Building healthy homes is a worthy cause for environmental awards

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Consider them part Edmonton’s growing green workforce.

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Habitat Studio, Jayman Built, and Landmark Homes were honored for their environmental commitment at the recent Canadian Home Builders Association – Edmonton Regions gala to celebrate the 2022 Awards of Excellence in Housing.

The awards were presented earlier in April at Edmonton Convention Centre and included a special category for the environment. Habitat Studio was named Best Single-Family Small Volume Builder, Jayman Built was named Best Single-Family Large Volume Builder, Landmark Homes was named Best Multifamily Builder.

For the in-person event, around 1,100 people attended. Due to the pandemic, the previous two award shows were held virtually.

Perform the same thing again

Habitat Studio is no stranger at the CHBA ERs environmental award.

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Although we have won the award every year since its inception it is still an honor to be a finalist. Trevor Hoover, Habitats senior designer and partner, stated that while we have won the award every year, it is still an honour.

Every year, I worry about whether we can do this again. Our team works hard to keep up with the pack, but the pack is catching us up.

Habitat Studio was founded by David H. Smith in 1992. It has grown to be a leader in energy efficiency, sustainability, and community engagement.

Hoover said that nearly every home we build has been net zero ready. Just recently, we completed a home that is completely off-grid and 100 percent self-sustaining. Every project we design and construct has many net zero characteristics. The direction of the sun is a key factor in the design and construction of every home.

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Hoover stated that the culture surrounding a home has changed. Now, it’s about the things you can’t do to improve it, such insulation, windows, and efficient HVAC system. He said that there are many things you should consider when making your home more energy-efficient.

Habitat primarily works with infill properties, but they also have a few acres.

Hoover stated that winning this award puts a smile on our faces. It reminds of what we love doing and that we are doing good works.

Core Values

Charles Fay said that Jayman Built’s environmental responsibility is what it does.

Jayman Built Edmonton vice president Fay stated that we don’t build in this way to win awards. It is wonderful to be recognized for what we do every day, and we are proud to have received this award.

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Jaymans DNA has been shaped by energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, stated Fay.

Since 2005, we have been the industry leader since we brought Built Green to Canada. We have made great strides in energy efficiency in our homes, from solar panels to our net-zero ready and net-zero certified homes. As part of the mechanical system, we are also pioneers in heating and cooling pumps.

Jayman has also installed more than 3.38 megawatts solar power on 1,656 homes since 2019 and reduced carbon emissions by more than 2,119 tonnes. If the panels were to be placed in a single place, they would cover nine acreage.

Fay said that this is the largest residential solar array in Canada. We use recycled materials, source local products, and only install low-flow fixtures within our homes. Jayman Built homes reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.34 tonnes annually.

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Jayman is currently building in 13 Greater Edmonton communities.

Multi-Wins

Landmark Homes felt humbled and honored after receiving the 2022 Environmental Award.

Reza Nasseri is the founder and CEO of Landmark Homes. He is passionate about the environment and has invested so much in sustainability practices. Moheb Habashy was Landmarks’ marketing manager. We are honored to have won this award. Our commitment to the environment is central to our corporate identity.

Landmark, which builds its homes in a climate controlled facility in the city of Toronto, points out that the following practices contribute significantly to the environment’s conservation: Landmark says it constructs homes off-site to reduce its carbon foot and waste it also uses fewer construction vehicles trips, Landmark mentions that it uses computers and robotic arms to build its homes and engineered lumber, which Landmark states is a major contributor to the saving of trees.

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Landmark has been installing a Hi Velocity System in its homes (instead a traditional furnace), which it claims consumes less energy and produces cleaner, healthier air.

Habashy said that Landmark is also a Built Green certified homebuilder, meaning that we use products and material that conform to building standards to create environmentally-friendly homes.

Landmark Homes won the award as the Large Volume Builder in 2020 and as the Multi-Family Builder in 2021, 2022.

Landmark is currently building in Aster and Chappelle Gardens, Creekwood Chappelles, Desrochers Villages. Glenridding Ravine. Larch Park. One at Keswick. Rosewood at Secord. Rivers Edge. Saxony Glen. Walker Summit.