High Performance Design Meets Boots on the Ground GUELPH March 2026

National non-profit Passive Buildings Canada and Evolve Builders Group, Inc, present High Performance Design Meets Boots on the Ground.

This event brings together leaders from the design and construction fields (and beyond) to share ideas, network and learn about great products that get the job done to produce high performance buildings. See "Agenda" below.

Admission includes 1 ticket for beer or wine plus pizza (while supplies last). Non-alcohol drinks are free. 

Tickets are required for this event. 

PBC members get free tickets for all "Boots on the Ground" events during their membership. 

Membership starts at just $25 (the price of admission). Join today to get your free admission to this event! PBC members who need assistance getting their free ticket(s) please contact us. 

What do these events look like?

Presentations

Flexibility and future proofing: A case study in modern home hydronics by Stuart Evans

Selecting a mechanical system for a high-performance home involves trade-offs between space, controllability, comfort, first cost, serviceability, and future adaptability, among other considerations. This talk will explore these ideas and present a case study of a modern residential hydronic system. The goal of this project was to use hydronics to avoid running refrigerant lines through the building, and to provide maximum flexibility for an uncertain future, including the ability to add thermal storage as technology evolves. Building on lessons learned from dozens of home designs, this project addresses some common wishlist items from homeowners.

Stuart is a mechanical engineer with nearly 20 years’ experience in the high-performance building industry, having designed low and zero-carbon mechanical systems for churches, schools, offices, MURBs, and high-performance homes. He is also a past board member of Passive Buildings Canada.

From Harold Orr and David Eyre to today: some lessons learned in a life of high performance building by Dave Braden

In 1980 we brought to Ontario Harold Orr and David Eyre who were pioneering champions in the pursuit of energy efficient houses. They served as examples of various experts coming together to collaborate in order to re-think the approach to solving the excessive energy challenge. While the principles of physics or the focus on airtight envelopes, super insulation and orientation, etc., have not changed there have been some important lessons. In this workshop I will share a few highlights from my approach over the years.

David Braden attended 6 universities, received two degrees in land use planning, but learned mostly by listening and doing. He established a building business, Braden Homes with his late partner, Nick Dalton, who was uniquely responsible for taking the building practices of the Saskatchewan Conservation House and refining them over 35 years. Dave spent 16 years as an elected official in local government and continues (53 years) to develop a beef cattle herd which minimizes fossil fuel inputs and totally avoids grain. He is currently collaborating in the building of a demonstration of an affordable, energy efficient housing project in Hamilton.

The Unintended Consequences of High Performance Mechanicals by Michael Ridler

As buildings become more airtight and better insulated, the mechanical system is no longer an afterthought. It becomes the backbone of comfort, resilience, and energy performance. In this talk, I will focus on how we design properly for heat pumps instead of forcing them to fit into legacy system thinking.

Michael Ridler is the general Manager if Eden Energy Equipment, a contributor for Plumbing+HVAC magazine, and a volunteer with organizations such as CIPH and IGSHPA. Through his writings, he delves into the intricate realm of HVAC, sharing wisdom and insights with fellow industry professionals. Additionally, he serve as a presenter for their video series, where he navigate the expansive domain of HVAC and cutting-edge technologies, sparking meaningful discussions.

Agenda

6pm: DOORS OPEN: Networking and Mini-Trade Show (food & drink)
7pm: PRESENTATIONS: Three 20 minute presentations (no Q&A)
8pm: NETWORKING AND MINI-TRADE SHOW (food & drink)

Filming

Please note that this event will be filmed and promoted on public media. Note that by attending this event you consent to your voice, name and/or likeness being used, without compensation or recognition, in photographs, recordings, films and any and all media for any purpose including advertising, publicity, commercials, and any other purposes worldwide.