Beyond the Building Code
At Frontiers, we believe that “building to code” should be the floor, not the ceiling. The building code is essentially the minimum legal requirement to ensure a structure doesn’t fail; however, it doesn’t always guarantee a space that is healthy, quiet, or affordable to operate over the long term.
We take a different approach. Whether we are designing a high-end custom residence or an affordable housing project, our goal is High-Performance. This means shifting the focus from just “square footage and finishes” to the actual physics of how a building works for its occupants. We want our buildings to work harder so that the people inside can live better.
The Three Pillars of High-Performance
1. Energy Efficiency (The “Thermos” Effect)
- The Envelope: We treat the building like a high-end thermos. It features a continuous, airtight envelope and significantly more insulation than a conventional build.
- The Result: This drastically lowers operating costs. For a family, that means more breathing room in the monthly budget. For a not-for-profit organization, every dollar saved on a heating bill is a dollar that can go directly back into life-changing programming.
2. Occupant Comfort & Wellness
- Thermal Consistency: In a conventional build, you often find “hot spots” near windows or “cold spots” near corners and doors. In a high-performance build, the temperature remains consistent throughout the entire building, regardless of where you are standing.
- Air Quality & Quiet: Because the building is so well-sealed, we have total control over the air coming in. It is filtered, fresh, and constantly circulating. Furthermore, those thick, airtight walls make the interior incredibly peaceful—you won’t hear the street traffic or the rain outside. It’s a true sanctuary from the world.
3. Resilience and Durability
- Longevity: Most conventional buildings are designed with a 30-to-50-year lifecycle in mind. We build for the long haul, aiming for a 100-to-200-year lifespan.
- Moisture Management: This is our “secret sauce.” While the walls are airtight to keep heat in, they are vapour-open. This allows the assembly to “breathe” and dry out if moisture ever enters, preventing rot and ensuring the structure remains rock-solid for generations.
The Value of Doing it Right
Ultimately, high-performance building is a “value over cost” proposition. It’s an investment in the “bones” of a structure that pays dividends every single day through lower bills, better health, and a smaller carbon footprint.
As we look at projects like ‘Welcome 2 Waterloo‘ for Wyndham House, it becomes clear that these outcomes aren’t just for a specific demographic—they are a universal human need. By building better today, we are ensuring that our community has stable, comfortable, and efficient housing that will still be standing strong a century from now.
