Date and time

Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 7:00 PM - Wed, Apr 17, 2024, 5:00 PM EDT

Location

Hockley Valley Resort
793522 3rd Line EHS
Mono, ON
L9W5X7

Contact the organizers 

Leah: leah@buildingknowledge.ca       Rachel: rachel@buildingknowledge.ca  or  1(519) 241-2767

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

About this event

"Great event that brought together so many variations of industry and builders that provided the opportunity to gain an understanding on where we’re each at and what we can work on together to better the industry" (attendee, 2023)

-

Spring Training Camp for Advanced Building Science 2024

In the midst of a historic housing crisis, we have the smarts to apply new strategic ways to construct low carbon, climate ready, affordable homes for Canadians. Are there solutions to building low carbon, electrified communities WITHOUT 400-amp panels and grid utility constraints; communities that are an ASSET to the grid as opposed to a challenge? Can we increase the quality of construction and occupant satisfaction while also lowering build-cost and streamlining the regulatory and permit application process? We take a deep dive into a bit of everything at 2024 Advanced Building Science Spring Camp.

----

What I liked about 2023? 

"Mostly the ability to hear and see what other builders are doing to start looking at the changes that are coming i.e. actual conversation and experience sharing rather than just product pitches" (attendee, 2023)

"I liked the variety of speakers and the focus on encouraging the industry to better ourselves and our planet" (attendee, 2023)

--

Who's Invited

-Senior design, construction and R&D staff of leading homebuilders, renovators, and condominium developers.

-Utility representatives who have been actively promoting energy management programs to the Canadian industry.

-Energy consultants influencing their clients to adopt new technology.

-Leading manufacturers who have supported energy efficiency; including those that are actively engaged in Net Zero energy projects.

If you know someone who should be attending and isn't, let us know and we’ll be happy to extend an invitation.

The Hosts   

Gord Cooke, Andy Oding, and Tex McLeod have combined their talents and insights to create Spring Training Camp with you in mind. As they revel in the success and shoulder the challenges together, this year’s “camp” is returning to its favourite home away from home, Hockley Valley Resort. Come join us - we look forward to seeing you there.

"Great speakers, great networking, great topics" (attendee, 2023)

"This was my first training camp and it will not be my last" (attendee, 2023)

Price & Logistics

There is magic in getting folks out of their routine and away from the day to day. With that in mind, we’ve created an all-inclusive fee at the wonderful Hockley Valley Resort, located in Mono, Ontario, which covers pretty much everything.

* Your room registration will be looked after by the organizers. There is no need for you to contact the hotel about your reservation.

Camp Fees - $1395 plus HST per person. Your room will be ready after 4PM on Sunday, April 14th. Event Check-In / Itinerary Pick Up: 7:00pm - 10:00pm in the Front lobby. You’ll be on your own for dinner on Sunday Night, but you’re encouraged to drop by our reception room on Sunday evening between 7:00pm and 10:00pm.

On Wednesday, April 17th, we are excited to give you the opportunity for a complimentary LEEP session. There will be a nominal cost of $100, which covers accommodations for an additional night, dinner on Tuesday and breakfast & lunch on Wednesday. You have the option to include this as an add-on when purchasing your conference tickets. We're offering 65 seats for this additional session, and we hope you can join us! 

You are welcome to bring your family along. They can stay with you in your room (max 4 adults) for a fee and can choose to either eat with us or use the onsite restaurant on their own. If you wish to bring family, just let us know on the registration page by using the access code Guest2024 to open up the registration options for them.

---
What's Included

Conference Package
• 2 nights’ accommodation (Sunday, April 14th, and Monday April 15th)
• Sunday Night Informal Drop-in Reception 7:00pm - 10:00pm
• Monday (breakfast, break, lunch, break, dinner)
•  Tuesday (breakfast, break, lunch, and break)

Optional third day/LEEP Package
• Additional 1 night accommodation (Tuesday, April 16th)
• Tuesday (dinner)
• Wednesday (breakfast, break, lunch)

"It was a worthwhile trip and time well spent" (attendee, 2023)

The Main Themes

Enclosures   |   Carbon   |   Electrification
Multi-Family Building Science Magic
(And a 3rd day LEEP Window Technology Forum with NRCan's CanmetENERGY)

Session Topics

• A Large Homebuilder Takes Aim at the New, Electrified American Home and Communities that HELP the Grid.
• Living Better Below Grade: The Enclosure & HVAC Building Science Behind Basement/Below-grade Suite Finishing.
• Backyard Building Science: Testing a Vapor-Open Wall System.
• Manufactured Housing: A Look at the Future of Rapid, Affordable Housing and the Technology that's Driving it Forward.
• Sound, Fire, Odor, & Air; Multi-Family Suite Compartmentalization: New Studies & New Strategies.
• HomebuildersCAN: Canadian & US Builders Take the Lead in Benchmarking and Disclosing Carbon Emissions (Both Embodied and Operational).
• Here is your Canadian House.....Here is your Canadian House on the NBC 2025.
• Top 4 Embodied Carbon Opportunities in Canadian Homes: The Future Looks Bright.
  
• The Electrified Canadian Home and Community: A Case Study of Peaks, Occupants, Solutions, & Economics.
• ASHP Sizing, Selection, & Commissioning For Dummies in Cold Climates
• Ground Breaking Enclosure Testing & Resiliency Construction Guidance for a wet-n-weird future
• And Many More!

---

Day 3: Canada's first Window Technology Forum with a wide range of experts using the LEEP model

Join window experts, contractors, designers, energy modelers, and builders as they explore the energy, carbon, and practical installation impact of new products, building codes, and the new CSA A440.

• New window tech options
• Window modeling case studies
• Window and HVAC design strategies for efficiency and thermal comfort
• Impact on carbon emissions and long term durability
• New, clear window installation, hands on demonstration and testing of New CSA A440 methodologies

Guest / Expert speakers

Dr John Straube, P.Eng., Ph.D.
Principal, Senior Energy and Sustainability Specialist, RDH Building Science Labs
A prominent figure throughout North America, Dr. Straube is an influential and driving force in the industry. He has broad experience in the building industry and is considered an international expert, having been involved in the design, construction, repair, and restoration of buildings worldwide.

Kirk Hammersmith
National Director of Procurement (Mechanicals), PulteGroup
For more than 15 years, Kirk has gained experience in residential new home construction with a focus on technology in mechanicals, electrical, plumbing, solar, battery storage, load control and other evolving innovations. He works with manufacturers, vendors, trade partners and PulteGroup's area division leadership throughout the country. Together they build new communities.

Leigh St. Hilaire
Executive Director, Volta Research
Leigh St. Hilaire is the Executive Director of Volta Research and has extensive technical and project management experience within the renewable energy, power utility, product testing, and research sectors. Leigh works with low-rise housing stakeholders in Canada to research how best to reduce the energy consumption and emissions of residential buildings while increasing their affordability.

Chris Magwood 
Manager, Carbon-Free Buildings at Rocky Mountain Institute.
Chris works with the Embodied Carbon Team in the Carbon Free Buildings Program at RMI, where he leads HomebuildersCAN and the development of RESNET Standard 1550. In 2019, he helped to establish Builders for Climate Action, and has been leading the development of the BEAM carbon estimator tool for low rise construction. Chris has authored seven books on sustainable building, most recently Build Beyond Zero with Island Press.

Justin Wilson
Principal Managing Partner, Construction Instruction
Justin collaborates with builders regionally and nationally, addressing construction issues affecting energy, comfort, and durability. His expertise extends to forensic investigations and working with leading manufacturers on new product development. With a focus on thermal enclosure improvements and HVAC integration, Justin is passionate about affordable net-zero energy homes. As the former Environment & Sustainability Manager at McStain Neighborhoods in Boulder, CO, he played a key role in designing early production net-zero homes in the U.S.

Trevor Trainor, M.Sc., M.A.Sc. 
President and Building Science Specialist at Bawating Building Science. 
He specializes in the performance of wall and roof systems in extreme, cold climates and applying the principles of building science to Indigenous housing issues. His experience in lab and field research, hydrothermal modeling and forensic investigations gives him a unique perspective in the development of high-performance building enclosure designs.

Dr. Cynthia Cruickshank, B.Eng.,Ph.D.
Principal Investigator and Director, CABER - Carleton University
Dr. Cruickshank is a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Principal Investigator and Director of the Centre for Advanced Building Envelope Research at Carleton University. Her research focuses on the optimization of advanced building energy systems for high performance buildings. She is a member of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Technical Research Committee.

Stefanie Coleman
Sustainable and Resilient Housing Industry Lead, LEEP - NRCan - CanmetENERGY (Ottawa)
Stefanie, with 19 years in residential construction, now leads NRCan's LEEP team managing the Greener Neighborhoods Pilot Program and Resilience in residential construction. She owned a renovation business, collaborated with Building Knowledge Canada, served as Chief Sustainability Officer at Doug Tarry Homes, and is a former CHBA President.

Jeff Baker, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. 
President, WESTLab Canada
Jeff has spent the last 30+ years working in the fenestration energy analysis field and is currently the President of WESTLab Canada. He was the technical consultant for Fenestration Canada, vice chair of the CSA A440 technical committee on fenestration performance, member of the CHBA Technical Research Committee and participates in several Canadian national building code committees.

Doug Tarry
President, Doug Tarry Limited
Doug is the President of Doug Tarry Limited, a second-generation builder of Net Zero/Net Zero Ready Homes. He has worked extensively with a number of manufacturers and suppliers to develop products and methods needed for today's high performance/Net Zero Homes. Recently, Doug Tarry Homes became the first qualified Net Zero Builder to label more than 100 homes in the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program.

Mike Memme
Operations Manager, Mountainview Building Group
Mountainview Building Group have been building low rise homes in the Niagara Region since 1979 and over the last six years have branched into the midrise market as well. Mike has a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo, has been president of the Niagara Home Builders' Association, sits on the Ontario Home Builders' Association Code Committee and is currently First Vice President of the Ontario Home Builders' Association.

Gord Cooke, P.Eng.
President, Building Knowledge Canada
Highly regarded in the Ontario homebuilding industry, Gord is a professional engineer, trainer, author, and industry consultant. For over 35 years, Gord has helped builders and HVAC contractors implement innovative technologies and build better homes. He is an effective and passionate educator and advocate for better building practices, improved indoor air quality, and energy efficiency. Most recently, Gord was awarded one of just five “hall of fame” 2022 Clean50 Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Tex McLeod 
President, McLeod & Associates
With over 30 years in housing and energy conservation Tex McLeod is one of North America's leading presenters on energy, housing, and indoor air quality. Tex delivers training across Canada, the US and has traveled on behalf of CMHC's International Training Team to South America, Russia, and China. Tex is a past board member of EEBA and has presented at many US venues. In addition to delivering training, Tex has also worked to develop training materials for a variety of clients including: EEBA / EPA, CMHC, Ontario Hydro, NRCan, Atlantic Home Warranty and Ontario First Nations Technical Services.

Andy Oding
Vice-President, Building Knowledge Canada
With an extensive background as a builder for 20+ years Andy brings an insightful and real-life practicality to building science principles and their in-field applications. As a recognized building science trainer by the government of Canada-Office of Energy Efficiency, Building Science Specialist (University of Toronto), and HVAC designer and commissioner, Andy is working closely with the development of new building codes, advanced building programs (i.e. ENERGY STAR®, Net Zero, LEED for HomesTM, etc.) across North America.

Mark Rosen 
Director of Building Science, Building Knowledge Canada
Mark is a well-known professional architect, Registered Energy Advisor and building science consultant and is Director of Building Science and a partner at BKC. Mark has always been passionate about creating buildings that perform exceptionally well. He has helped develop software tools, sits on several advisory boards, and continues to actively lead the industry toward positive change.

And 15+ more expert speakers/panelist yet to be announced.

Spring Training Camp for Advanced Building Science 2024 is brought to you by: