New building innovation exchange launches in Waterloo and surrounding regions

By Amanda Modaragamage

Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR), in partnership with the Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA), has officially launched Frameworks: A Building Innovation Exchange, a groundbreaking initiative designed to support the building sector in transitioning toward efficient, innovative and healthy buildings.

Now expanding into neighbouring Oxford and Perth counties, the program offers support that is not available anywhere else in the province.

The initiative is industry-led and shaped by an executive advisory committee of regional experts in construction, engineering, architecture and building sciences. It aims to bridge the gap and make building practices more efficient, smart and healthy.

The program’s goal is to ensure everyone involved in the planning, design, construction, operation and renovation of buildings has access to the tools, knowledge and connections they need to support sustainable building practices.

“Our job is to aggregate, communicate, help to gather, build momentum behind what other people are doing as well,” said Tova Davidson, executive director at Sustainable Waterloo Region. “We don't claim to be the experts, but we want to make it easier to access the expertise that's out there.”

The evolv1 project served as a catalyst for the ACE Frameworks program. As Canada’s first net-positive energy multi-tenant office building, it is located in Waterloo and helped demonstrate the potential for sustainable, efficient building practices in Ontario.

“The building and development industry is an essential player in how we're going to get to a more resilient future and economy moving forward,” said Davidson.

Frameworks currently delivers proven strategies to the building sector through online resources, events and engagement opportunities, training and technical workshops, a policy engagement platform, market acceleration and project-specific support.

“We want to make sure that sustainable buildings are the most efficient buildings to build,” said Davidson. “The whole idea is to work towards smart and healthy buildings throughout the province.”

For more information or to learn about upcoming events, visit sustainablewaterlooregion.ca/frameworks.