All the best, The Editorial Team We will keep adding business units that enhance our offering and separate us from our competition. “ ” Editor From The Dear Reader, Welcome to the latest issue of Construction Source Canada, the magazine that highlights the best in building and building products across the country. In this edition, we’ve taken a look at a wide variety of companies and organizations from across the construction spectrum and across the nation. Not only have we highlighted some of the nation’s leading home builders, but also some of the nation’s leading property developers, architects and designers, material suppliers, and subcontracting experts. Hestia Construction, the company on our cover, is both a developer and a builder. Based in Calgary, they develop and build what they call ‘social infrastructure’ – that includes seniors care facilities and multi-family residential that supports social wellbeing and community development. Since forming more than 15 years ago, their company has steadily grown and evolved into a leader in the sector. We talked to Dr. Kunal Patel, the company’s vice president, about that evolution. We also discussed some of their recent and ongoing work, including their largest facility to date – an eight-storey long-term care facility in Aspen Springs that will accommodate 392 seniors. Kyle Demelo Construction, meanwhile, is is an excavating company based in BC’s Okanagan Valley. They are also a rising star in their sector, getting into bigger and better projects with every passing year. We talked to Felicity Johnson and Joe Vieira – the company’s co-owner and general manager, respectively – about what’s powered their growth and success so far. They both highlighted the importance of the company’s family culture and the calibre of their team, and they discussed how they foster that culture and keep that team engaged. Then there’s Kirschenblatt Urban Architecture (KUA), a recentlyformed boutique architectural firm by veteran architect Steven Kirshenblatt. For over 40 years, Steven has been designing wellexecuted, responsible, cost-efficient architecture projects across the GTA as one of the two founding partners of Kirkor Architects & Planners. Late in his storied career, he’s taken the unusual step to start a new firm in order to be more hands-on again and work directly with clients. We talked to Steven about that decision, about the kind of clients he’s looking for, and about the kind of work he’s doing now. For more on those stories – and more stories like them, from across the construction spectrum – just keep reading.
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA Laying the Ground Work to Make Life Easier VANBREE.CA
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THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA With a readership exceeding 145,000 senior executives, The Construction Source takes immense pride in providing an enticing platform to amplify your message to the most pivotal audience – your valued customers. Whether your aim is to promote an exciting new condo development, attract crucial financial investments for upcoming projects, or establish a commanding brand presence, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. To explore opportunities for featuring your company or showcasing your latest project in The Construction Source, please reach out to our Group Publisher. Jermaine Poulsen e: info@theconstructionsource.ca The Costruction Source Canada 202 - 1200 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M5R 2A5 E: info@theconstructionsource.ca Executive Publisher Jermaine Poulsen COO Alexandra Box Editor in Chief Zach Janes Director of Operations Jacqueline Van Belois Derrick Pelley Business Development Managers Mary Ann Taylor Douglas Thomson Production Manager Brennan Midghall Digital Strategist Pranim Thapa Administration Manager Belyn Quijance-Dorero
APRIL 2025 HESTIA CONSTRUCTION Building social infrastructure KYLE DEMELO CONSTRUCTION Quality people, quality work KIRSCHENBLATT URBAN ARCHITECTURE (KUA) Having fun with it HSS DESIGN BUILD Building for the future SPECTRA SIGNS Making the date RAYNER CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Caring about the craft SPAN ARCHITECTURE INC. Meeting the needs of clients JPH CONSULTING Quality over profits ph5 ARCHITECTURE The power of collaboration CAMPBELL RIVER HEAD INJURY SUPPORT SOCIETY A place to call home COUNTY OF NORTHERN LIGHTS A great place to grow INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS INCINERATING TOILETS IN THIS ISSUEAPRIL 2025 KYLE DEMELO CONSTRUCTION HSS DESIGN BUILD
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA ARCHITECTURAL INSTINCT Elegant and pragmatic UM PROPERTIES A city within a city GEOMETRIX GROUP ENGINEERING Quality structural solutions ARCHITECTURAL INSTINCT GEOMETRIX GROUP ENGINEERING UM PROPERTIES
APRIL 2025 Industry INNOVATIONS MODERN & ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TOILET SOLUTIONS
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA Water connection not required Requires little space No odour Easy installation No frost protection needed Secure for children ash to be emptied No waste handling, only and more Bunkies, For Home, Cottages, Shops, 3 - 4 visits per hour High capacity Propane&Electric models ABOUT CINDERELLA ECO GROUP Cinderella Eco Group is a family-owned company located in the north-western coastal community of Midsund in Romsdal, with deep roots in the beautiful Norwegian fjord-landscape. We have more than 20 years’ experience with the Cinderella Incineration Toilet, a water-free, ecological solution for the management of toilet waste. Cinderella, the natural first choice for those who place high demands on quality and functionality. HIGHLIGHTS OF INCINERATION TOILETS:
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Building Social Infrastructure
Hestia Construction is a Calgary-based developer and builder of ‘social infrastructure’ –seniors’ care facilities and multi-family residential that support social wellbeing and community development, such as long term care seniors’ homes and rental housing. Since forming more than 15 years ago, their company has steadily grown and evolved into a leader in the sector. Along the way, they have created a number of innovative, efficient, and welcoming spaces, and have built a team of loyal staff, partners, and subtrades defined by their integrity and the quality of their workmanship. Dr. Hasmukh Patel and Dr. Kabir Jivraj started Hestia Construction in 2008, initially with the goal of constructing seniors care facilities for their parent company, AgeCare. AgeCare strives to operate care facilities that enable an aging-inplace model, so Hestia was able to quickly earn experience building projects that span the full breadth of the seniors housing spectrum. This includes everything from independent living to long term care. Over the course of 15 years, Hestia has become an industry leader in the seniors housing space. In recent years, Hestia has branched out and started building other social infrastructure projects, such as multi-family rental developments. These days, they build primarily in Alberta, with occasional ventures into neighbouring provinces. According to Dr. Kunal Patel, Vice President, Development & Pre-Construction, all their developments are designed to be very “residentfocused” and “the opposite of an institutional nursing home.” “We build great looking buildings that are efficient, practical and functional,” Kunal says. “They’re very homely, welcoming, and inviting for our residents, APRIL 2025
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their families and AgeCare staff. Our number one goal is to always be considerate to our residents and their needs. Our senior care facilities don’t feel like hospitals. They’re warm, vibrant, exciting, and promote social gatherings. There are a lot of activities. We always design and build them with the residents in mind, asking ourselves ‘If we were living there, what would we want it to look and feel like?’” When it comes to designing and engineering their projects, Hestia Construction tends to work with the same team of consulting and engineering partners. “We like to build partnerships,” Kunal explains. “When we’re starting a new project, we like to work with the same design team. They know our past projects; they know our values; they know what we expect and this saves a lot of time.” A lot of the same applies to Hestia’s relationships with subcontractors and subtrades. Again, Kunal says, they look to build long-term relationships and partnerships “that align with our values and understand what we want to bring to the community.” “On every project, our goal is to build an efficient, cost-effective building that’s inviting and feels like home to our residents,” he says. “We expect our design and subtrade partners to understand that.” Because they have been working with Hestia so long, most of their partners do indeed share that understanding. In a lot of cases Kunal says, a number of those partner relationships go back to “day one.” Gypsum Drywall is one example of a close and APRIL 2025
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APRIL 2025 longstanding partner. They are a full-service drywall construction company that has been servicing clients in and around Calgary for over 40 years. Throughout their long history, they have worked on a long list of multi-family residential construction and various commercial construction projects, and they have built some very longstanding relationships with clients like Hestia, who they prefer to view as partners rather than clients. Hestia appreciates and reciprocates that partnership approach. Elite Formwork is another example of a longstanding partner, with an even longer history – they have been a leading structural concrete contractor in Western Canada since forming in 1979. They have the reputation of being one of the largest and most respected organizations in the industry. They have earned that reputation due to their penchant for innovation, their clear communication, and the superior quality of their workmanship – all qualities that the team at Hestia highly values. Hestia Construction has also been working with the Giusti Group of Companies for a long time. Again, they are a longstanding company, with a legacy going back over 40 years. The team at Hestia really values that history and track record. They also value the depth of service the Giusti Group provides – these days, they are a multifaceted group of companies with a combined offering that includes concrete services, tile distribution, prefabricated wall panels, and much more.
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APRIL 2025 Feels like home Currently, Hestia Construction is in the middle of a very busy time. Last year they finished work on a care facility in Kamloops, BC, which achieved occupancy in November. They also commenced construction on four projects, including three long-term care facilities and one multi-family rental development, all of which are still under construction. The rental development is located in Okotoks and will comprise 100 units. Kunal projects that phase one will be ready for occupancy this spring. One of the care facilities is located in Chestermere and will comprise 207 LTC beds. Another care facility is being built in the community of Shawnee in Calgary, will comprise of 314 LTC beds. Both of those projects are projected to be finished in the spring of 2026. Meanwhile, in Aspen Springs, Calgary, Hestia is building their largest
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APRIL 2025 project to date. There, they are constructing an eight-storey long-term care facility which will accommodate 392 seniors. As with their previous projects, Kunal emphasizes that all those facilities were designed to feel like homes and not hospitals. “They’re fairly large facilities, but we ensure they are still not institutional,” he says. “That eightstorey concrete may be the size of a hospital, but through our thorough design collaboration we’ve made sure it doesn’t feel that way.” Moving forward, Hestia’s goal is to continue delivering projects of quality workmanship and efficiency, on both the seniors living side and the apartment rental side of their business. Coming in the future, however, the company will be building senior housing projects not just for themselves, but also for external operators. According to Kunal, those prospective clients have recognized Hestia’s leadership and expertise in the seniors housing sector and have started approaching them with opportunities. “We’ve been in the seniors care industry for 15plus years, we’ve become an industry leader, and people have taken notice,” he says. “People are looking at Hestia to become their development partner for their seniors housing projects.” “Because we are the experts,” he adds. “I don’t think anyone can do it better than us when it comes to seniors housing. We build big facilities. We’re always on budget. We’re always on schedule.. Our buildings are always vibrant and exciting. We get great feedback from residents,
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APRIL 2025 from residents’ families, and from our provincial and lender partners.” As they evaluate prospective clients, Kunal says they are looking for clients who share their values and their objectives. “It’s just like with our trade partners – we’re looking for people who want to develop nice buildings and people who care about the community,” Kunal explains. “Seniors are a growing population, and they need somewhere they can be comfortable and safe. If they can’t be at home, we want them to be able to go to a nice facility that’s a home away from home. We want to make sure our partners have that same intention and the same vision.” If they can find clients like that, Kunal says the company will likely grow to accommodate their increased workload. In the meantime, as long as they are only building for AgeCare, Kunal believes they are about the right size. They currently have about 50 employees and the company is happy with that number. They see a lot of advantages in being on the “a small-to-medium sized business,” in terms of how quickly they can move and how responsive they can be, and they want to retain those advantages. Ultimately, whether they grow or not, Kunal says Hestia’s vision is to cement their reputation as “industry leaders in developing social infrastructure,” being experts in the seniors housing and rental housing space. “We know how to design and we know how to build,” Kunal concludes. “We’re efficient. We’re cost-effective. We’re always on schedule. We have everything it takes to be leaders and we believe people are going to keep taking notice.”
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA For more on Hestia Construction, their services, their capabilities, and their past projects – and to get in touch with their expert team, including Kunal – visit https://www.hestiaconstruction.ca/
Quality people, quality work
Kyle Demelo Construction is an excavating company based in the Okanagan, with the ability to deliver contracts anywhere across British Columbia. Backed by their experienced management team, their dedicated staff, their expansive fleet of heavy equipment, and the latest technology, they have the capability to efficiently oversee any type of excavating project, large or small. Kyle Demelo, the company’s eponymous founder and co-owner, is a third-generation farmer and has spent much of his life living in the South Okanagan. Prior to starting this company, he was a professional freestyle motocross athlete. His partner, Felicity Johnson, graduated with honours from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Business Management. Prior to helping found KD Construction, she was the general manager for another successful-start up business – Area 27 Motorsports Park. When COVID happened, both Kyle and Felicity decided they wanted a change. They purchased an excavator and a skid steer and took a job pulling out an orchard for a family friend in the nearby town of Oliver. The work just continued from there. About a year in, Joe Vieira, Kyle’s cousin, joined the company as a partner and the general manager. Joe came from a long career in the civil construction industry, having started when he was just 19 years old. He was previously consulting for oil and mining companies across Canada, and was getting tired of travelling when Kyle approached him and asked him to help the company expand into the civil space. According to Felicity, Joe agreeing and coming on board “really propelled the company to what it is now.” Today, KD Construction provides a variety APRIL 2025
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of services, including: mass earth moving, subdivision development, agricultural builds, civil infrastructure, and environmental construction. In terms of industry sectors, they are currently focusing on commercial, industrial and institutional projects. In terms of geography, they mainly work in Kelowna and the Central Okanagan. And in terms of project size, Joe says there’s virtually nothing too small or too big – the company can take on projects valued anywhere from thousands to millions. According to both Joe and Felicity, there are a plethora of factors that set KD Construction apart within their broad niche. One of the main factors, they say, is their quality of work. Felicity largely credits that quality to the calibre of their team – and to Joe in particular. “Joe has an incredible wealth of knowledge and a vast array of expertise, but one thing that never waivers are his really high standards for deliverables,” she says. According to Kyle himself, the company’s other team members might not have as many years of industry experience, but he says they are equally passionate. He shares the credit with them. “We have between 10 and 15 staff, and everyone really cares. They have the same attention to detail. Everyone takes pride in their work and works really well together. And by staying a smaller company, we can ensure that everyone who works with us is a really high-quality person.” Another factor that sets KD Construction apart, Joe adds, is their ability to quickly design and re-design engineering plans. That ability helps greatly with keeping projects on schedule – “and on schedule usually means on budget,” Joe APRIL 2025
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APRIL 2025 says. Again, he credits that ability largely to his experience. “Oil companies and mining companies used to hire me to do constructability reviews for engineers,” he explains. “So I would oversee multiple engineers on their designs and give them feedback on how we can make it constructible so that when we get out into the field we have ironed out some of the changes. After doing that for a few years, I learned to look at a set of plans and visually identify what needs changing to make them work. I also learned how to make those changes in the field. That’s an ability I’ve picked up over the years.” Part of KD Construction’s ability to be efficient and re-design as needed should also be attributed to the technology they use. GPS is common in their line of work and several of their pieces of equipment are outfitted with Trimble Sitech GPS hardware for efficiency and accuracy. In conjunction with Trimble Business Center (a Trimble CAD/Civil 3D model program), they actually have the ability to create project models in-house for the GPS equipment. KD Construction also uses drone technology to capture large areas of survey information with a designated flight path that can cover up to 200 acres in 15 minutes – it would typically take ground surveyors three-to-five days to extrapolate that much data. By using drones like that, and by using the Propeller program, they can capture highresolution survey topography data that is within two centimeters accuracy and a two-centimeter grid.
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APRIL 2025 “This software also allows us to check elevations, design cut/fill requirements, measure distances, areas, volumes, and more,” says Kyle, “but we work in a world of millimeter differences, so we also use a Robotic Total Station for accuracy to one-millimeter survey stakeouts.” On top of that, KD Construction is also backed by a very strong team of employees – like Kyle said; it’s not just him and Joe driving the company’s success. “For this kind of work, we have a great team,” Joe reiterates. “We have a younger team member, Ryan Powell, who really helps on the technology side with our survey and CAD services that we offer on projects. We also have a great superintendent, Mat Jabalee, who has been with us for a few years now, who helps implement everything in the field and oversees projects. It’s definitely a team environment.” When it comes to adding people to that environment, Joe reiterates that they are very selective about who they work with. A big part of it, he says, is “they have to enjoy what they’re doing and have a good attitude.” “I’d rather teach somebody with a good attitude than have somebody that has experience but doesn’t fit the culture,” he says. “We want people with the right mentality. We also want people who are hungry to learn and take personal pride in what they do. I think that definitely describes the people we have now.” KD Construction has also formed some strong relationships with suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors. Felicity describes those partners as “integral to our operations.” She goes on to add that, “we use predominantly CAT equipment, so we would not be where we are today without the support from the Finning Kelowna branch. Their customer service with sales, warranties, repairs and maintenance are what keep our equipment running at 100 per cent availability.” “We’ve built a lot of great relationships,” she says. “We are good to them and they’re good to us. We go above and beyond for each other. That’s just one of those things about working here. West Kelowna and the Okanagan in general is actually a fairly small area, so word travels fast within the industry.” Another good example of a close partner would be Emco Waterworks Interior, which is based out of Kelowna. Emco Waterworks is the largest waterworks distributor in Canada, with a network of 48 locations located across the country, but their business platform is decentralized. That means Emco Waterworks Interior is able to offer a higher level of customer care, the kind typically associated with smaller, privately-held companies – all while still leveraging the purchasing power, ERP systems, and economies of scale that come up with being part of a national business. KD Construction has long benefitted from that unique value proposition.
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA No compromises on quality Over the past few years, KD Construction has largely grown on the back of referrals and repeat work, including some direct award work. That shows the kind of relationships they have built with customers. In fact, Joe goes as far as to say, “I don’t think we’ve had any bad reviews.” Moving forward, one of the company’s main goals is to keep up that streak. Another main goal is to get into bigger projects. They are already well on their way there, as some of their current projects are among their biggest yet. For example, throughout the winter they have been working on a seven-acre industrial park in West Kelowna. They have also been working on multiple school additions in Kelowna and West Kelowna. In the future, they are poised to take on a big pipeline in conjunction with the Black Mountain Irrigation District. They also have a subdivision in Lake Country that will commence this month – that’s been on the books for over a year-and-a-half and
APRIL 2025 they are excited to get started. Though the projects may get bigger, the KD Construction management team is content with the current size of the company. Joe calls growth a “double-edged sword.” He has personally worked at companies that have doubled and tripled their revenues in his time there, only to see their profit margins drop, along with their quality. He doesn’t want to see that happen at KD Construction. “I don’t want to grow and compromise on quality,” he states definitively. “I also don’t want to lose the connection that we have with our workers. I don’t want anyone to feel like they’re just a number. I’ve worked with bigger companies and I’ve seen what that does to people when they feel that way.” “Right now we have control over everything that’s going on, we have great staff and a great culture, and our clients are very happy,” he concludes. “That’s what matters most to us.”
For more on Kyle Demelo Construction, their range of services, their past projects, and their commitment to safety – and to get in touch with their expert team, including Kyle, Felicity and Joe – visit their website https://kd.construction/ THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
Having fun with it
Kirshenblatt Urban Architecture (KUA) is a recently-formed boutique architectural firm by veteran architect Steven Kirshenblatt. For over 40 years, Steven has been designing well-executed, responsible, cost-efficient architecture projects across the GTA, and over those decades has developed relationships with some of the region’s premier builders and consultant teams. As the leader of KUA Architecture, he is now focusing primarily on multi-residential projects, including high-rises, mid-rises, and low-rises. Currently, for example, Steven and his team are working with Times Group Corporation on multiple high-end condominium projects in prime Toronto locations. Prior to forming KUA, Steven was one of two founding partners of Kirkor Architects & Planners, which he started all the way back in 1981. Over the years, Kirkor evolved to be a multi-faceted firm employing over 140 diverse creative, including architects, interior designers, technologists, and renderers. Steven was proud of that growth and evolution, but at the same time missed being hands-on and working directly with clients. “I wanted to get back into grassroots architecture,” Steven explains. “I wanted to get back to working with clients directly – particularly clients who appreciated me and understood my personality and what I could offer them. I wanted to work on their projects in a much more hands-on fashion.” “Running a larger firm comes with a lot of responsibilities, and that limited how much I could do personally, it made me rely a lot more on staff members,” he adds. “I was looking for a little bit of a change. So I reinvented myself under the name of Kirshenblatt Urban Architecture. I’m now working with a couple of great architects and we’re able to be much more hands-on than we were before.” APRIL 2025
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As previously mentioned, KUA is now working on some high-end condos for prestigious developers such as Times Group Corporation. KUA is also doing some work with Steven’s sons, who are also in the building and development game – one son is currently doing a development up in Aurora and another in downtown Toronto, and another has a business doing custom homes and renovations. “I’m doing work that I enjoy, and I’m working with people I enjoy working with,” Steven explains. “Times Group I have a 30-year history of working with. They were one of my principal clients at Kirkor over the years, and they stayed with me. They trust me, they appreciate me, and I’m having fun working with them.” At this stage of his career, the projects that interest Steven the most are multi-family residential. He enjoys navigating the complexities of that sector and figuring out how to achieve a high quality building that meets or exceeds energy codes while still maintaining an effective price. He recognizes, however, that those projects tend to take a long time from conception to completion, and he acknowledges that he’s much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Therefore, when it comes to larger scale projects, he’s mostly looking to joint venture with other architects and take on more of an “architectural consultant role,” and to serve in that role not just in the design phase, but also through development and approval phases, and then through construction and occupation. When it comes to smaller projects, however – projects with maybe a year or two-year turnover APRIL 2025
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APRIL 2025 – Steven is still ready and eager to act as the Architect of Record. In both scenarios, he believes his clients choose him for his depth of knowledge and expertise, which he has cultivated over his four-plus decades in the industry. “What you get with me is you get 45 years of experience,” he says. “You get a track record of delivering significant built architecture in the GTA, in Vancouver, in Calgary, and elsewhere. You’re getting my oversight and my knowledge. You’re getting an assurance that your building will be well-designed and drawn, it will be cost-effective, and it will ultimately be built.” “I’m starting off with a huge portfolio of completed work, and all the knowledge that comes with it,” he adds. “I like to believe that I’m well-regarded in the industry, that I’m known as a knowledgeable architect that can be relied on.” Steven has been working with all of his current clients for many years now. Going forward, he expects that to remain true, as past clients are keeping him plenty busy, and there’s a limit to how much KUA can do as a smaller firm. “And I don’t want to grow the practice right now,” he says. “I want to keep it small and steady. At this stage of my career, this is the kind of practice I want to run.” When it comes to other industry stakeholders, Steven also intends to continue working with the same people. Over his decades in the industry, he has built relationships with a long list of other architects and designers, engineers and consultants, and builders and property
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA managers. He hopes to continue leveraging those relationships moving forward. The Myriad Group is one example of a close partner. They are a locally-based private development and property management firm, specializing in apartments for rent in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough and Oakville. They are a family-owned company with more than 40 years’ experience in the industry, with many of those years spent at the industry forefront. They exemplify the kind of in-depth expertise and knowledge typical of KUA’s partners. Schollen & Company Inc. is another longstanding business that exemplifies that kind of knowledge and expertise. They are an award-winning landscape architecture firm based in Richmond Hill, motivated by a mission to create memorable places and by an enduring commitment to environmental sustainability. KUA shares the same mission and the same values, making the two firms natural partners.
APRIL 2025 The new paradigm Currently, Steven is working with longstanding client Times Group Corporation on two luxury condos. One is a 30-unit condo located at 33 Chatsworth, which started construction late last year and is still being marketed. That project started construction without going through a presale process – which Steven says reflects the client’s confidence in the product, while also reflecting “the new paradigm in how condominiums are going to get built.” “I think a lot of projects are going to have to start construction before real sales happen,” he says. “The market used to rely on preconstruction sales, but that has pretty much evaporated out here.” The other Times Group condo in development is located 1 Bridle Path, and will comprise 58 luxury condo units. Steven is taking on that project personally.
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA “There’s no other architect involved, it’s just me,” he says. “They trust me to do that. We recently got it in for re-zoning and we’re going to continue to develop the design and bring it to market as quickly as we can. There’s a lot that’s positive about the design from the city’s point of view, so we’re hoping that approvals will come quickly.” Moving forward, Steven hopes to continue to work on projects like those, as he’s passionate about adding density to Toronto. He also hopes to do more transit-oriented projects and contribute more affordable housing solutions – though he admits that providing those solutions has been a longstanding challenge for architects, and he doesn’t personally have the solutions. “I feel it’s been somewhat of a failure of the architectural community and developer community to provide affordable multifamily housing,” Steven says. “There are so many reasons we haven’t been able to achieve it. I don’t think it’s really the fault of the architects, but I think the whole industry needs to come together and figure it out. There’s such a huge demand for it. It’s a shame that we haven’t made more progress. “ As he continues “dreaming a solution” to that problem, Steven says KUA Architecture will continue to progress “one step at a time, one day at a time.” He admits that the long-term future of the firm is uncertain. “The potential longevity of the firm is something I’m trying to figure out,” Steven explains. “I’m asking a lot of questions. Will the architects that are working with me continue the practice without my involvement? When do I step back? How many
APRIL 2025 years and how much good health and how much energy do I have? Those answers will drive the future of this little practice that I’ve created.” “Finding work is not a concern,” he adds. “My reputation is out there. People know where to find me. If I wanted to, I could really gear up and do a lot more work, but that’s not where I’m at right now. I’m trying to enjoy myself without killing myself working.” In many ways, Steven concludes, KUA is in uncharted territory. “I’m not sure that I know of any architect in my situation that has done what I’m doing,” he says. “I don’t know anyone else who was a major player in the architectural scene in the city of Toronto who then tried to reinvent themselves in a way later in the career. I can’t think of any other example.” “A lot of my competition have retired over the years, or have slowed down, or have turned their firms over to other partners. That’s what I did at Kirkor. At Kirkor, we brought in some really great partners into the practice, and the partners were the succession plan. That was part of the goal that me and the other founding partner had at the beginning. This practice, this is a little different. This one is a matter of ‘Who can make it continue, who can build on it, on it, and how much does it rely on me versus the staff and the people behind me?’ Those are the questions I need to answer. While I work it out, I’m just playing it one step at a time and seeing where it all leads.”
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA For more on Kirschenblatt Urban Architecture, their capabilities, and their past and present projects – and to get in touch with Steven and the rest of his expert team – visit https://www.kuarchitecture.ca/
Building for the future
In the heart of Canmore, Alberta, a quiet revolution in home construction is underway. HSS Design Build Ltd., founded in 2016 by Raphael Spinner, is redefining sustainable, energy-efficient building practices in Canada. Drawing on his Swiss heritage and decades of hands-on experience in woodworking and heavy timber framing, Raphael has built a company that believes every project should be designed to last generations. Raphael’s story began in Switzerland, where he was born, raised, and educated in a culture that values precision and sustainability. “I started my apprenticeship at 15 years old,” he recalls, reflecting on the early immersion into the world of construction. Although he gives a nod to one grandfather for inspiring his passion, he also credits his other grandparents, whose farming background instilled in him a deep respect for hard work and natural materials. This mix of personal heritage and professional training laid the foundation for a company built on long-term thinking and sustainable practices. At HSS Design Build, each project is more than just a structure—it’s a commitment to building for the future. Raphael explains, “If a client wants to build something that lasts generations and they can pass it on to the kids, we’re the ones for them.” This philosophy drives the team to choose projects not solely on immediate financial returns but on how well they align with the broader goal of reducing environmental impact. Whether working on residential homes, commercial developments, or municipal projects, the focus remains on accelerating the transition to energyefficient construction practices. Much of the company’s work is centered in the Bow Valley, though they are not averse to taking APRIL 2025
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projects in Calgary or even British Columbia. Like their name applies, they do a lot of design-build work. This approach means that from the initial concept to the finishing touches, every step is managed under one roof—a strategy that ensures quality and efficiency. Even as a small team of about 13 employees, collaboration remains the cornerstone of their work. For HSS Design Build, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the very essence of how they build. The company takes pride in their ability to deliver projects that are both environmentally responsible and built to last. In one project, for instance, they were tasked with designing a building intended to last for a century. “We’re really trying to design for generations,” Raphael emphasizes. The company’s criteria are clear: they choose projects that help reduce emissions and sequester carbon over time, making each building not just a structure but an investment in the future. A recent standout project was a munipal pavilion in Banff called ‘Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi’, where, after a public selection process, the HSS team was chosen to design a multi-use building at the heart of a newly revamped recreational area. The project, built under a stringent municipal sustainable building policy, called for innovative solutions to cap energy use and heating demand. “We proposed a mass timber building with a gluedlaminated superstructure,” Raphael explains. The result was a structure that not only met Passive House, low-energy standards, but also served as a vibrant public space, complete with a kitchenette, washrooms, and a flexible gathering area. Opened in 2023, the pavilion embodies HSS’ ethos of combining sustainability with community benefit. APRIL 2025
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APRIL 2025 Looking ahead, Raphael is focused on how technology and innovation can further enhance sustainable building. Prefabrication is one of the techniques his company is eager to expand. By constructing key elements in a controlled environment and then assembling them on-site, HSS Design Build is able to achieve unparalleled precision while reducing waste. “We’re definitely using prefabrication, and we want to do more of that,” he states, noting that this method not only speeds up construction but also maintains a high level of quality control essential for passive housing. Material selection is another area where HSS Design Build is thinking ahead. Raphael is particularly excited about hemp insulation—a product he believes could revolutionize the industry if more widely adopted. Hemp grows rapidly and sequesters a significant amount of carbon, offering a sustainable alternative to more conventional insulation materials like Rockwool. “It’s durable, has a high mass, and when you compare it to Rockwool, the production of which emits much more carbon, hemp is a clear winner,” Raphael explains. In recent years, HSS Design build’s commitment to sustainability and quality excellence has earned them a number of industry awards and acknowledgements. In 2023, for example, the company received an award from the Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce for Excellence and Sustainability, and later, a Woodworks Award at the Canadian Wood Council’s Wood Design & Building Awards. These accolades serve as a tangible recognition of the team’s efforts and a testament to their forward-thinking approach in sustainable construction. As Raphael points out, these achievements are not just about prestige—
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APRIL 2025 they validate the company’s mission to build structures that stand the test of time. For Raphael, sustainable building is not only about reducing their environmental footprint; it’s also about redefining what quality means in modern construction. In his view, the old ways of building, which focus on short-term returns, are no longer acceptable. “It’s going to be devastating if we keep building the old school way,” he warns. This philosophy permeates every aspect of HSS Design Build’s work, from the careful selection of non-toxic, natural materials to the use of advanced construction techniques that ensure each home performs exactly as designed. Raphael’s vision for the future is ambitious and clear. He is determined to accelerate the shift toward energy-efficient construction practices in Canada, making sustainable building more affordable and accessible to a broader public. His goal is not merely to construct buildings but to lay the groundwork for a healthier, more resilient environment. “Our goal is to accelerate the change—the transition to sustainable and energy-efficient construction practices,” he asserts. By focusing on long-term value rather than immediate returns, Raphael and his team are paving the way for a future where every building contributes to a reduction in emissions and a healthier planet.
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA For more on HSS Design Build, their services, their commitment to innovation, and their past projects – and to get in touch with Raphael and his team – visit www.hssdesignbuild.com
Making the date
Spectra Advertising is a successful and highly reputable Ontario-based sign company. Since forming in 1993, they have been a leader and an innovator in the local industry. When they were started, they were a two-man operation, with founders Robert and Tony Ascenzi hand painting billboards. Over 30 years later, they are a premier sign making company, with 35 employees operating out of a 9,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, creating almost everything in-house. Soon, they will be operating out of a facility almost twice that size, which will further enhance their capabilities and further cement their industry leadership. Robert Ascenzi Jr., the company’s chief operating officer, grew up in the sign business. When he was as young as seven years old, he would help out his father and uncle in the shop. He officially joined in 2006, at a time when the business was growing by leaps and bounds. “When I got here, we started focusing more on the infrastructure world,” he recalls. “We started tendering community centres, libraries, rec centres, and government buildings – projects like that. We’ve really found our niche in that field.” Within that niche, Robert says what sets Spectra apart is their reliability. “We meet our dates,” he says. “The sign industry is a funny industry. The signs are often the last thing on a construction project that people think about, and by the time they think of them, they need them right away. They need them to get done. That’s where we shine. We move heaven and earth to make sure that we make the date happen.” “Whatever it takes,” he adds. “Whatever we need APRIL 2025
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to do, whatever resources we need to devote, we make sure that the job gets out when it’s supposed to. I think our clients really appreciate that. They know they can count on us.” As a result of that reliability, Spectra Advertising has been able to build some extremely longstanding repeat relationships with clients. According to Robert, their longest standing customer goes back 25 years, while many other customers go back 15 years or 10 years. They also have two corporate customers who operate Canada-wide, and they are going into their fifth year servicing one of them. Of course, that loyalty wouldn’t happen if clients weren’t satisfied with Spectra’s quality – which they clearly are. Robert credits that quality control to the hands-on involvement of all four owners, including him and his and his dad and two brothers. “Every product has to funnel through one of our hands before it can go to the next department,” he explains. “Having an owner every step of the way makes quality control that much better, because we care so much. We’re not going to let something go through unless it’s absolutely top quality.” “That filters down into our employees,” he adds. “They know they’re just going to have to re-spray something or re-cut something if it doesn’t meet our standards, so a lot of the time they just respray it or re-cut it before we even have to look at it. They know that if they don’t like something that we’re probably not going to like it either, so they won’t put it out.” Again, Spectra Advertising now employs roughly APRIL 2025
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35 team members directly. Robert describes the culture at the company as open and transparent. “There’s very much an open door policy,” he says. “People have the ability to speak freely and feel like their voice is being heard. I think that goes a long way. I think that makes our people go the extra mile, because they want to be here.” Spectra Advertising also offers employees flexible hours in order to accommodate their unique family dynamics. Some people arrive early and leave early and some arrive late and leave late. In return for that flexibility, Robert says, “we ask for a day’s worth of quality work – and they give that to us.” Just like with clients, Spectra has been able to form relationships with employees that go back many years. Their longest-tenured employee, for example, is currently in his 20th year with the company. Another employee is in year 18. Robert estimates a whole third of their staff have been there over 15 years, while another third is in the three-to-five year range. The last third is fairly new, which Robert says makes for a good mix of youth and experience. Robert stresses the importance of all team members, regardless of their experience. He says that on any successful team – whether it’s a successful sports team or a successful business – the success is never a credit to “just one person.” “It’s a credit to the whole team,” he says. “And I think we have a really good team here, and that’s how we’re able to be successful and continue to grow.” “It can’t be overstated how important my partners are and how important the team is,” he adds. “And speaking myself, it can’t be overstated how important my wife is. She allows me to work – and sometimes it’s difficult, sometimes it’s stressful, but she’s always there for me to lean on. I couldn’t do this without her.” APRIL 2025
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA Growing slowly As a recent example of Spectra Advertising’s capabilities in action, Robert points to the company’s recent work for Saigon Park in Mississauga. There, they did a sign with 16-foot-high channel letters, each with an illuminated white border, all of them lit with RGB floodlights pointed up at them. Robert says that project was a long time in the works, but when construction finally started it “went up very quickly.” The project is still not quite concluded – they have some restoration to do in the spring – but the feedback so far has been exceptionally positive. “Everybody has loved it to this point,” Robert says. “It’s a really nice project and it’s a job well done. It’s a job we can really hang our hat on as a group.” Spectra Advertising also just finished working on the Zancor Centre – King Township’s new, multi-use recreation facility, located at 1600
APRIL 2025 15th Sideroad in King City. That’s another big project with impressive signage, and Robert says the feedback there has been just as enthusiastic. Moving forward, Robert says the goal is to continue working on projects of that size scale, and particularly for clients in the institutional sector. Fortunately, they started 2025 with a backlog of such projects. In the month of January, for example, they did a courthouse in Brantford, as well as three separate community centres across Ontario. Robert also says the goal is to grow the company. He says they will soon have a lot of room to do that, as they are in the process of moving from their current facility in Concord to a new facility in Aurora, which will nearly double their available square footage. “We’re going to have a lot more space,” Robert says. “That’s going to be good. We’re a little crammed in our current location. Hopefully this will allow us to be more productivity and move a little quicker and more fluidly.” As for how big the company intends to grow, Robert admits they are not sure yet. “I would have said 15 years ago when I started, if we were doing the numbers we’re doing now, that would be unreal, and I’d be happy with that,” he says. “And now I’m not.” “I think if you’re not growing, you’re dead,” he adds, “but we’re not going to give ourselves a goal of a particular number. We’re just going to continue to put our head down and continue to get better every day and continue to bring sales up and continue to grow the team slowly and grow the revenue slowly.” “If we can grow to be a $100 million company growing that way, then that’s what we’ll do,” he concludes. “But we’re not going to bite our nose off and take on anything that we can’t handle just to get there. Our customers are always going to come first. We’re never going to compromise our ability to get the job done on time.”
For more on Spectra Advertising and their past projects – and to get in touch with their expert team today – visit https://spectra-signs.com/ THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
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