1908 to Net Zero: Heritage Reconstruction and Near Zero Density Bonuses under the VBBL

Description

1 CPD 

Presented by: HAVAN's E&T Committee & HAVAN’s Women’s Council

Agenda:

10:00AM - Registration

10:15AM - 11:15AM: Project presentation

11:15AM onwards: Guided tour plus light refreshments/ Networking

Key Takeaways:

• Builders will find strategies to improve profitability by unlocking hidden lot value. 
• Attendees will reduce construction risk by learning to identify and resolve thermal bridging and air leakage challenges early in the design phase, avoiding expensive on-site corrections. 
• The session will build stronger collaborative practices, improving the builder’s ability to work seamlessly with an Energy Advisor to model performance limits and ensure the final build meets requirements. 
• Ultimately, this equips builders with the technical knowledge to confidently execute and sell high-performance, decarbonized heritage reconstructions and new builds, clearly differentiating themselves in a competitive market.

Speakers:

Barb Silverthorn | Registered Energy Advisor | Principal, Capture Energy

Barb Silverthorn, brings extensive experience in government programs, building science education, high performance and low-carbon project execution. Barb specializes in aligning design intent with measurable building performance across Part 9 projects, guiding teams through complex BC Energy and Zero Carbon Step Code compliance with a focus on Net Zero projects . She routinely facilitates Integrated Design Processes (IDP) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) on high-performance projects. A HAVAN Board Director since 2025, Barb is a leading advocate for practical decarbonization strategies that align designers, builders, and trades toward net-zero targets.

Peter Smith | BS, M.Arch | Lead Architect, AIBC Principal Smithcraft Architecture

With 30+ years of experience, Peter has a broad range of architectural design and technical experience that spans commercial, residential, educational, infrastructure and mixed-use projects, of varying scale. He worked in notable architecture firms in Canada and the U.S. before establishing Smithcraft Architecture in Vancouver. Peter is a true believer in teamwork and communication between all stakeholders and is committed to ensuring every project meets our client's needs and objectives.

Todd Best | President | Best Builders Ltd.

Todd is a passionate craftsman with a deep appreciation for thoughtful design and exceptional craftsmanship. His journey began working alongside his father restoring heritage buildings, which inspired his dedication to his craft. At 24, Todd founded his own homebuilding company, earning a Red Seal certification in carpentry and tackling challenging projects with creativity and determination. Today, Todd is renowned for creating extraordinary homes that blend functionality with unparalleled craftsmanship and unique design elements.