High Performance Design Meets Boots on the Ground - Muskoka October 8 2026

National non-profit Passive Buildings Canada and Stone's Throw Design, are excited to once again present High Performance Meets Boots on the Ground in Muskoka!

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 free).

Tickets are $25, just click the "select tickets" button to the right.

Note: 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! After joining, Just login to your PBC account and go to the member only page with ticket links for PBC events. PBC members who need assistance getting their free ticket(s) please contact us.

What do these events look like?

Muskoka 2025 event 1 minute teaser video:

Presentations

Beyond Walls: High Performance Floor and Roof Panelization Methods by Ben Lowry
The most common question asked of a prefab builder is, “What’s your wall assembly?” While it’s a great and important question, many of the more challenging areas of prefabrication centre around the panelization of floors and roofs. In this presentation, Ben will explore some of the different techniques that they have developed to improve ease and speed of assembly, while maximizing the performance of the building envelope.

Ben is the founder and owner of Lowry Building, a high performance builder focused on prefabrication and low embodied carbon materials. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, he has worked on everything from straw bale homes to aquatic centres. He is committed to fighting climate change through better buildings and is an avid outdoorsman and bluegrass banjo player.

Designing outside the BOX by Craig England
Passive House Principles and "Rules-of-Thumb" during design can lead to many a high-efficiency "BOX" home. Blind Bay PHiLo pushes the limits of the Passive House methodology during design and construction. This talk will look at how to balance the high-performance metrics of the Passive House International Standard with the stark realities of site constraints, client desires, budget, and architectural expression.

Craig is a passionate advocate, designer, educator, and consultant for better buildings through passive design principles. With a background in mathematics and energy modelling he merges data-driven design with rigorous, beautiful Passive House solutions. Craig is Principal and Founder of passive house 43 Architecture Ltd., a small firm dedicated to utilizing Passive House methodology in the design and construction of beautiful, bespoke, passive buildings.

Building a More Connected Construction Industry by Ian MacFayden & Dave Ovcjak
What if the entire construction industry could finally connect in one place? Projekt Network is building a professional community that connects tradespeople, contractors, builders, suppliers, educators, students and industry organizations across North America. This talk explores how Projekt Network is helping people showcase and verify real work, build meaningful relationships, discover opportunities and grow their reputations—while advocating for the skilled trades, inspiring the next generation and giving our industry a stronger collective voice. More than a platform, it’s a movement to connect the industry, elevate the people behind the work and help everyone in construction grow and succeed together.

Ian MacFayden is an entrepreneur, construction industry leader and passionate advocate for the skilled trades. A Red Seal carpenter by trade, Ian co-founded HummingbirdHill Homes and helped grow the company into a leading custom home builder serving the GTA and Muskoka. His career has taken him from working on the tools to building and leading successful construction businesses, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges facing the industry. As CEO and Co-Founder of Projekt Network, Ian is focused on connecting the construction industry, elevating the skilled trades and creating greater opportunity for the people who build our communities.

Dave Ovcjak is a business executive and entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in the construction industry. Throughout his career, Dave has led teams and businesses in both building-product supply and custom home construction, with a focus on developing new markets, building high-performing teams and delivering exceptional client experiences. As President of HummingbirdHill Homes, he is passionate about creating strong processes and teams that consistently deliver on the company’s promises. As Co-Founder of Projekt Network, Dave is focused on connecting the industry, creating opportunity and ensuring the skilled trades receive the recognition they deserve.

Agenda

6:00pm: DOORS OPEN: Networking and Mini-Trade Show (food & drink)
7:00ish pm: PRESENTATIONS: Three 20 minute presentations (no Q&A)
8:15ish pm: 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.

Save the Date

On Tuesday, November 17th, we will be hosting "High Perfomance Design Meets Boots on the Ground" in Toronto. Tickets available in October and PBC members get in for free.