Doors Open Toronto 2013: Our Top Buildings to Visit Creators, Makers and Innovators #DOT13

Doors Open Toronto is a celebration of the City's built heritage.
Explore Toronto's Buildings May 25-26, 2013
City of Toronto: Doors Open Toronto

Great event #DOT13! MT @mediaintoronto @doors_opento: Don't forget - FREE Great Gulf Speakers Series this weekend "The Future of #Toronto"
— Wo-Built Inc (@wobuilt) May 23, 2013

As every year we are looking forward to Doors Open Toronto, especially as this year there are quite a few Green buildings on the list. The Green Doors Open initiative run by the Canada Green Building Council – Greater Toronto Chapter and the Clean Air Partnership to increase awareness of the benefits of green buildings in our region.

Every year new buildings are added to the already substantial list and it is great to see so many architectural interesting buildings in Toronto. Unfortunately we can only highlight a few.  Our top five picks for this year are all from the Green Building Series, not surprising since our emphasis is green and sustainable  building.

The selected buildings range from new to old, different styles and different green elements, but they all sparked our interest.

• - Daniel Spectrum
• - George Brown College Waterfront Campus
• - Hugh Garner Housing Co-Op
• - Miller Lash House
• - Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Daniel Spectrum
Daniels Spectrum is an exciting new cultural landmark in the heart of the Regent Park Revitalization.
Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects, 2012
Address: 585 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2B7

George Brown College Waterfront Campus - NEW!
The new Waterfront Campus is a beautiful state-of-the-art facility built specifically for George Brown Health Sciences students.
Architect: Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects, 2012
Address: 51 Dockside Dr, Toronto, ON M5A 0B6

Hugh Garner Housing Co-Op
The Hugh Garner Green Roof tops a 181-unit, 8 storey residential building in Cabbagetown.
Architect: Klein & Sears, 1981
Address: 550 Ontario St, Toronto, ON M4X 1X3

Miller Lash House - NEW!
The Miller Lash House is a classic design in the craftsman principles of the Arts and Crafts Movement (ACM).
Architect: Edward B. Greene, Buffalo, NY, 1913
Address: 130 Old Kingston Rd, Toronto, ON M1E 3J5

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
Newly renovated four-storey, 30,000 square foot office building, is the headquarters for Native Child and Family Services of Toronto.
Architect: Levitt Goodman Architects Ltd., 2010
Address: 30 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1K2


We will report back on our site visit in the next posting.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Map: Doors Open Toronto 2013: Architect's Studio Visits - Self Guided Tour- Toronto Society of Architects
Date(s): Saturday May 25 | Time(s): 1 to 5 pm
Length: Self Guided Tour of 11 locations across Toronto
Tour map: Download PDF (1M)
Presented by the Toronto Society of Architects: TOURS | Doors Open Toronto Architectural and Design Studio Tour

You may also like to read the following articles:

wobuilt.com/blog: Doors Open Toronto 2012: Our Picks from #DOT12
May 8, 2012 – Doors Open Toronto is back, this time celebrating 200 years of Toronto City History. There are some amazing buildings to be visited, from ...

wobuilt.com/blog: Doors Open Toronto – Humber College Arboretum
May 31, 2011 – Photos: Doors Open Toronto – Humber Arboretum May 28, 2011 @ wobuilt.

wobuilt.com/blog: Doors Open Toronto 2011 Featuring City in Focus: Architecture + Photography
May 5, 2011 – One of the must-see events in May is Doors Open Toronto. This inspiring urban exploration is our busman's holiday and it's a brilliant occasion ...

wobuilt.com/blog: Our Busman's Holiday: Doors Open Toronto

It Takes A Village To Build A Village

Collage: It Takes a Village!

2012 @ wobuilt.com + peapodlife.com

It Takes A Village...: Part 2

It Takes A Village To Build A Village

So how does all this pertain to idea, "it takes a village to build a village"? And why should we care? The answer lies in the reality of today’s world, our relationship with nature and our disconnection from it and one another.

Nature has no “global solutions.” The environment of the earth is a complex ballet on an enormous scale, consisting of countless individual local ecosystems in balanced harmony with each other. In other words, the “global village” only exists in the minds of human beings. Nature itself understands that the status of the planet relies on strong local ecosystems, living in harmonious symbiosis with their neighbours.

We need to learn from nature and mimic its wisdom. That means connecting more with each other on a local level and in person to foster civic engagement, greater empathy for our neighbours and deeper social interaction. In some ways we are already doing this. The phenomenon of meet-up groups is clearly a manifestation of our innate need to connect in communities of likeminded individuals with common goals.

But a village is much more than a community of interest. A village, like an ecosystem, may have a common, shared goal (survive; thrive; prosper), but its constituent components (i.e. its community of members) can be very different. Indeed, they MUST be different. A village is made beautiful, powerful, resilient, interesting, dynamic, and creative — just like any ecosystem — through diversity.

It’s the way in which the diversity that makes up the village comes together to define it, build it, evolve it, grow it and bring it to life which matters.  It’s all in the how. And, just as ecosystems evolve overtime to adjust to the changing forces in the environment and the evolving needs of the individual members of its diverse community, so to must the way in which the village organizes itself change to meet the needs and demands of today.

PeapodLife is on the verge of announcing an exciting new vision of such an evolutionary jump in the concept of what a village is; and the diverse village of individuals, businesses and organizations who will make it what it should be—a vehicle for all to achieve common, shared goals.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
It Takes A Village...
Part 1: It Takes A Village To Build A Building
Part 2: It Takes A Village To Build A Village

It Takes A Village...

Collage: It Takes a Village!

2012 @ wobuilt.com + peapodlife.com

It Takes A Village...: Part 1

It Takes A Village To Build A Building

Everyone knows the saying "It takes a village to raise a child". In other words a community is required to raise a child well. A joint effort to instill knowledge, skills and values.

But how about a village to build a building? Or even a village to build a village?

Out of interest I looked up the history of forming villages. It has been suggested that the first villages were formed about 12,000 years ago in the Near East by people who started agriculture rather than relying on hunting and gathering. People who had a common interest settled down, likely for a combination of efficient farming, security, and shared social factors. These early settlements over time became communities with social and cultural structures and professional specializations.

A community is defined by sharing of common values and the help the members give each other rather than just acting out of self interest. A community also has an identity that forms the "glue" that keeps it together. German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies called it the presence of a "unity of will". He also argued that there is a collective sense of loyalty and strong personal relationships between members.

Ok, fast forward to today's world. We have achieved the ultimate in specialization through technology, but technology has also insulated us from each other. In our ability to converse with people throughout the globe, we have less personal contact with each other, we may even be less aware of our neighbours. We may be in a global village (the metaphor of how technology has increased our ability of receiving communication and information from everywhere, increasing our ability to interact with people throughout the world who have similar interests, ideas and concerns), but the backbone of society — the local village — is suffering.

Back to the question: How about a village to build a building? The principle is the same as for raising a child. A community is required to build a building well, a collection of people who have a common goal in mind that is higher than self interest. Bringing together the different trades, experts and economic factors who have shared values and interests in the building that go beyond a financial gain is key to ensure a successful project. With a vested interest in shared social and environmental values (in addition to economic value), everyone will be well motivated to give do their best; give it their all.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Stay tuned for part two It Takes A Village...

Get Answers to Your Home Renovation and Design Dilemmas: September 8

Poster: Community Day, Open House & BBQ
Home Reno & Design Help Workshop by Wo-Built Inc
Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 1 - 2 pm
St. Clair Avenue Baptist Church
152 Wychwood Avenue, Toronto ON M6C 2T2
Credit: Facebook: St. Clair Avenue Baptist Church Community Day

We are going to give a talk about "Renovations and what you need to know" ...
@wobuilt

We are glad to announce our participation in the Community Day held by the St Clair Avenue Baptist Church this Saturday, September 8 at 1 pm.

Home Reno & Design Help by Wo-Built Inc

When: Saturday, September 8, 2012
Time: 1 pm - 2 pm
Where: St. Clair Avenue Baptist Church
152 Wychwood Avenue, Toronto ON M6C 2T2
Get a map & TTC directions

We are going to give a talk about "Renovations and what you need to know - how good planning and thorough design will make the renovation process easier".

Bring your photos and questions.

Come join us and get the answers to your home renovation and design dilemmas in a friendly and informal session!

For details please check out the facebook page: St. Clair Avenue Baptist Church Community
Day

Large renovations and what you need to know 2010 from Wo Built

links:
Five Things to Remember when Making Your Old Bungalow New Again
Fall Home Design Workshop Series: Get the Answers to Your Home Renovation and Design Dilemmas

Peapod Life: Applications for Better Living

Collage: Building Applications for Better Living
Images Credit: MS Office Clip Art

“Gone are the days of dead structures providing shelter for living things.
Now is the time for living structures that support life…all life…Peapod Life.”
– Our Motto

So you know Peapod Life builds indoor garden living spaces, right? And you probably also know we can build you a Peapod Life extension and/or addition to your home. Great! But is that it? Is that the limit of Peapod Life’s technology? Far from it.

Peapod Life designs indoor garden living spaces for many applications: residential, commercial, institutional, public, non-profit. Its standardized modular bio-structure can be scaled, configured and customized with any combination of plants and enabling technologies to accommodate your social, environmental and economic needs.

Let’s consider some building applications for Peapod Life:

Residential
Build your entire house or cottage using Peapod Life’s bio-structural indoor ecosystem. Add an affordable guest suite to your home and show your guests how much you care for providing them a healthy space. Move your kitchen inside a Peapod.

Health & WellnessStress reduction is the key to health, happiness and productivity. Invigorate your health and wellness program, practice or business by adding Peapod Life to your building. Give your employees, patients or customers an on-site sanctuary space like no other: cafeteria, lounge, exercise room, yoga/meditation studio, relaxing spa/treatment room, and much more.

Hospitality IndustryHotel, restaurant, lounge, café, tea-room, banquet hall… imagine patrons enjoying organic fare grown and picked before their eyes as they enjoy the Peapod Life courtesy of your business.

EducationPlants stimulate the senses, improve concentration and make for a better environment. Add indoor organic gardening part of your curriculum: teach valuable life skills and instill a renewed sense of “connection” for future generations. More advanced students? Think hydroponics.

Community / Not-for-ProfitImagine a communal space that can be used in a myriad different ways, 365 days a year, all the while contributing valuable electricity and organic food to the community. Meeting hall, meditation centre, food share/swap site, recital hall…imagine a living space supporting your community.

At Peapod Life, our motto is pretty simple: gone are the days of dead structures providing shelter for living things. Now is the time for living structures that support life…all life…Peapod Life.


Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Eglinton Light Rail could Spell Disaster for Toronto Businesses

Image Mosaic: "Streetcar versus Subway"
2012 @ wobuilt.com
Image Credits: Microsoft Office Clipart:
streetcar lane; transportation; subway

"Many Councillors are looking to disband my rapid transit plan in favour of a Light Rail Vehicle network that would put more tracks on the roads, create traffic chaos and result in years of needless, messy and inconvenient construction."
– Mayor Rob Ford

…and what about about how it could devastate local businesses!?

The battle over light rail “rapid transit” versus subways is heating up in Toronto, Scarborough, and beyond. It’s time for the businesses and residents of St. Clair West to make their voices heard!

As a member of the business community on St. Clair West, an active member of the Corso Italia BIA, Wo-Built knows all too well the utter devastation the St. Clair Street car has had on the business community in the area.

Members of the BIA have accumulated real-time street-level pedestrian traffic data from before, during, and after completion of the ‘light rail rapid transit’ system along St. Clair West all the way to Keele Street. The numbers show significant decreases in walk-in business.

A sign in one shop reads: “closed, business too slow.”

With months of obstruction during the length construction of the line, people simply stopped coming to Corso Italia. And we have been struggling as a BIA to get them back. Streetcar or no streetcar, people are not getting the message that we are open for business. We have fallen off their radar.

We offer this as a cautionary notice to businesses and BIAs anywhere surface light rail is being proposed: learn from our experience. What might seem like a good idea is a terrible compromise.

The GTA is not just about getting people from the outskirts to the downtown core and back again during rush hour…its is countless local communities, neighborhoods, BIAs, etc. The lifeblood of Toronto is its local businesses serving local communities.

There is one more option. It is an outside-the-box option…an Attlas Project of incredible possibility and opportunity. What is it? Wo-Built, the Vision Builder, in association with Attlas invite the two sides of this fight to give us 30 minutes of their time to see and hear the 21st Century win-win-win solution to this problem!

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Christmas Message 2011 from Wo-Built

Christmas cookies, milk, Santa hat and note all on a table
Image credit: MS Office ClipArt -MH900216163

"It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace."
- Shenandoah proverb

At this special time of year, the entire team at Wo-Built, Inc. would like to take an opportunity to wish you and yours Seasons Greetings.

It is also worthwhile to mention at this meaningful time of the year that as a company Wo-Built continues its dedication to our social missions and to helping strengthen communities.

We also send our heartfelt wishes for peace at home and abroad, and the alleviation of hardships for all those less fortunate than ourselves.

We also remember the planet itself at this time of year. Mother Earth has been good to us, no question about it. She, too, deserves a token of kindness at this time of year. Wo-Built renews its commitment to eco-friendly building.

Last but not least, should you decide with your family that the New Year should bring a profound change to where and how you live, please remember that Wo-Built is here to help you create the house of your dreams for the family who calls it home.

To you, your family, your friends, and all those you care about, a very happy Holiday Season and a healthy, prosperous, peaceful New Year.

Wo-Built's Team
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Do Industrial Buildings Have a Future?

Is there a future for industrial sites?
Redesign of old industrial buildings.
2011 @ wobuilt.com

I always had an affinity for large industrial buildings. I admire their scale, the unabashedly form follows function designs and the amazing structures and shapes this creates. There is an inherent beauty in those buildings which should be preserved; they are a part of our heritage.

In past posts we talked about combining old and new, i.e. adding a new part to an old building. We concentrated mainly on residential and commercial buildings, but what about industrial ones. Would this be an option? Often we see these interesting buildings disappear, to be replaced by condos and housing developments.

I lived in London, England, in the 80s and out of interest I researched what happened to the extraordinary Battersea Power Station, a listed industrial building, which was decommissioned as a power station in the early 80s. To my delight the latest proposal by Real Estate Opportunities is placing this great building as part of a massive overall area redevelopment, aiming it to be the largest carbon neutral building in Europe. This would be an amazing green achievement.

So realistically what needs to happen to save these great buildings?

The public will to save them: Before Battersea Power Station was listed as heritage I remember many voices shouting for its demolition. Without doubt, it is easier and less expensive to develop a site without having to preserve, rebuild and sanitize an old building. However, as these buildings are part of the history of a city considerable thought should be given to their inherent identity value.

Attraction of private money: Private investors need a decent return on investment. As the restoration and remodeling work for the existing building will be substantial the surrounding area developments will have to offset these costs. Appropriate density, scale and easement of existing restriction are required. Economy of scale is a must.

Usable volumes/spaces: Of course the more rectangular or square building are the easier to convert them into usable different applications. The building examples above all have their own challenges, but their size will still allow innovative million dollar designs.

The closest example in Toronto is most likely the Distillery Historic District, which was converted from an industrial application to an entertainment/residential/commercial destination one with art galleries, restaurants and offices. The initiative gave a historic part of Toronto a new lease of life.

Usually the first step to see if a project is viable is the feasibility study. We would love to be part of one.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Please, follow the links to find more information:
wobuilt.com/blog: Combining Old and New: Keeping the Neighbourhood and Community Thriving

wobuilt.com/blog: Architecture: Combining New and Old

wobuilt.com/blog: Doors Open Toronto 2011 Featuring City in Focus: Architecture + Photography

Visit Our Office in Corso Italia and Discuss Your Dream Project

Wo-Built and Corso Italia
Venus Creations In The Neighbourhood
15th Edition, August 2011
Credit: venuscreationsintheneighbourhood.com

Wo-Built and Corso Italia

We are often asked why we like Corso Italia and the surrounding areas so much. After all, as a general contractor we can have our office in any part of the city. Usually we say, people are friendly, we like the community spirit, great restaurants, everything you need to run an office and life is available on this traditional High Street. But on reflection it goes a lot deeper than this and it has to do a lot with deep rooted emotions. The area is very European – lots of patios where you can meet your friends and neighbours. The architecture is still very human scale, for better or worse the larger developers have not arrived here yet. Corso Italia and adjacent Business Improvement Areas have lots of green spaces and parks, everything is in walking distance.

Being here just over a year brought us closer to many of our business neighbours and we feel very much at home here. From the start we could get almost everything we need from the local merchants. We designed our office interior with flexibility in mind and some of our walls are made out of excellent fabric, which we got from Tessuti Venezia, just a few doors down from us. We use A3 Graphics as our printers and of course Amar Flowers for their excellent flower arrangements. Food plays a big part in our office life; we have staff and client meetings at Novecento, Tre Mari Bakery and Via Espresso. We go for lunch at our favourite spots at Agio Ristorante, Sunnyville Grill, Invictus, Porto and recently for great burritos from Big Boss Burrito. And we are adding to our list, during Summerlicious we tried La Bruschetta and we loved the food. We get our fresh fruit and vegetables from Diana Groceries and I even went clothes shopping when I needed special outfits. Also I have my personal Kung Fu trainer at Tiger Dragon Kung Fu downstairs from our office. My apologies if I have forgotten to mention anyone of our friends and neighbours and I am sure over time we will get to know all of you, especially if you come to the Venus Creations social gatherings.

The sense and maintenance of community is an important part of our company, either by helping to preserve it or by building it. We are taking an active part within the local BIA to help promote the area and throughout the last year we have written and tweeted about our neighbours, Corso Italia events, such as the Corso Italia Festival, on our Forum, Facebook and Twitter. We like to spread the word for this amazing area and we would love to connect with our neighbours on Twitter (@wobuilt) and Facebook (wo built) to help in their efforts to promote themselves.

The move to Corso Italia has been good for us. We even have a Corso Italia Festival Special Offer for a limited time – Sign-up for a Design + Build of an Addition, and we pay the permit Drawings (estimated value $2500).

We envisage us staying in the area for a long time. We value our ties with the surrounding businesses and residents. Our door is open for anyone who wishes to discuss design or construction related issues. We would like to invite anyone to visit our office and the surrounding businesses.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

This article was originally published in the 15th Edition, August 2011 issue of The Venus Creations In The Neighbourhood magazine, pp. F1/6.

links:
Venus Creations In The Neighbourhood Magazine
wobuilt.com/blog: Our Corso Italia Neighbourhood Involvement
wobuilt.com/blog: Canada Day and Corso Italia Festival on Our Home Turf
wobuilt.com/blog: Design and Build for an Addition with Our Special Corso Italia Offer

feedback on the web:

Screenshot: Visit Our Office in Corso Italia and Discuss Your Dream Project
The Toronto Daily, Tuesday, Aug. 09, 2011
Published on paper.li by DealChangers

RT @wobuilt: Our Business life in #CorsoItaliaTO http://bit.ly/o5x41R - Visit Our Office in Corso Italia and Discuss Your Dream Project #Toronto
Retweeted by TantienHime via TweetMeme

@TantienHime Thanks to your retweet Our Business life in #CorsoItaliaTO bit.ly/o5x41R we got picked up in The #Toronto Daily - Cool!!
Tweeted by wobuilt

Carbon Neutral Neighbourhood Project Launch in Toronto

Photos: Project Neutral Neighbourhood Launch
Green 13 - The Junction, June 18, 2011
Annette Street Public Library
2011 @ wobuilt.com

@wobuilt: "Will attend #junctionTO GREEN 13 - Project Neutral Community Launch at 10am at Library at 145 Annette Street www.projectneutral.org #toronto"
18 Jun via web from Toronto, Ontario

Last Saturday I attended the launch of Project Neutral (projectneutral.org) in the Junction, one of the two neighbourhoods in Toronto, Riverdale is the second one, that are embarking on making the area carbon neutral. The initiative is spearheaded by Green 13 neighbourhood grassroots organization, who has brought Project Neutral to the Junction. The turnout was good, indicating that many residents in the area are interested in reducing their carbon footprint. Afterwards I saw that many signed up to be volunteers to canvas the neighbourhood to encourage participation for the survey for the green house gases baseline. Both MPP Cheri DiNovo and Councillor Sarah Doucette gave their congratulations to the successful launch.

What Is Carbon Neutrality?
Generally speaking carbon neutrality is a balance between carbon emission and carbon absorption. Living in Cities creates a great imbalance (we emit a lot more CO2 than we absorb, due in part to inefficient use of energy and lack of green spaces). Often we concentrate on making new buildings and developments the focus of energy effectiveness and environmental initiatives, but in Toronto the residential sector represents 25% of the green house gases emission. This sector represents a great opportunity for reduction in the carbon footprint and Project Neutral attempts to do that. This is a commendable ambition and one which deserves our support.

What the Project Is Trying to Achieve?
What the project is trying to achieve is the participation of as many households as they can, in both the survey to establish a baseline and the implementation to reduce the carbon footprint. In our opining what the projects are most likely going to achieve is a much larger awareness of what communities can do when they band together. The projects will encourage discussions of innovative ideas on financing and implementing the reduction measures, often the strongest stumbling blocks for home owners. Most of all, the project can achieve starting or providing the infrastructure for larger community initiatives such as large scale solar panel installations, central rain/ grey water collection or recycling points and other larger scale ideas.

Going Carbon Neutral
The two projects are not the first in Ontario or Canada, one of the pioneers is Eden Mills, Ontario. The village of 150 households was the first village in North America to tackle climate change. Apparently they were inspired by the example of Ashton Hayes, a village in England. As part of the launch Charles Simon and Linda Sword gave a brief outline of Eden Mills of their considerable success since their start in 2007. Other examples of carbon neutral cities can be found in Europe such as Germany and Sweden and in pockets throughout the world.

For a construction company dedicated to green building this kind of project is very exciting as it is potentially mind and attitude changing on a larger scale. The possibilities to instill green thinking in people are enormous and will push green construction further. The education part is key with workshops and information sessions in the Junction.

Martina Ernst
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
Wo-Built at the Home Show with Green Presentation

Being Green, Building Green Design and Construction Company

Going Green in the City: Building and Renovating with "Being Green" in Mind:
Part 1 - Eco-Friendly Home Improvements
Part 2 - Going Green Is Becoming Mainstream
Part 3 - Living Rooftops - An Environmental Alternative for "Green" Building

Eco Green Building: Wo-Built Inc's commitment on Being Green, Designing and Building Green and Sharing our Knowledge.

Photos: Project Neutral Neighbourhood Launch
Green 13 - The Junction, June 18, 2011
Annette Street Public Library
2011 @ wobuilt.com

Green 13: Top 10 Environmental Tips
Greening Parkdale – High Park

1. Walk, bike or carpool. If you do drive, make sure your vehicle is in good repair and remember, do not idle.
2. Conserve energy. Turn off appliances and lights when not needed, power down, wash in cold water and switch your bulbs to florescent.
3. Replace older household appliances with energy efficient ones. Select Energy Star ratings.
4. Be Water Wise. Use a low flow aerator on your showerhead, get low flush / dual flush toilets. Collect rainwater. Reserve landscape watering.
5. Recycle, Reuse, Reduce. Use the largest City of Toronto recyclable bin, challenge yourself to use the smallest garbage bin. Learn to donate unwanted items and try hosting an annual yard sale.
6. Faithfully use the City of Toronto’s Green Composting system. Think of it as an investment toward future organic fertilizing. Try composting your own garden waste and start a Holistic Garden.
7. Plan a tree for the future. The majority of the City of Toronto’s street lined trees and destined to perish at the same time. Start a home garden and grow your own produce. Plants are lungs of Society.
8. Live Solar. Plan deciduous trees on the south of your home for summer shading and winter solar access. Plant evergreens to the north of your home to serve as protection from cold winds. Close window covering on a hot summer day, open them when you want bright warming rays. Dry your clothes outside.
9. Make your home more efficient. Insulate, weatherstrip. Upgrade your heating and cooling systems.
10. Shop Local. Balance out the carbon footprint by eliminating transportation costs, which affects fuel consumption and pollution creation. Support your Neighbour.

Credit: Green 13 is a volunteered environmental group originating from Ward 13, Toronto
green13toronto.org
green13toronto.blogspot.com
green13group@gmail.com

Agio’s New Brunch: Community Starts at Home

Photo Collage: Agio’s New Brunch
AGIO Ristorante: 1351 St. Clair Ave. West
Corso Italia, Toronto ON M6E 1C5
Tel: 647-348-4814
2011 @ wobuilt.com

No business is an island. Profound but true, businesses are located in a business community, they use the services of this community, they form alliances and friendships, they help each other. Hence we are happy to announce that one of our friends is having a new offering.

AGIO Ristorante in Corso Italia, a favourite lunch and dinner spot of ours, will now be serving Italian Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays starting April 2nd, 2011 from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, price from $6.99 CAD.

As we mentioned before Agio is an Italian restaurant with a twist. Run by Owner / Chef Marino and his wife Clara; the food is excellent, truly 4 star. The twist is that they are Korean with a passion for Italian Cuisine. So sometimes you will glimpse a touch of Asia in the composition, not quite fusion, but with a twist. The dishes are high style Italian, but the atmosphere is relaxed, warm, friendly and very welcoming. You feel immediately at home, but presented with food that rivals formal Italian restaurants.

We already sampled two brunch dishes, a Frittata Agio-Agio (vegetarian) and Eggs Martinari (eggs with tomato sauce and pesto) both of them extremely tasty and well worth getting up for on the weekend. Also on the menu will be different Panini.

Last year we celebrated our 'Achievement Lunch' at AGIO’s and Marino’s Osso Bucco was to die for. Thank you, Marino, you are a truly great chef, and Agio is a great part of the Corso Italia in Toronto.

Wo-Built's Team
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
wobuilt's blog: Building the Friendship of Neighbours in Business

wobuilt's blog: Our Achievement Lunch

wobuilt's blog: A Little Culinary Gem in Corso Italia: Sunnyville Grill

wobuilt's blog: Our New Location Is at the Vibrant Corso Italia Neighborhood

Why Venus Creations in the Neighbourhood Is Doing Great Work for Our Community?

Photo Collage: Building the Friendship of Neighbours in Business
Wo-Built at Venus Creation in the Neighbourhood Gathering
Vivid Pizzeria (1067 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto), November 24, 2010
2010 @ Olga Goubar, wobuilt.com

Shopping locally, we support our neighbors. Sharing marketing ideas, helping each other do more business, and bringing new customers to the area, we stimulate local growth.
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

In November, Iain Morrison wrote an impassioned article about what Venus Creations In the Neighborhood is to him. If you didn’t get last month’s issue, Iain is new to the area and after meeting with Joe Furtado of Amar Flowers; he found neighbours with whom he now does business at least every other day. Joe introduced him to merchants on the street who in turn introduced him to others and now Iain is an active part of this very vibrant community.

But, this article is not about telling ‘A Day in the Life’ story of Iain, even though he is a nice guy and you should meet him. Instead, it tells the story of what YOU can expect from being part of Venus Creations in the Neighbourhood.

First, to be clear, Venus Creations in the Neighbourhood is NOT Joe Furtado. Joe quarterbacks a lot of the efforts to put it together, but he would gladly share the heavy lifting with our community. Venus Creations in the Neighbourhood isn't just for making Joe's business better - it's for making all our businesses better. Joe had the inspiration to start Venus Creations in the Neighbourhood and brought together neighbouring businesses that collectively ARE Venus Creations. This includes every business owner who attends our monthly gatherings and who advertise in the monthly publication – in short it’s YOU. That’s a big difference and an important one. Venus Creations in the Neighbourhood is a community of neighbors - businesses who benefit from knowing each other in different ways.

For example, at our last get-together at Vivid Pizzeria (“Go there” “Try it” “It was great – thanks, Peter!”) a new member, Mary Scalia of Bare Me Skin Care Clinic, shared a recent marketing effort she did that brought 500 new customers to our area! That gem of an idea was worthwhile and shared freely. This is just one example of the upside of having dinner together with friends. Another benefit is that we meet businesses we haven’t known before. When we can, we try doing business with our new friends. By visiting each other’s businesses and telling acquaintances about local merchants and services, we stimulate local growth. Venus Creations in the Neighbourhood is about joining together; sharing with our neighbors and helping each other do more business, share local interests and concerns, let the local community know what they would like to provide or advertise to their local business partners in a particular month, or simply, just meet and mingle.

In the course of meeting with the local businesses, I found great shopping at good prices - even some ‘Friends Priced’ deals. Since relocating our construction business to the area, I bought clothing, shoes, groceries, baked goods, catering, restaurant food, hardware, banking services and much more in the St. Clair West’s area.

Yes, I could have got all of this elsewhere, but shopping locally, I supported my neighbors while looking after our everyday needs. And, guess what??? They do the same for us. By doing business with friends and neighbours you benefit from getting what you need. But more than that, you make your business familiar to those who will find you when they need your products and services or when their other friends have those needs.

It’s pretty simple - people do business with people they like. Meeting with friends each month over food at local restaurants (at no cost to you… but just remember to tip the servers!), you get acquainted with the neighbours and they with you. Simple. Knowing you are there, what you do and how you can help them and their friends, you make a very direct and personal marketing connection that helps grow your business or at least survive rough times.

People have choices about where to shop. So why not make your business interesting to people who work all around you? Some call it networking. Others call it referral marketing. All you really need to know about Venus Creations in the Neighborhood is: you meet neighbors, talk, have an enjoyable night out and invest in making your business visible to the people who pass your front door daily.

We at Venus Creations in the Neighbourhood wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ari Berman
Management Consultant
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build
"Management Advice When Your Decisions Matter"

Toronto by Night: It Was a Hot Night on the Town

Photo Collage: The Full Moon Fire Jam at Kensington Market in Toronto
2010 © wobuilt.com

Ever wonder what happens in Toronto after the sun goes down? Well this week, I visited with some people at Bellevue Square Park in the Kensington Market, who enjoy the night and who have a passion for fire and play. It was a "fire jam" where fire spinners, fire jugglers and other flaming entertainers come together for an evening of showing their skills on one of the city's dry splash pads. Flaming poi, staffs and fans and eating torches were all well represented there - even a flaming bull whip.

In the safety of bright twilight, before the real talent lit up, I tried the more simple manoeuvres of the practice pois. After about a half hour and with nightfall rapidly approaching, I decided the little bruises I acquired were a sign that I should not try this with fire. However, I was not disappointed because the performances that evening were....illuminating.

With J9 on the staff, Scarlet on the poi, Ari (another one, not me) on the bull whip and JQ on the flaming balls it was a hot night on the town. Actually, it really was. Each time the fire eater blew out flames, it warmed the air all over the splash pad.

There was also another skill demonstrated that night. It was a fire jam spa session where the girls lined up for depilation. Not hot wax, not razor and cream, but flaming hair removal! it was fast, painless (so they told me) and smooth as a baby's bum when done. I'll just have to take their word on it. For a brief moment, I thought about having them try to tidy up my Ignatieff eyebrows, but that was a really brief moment.

It's really dark when the show gets into its rhythm, so there are more bad pictures than good ones. Also, given that the performers are all playing with fire, I stayed a respectful distance from the action. That said, here are some of the highlights of what you can find in Toronto late at night when the kids are in bed.

____________________________________
This article was contributed by Ari Berman, a Management Consultant from Toronto, Canada, with a specialization in operations and process change. He has helped companies spanning aircraft builders to soda drink manufacturers to increase their value - finding and improving important details that never got attended to in past. His work in the construction industry includes overseeing commercial construction projects in retail shopping malls across Canada. He can be reached at 647-235-8181 or via e-mail on ari.berman@cmc-advisor.com.

link:
youtube.com: Kensington Market June 1, 2010: Fire Fan Dance: New Model Circus Army Fire Jam
from: StreetHeatStoryNMCA | June 02, 2010

Our New Location Is at the Vibrant Corso Italia Neighborhood

Photo: CHIN Radio/TV International - Canadian Multicultural

Ethnic Broadcaster at the Corso Italia Neighborhood
2010 © wobuilt.com

Last week was a moving week for Wo-Built and as you already know, we have set up our new office on St. Clair Avenue on Corso Italia.

As you can imagine, the area is rich with culture, aromas and flavours, but here you can also see that CHIN, an integral part of this community, was parked right out our window having just broadcast their afternoon show from one of the local shops.

It's good to be located in such a close knit community and to be part of a vibrant area with people bustling on the streets and music playing from sign posts. If you haven't been to this part of Toronto, you are missing a gem.

Corso Italia is along St. Clair Avenue West from Westmount Ave, just east of Dufferin to Lansdowne.


Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

Home Renovation Tip: Donate Reusable Items to Non-For-Profit Organizations

Screenshot: Habitat for Humanity ReStores are building supply stores that accept and resell quality new and used building materials. They generate funds to support Habitat's building programs, while reducing the amount of used materials that are headed for overflowing landfills!

Credit: habitat.ca

Tip: Please consider donating your used items when renovating

Very often when looking to renovate a bathroom or kitchen there are items which are still in good shape, such as kitchen cabinets, sinks, bathtubs, doors, windows and many items more. A great idea is to donate these items to organizations that help out the community, such as Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army and shelters. Habitat for Humanity will also accept building materials.

Please go to Charity Village.com for more information on not-for-profit organizations in your area.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

links:
twitter.com/wobuilt: Renovating? Have items to donate? Go to Charity Village to find where to donate
Wo-Built Inc.: Renovation Design Tips: Tip 1: Know Your Zoning and By-laws
Wo-Built Inc.: Renovation Design Tips: Tip 2: Design Time
Wo-Built Inc.: Renovation Design Tips: Tip 3: Professionals Involved in the Design
Wo-Built Inc.: Invest in Your Home Renovations and Be Eligible to Receive up to $1,350 in Tax Relief
Wo-Built Inc.: Smart Home Improvement with ecoENERGY Retrofit Grants
Wo-Built Inc.: The Foundations of Renovating Your Home
Charity Village: A list of organizations across Canada that accept goods as charitable donations
ehow.com: How to Donate Used Appliances to Charity
By eHow Culture & Society Editor
City of Toronto: Solid Waste Management - ReUseIt: Reuse before you recycle: Donate leftover renovation supplies

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Toronto's Lakeshore Community: A Neighbourhood in Transition

Lakeshore Village Business Improvement Area Map

Created by: Survey and Mapping Services (WS), March 2006

Settling into our New Locality

Lakeshore Village BIA
The Lakeshore Village BIA was recently expanded and now runs along Lakeshore Blvd. from Twelfth Street to the west and Dwight Avenue to the east. This area was formerly known as the New Toronto Businessmen's Association, which was incorporated in 1948. In 1982 the BIA changed its name to the Lakeshore Village Business Improvement Area, and they implemented a streetscape improvement plan that included the installation of decorative lamp posts, planters and over 100 trees. This infrastructure is in place today and has been paid for and maintained by the local merchants.
There are over one hundred and fifty businesses in the Lakeshore Village Business Improvement Area with an excellent assortment of businesses, restaurants, shops and services that cater to the local community.
Website: www.thelakeshore.ca
Credit: TABIA: Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas

When Wo-Built was looking to expand, we had the entire city of Toronto at our disposal. So with this vast area to choose from coupled with the fact that our business is not local but GTA-based, how did we come to settle on the Lakeshore area? Aside from the fact that the price was right, the Lakeshore area, a very quaint corner of the city seemed to be a bit of an enigma. Although it had a long-standing reputation for not being one of the better communities in Toronto, it seemed that the neighbourhood lived side by side with majestic homes, seedy apartment complexes and neat family homes. It lacked the big-box stores, the trendy coffee houses or the fast-food franchises that most other neighbourhoods seemed to be built around. Instead it boasted the serenity of a lakeshore, quaint little shops and family eateries - everything Wo-Built needed to have a successful base. It was TTC accessible and had a number of necessary amenities such as banks and variety stores for basic every-day needs within close proximity.

Having been here awhile, it appears that this community is in a tremendous transition and with transition comes opportunity. Where some storefronts seem to be sporting an "Out of Business" sign, there can be seen a smattering of new businesses. Ethnic eateries, entertainment spots and a few dry-goods shops are inching their way into the area to complement the already long-established businesses. And with an ever-changing demographic there appears to be much room for growth.

As a young company we have come to appreciate the many benefits the Lakeshore area has presented. Our vision is that many more businesses take advantage of the tremendous benefits that the Lakeshore has to offer. We can visualize a fully-revitalized area with little boutiques of all sorts, local entertainment spots and eateries without losing its unique flavor. And as our company grows we can give back to the community by providing local employment through our social mission of training and mentoring of women as well as helping other starting businesses with their ventures.

As a new member of this community we were excited about getting to know our neighbouring residents through local events such as the Mimico's Party in the Park. The Lakeshore area is going through a great deal of revitalization, and Wo-Built Inc. hopes to be a part of this revitalization in a big way.

________________________
Lonya is the staff writer for Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Etobicoke-Lakeshore Community Links
Lakeshore Toronto's Village by the Lake
Lakeshore Community Partnership facilitates and encourages investment from all sectors of the Lakeshore to foster stable employment, a healthy community and a vital economy.
Ourlakeshore.net is a neighbourhood revitalization initiative by neighbours, for neighbours. We have residents, business owners, and politicians working together to promote and improve New Toronto / Lakeshore Village.

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Wo-Built Gets its Feet Wet at Mimico’s Party in the Park

Mimico Summer Festival "Greening Our Community"
2008 @ wobuilt.com

11TH ANNUAL MIMICO SUMMER FESTIVAL GREENING OUR COMMUNITY
Promoting Community Safety, Strength and Spiri
GREAT FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Tuesday August 5th, 2008
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Mimico Memorial Park
Displayed resources from various Ministries, Departments and Organizations to help our community be more environmentally responsible. Also featuring, Local Dignitaries, Police and Fire Departments, The Toronto Children's Concert Choir (TC3), Hybrid Auto Show, Hot Air Balloon rides, BBQ & Corn Roast, Kidz Zone, Senior's Tent. Donations accepted for Daily Bread Food Bank.
Info: 416.251.2855
www.mimicobaptistchurch.org
www.mimicoresidents.ca

As a new resident of the Lakeshore Community, Wo-Built attended the 11th Annual Mimico summer Festival’s “Party in the Park” to mingle with other members of the community. Shortly before the start of the “Party” the skies opened up to give us all a shower. But that didn’t deter the party from happening or from us in attending. There were many booths for visitors to peruse. Amongst the many delicious food stands, the local Girl Guides chapter and The Humane Society, we encountered local MPP – Laurel Broten and Councillor Mark Grimes.

This year’s theme was “Going Green” and TABIA (Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas) had many suggestions for being environmentally friendly. We were quite pleased as this was in keeping with one of Wo-Built’s 2008 initiatives to be more eco friendly. For our part, this year we have partnered with Trees Ontario in an effort to “regreen” Ontario’s forests. As we offer our clients environmentally friendly alternatives in our renovation business we were delighted to learn that other local business were like-minded.

Despite the rain and the threat of thunder storms, a good time was had by all. Wo-Built is proud to be a new member of this vibrant community.

________________________
Lonya is the staff writer for Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Etobicoke-Lakeshore Community Links
Lakeshore Toronto's Village by the Lake
Lakeshore Community Partnership facilitates and encourages investment from all sectors of the Lakeshore to foster stable employment, a healthy community and a vital economy.
Ourlakeshore.net is a neighbourhood revitalization initiative by neighbours, for neighbours. We have residents, business owners, and politicians working together to promote and improve New Toronto / Lakeshore Village.

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