Program

James Higgins

James is a Building Science Technologist who focusses on building science research and façade design. His work includes guideline and training development, building enclosure and façade system design and testing, building monitoring, and forensic investigations. He combines his theoretical expertise with a practical approach to solving problems. James also takes an active role in industry education, leading and contributing to many industry guides and training programs and presenting regularly for industry groups including ABAA, BC Housing, and CHBA. He is known for his ability to create and use effective visuals to support clear, actionable explanations of complex concepts.

Heather Mott

Heather is a Certified Passive House Consultant and architectural designer with Collective Carpentry. She integrates the Collective Building System into custom designs, produces pre-designed plans, runs energy model analyses, and creates standard details to communicate the prefab building system. You may recognize her from the Passive House Canada Conference bike tour presentation with Interacive Construction. With a passion for buildings that promote the health of the occupant and the environment, Heather is a Passive House devotee. She believes that high-performance building is most successful when paired with the manufacturing control of prefabricated construction.

Renée Champion

Renée is an Architectural Engineering student at the University of Waterloo who is passionate about architecture, sustainable design, and building enclosures. She holds the positions of Building Envelope Lead and Codes & Certifications Lead for the University of Waterloo design and build team, Warrior Home. In this capacity, she is working on a retrofit of a heritage home in Kitchener, specifically designing the building enclosure, with the goal of making it net zero. Renée is a Qualified Designer for Small Buildings and has several certificates in the field of sustainability, including Zero Energy Design and Global Housing Design both from Delft University of Technology, and Energy Within Environmental Constraints from Harvard University. She recently joined the Quantum Passivhaus team as an Architectural Designer allowing her to pursue her love for sustainability and practicality in design.

Abby Xerri

As President, Co-Founder, and a key driver of Quantum Passivhaus specializing in prefabricated building systems, some would say Abby is the ‘heart of Quantum’. In addition to founding Quantum Passivhaus, Abby has been instrumental in seeing 4 of Quantum's wood based prefabricated panel designs certified with the IPHI. Abby is an IPHI certified Passive House Tradesperson with extensive experience and knowledge of all aspects of residential and commercial construction. This, paired with his creative drive (and persistence), makes him very effective in finding unique solutions to challenging design, construction or logistic requirements. Abby champions for Indigenous Housing, Appropriate Housing Developments, Northern Community Housing Solutions and Trades Education. Always looking forward to sharing his passions and vision for Passive House construction across Canada and North America, Abby enjoys any opportunity to share Quantum’s experiences, challenges and successes!

David Arnott

David is one of three co-founders of TAG. David is the owner of STARK architecture, a high performance architecture firm based in Squamish. Having worked on pre-fab projects in Scotland, David was surprised to see a lack of pre-fab options in BC. Completing an early pre-fab project in 2017 with another firm, he saw an opportunity to start a company with his cofounders that sought to build on step-code and high performance building techniques in the Sea to Sky and beyond.

Ramtin Attar

Ramtin is the CEO and Co-founder of Promise Robotics. A venture-backed technology startup with the mission to enable the building industry to harness industrialized robotics and AI toward the production of more affordable and sustainable buildings. Prior to founding Promise Robotics, Ramtin was the Head of Autodesk Technology Centre in Canada where he led the strategic vision, implementation and operationalization of Autodesk’s new flagship R&D center in Toronto; and the first AI-assisted office design in large scale housing 200 employees, in addition to a state-of-art prototyping facility for technology startups. At a different capacity, Ramtin was a Distinguished Research Scientist at Autodesk as he led the development of technology visions and strategies, including Moonshots in Industrialized Construction and Autodesk’s new AI & Robotics activities in EMEA. A technical savvy CEO, Ramtin is also an inventor and holds multiple patents related to BIM, IoT, Digital Twin, and Simulation technologies.

Dr. Stefan Bockel

Dr. Stefan Bockel has started his passion about timber and offsite manufacturing with an apprenticeship as a forester. Later on he studied Wood Sciences and Economics at the University of Hamburg and the Universidad del BioBio in Chile. Afterwards he worked as a Scientific Assistant at the Bern University of Applied Sciences and carried out his PhD-thesis about structural hardwood bonding at the University of Natural Ressources and Life Sciences in Vienna. He currently works as a Market Segment Manager for WEINMANN and analyzes the global offsite manufacturing market and determines their potential for the product portfolio of WEINMANN.

Dan Wood

Dan Wood has a corporate background working at IBM Canada in sales and management roles over an 18- year period. After IBM, Dan followed his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for building and started his own renovation and design company. Dan is a certified passive house consultant who in addition to his renovation company, provides design and consulting services in energy efficient residential home building. He resides in his new passive house with his wife and three dog in Golden, BC.

Phil Silverstein

Since joining Moriyama & Teshima Architects in 2001, Phil’s outstanding collaborative ability and highly efficient working style have been integral to delivering multifaceted, complex projects, such as Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University’s Centre for Urban Innovation, the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Innovation Complex, and Victoria University’s Goldring Student Centre. Phil brings a drive and passion for designing buildings that are leading edge, low-carbon, and highly sustainable. His portfolio includes two of MTA’s most current, low-carbon, mass timber, exceptionally sustainable LEED Platinum, and net-zero targeted projects – Limberlost Place (formerly The Arbour) George Brown College Tall Wood Building (with Acton Ostry Architects), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation Multi-Tenant Commercial Building.

Milos Begovic

Milos is an Associate Principal at Acton Ostry Architects. He specializes in educational sector design for elementary, high school, and post-secondary projects with a focus on functional programming, facility planning, sustainability, and the coordination of complex and innovative building systems. Milos has extensive experience leading design coordination on large and complex projects, including a two-phase renewal and expansion of Vancouver College, the redevelopment of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver

Mohammed Dawoud

Mohammed is a structural engineer with a passion for advancing building envelope design through implementation of sound building science principles while maintaining a constructable approach. As the Technical Development Manager at CGI/Ennova Facades, Mohammed is heavily involved in the R&D of curtain wall technology suited for architects aiming to achieve a high level of thermal comfort with minimum energy consumption in their design. He is also a Certified Passive House Designer(CPHD), Building Science Specialist (BSS), & NFRC Certified Simulator.

Lori O'Malley

Lori is a P.Eng., M.A.Sc., LEED Green Associate with over 23 years of industry experience and joined PCL in 2008 as a Building Envelope Engineering Specialist. Lori provides technical building envelope expertise during design and construction phases of projects, while protecting design integrity and vision. In addition to providing technical assistance throughout the project life to identify improved building envelope performance solutions, Lori assists in material selection, identifying continuity concerns, and potential constructability and sequencing concerns of building envelope throughout the design, construction and commissioning phases of the project. Although located in the Toronto district, Lori provides building envelope technical assistance on high-performance building envelope projects throughout North America. Lori was previously an Associate responsible for the Façade Consulting Services department at a large structural and building envelope consulting engineering firm in Toronto.

Deborah Byrne

Deborah is driven by core values of sustainability, comfort and affordability, as well as solutions where a reduction in the energy demand can seamlessly integrate with daily living and working. After a visit to the 13th International Passive House Conference in 2009 she and some of the visiting Irish Contingent formed the Passive House Association, Ireland, the first English speaking board affiliated with the International Passive House Association. Deborah, a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers, Ireland has trained and qualified as a Certified Passive House Designer and Trainer. She has also designed several significant Passive House Projects in Canada and Ireland. Deborah is the Vice President of Operations and Innovations at Quantum Passivhaus, a PH certified component manufacturer from Ontario. She maintains true to her belief that we can always do better, simply.

Renée Champion

Renée is an Architectural Engineering student at the University of Waterloo who is passionate about architecture, sustainable design, and building enclosures. She holds the positions of Building Envelope Lead and Codes & Certifications Lead for the University of Waterloo design and build team, Warrior Home. In this capacity, she is working on a retrofit of a heritage home in Kitchener, specifically designing the building enclosure, with the goal of making it net zero. Renée is a Qualified Designer for Small Buildings and has several certificates in the field of sustainability, including Zero Energy Design and Global Housing Design both from Delft University of Technology, and Energy Within Environmental Constraints from Harvard University. She recently joined the Quantum Passivhaus team as an Architectural Designer allowing her to pursue her love for sustainability and practicality in design.

Mathieu Fraile-Tremblay

Mathieu is the internal engineer (Engineer-in-Training, EIT) of BC Passive House. He completed a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal and a Master of Integrated Wood Design at UNBC in 2021 before becoming a BC registered engineer. He now works on the structural design of residential buildings oriented towards light frame and mass timber construction.

Kyle Moen

Kyle has worked for BC Passive House for the past seven years as the Sales and Planning Manager. Over that time, he has overseen construction for several registered Passive Houses and step code low energy homes using the company’s high performance panel systems. Kyle’s work mainly focuses on project development and execution, labour and materials budgeting and procurement, and R&D through the application of informed building science. He was educated at BCIT (Dip. Architecture and Building Engineering Technology, 2010) and the University of Victoria (B.A. Economics, 2007)

Sam Pidlubny

PMP Certified Construction Leader with 10+ years of field & office experience in Canada and the United States. Management of ICI & Residential projects up to $160m, responsible for planning, scheduling, and executing multi-functional projects according to predetermined timelines and budgets.

Raymond Chow

A partner at gh3, Ray is a registered architect with over 15 years of practice experience. During Ray’s tenure at gh3 his contributions have been key to the firm’s growth as an integrated studio-based design practice of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design. His work has varied in scale - from infrastructure buildings, small renovations to large institutional buildings and multi-residential developments. This work has been located across Canada, he has led high-profile design projects with issues that are particular to each project and City. Ray has been project architect for multiple award-winning projects that integrate landscape and architecture; RTC#03, Stormwater Management Facility, Castledowns Park and Pavilion, Borden Park and Pavilion, Kathleen Andrews Transit Garage, Sidewalk Labs Quayside Unit Prototyping, June Callwood Park for the City of Toronto and the Natural Swim Experience for the City of Edmonton.

Andreas Lueth

With over 25 years of working with the architectural, construction and design community with a specific focus on the building envelope and specifically the Exterior Insulation and Rain Screen components of facades, Mr. Lueth has a robust understanding of today’s requirements to reach Net Zero and Passive Haus standards as well as the requirements for low embodied carbon materials from a building envelope perspective. Sto SE has been at the leading edge of Passive Haus design since its inception and is diligently working toward bringing more of these products to market in Canada to achieve these goals.

Royston Rebello (Moderator)

With a blended experience in prefabrication and modular construction, Royston Rebello continues to push to transform the construction industry that is traditionally conservative when it comes to the adoption of new construction practices. Royston brings a holistic approach through his previous industry experience to help achieve greater productivity by utilizing off-site manufacturing techniques to limit schedule uncertainties and costs overruns inherent in conventional construction practices. Royston holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Systems & Management from New York University and is currently the Director of Business Development at Skyrise Prefab Solutions a STO SE Company.

Bojana Jerinic

Bojana has developed an international experience while practicing architecture in Canada and Europe for the past 11 years. Her design focus has been creating architectural concepts that are unlocking the existing potential of a site, be it the historical, cultural, or environmental conditions, while often utilizing unexpected interventions. Prior to joining Perkins&Will, she has worked on a broad range of projects including Office, Residential, Science and Hospitality from start to completion. Her recent portfolio includes Higher Education and Sports and Recreation projects with heavy timber and hybrid structures.

Slavica Puzovic

Slavica Puzovic is a designer at the Perkins&Will Vancouver studio. She gained her Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Novi Sad, and her MASA Degree from the University of British Columbia. With over 10 years of local and international experience Slavica’s work has largely been focused on projects with heavy timber structure for two reasons – environmental and experiential. Overlaying social and environmental aspects of sustainability Slavica is passionate about designs that have both a positive impact on built and natural environment and that provide healthy and harmonious spaces for people. Working within the residential sector, Slavica was also involved in multiple cultural and institutional projects through various design stages - from creating initial designs to overseeing construction processes. Slavica’s attention to details and processes has a large influence on her design decisions and the way she thinks about the built environment.

Dan Dicaire

Dan Dicaire is a P. Eng and a Certified Energy Manager who works for Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) as the Manager of Energy and Sustainability. Over the past 11 years, he has coordinated the installation of 500 kW of solar arrays on 36 different OCH sites and managed a portfolio wide LED Lighting Retrofit which will save over 4.6 GWh of electricity annually. He supported OCH’s development team to produce Ontario’s first Mixed-use Passive House at 1290 Coldrey and is currently part of OCH’s development team which is building Canada’s largest Passive House building at 811 Gladstone as well as another 1000 units worth of passive house low, mid and high rise buildings. He is also developing the Zero GHG retrofit strategy for OCH’s 15,000 units which started with the Presland Net-Zero Retrofit where a 4 unit block of townhomes was retrofitted to net-zero energy and GHG using pre-fabricated panels. He is the proud father of a lovely 6 year old daughter.

Mark Carver

Mark is an R&D Project Lead at CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada and a member of the Buildings and Renewables Group. He leads Canmet’s Building Envelope research. Mark is passionate about making high-performance design, construction and renovation mainstream. He and his family put a heritage home in Ottawa’s Lebreton Flats neighbourhood through the deep retrofit wringer before moving to the suburbs where they’re now in the process of retrofitting a mid-century bungalow.

Mark Carver

Mark is an R&D Project Lead at CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada and a member of the Buildings and Renewables Group. He leads Canmet’s Building Envelope research. Mark is passionate about making high-performance design, construction and renovation mainstream. He and his family put a heritage home in Ottawa’s Lebreton Flats neighbourhood through the deep retrofit wringer before moving to the suburbs where they’re now in the process of retrofitting a mid-century bungalow.

Irene Rivera

Irene is an associate architect at Kearns Mancini Architects, which she joined in 2017. She holds a Masters degree in architecture and urbanism from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona where she focused on high efficiency architecture and Passive House systems. She works as a Project Manager on Passive House projects, leading the design and coordination from project inception. Irene has completed the PHPP course in Passive House Design and believes Passive House is the first step to sustainable design, but taking full accountability of the overall carbon footprint is the end goal. That's why she has also specialized in Carbon Calculations and Life Cycle Assessments.

Brian J. Hall

Brian is the designer of the CPCI's continuing-education program, which emphasizes educating Architects, Engineers and AEC construction professionals. CPCI's continuing-education program is a comprehensive ongoing education program which includes research, collecting and disseminating knowledge, statistics, ideas and information relating to the sustainability, design, manufacture and use of precast concrete in Canada. Brian is the originator of CPCI Sustainable Strategy, which includes: the development of CPCI Precast Concrete Life Cycle Assessment, Sustainable Plant Program and CPCI North American Environmental Product Declaration for precast concrete. Brian has presented on precast concrete and sustainability at the RAIC Festival of Architecture, Canadian Parking Association Conference, Transportation Association of Canada, Construction Specifications Canada Conference, The Building Show and many others.

Jacob Cammisoli

Jake Cammisoli is a Technical Sales Consultant at Coreslab Structures (Ont). He came to Coreslab with a sales background and a bachelor of commerce degree with a minor in economics. He has been at Coreslab for over 3 years with a primary focus on hollow core and balcony projects.

David Colussi

David is a director at WORKSHOP interested in expanding passive house?EnerPhit principles into the multi-family retrofit market.

Jackie Evans

Jackie is the housing representative for NRB in Eastern Canada. Jackie has a design degree from Ryerson University, and has been engaged in the building / construction solutions business for most of her career. She has been involved in various sustainability initiatives including LEED, ILFI, Passive House and more recently is participating in NRB’s Net Zero Housing Prototype. She is passionate about modular building and in particular how NRB can help end the housing crisis. Jackie has participated in numerous presentations and panel discussions over her extensive career.

Enda McDonagh

Enda joined Montgomery Sisam in 2010 and was made a Principal in 2021. He is a skilled technologist with a broad range of experience in educational and athletic facilities, social and performance spaces, high-end residential, commercial/office, mixed-use and retail buildings. Enda brings a wealth of international building knowledge to our team from his work in firms across Ireland, Australia and the United States. Enda has served as Project Manager on a number of notable projects, including the new Durham College Centre for Collaborative Education, Seneca College Magna Hall, the Greenwood College School Addition, the Cayman Islands Long Term Residential Mental Health Facility and the award-winning Southdown Institute redevelopment. He has also managed complex heritage renovations at Martin Luther University College and Phillips House Outpatient Treatment Services Centre.

Edie Dillman

Edie Dillman is CEO and co-founder of B.PUBLIC Prefab. As co-founder of a decidedly disruptive company, she is committed to systems change and the rapid adoption of solutions for the natural and built environment. As director of communications and strategy at Innovate + Educate, she worked nationally on systematic problems in the education-to-workforce field seeking critical change for equitable pathways and lifelong learning.

Ilka Cassidy

Ilka Cassidy is co-founder of Holzraum System. She is passionate about Passive House envelope design and building science, focusing on the benefits of natural building materials. She grew up in Germany and received her Diploma of Engineering/ Architecture degree from the RWTH Aachen. In her work with pre-manufactured systems, she connects architectural concepts and design seamlessly with construction and engineering, incorporating sustainability goals and occupants’ health in every aspect of the design process.

Beth Campbell

Beth is a Phius CPHB Trainer and Sustainable Homes Professional. She is passionate about innovation in the built environment. She’s been working as a construction and R&D project manager for Unity Homes since 2020. Previously, she built high performance projects for design-build companies in Portland, OR. She got her start in construction 18 years ago with "bags on”, primarily working in natural and low embodied carbon buildings. She was on the Passive House Northwest board for 6 years and Beth recently started teaching the Phius Certified PH Builder course. Unity Homes is dedicated to building better homes for more people. Unity uses sophisticated technology and innovative prefabrication to streamline the process, minimize waste and guarantee performance. Located in New Hampshire, Unity is a leader in high performance innovation for single family construction throughout New England (and beyond).

Chris Ballard

Chris Ballard has a history of supporting environmental and land use causes, most recently as the Ontario’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change implementing the government’s plan for a clean environment and a sustainable economy. He also served as the Minister of Housing and the Minister responsible for Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy and a Member of the Treasury Board. Chris’ political experience also includes being a municipal councillor in Aurora, Ontario. Chris is a past Executive Director of the 60,000 member Consumers’ Association of Canada (Ontario) and a founding board member of the Consumers Council of Canada. His leadership in journalism, communications and public affairs includes terms as President and Board member of the Public Affairs Association of Canada.

Dr Berthold Kaufmann

Dr Berthold Kaufman, a physicist by training, began his career in the field of solar thermal plant development and consulting. He has worked as a senior research scientist at the Passive House Institute since 2000, conducting research on the thermal properties of buildings, their energy consumption and thermal flows for planning purposes as well as the on design of highly insulated windows and compact heat pump systems. Dr Kaufman regularly consults architects and construction contractors on Passive House design for both new builds and retrofits and also serves as an expert on questions of Passive House economics and financial analysis. In addition to his consulting work and numerous research publications, Dr Kaufman frequently gives technical Passive House seminars, lectures and speeches for international audiences.