Description

Building Better: Practical Strategies for High-Performance Homes

Achieving Step 4 and Step 5 performance doesn't have to mean complicated assemblies or expensive solutions. Two recently released resources offer builders practical guidance on how to deliver high-performance homes while keeping construction costs, buildability, and durability in mind.

BC Housing's updated BC Energy and Zero Carbon Step Codes: A Builder's Visual Guide builds on the original 2018 guide, bringing together proven construction practices from builders across BC. It covers airtightness, building envelope assemblies, mechanical systems, trade coordination, and strategies for improving climate resilience, accessibility, and energy efficiency.

Complementing this resource, Small Housing BC's new High-Performance Gentle Density Guide focuses on the specific challenges of building smaller, multi-unit homes, including duplexes, triplexes, and laneway houses. It explores how to achieve high performance while navigating tighter spaces, complex air barrier details, limited wall thicknesses, electrical capacity constraints, and the need for effective coordination between designers, builders, and trades.

This session will bring both guides to life through a practical discussion of what works on site. Drawing on real project experience, we'll explore effective wall assemblies, airtightness strategies, construction details, and lessons learned from high-performance and Net Zero projects.

Participants will leave with practical ideas they can apply to their next project, along with two valuable resources to support better construction practices, reduce warranty risks, and achieve higher levels of energy performance.

SPEAKERS:

Mark Bernhardt, B.Sc. CPHC, REA

Mark is the President of Bernhardt Contracting Ltd. For the last decade he and his team have spent their time developing, building, retrofitting, and consulting on some of Canada’s highest performance homes. During this time his team has created HEET a software a tool designed for Part 9 consultants, allowing for more accurate in-depth advice and data driven decision making. 

Mark is a Registered Energy Advisor and Passive House Consultant, serves on several provincial code committees and is a CHBA BC Past President.  Over the last few years he has spent much of his time helping other builders gear up for Step Code and higher performance buildings. Mark has traveled the province to deliver education sessions in every corner of the province, working to ensure the next generation of builders can easily and cost effectively deliver the homes people need.

Peter Pelletier, Director of Construction, Smallworks

Smallworks is a Vancouver-based design-build company specializing in laneway homes, multiplexes, and infill housing. A Red Seal-certified carpenter with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Peter brings extensive hands-on expertise in residential construction and project delivery. His practical, builder-focused perspective helps bridge the gap between design and construction, with an emphasis on quality craftsmanship and efficient building practices.