Well-Being, and Community
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction management and supervision); 1 IDCEC HSW-Barrier Free
Location: Level 2: Room 220
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Interior Design
- Design Concepts, Health & Wellness
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Institutional, Mixed-Use, Residential: Multi-Unit
This session examines the critical role of student housing design in shaping campus life and the wider community. As Canada faces an intensifying housing crisis, student residences are becoming essential to easing pressure on rental markets while safeguarding equitable access to education. Drawing on recent work with the University of British Columbia, the presentation will share strategies that balance long-term sustainability with the unique needs of students in early adulthood. The session will address challenges of affordability and inclusivity, highlighting design approaches that foster resilience and adaptability. Attendees will gain insight into how student housing design can support mental health, create a strong sense of belonging, and offer innovative models for the broader housing sector, while also exploring the role of partnerships between institutions and communities in delivering viable, forward-looking solutions.
Speakers
Ashton Stare Associate, Architect, 3XN Architects
Ashton Stare is an Associate at 3XN Architects, with expertise spanning large-scale public projects, sustainable design, and mass timber construction. He holds a Master of Architecture degree, complemented by studies in urban planning and environmental design, giving him a unique multidisciplinary perspective on the built environment. At 3XN, Ashton leads complex projects from initial concept through construction across North America. His work encompasses diverse typologies including multi-family residential developments, sports stadiums, higher education facilities, museums, performance venues, office buildings, and transportation infrastructure. Ashton is currently leading the design of UBC’s Lower Mall Precinct Phase 1 Student Housing Development, delivering 700,000 sf and 1500 beds, dining and childcare facilities, and amenities to their Vancouver Campus.
Adam James Principal, Architect, Ryder Architecture
Adam is a Principal of Ryder Architecture in Vancouver, where he leads projects with a strong focus on energy efficiency and high-performance design. His residential experience spans a wide range of housing typologies, including student housing, affordable and supportive housing, and complex care, giving him a deep understanding of how to design residences that balance well-being, functionality, and long-term durability. Adam has delivered certified projects across British Columbia, including the award-winning, LEED-certified tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ (The Houses of the Ones Belonging to the Saltwater) student residence at the University of British Columbia and the Timbre and Harmony non-market housing projects. Through this work, he continues to set new benchmarks for comfort, livability, and operational efficiency. Adam is currently working on UBC’s Lower Mall Precinct Phase 1 Student Housing Development.
- Regular
- $85
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Solving Deep Energy Retrofits: From Concept to Construction
ConEd Credits: 1 BOMI CPD; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction technology)
Location: Level 2: Room 221
- Property Management & Building Operations
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Sustainability, Carbon Management & High-Performance Buildings
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Commercial, Industrial, Mixed-Use, Residential: Multi-Unit
Housing unaffordability and the financial pressures facing commercial building owners remain pressing challenges, compounded by the rising costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and upgrading aging buildings to meet cooling needs. This session explores how deep energy retrofits can be delivered affordably by building the right team and leveraging strategic partners. The presenters will share their journey supporting Brightside Community Homes Foundation’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2035, including lessons from the Moreland Kennedy project. The speakers will then build on these concepts by presenting a new retrofit advisory solution and financing offers to extend similar opportunities to commercial buildings. Attendees will gain insights into the sustainability business case, financial modeling, strategic planning, derisking technical solutions, and construction practices for decarbonizing occupied buildings. Designed for building owners, policymakers, engineers, and sustainability professionals at an intermediate level, this session bridges building decarbonization, retrofit financing, business case development, and practical retrofit delivery.
Speakers
Steve Fetterly Associate, Impact Engineering
Steve is an experienced Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager. He is strongly motivated to decrease GHG emissions with innovative mechanical design based on proven engineering principles. Steve’s project focus is in the institutional (education) and residential sectors. He works to deliver real energy and carbon savings results by identifying and implementing the most efficient mechanical systems, while considering the needs of diverse stakeholder groups. He is experienced in providing strategic planning, performing studies, and designing solutions.
Paul Reynolds Director of Projects, Affine Climate Solutions
Paul is the co-founder of Affine Climate Solutions and founder of Fulcrum Projects, a Vancouver-based Project Management firm. Paul works to bridge the gap between climate-aligned building transformation and sustainable real estate finance. He is a highly motivated and energetic systems thinker who specializes in overseeing complex projects in both the public and private sector. With over 20 years’ experience, he has a proven ability to collaborate effectively with clients, to set up a strong foundation through structured planning, and to deliver projects on-time and on-budget. Paul’s clientele and partners are broad, ranging from affordable housing providers to financial institutions – from development corporations and SMEs to First Nations communities.
Jamie Mowat Regional Director, Strategy Implementation, BDC
A banker for 20+ years, Jamie has spent the past 15 years at BDC in business development, credit risk management, and most recently as Regional Director of Strategy Implementation for the B.C. & North region. As a development bank, BDC is the only Canadian financial institution dedicated exclusively to entrepreneurs, serving over 100,000 clients and with $57B committed to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses.
- Regular
- $85
Thursday, February 12
My Cart9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Incentives for Lower Operational and Embodied Carbon Houses in Vancouver
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction management and supervision)
Location: Level 2: Room 217
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Sustainability, Carbon Management & High-Performance Buildings
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Residential: Multi-Unit, Residential: Single-Unit
Since 2020, the City of Vancouver has supported zero-emission buildings through measures like zoning incentives. For low-rise homes, the zoning incentive offers a 19% floor space exclusion, now extended to 2030 to encourage construction of comfortable, low-cost, and healthy homes while significantly reducing embodied carbon emissions. This session will provide updates to the incentive, including new embodied carbon performance and reporting requirements starting in 2026. Builders for Climate Action will share insights from the Near Zero Stream 2 (NZ2) program, highlighting practical, cost-effective strategies to reduce embodied carbon in low-rise homes and associated costs.
Speakers
Zahra Teshnizi Senior Planner, Embodied Carbon, City of Vancouver
Zahra is a Senior Planner at the City of Vancouver and the implementation lead for Big Move 5 of the City’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, which aims to reduce embodied carbon emissions from construction materials and practices in new buildings by 40% by 2030. She serves on several advisory and technical committees, including the Task Group on Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions under the National Model Code Committee on Climate Change Mitigation and the CaGBC Embodied Carbon Technical Advisory Group. Zahra holds a Master’s in Advanced Studies in Architecture from UBC and has over a decade of experience in low-carbon building practices.
Sailen Black Senior Green Building Planner, City of Vancouver
Sailen Black, Architect AIBC, works for the City of Vancouver as a Senior Green Building Planner. His work includes changes to the zoning and development process to reduce operational and embodied emissions from buildings, including Net Zero and Passive House projects. He previously worked in the Urban Design division at the City of Vancouver as a development planner.
Mélanie Trottier Embodied Carbon Analyst, BEAM Trainer, Builders for Climate Action
Mélanie joined BfCA in the summer of 2021, with an urge to nourish her inner flame with something meaningful to act on climate change. She has inputted the most projects in BEAM among all of us, which was key in finding bugs and helping develop the tool. Mélanie holds a double master’s in Architecture and Urban Design from Université Laval in Québec, and she is a Certified Passive House Designer. As a naturally curious, meticulous and dynamic person, she’s always motivated by new challenges, leading her to help design training programs for BEAM users and adding EPDs in the database.
Bryn Davidson Co-Owner, Lead Designer, Lanefab Design/Build
Bryn Davidson is co-founder and Lead Designer at Lanefab, a Vancouver-based design-build firm crafting custom homes, multiplexes, and infill laneway houses that blend West Coast modernism with climate-friendly passivhaus design principles. Bryn has degrees in Mech. Engineering (from UC Berkeley) and Architecture from UBC. Bryn’s 2014 TEDx talk laid out the firm’s goal of creating projects that go beyond Net-Zero, to have a Net-Positive impact on the climate crisis. In 2010, Lanefab completed the City of Vancouver’s first Laneway House, and the team recently built the first certified Passivhaus (Passive House) in both New Westminster and Burnaby. Bryn’s design team is currently working on several multiplex projects in the City of Vancouver. Lanefab’s approach to green infill housing has been profiled in the New York Times, Forbes, and Dwell and won them numerous awards – including the Arthur Erickson Memorial Award and the Scotiabank EcoLiving Prize.
- Regular
- $85
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Transforming Spaces Into Supportive Housing: A Hands-On Design Workshop
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction management and supervision); 1 IDCEC HSW-Building Code
Location: Level 2: Room 207
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Interior Design
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Residential: Multi-Unit
How can we transform vacant offices and schools into supportive housing – at one-third the cost and time of new builds? This design charrette tackles that challenge head-on. Using real building typologies, participants will stress-test partition and system layouts, and pro forma models, to uncover strategies that meet regulatory requirements and occupant needs, without escalating costs or compromising health-focused programming. Expect to leave with scalable design principles, floorplate strategies, and insights into procurement and operational models to transform underused assets into supportive housing – quickly and effectively.
Speakers
Veronica Owens Interim Market Lead, Energy and Sustainability, WSP Canada Inc.
Veronica Owens is a Senior Sustainability Advisor and Interim Market Lead – Energy and Sustainability with WSP. She has a background in green building policy and rating systems and has over 16 years of experience in sustainability consulting. She has a successful track record delivering green building certifications (LEED, Fitwel, WELL, Green Globes) and regulatory compliance reporting for mixed use residential/commercial campuses and stand-alone market, affordable and transitional residential projects (student residences, seniors). She has worked across a wide range of other sectors, including industrial (warehousing, works yards, ports), laboratory, healthcare, institutional, and transportation.
Emily Miranda National Program Lead Future Ready, WSP Canada Inc.
Emily is a Registered Professional Planner who is passionate about environmental and land use policy development, and public outreach. In addition to her land development and municipal planning work, Emily has assisted with organizing and facilitating group workshops for private and public sector clients which included engaging the public and stakeholders, obtaining meaningful feedback, and preparing consultation summary reports. Emily currently leads a program to help people critically analyze and proactively respond to megatrends – extensive transformative processes with a significant global impact. Her role includes engaging with internal staff and clients to educate them on relevant megatrends and facilitating workshops with subject matter experts to develop solutions that mitigate the risks that a megatrend may pose to a project.
- Regular
- $85
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
From BIM to Build: Planning MEP Cassettes to Accelerate Housing Construction
Location: Tradeshow Floor: TECHCENTRIC (Booth 1603)
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Residential: Multi-Unit
British Columbia faces a housing shortage, rising construction costs, and skilled labor deficits. The BC Housing Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing (DASH) platform offers a solution by streamlining mid-rise housing delivery. Already published on acceleratehousing.ca, BC Housing is now taking that standardized plan to the next level to ensure prefabrication. Experience shows mechanical and electrical rough-in can take 40% of a project schedule. DASH aims to reduce this, accelerating multi-family housing delivery through standardized, quality designs of washrooms. This panel discussion brings together architects, builders, and BC Housing to discuss the efforts to modularize standard housing plans for BC Housing to prefabricate the repeatable mechanical and electrical components and therefore speed up production of housing.
Speakers
Helen Goodland Principal, Head of Research and Innovation, Scius Advisory Inc.
Helen Goodland is an architect registered in the UK and has an MBA from the University of BC. As head of research and innovation for Scius, she brings over 30 years of experience working on transformative solutions for the real estate and construction industries in Canada and around the world. Helen is firmly committed to achieving truly sustainable buildings within the next decade. She is also passionate about advancing leadership opportunities for women in construction technology. To this end, she participates on numerous boards and committees. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors of Building Transformations (formerly CanBIM), the BC Digital Advisory Council, the BCIT Mass Timber Education Advisory Board and the University of Victoria’s Green Civil Engineering Advisory Council. She is also past chair of the UN Sustainable Buildings Initiative’s Materials Technical Committee.
Karina Delcourt Director of Strategic Initiatives, ETRO Construction
Karina is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at ETRO Construction in Vancouver, BC Canada, where she oversees the implementation of digital solutions for both the office and field in order to provide ETRO with the best ways to deliver construction projects for our clients. With a scholarly foundation in Architecture, and roles in Urban Planning, Architecture and Interior Design, Karina discovered her passion lay in the “how” of building projects and measuring the outcomes over the form and function, and challenged this curiosity for improving systems and processes throughout her career.
Lisa Helps Executive Lead, Project Acceleration, BC Housing
As Executive Lead for BC Builds Project Origination at BC Housing, Lisa focuses on accelerating affordable home delivery for middle-income British Columbians through low-interest loans and grants. Previously, Lisa served two terms as Mayor of Victoria, B.C., where my professional work centered on urban transformation, addressing housing, climate change, and reconciliation. Lisa is passionate about realizing big ideas and fostering collaboration across diverse groups to build strong, resilient communities.
Albert Lam Associate, Iredale Architecture
Albert Lam’s experience ranges from architecture, BIM, innovation, and apprentice carpenter. He brings detailed knowledge of construction methods and a practical approach to resolving on-site issues. His project portfolio includes a variety of heritage, commercial and residential projects, as well as innovation development in sustainability and housing. He is passionate about global and community stewardship. Albert routinely works within international teams and has delivered presentation on innovation to peers globally. He also works closely with City policy makers and staff, as well as directly with communities, on social and economic development, including Vancouver’s Chinatown, the Downtown Eastside, and Strathcona.
- Regular
- $85
Autodesk TECHCENTRIC Stage
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Prefab Solutions for Transitional and Affordable Housing
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction technology)
Location: Level 2: Room 217
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Technology, Innovation & Smart Buildings
- Prefabrication, Modular & Offsite Construction
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Mixed-Use, Residential: Multi-Unit
This session will explore how prefabricated, panelized construction can help bridge the gap between emergency shelters and permanent housing, while also offering scalable solutions for municipalities facing broader housing challenges. Using Two Steps Home as a case study, the speakers will discuss how prefab approaches can deliver durable, sustainable, and rapidly deployable housing, and how these lessons can inform strategies for affordable and supportive housing across Canada.
Speakers
Jackson Wyatt CEO, CABN
Jackson Wyatt is the CEO and Founder of CABN, a Canadian leader in sustainable housing solutions. He previously founded and led Greenlid, a widely successful sustainable products company recognized across North America for its compostable consumer goods. Building on this entrepreneurial success, Jackson launched CABN during the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of making sustainable housing more attainable. At CABN, he has pioneered CABN Core Technology™, a breakthrough construction system that integrates renewable energy, innovative materials, and Canadian-sourced timber to deliver net-zero, off-grid housing at scale. His work is redefining what’s possible in climate-resilient communities-combining speed, affordability, and sustainability to meet Canada’s urgent housing needs.
Aaron Budd Principal, Regenerative Practice, WW+P
Aaron is a partner at SvN and leads the firm’s Regenerative Practice, which integrates architecture and urbanism with natural systems. With over two decades of global experience in architecture, planning, and sustainability, he is known for pragmatic, climate-positive design solutions. Aaron brings together multidisciplinary teams to create zero-carbon, circular, and resilient communities, with current projects ranging from Toronto’s Ontario Line transit-oriented communities and a net-zero rental building, to the Keeseekoose First Nation Master Plan in Regina, a nature reserve in the Bahamas, and a mass-timber project in Collingwood. His career spans Toronto, Ghana, Indonesia, the Philippines, France, New York, and London.
- Regular
- $85
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Building Canada’s Future With Wood
Location: Tradeshow Floor: BUILDEX Main Stage (Booth 843)
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Property Management & Building Operations
- Engineering
- Technology, Innovation & Smart Buildings
- WoodWorks at BUILDEX
- Prefabrication, Modular & Offsite Construction
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Mixed-Use, Residential: Multi-Unit
Partners: WoodWorks
This keynote will feature thought leaders in a podcast-style conversation exploring the evolving role of wood in Canadian construction. Through a series of rotating interviews, the discussion will highlight key themes including the rise of mass timber and tallwood buildings, the shift toward offsite construction, and wood’s potential to address the housing affordability crisis. The session offers a forward-looking yet grounded perspective on the opportunities and complexities shaping the industry.
Pre-registration for this session is required. Admission will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Speakers
Russell Hixson Editor, SiteNews
Russell Hixson is an award-winning investigative journalist who spent the early parts of his career doing crime and courts reporting in the U.S. before stumbling into covering Canada’s construction sector. He spent eight years writing for the Journal of Commerce where he became well versed on the industry and its issues. He’s covered the federal budget from Ottawa and documented the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while locked down in his bedroom. Hixson has developed a passion for the construction industry and seeks to convert others by sharing its stories through SiteNews.
Jana Foit Principal, Higher Education Practice Lead, Perkins&Will
Jana is a Principal and Higher Education Practice Lead for the Vancouver studio of Perkins&Will. She has over two decades of experience and has led several mass timber projects that include the Earth Science Building and Gateway Building at UBC, as well as the recently completed BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing project. In addition to being a frequent speaker and panelist on mass timber topics, Jana is a contributor to the Nail Laminated Timber Design and Construction Guide, the Survey of International Tall Wood Buildings, and the Technical Guide for the Design and Construction of Tall Wood Buildings in Canada.
Robert Malczyk Principal, Timber Engineering
Robert is one of a small number of university-trained, specialized timber engineers. Following graduation with a master’s degree from Warsaw Technical University, Robert came to Canada for an opportunity to study at UBC under the world renowned Borg Madsen. In 1997, Robert co-founded Equilibrium Consulting Inc. and worked on a number of award winning buildings including the Art Gallery of Ontario Galleria Italia with architect Frank Gehry. In 2021, Robert co-founded Timber Engineering Inc. He is currently working on projects all over Canada, in the USA and in Asia. Robert’s specialty is a systems approach to Mass Timber with emphasis on structural and energy efficiency.
Andrew Stiffman Vice President, Construction Services, Kalesnikoff
Andrew has diverse project experience: single-family homes, Canada’s largest residential passive house project, and low-rise and mid-rise mass timber projects. At Kalesnikoff Mass Timber, Andrew oversees the project life cycle of all mass timber and prefabricated projects, from initial conversations through to successful project completion. His background in building science, development management, and hands-on high-performance construction allows him to leverage technical expertise and creativity to lead multidisciplinary project teams.
- FREE
Presenting Partner
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Prefab Pathways to the Missing Middle of the Missing Middle
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core; BC Housing 1 CPD (Construction technology); 1 IDCEC HSW-Building Code
Location: Level 2: Room 220
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Interior Design
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Prefabrication, Modular & Offsite Construction
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Residential: Multi-Unit, Residential: Single-Unit
The gap between single-family homes and large developments is shrinking as more municipalities permit multiplex housing. However, for many homeowners, these projects remain costly and may not suit needs like aging in place or multi-generational living. This session will explore how contractors, prefab companies, designers, and owners can collaborate to create two or three innovative housing units on a single property.
Speakers
Curtis Krahn Founder, Principal, Synthesis Design Inc.
As the founding principal of Synthesis Design, Curt’s role has evolved over the years from designer to visionary and mentor. In the early years, Curt was building the design team that would continue to move Synthesis Design forward by not only designing relevant homes, but by remaining influential. A driving force for the studio has always been the quest for a "better way to build" through prefabrication and factory-built solutions. For the past 10 years, his focus has been creating and developing innovative housing typologies to help house more people, more affordably, all while remaining in the communities they have grown up in. With the team firmly in place, each designer and staff member works together, always seeking to "combine elements to create a unified whole": A SYNTHESIS. As founder, Curt’s role is to look to the future, continuing the quest to mentor his team of creative designers and staff to take Synthesis Design to heights far beyond even his vision.
Julie Lepper Senior Interior Designer, Synthesis Design Inc.
Julie’s path to interior design began through art and textiles, first as a textile designer in India, then as a curator in Vancouver’s gallery scene, where she shaped collections and exhibitions for some of Canada’s most notable artists. As Senior Interior Designer at Synthesis Design, Julie brings a quiet rigor and thoughtful clarity to every project. Her work is defined by a deep understanding of materiality, proportion, and the way people live. With a refined eye for both contemporary and timeless design, she collaborates closely with clients to create homes that feel grounded, intentional, and uniquely their own. Rooted in the Pacific Northwest, Julie finds creative energy in the balance between nature and the built environment, often exploring Vancouver’s coastline and mountains with her family.
Pedro Serrano Senior Design Manager, Synthesis Design Inc.
Pedro’s passion for visual arts shaped his creative vision long before earning his B.A. in Architecture in Mexico. He began as a residential designer and later earned a Master’s in Sustainable Architecture in London, deepening his expertise in sustainable design. As a senior residential designer, Pedro balances creativity and precision, whether crafting intimate renovations or designing new residences. He values meaningful client collaboration, transforming their aspirations into thoughtful, functional spaces. With a background in painting, Pedro brings sculptural depth to 3D modeling, believing architecture should evoke emotion. Outside the studio, he finds balance through family, hockey, and painting.
Joel Barrett President, CEO, Barrett Group Custom Builders
Joel is the “hands-on” owner of BGCB and contributes his experience and wisdom to each and every project. He is a team player and strives to communicate clearly and regularly with our employees, homeowners, and architects. He is a real multitasking individual, golfing and fishing sometimes on the same day. Established in 2004, Barrett Group Custom Builders was formed out of a desire to construct beautiful, functional spaces that will be used, enjoyed, and admired for many generations to come. Since then, we’ve undertaken many custom projects, from early-stage forming and framing to large-scale renovations and restorations to complete design-build commercial and residential work.
Norm Morrison President, CEO, AJIA Custom Prefab Homes
Norm Morrison has been in the housing business all his working life. His warm and genuine personality is reflected across his entire staff, who seek to offer AJIA’s clients a wonderful experience. AJIA began in 1994, when Norm Morrison returned from Japan to his hometown in North Vancouver, BC, to raise a family. In Japan, Norm had built a successful home-building business, and upon his return, his very satisfied Japanese clients insisted that he continue to build for them. Rising to the challenge, Norm devised a way to prefabricate the home package panels with locally sourced, Canadian lumber and ship it overseas. And with that, AJIA – which means Asia in Japanese – was born.
- Regular
- $85
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex: A New Paradigm of Livable Urban Density
ConEd Credits: AIBC 1 Core
Location: Level 2: Room 217
- Architecture
- Homebuilding & Renovation
- Design Concepts, Health & Wellness
- Housing Planning, Development & Supply
- Housing Solutions
Building Type: Mixed-Use
What if our densest neighborhoods were also our most welcoming? What if heritage sites became anchors of inclusive growth? What if towers brought people together instead of keeping them apart? In Vancouver, where housing demand and social isolation intersect, The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex introduces a new urban typology: design-forward vertical living anchored in community and culture. This landmark project represents a unique partnership between architects, a religious institution, and developers to reimagine church-owned land as an eclectic mixed-use village. This project offers a replicable model for socially and environmentally attuned development that leverages architectural innovation and community-centered design to achieve urban density that provides a high quality of life. This is not just a project – it’s a paradigm shift in how we build, restore, and belong.
Speakers
Amirali Javidan Director, Revery Architecture
As a Director at Revery, Amirali has been centrally involved in the design, management, and implementation of many of the firm’s high-profile mixed-use residential, civic, and institutional projects. He is a passionate believer in architecture as a catalyst for urban renewal and community empowerment; as a natural collaborator and innovator, he looks for opportunities in every project to magnify the impact of Revery’s work. Amirali’s work on The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex has been essential to the successful delivery of the tower’s iconic form and unique, high-performance façade system.
- Regular
- $85