Planning for Your New Organic Gardening Project

Image Montage by Wo-Built: Indoor Landscapes
Image Credits: Travels with Zen-Aida +
Plantscape - Interior Plant Service, Indoor Office Landscaping

What is organic landscaping?

... working with nature to help it achieve its highest expression, so that it can freely give back all it has to give.

~ PeapodLife: Organic Landscaping: Better than “Man-made;” more than “Nature’s Way”

I know it is really difficult to imagine that it is going to be warm and sunny again, especially if you just were visited by Jack Frost with Arctic cold and a dump load of snow. But now, in the middle of winter, is the time to plan for a gardening project, because spring is only a few months away and time flies. Also you may be surprised on what is required during the planning process.

The best time to do the new garden is in spring, so you can enjoy it during the summer months and if the changes are significant it has time to grow to weather the next cold season.

In our opinion organic landscaping using natural stone and materials is the best way to go. It creates harmony, flow and a positive energy. These are spaces that you want to spend time in and relax. Your own oasis in the City!

We have already written about our project in Toronto's Bloor West Village last year (peapodlife blog - Organic Landscaping: Better than “Man-made;” more than “Nature’s Way”) and our definition of organic landscaping, but here we would like to talk about the necessary steps required to make a project like this successful.

Image Collage by PeapodLife, Division of Wo-Built Inc: Organic Landscaping in Bloor West Village, Toronto

Image by PeapodLife, Division of Wo-Built Inc: Front Yard Garden in Toronto featuring Rhododendrons and Real Stone

Image by PeapodLife, Division of Wo-Built Inc: Image: Backyard Garden in Toronto with integrated sprinkler system

What is required during the planning process for a gardening project?

First, like any project you need to figure out what activities and how you would like to use the space. From there you can plan the layout.

Organic landscaping does not mean you cannot have your separate distinct areas. They just flow into each other seamlessly, creating a harmonious flow. This is more difficult to achieve than a structured geometrical layout which many landscapers prefer. The aim is to achieve balance between the spaces and this is partly an intuitive process.

Nevertheless, the first step is to produce concept drawings and then detailed drawings, outlining size, level changes, type of material, type and number of plants etc. This is important as it is very easy to get carried away in landscaping. Much more so than in a building renovation!

The detailed drawings will fix the budget, form a baseline for the contract and will give an indication on the length of project. The project above took several weeks for the front and several weeks for the back.  

And yes, you do need to sign a contract for the work with the company you hire. The scope of work, timing, payment schedule and obligation of the parties have to be defined like in any other renovation contract. You have to have ways of resolving issues and conflict.

Also, prior to starting extensive landscaping work which will include level changes you need to see if you require permits for the level changes, change of use etc. You should also check out the location and state of your underground services (water, gas) to see if they would be effected by the landscaping or if they need repair. Access to the services afterwards may be more difficult.

The next step is the tender. Ideally you already have a design and build landscaping outfit that specializes in organic landscaping. However, if you are tendering, visit prior projects of the different firms. This should be possible as the landscaping is outside the house and most likely can be seen from the road. Try to compare ‘apples with apples’, so to speak.

The steps above should make your landscaping project a success and provide you with the best garden in the neighbourhood. We had many positive comments from the neighbours while we were doing the above project, from ‘love it’ to ‘wow’. It was certainly noticed.

We can make this happen for you and make your own amazing oasis in the City!


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

Wo-Built's New ROADMAP for Your RENOVATION Service

Image: Martina and Deborah from Wo-Built Inc. with Mary (middle) of Wise Daughters Craft Market
Photo by Shirley Fairley
Credit: SNAP Bloor West: Craft Market Hosts Home Design Series

 Roadmap for your Renovation helping you to evaluate any design or contractor and give you the confidence to deal with the situations.

After having been in business for 8 years now we are continuing with our original mission to help women.

A lot of ladies have mentioned to me over the years that they find renovations scary and that they would not know where to start. In the past we ran workshops to answer questions and give design and renovation advice, but we felt that this only scratched the surface.

So we have decided to offer a new service. We will prepare a ROADMAP for your RENOVATION.

We show you the pit falls, the process, what you have to be careful about, what you will need to decide on.

We will help you through the process, not as a contractor (only if you want us to) but as your advocate and your guide to make your dream home come true with far less stress than if you had to do it all on your own.

The beauty of it is that it does not matter where you are in the process. We can help you at any point and it can be as little or as comprehensively as you want, since we are offering modules.

Module 1 - $175
Initial consultation

• Defining and framing the issue
• Design consultation
• Construction consultation
• Next steps

Module 2 - $350
Road Map Report

• Summary of discussions
• Includes one sketch design for up to two spaces
• Estimate

Module 2a - $500
Road Map Report

• Summary of discussions
• Includes one sketch design for up to five spaces
• Estimate

Module 3 - $500 plus
Road Map Report - Two or more Options

• Summary of discussions
• Includes one sketch designs for two options
• Estimate for two options

Module 4  - After Road Map Report
Consultancy time on Retainer @ $50/hr 

Minimum retainer $500. Any tender evaluation, design management and project management services will be covered by the retainer contract.

* expenses, travel costs and HST are extra. Prices can change at Wo-Built's discretion.

As we said, it can be as little or as comprehensive as you would like to make it

For example, if you are at the beginning of your project you may need help in deciding what option to go for. We can help you by giving you the information you need to make a decision.

The road map can be taken to evaluate any design or contractor and give you the confidence to deal with the situations. And if you need further help you can always call us to be in your corner.

Call us on 416-402-2679 for more information or book your 'Roadmap for your Renovation Assessment' now. Click to book, . We would be happy to help.


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

How to Avoid "Handyman Horror Stories"

Video: "Weird Al" Yankovic performing Handy. (C) 2014 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

Source: YouTube: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Handy 

“You need only two tools in life: WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn’t, use Duct Tape.”

~ Unknown

Image: Basic Home Repairs Engineering Flowchart.

Quote & Image Source: Pinterest: diyhomerepairs: Handyman Humor: Home repairs made simple

Whether they’ve watched an episode of Holmes on Homes or not, it’s safe to say EVERYONE has seen, heard or experienced a “handyman horror story” at least once in their life.

And on some level, the whole self-image of the handyman is funny. After all, whether they adhere to “the-duct-tape-and-WD-40” school of home repair or are of the “A-type-military-grade-equipment-and-preparation” variety, they all seem to have a kind of “can-do attitude” which borders on the mythical.

Image Collage by Wo-Built: Multi-armed Handiman…mystical powers for fixing things!?

Sources: http://www.handymanstartup.com/assessing-handyman-skills-and-creating-a-services-list/; 

http://www.santabanta.com/photos/goddess-durga/9103035.htm

But there’s a real problem with having an “I can fix anything…” attitude, especially if that statement is finished with the words “…Duct Tape and WD-40.” But it’s just as bad if it’s completed with the phrase “…just look at my awesome toolkit.”

Unfortunately, “experience” doesn’t count for much these days, either. If someone has been doing cut-rate, patch-up repair and/or contracting work all their life, it doesn’t help—it makes matters worse! It’s like a musician who’s been playing out of key for twenty years. Their twenty years’ experience doesn’t mean they qualify to play in London’s Philharmonic Orchestra, it means they’re tone-deaf!

We all know people like that, have meet people like that, or have been on the receiving end of their work. Some of them honestly mean well. Many of them just don’t care. It’s not that they don’t care at all necessarily…it’s that they don’t care enough.

People who think they are god’s gift to renovations but have not made the effort to really observe what it means to do “a job well done,” simply don’t know what it takes. They just don’t know how to “make it right,” as Mike Holmes would say.

Following codes and guidelines with precision and attention to detail is one thing, but then there’s also a “feel” that comes into play. Like anything creative, one must put one’s heart into it—to really want to do the best job one’s capable of. It takes focused attention on oneself, the project, and of course, the client.

Anyone can follow a recipe, but it takes someone who loves cooking to make the ingredients and directions on the page spring to life in a way that’s almost magical. And we can ALL relate to that: mom’s home-cooking, grandma’s baking, our own signature dish. You know: the one you make when you want to really treat friends, family, or a romantic partner. The one you know how to do the best. Or if it is a completely new recipe, you make sure your approach it the same way: you, at your very best.

What you want in “handyman” is someone who approaches anything and everything they do with that same spirit…that sense of care and dedication; not just someone who thinks they can do anything and everything, in any old way. The slacker’s attitude “it’s good enough” is a slippery slope.

What’s true for the handyman goes DOUBLE for a designer and contractor. 

Do you want someone who looks at your requirements and says—without so much as a pause to consider the job—“oh, I can do that no problem!” Then proceeds to deliver you a ridiculously low quote, knowing full well their “can do” attitude hides a “what I know I can get away with” approach?

Or would you prefer someone who takes their time to really understand you, get to know your needs, desires, tastes, preferences, timelines, and budget, then come up with a realistic estimate—including those sub-contractors they need to bring in on the job who REALLY KNOW how to deliver what you’re looking for?

In short, would you prefer to work with a team who LOVES doing amazing work? Or do you want someone who likes making money at the project’s expense?...Your expense? Which do you think will make you feel special? Whose work will give you a real feeling of satisfaction?

Remember: at the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live with it.

So picking a contractor must be something you put your love and commitment into. You’ve got to feel it. It’s a relationship, a bond of trust and an expensive commitment. You wouldn’t get into bed with some sweet-talking “hottie” who tells you EXACTLY what you want to hear! So don’t fall for the gimmicks and rationalizations that “sounds really good” in the head. Don’t fall for the nonchalant charmer (“hey, relax, it’s no problem”), or for the pushy expert (“trust me, just look at the tools I’m packing”).  

Go with your gut instead. Go with the one who shows heart. Your life is a labour of love, and anyone entering it in a capacity where they have the ability to affect you and yours in any meaningful way should approach you and your life with the same level of commitment as you do.  

The choice is yours: Your renovation / building project can be a story filled with joy to share at your first dinner party in your newly renovated home; or, it can be another in a long list of handyman horror stories.

To see the difference LOVE makes to any project, check-out the latest article by PeapodLife on “Organic Landscaping.”

Image Collage by PeapodLife, Division of Wo-Built Inc: Organic Landscaping in Bloor West Village, Toronto

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

Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My “Backyard“

Photo: Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My “Backyard“
2012 @ Martina Ernst

This is part two of a two-part essay. You can read part one here.

Capturing what makes places like this park special
and translating this into livable and sustainable designs
would be magic in its own right.

This place resonates on an emotional level. This park is a place where you feel good and seeing the animals invokes a feeling of happiness and joy, not just in me, but in most people I observe. It has wow-factor in its inhabitants, people stop to watch the geese, they count the little ones and if they are regulars they keep track of their progress, they search for the turtles, sometimes you see people fish, but most of all you see them enjoying being near the animals. It’s the smiles, the awe, the wonder you see on peoples and kids faces when they watch. But even if you do not find any of the animals, it is a place of relaxation and peacefulness. The proof: people use it for walks, picnics, family outings and nature activities.

Why is understanding and capturing the essence of this so important to me? At heart, I am a designer who wants to make life easier and spaces more livable for people. Capturing what makes places like this park special and translating this into livable and sustainable designs would be magic in its own right.

Imagine spaces in your own home that would create this feeling of peace, recreation, joy and restoration. The key is understanding how we can in our limited way create an interior eco-system that mimics nature: making interior spaces feel alive. A few designers and architects are already attempting to do that, and in the future we will see more of this. And I will elaborate in the future.

At the end of my walk I stood on my favorite vantage point, the bridge that divides the main lake from the smaller ones. I had been looking out for one of the beavers, a real favourite of mine. And just when I was about to give up one of them appeared. It swam towards the bridge and just before the bridge it turned slowly, tail up, almost as to say “I am here, have a good look, bye, bye”. This is a little bit of magic right here!

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

Photo: Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My “Backyard“
2012 @ Martina Ernst

Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My “Backyard“

Photo: Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My “Backyard“
2012 @ Martina Ernst

Inspired by nature - this is part one of a two-part essay. Part two will be posted on May 17.

The magic lies in something that is difficult to explain,
but in short it is an oasis in the middle of an urban environment.

My “backyard” is a park. The park is a mixture of paved pathways, parking spots, people amenities, a swimming pool, rough and cropped lawn areas. High rise buildings to the east, north and south low rise buildings, golf course to the west. The Humber River lies to the north. The park is totally man made, several little lakes act as reservoirs for the overflow run off rain water coming from the adjacent higher ravine areas.

But somehow the City of Toronto managed to create a basis where over time different stakeholders could claim their niches. Home to a whole host of animals: turtle, fish, geese, frogs, kingfishers, other birds, beavers, muskrats, domestic cats, raccoons (in the past I have even seen foxes and further on deer) which seem to be thriving in and around the lakes.

The City’s management seems to be limited to cutting some of the grass areas occasionally (the geese keep the grass fairly short), making sure that the overflow grills are clean, the beavers have a habit of blocking them off (I think the beavers are winning) and cleaning the garbage. Everything else seems to be left to its own devices.

The magic is not its spotlessness, believe me it is not. There is rubbish and goose poop everywhere. It is not that any of the views are spectacular, they are not, most views in nature are likely to be better. Nor is it the size of the lakes or their designs, they are tiny and probably more functional than anything else. And sometimes it smells of decay due to the decomposting of organic material.

The magic lies in something that is difficult to explain, but in short it is an oasis in the middle of an urban environment. A small working eco-system, where “wild” animals live side by side with humans; each is tolerant of the other. Most people there respect the animals and just enjoy watching them. The magic is in the co-existence of its stakeholders (animals, plants, people) in that environment and making it their own. It is making a potentially dead and boring space, exciting and alive.

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

Photo: Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My “Backyard“
2012 @ Martina Ernst

To Renovate or Not to Renovate?

Image: Existing House or New House: Move or Renovate Spreadsheet
A homeowner dilemma: To stay-and-renovate an existing property
or to buy-and-move into a new house
2011 @ wobuilt.com

When talking to prospective clients often they wrestle with the choice “Shall we renovate or just move?”

Even though there are many reasons that will play a role in the decision, such as loving the house, proximity to schools/amenities, friendly neighbours, gardens, making the house exactly as you want it etc, money is high on the list.

Let’s look at the following scenario: An existing house and a new house located in the same Toronto’s west end neighbourhood.

The existing house required a rear or side extension to gain extra bedroom or family space : Current value: $ 400,000 + Reno cost $100,000 + HST

New house with required extra space (some renovation required): Estimated: $475,000 - $500,000

Scenario 1: To Renovate an Existing House
(owner can live in property while it is renovated)
Current value: $400,000
Renovation costs (Addition): $100,000 + HST
Estimated renovation cost: $113,000

Total staying and renovating costs to get the extra space: $113,000

Scenario 2: To Move to a New House
(some renovation required)

Estimated value: $475,000 - $500,000
Upgrade costs:
Difference to existing house : $75,000 – $100,000
Land transfer tax: $11,200 - $12,200
Difference to existing house buying costs $86,200 – $112,200

Moving costs:
Commission: $24,000 + HST
Moving expenses: Estimated: $2,000 + HST
Legal expenses: Estimated: $1,500 + HST
Home inspections: Average: $500 + HST
Minimum renovation: (window coverings, painting, bathroom upgrades, new carpets etc): $10,000 + HST
Estimated moving costs: $42,940

Total upgrade and moving costs to get the extra space: $131,140 - $154,940

Of course this is a simplified calculation and in reality the cost will vary according to the specific circumstances, but the case can be made that a renovation is more cost effective in the above situation.


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

What to Do When You Outgrow Your House? Move or Be Moved?

Collage: Relax during a renovation? This could be you!
Image Credit: MS Office ClipArt: home, living room, couple, relaxing
2011 @ wobuilt.com

What to do when your family, tastes, and or other needs outgrow your current home: buy a new home, build a new home, or remodel your home. Explore different options to create your family dream home.

Many people believe there is only one way to "trade up" in the world of real-estate: to move. Fair enough: there’s an entire industry — and a very vocal one at that — focused on gearing us to think in terms of selling our home, finding a new home, getting a new mortgage, moving, etc. The fact that there are middle-men (i.e. from real estate agents to mortgage brokers) at every stage of this process all "taking their cut" is a little factoid of information rarely mentioned. Still, it’s an understandable approach to the dilemma of what to do when your family, tastes, and or other needs outgrow your current home. And certainly, one need only look around the Greater Toronto Area to see the real estate sales cycle in full swing.

Another popular route is to build a new home from scratch. In the contemporary scenario, this usually means a move to the suburbs (or "suburban hell" as I like to call it), where "reasonably-priced" lots are still available. Of course, from a GTA perspective, this means going to areas west of the city like Mississauga, Oakville, and Milton. Or, perhaps north to Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, or Newmarket. Possibly east to Scarborough, Oshawa, Peterborough. If you’ve ever wondered why all the houses in any particular subdivision in any of these cities all look the same (including older areas in Toronto, from downtown to Etobicoke to North York), it’s likely because all the designs came from one builder’s binder of cookie-cutter plans. If you ask me, cookies belong in lunch boxes, not neighborhoods. Besides, visit any decent bakery (i.e. in the city) and you’ll see how appealing a spread can be when there’s a good mix of decorative cookies on offer — a selection that’s a bit more creative than "chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin or peanut butter."

So what about the least well-known yet possibly most economical route? That is, of course, to build a dream home on the lot that’s available already underneath your existing home. The advantages are numerous. For starters, you don’t have to move to a different location. If you like your neighborhood, neighbors, location, etc. why pick up and transplant your family to a completely new one? Many people living in Toronto near the lake — East York and the Beaches, for example — want to stay in the area, what with the proximity of the Danforth, subway, etc. — and only need to upgrade their older house. Secondly, you already own the lot beneath your home (at least partially, if you still have some mortgage left to pay on it). At the very least, you will be able to leverage its current market value without having to go through the hassle of selling and the expense of paying an agent.

Presumably, you picked the property you live in for a number of good reasons. If some of your needs have changed over time, a simple addition might be just the thing. Of course, if your home choice was limited by your economic status at the time, perhaps you could consider something a little more involved than a simple addition: a complete re-design. It is a little-known fact that you can tear-down the vast majority of an existing home and build something almost completely from scratch in its place (maintain a few basic elements) and have it qualify as a renovation. This has significant benefits over building a house entirely from scratch. Plus, as already mentioned, your new dream home is built in the neighborhood you know and love. This option is especially attractive to anyone living in an older bungalow in East York, The Beaches, along the Danforth, Etobicoke, even Oakville. Lakeside properties that have houses which were designed to be "cottage-like" are now prime candidates to be transformed into lakeside dream homes — close enough to downtown Toronto, preserving the cottage feel, but with all the benefits of a brand new home.

The point is this: in today’s real estate market, you may be able to sell high, but that means you also have to buy high. Alternatively, you have to go where you can buy cheaper and be stuck in suburban hell in a home that looks like everyone else’s, while adding some extra time into your morning commute. Or, you can take advantage of low interest rates and rising property values to make an investment into your lifestyle and the property value of your existing home. We’re not talking about a "lipstick and rouge" job, either. With some professional design consultation and creative use of space, you might be amazed at the value a "complete renovation" can add to your quality of life — house and home.

In other words, why just move when you can be moved?

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

links:
moneysense.ca: MoneySense Magazine: Homes: Renovate or relocate
If you’ve run out of space at home, you have a big decision to make. Should you move? Build an addition? Raze and rebuild from scratch? MoneySense costs out the options.
By Bryan Borzykowski

moneycentral.msn.com: Is it time to remodel -- or buy a new house?
Keeping up a home for 30 years may cost you up to four times its purchase price. Is it smarter just to buy another home every 10 years? Here's how to decide.
By Liz Pulliam Weston

realestate.msn.com: Why build? Move an older house instead
Moving and fixing up a reclaimed home sounds like a real bargain. But it's not a simple job. Here's how two friends did it and came out ahead.
By Marilyn Lewis of MSN Real Estate

cmhc-schl.gc.ca: Renovation and Home Purchase Report - Major Market Highlights
"Forty-two per cent of households in ten Canadian markets renovated their home in 2010."
This publication highlights the key trends, analyses and statistics from CMHC's Renovation and Home Purchase Survey, conducted in ten major Canadian centres. The survey provides information on prior year's renovations in all ten centres. Intentions to buy or renovate a home are highlighted in five of the centres, so you can learn more about Tomorrow's Customers Today.

headstartforbaby.com: Can I Afford to Buy a Bigger House for My Growing Family?

Canada Day and Corso Italia Festival on Our Home Turf

Photo Collage: Celebrating Culture, Music and Food at Toronto Corso Italia Festival
St. Clair Ave West (between Westmount & Lansdowne Avenue), July 2-3, 2011

Happy Canada Day ! #toronto
@wobuilt 1 Jul

Everyone's invited! --> FREE Canada Day BBQ in #CorsoItaliaTO! torontocorsoitalia.com/events.php?id=… #HappyCanadaDay
@CorsoItaliaTO RT by @wobuilt 1 Jul

Off to the Annual BBQ at Earlscourt Park (near #corsoitaliaTO) hosted by Councillor Cesar Palacio. Great weather for it. #toronto
@wobuilt 1 Jul

Back from my walk along #CorsoItaliaTO. Lansdowne-Dufferin. Lots of fantastic stuff happening 4 the festival. Come early-lots of fun #toronto
@wobuilt 2 Jul

Last few hours of the #CorsoItaliaTO festival. It's hot and people enjoying the fun music. Come and join in the fun. #toronto
@wobuilt 3 Jul

We had great fun over the Canada Day weekend here in Corso Italia. It started off with a BBQ hosted by councilor Cesar Palacio at Earlscourt Park on Canada Day and continued with the Corso Italia festival throughout the weekend. We had great turnouts to both events and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. We had people dancing in the street to the fantastic sounds of lively bands, lots of great eats and of course the heavens smiled on us and gave us superb weather. If anyone followed our tweets throughout the weekend you might already have a feel for the joy.

We were here throughout the weekend just to soak up the atmosphere. On top, it was the kick-off for our Corso Italia Festival Special Offer: sign up for a design and build for an addition and we pay the permit drawings. We wanted to share with our potential clients the joyous occasion. Our friends at Agio Ristorante co-advertised with us and helped us spread the word.

We are often asked why we like Corso Italia so much (Perché ci piace Corso Italia così tanto?). 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.

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 home owners to visit our office and the surrounding businesses.

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

links:
Celebrate Culture, Music and Food at Corso Italia Festival
Design and Build for an Addition with Our Special Corso Italia Offer

Design and Build for an Addition with Our Special Corso Italia Offer

Poster: Wo-Built's Corso Italia Festival Special Offer
"Sign up for a Design and Build of an Addition
and we pay the Permit Drawings"
July 1- September 30, 2011
2011 @ wobuilt.com

As you know we fell in love with Corso Italia, located on St Clair West roughly between Lansdowne and Dufferin, because it is friendly, offers most of the things we need for our business and life and just has got this special atmosphere of enjoyment.

Our Corso Italia Festival and Canada Day Offer

As a company we would like to mark the occasion of the 14th annual Corso Italia Festival 2011 and upcoming Canada Day and bring to our potential clients some ongoing festive joy. For a limited time starting July 1st, 2011 to September 30th, 2011 we have the following special offer:

Sign up for a Design and Build for an addition and we pay for the permit drawings.
Estimated value up to $2,500.

Conditions:

• Ground floor addition has to be at least 12ft x 20ft;
• Ground floor addition contract has to include finishes;
• Our ValueXeptional Classic 2nd Storey Addition is included in offer;
• If Build portion is cancelled for any reason, the offer is void and Wo-Built will have to be reimbursed for the drawings.

Not included in the offer:

• Design time, consultancy and fees;
• Engineering time, consultancy and fees;
• Any structural, foundation and other feasibility investigations;
• Wo-Built’s fee and Mark-up;
• Permit fees, City deposits and applicable taxes.

Wishing everyone a happy Canada Day and great fun at the Corso Italia Festival. See you there either at the festival or when you visit the area to shop and dine.

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

links:
wobuilt: Renovate with ValueXeptional Classic Second Storey Addition
wobuilt: We Are Looking for Adventurous Building Owners

+ Added Link
kijiji.ca: Special offer for Design & Build for Addition
"Located in the Corso Italia area in Toronto we decided to have a Corso Italia Festival Special Offer which is valid until September 30th, 2011 - so don't worry that the festival is over. Sign up for a Design and Build for an addition and we pay for the permit drawings. http://wobuilt.blogspot.com/2011/06/design-and-build-for-addition-with-our.html (conditions apply) "
Greater Toronto Area Over 3,902,655 Free Local Classifieds
Date Listed: 06-Jul-11

Celebrate Culture, Music and Food at Corso Italia Festival

Collage: WoBinna: "Corso Italia Festival - Free Admission
July 2 & 3, 2011 - Cool - Check it out!?"
Credit: torontofiesta.com
2011 @ wobuilt.com

CORSO ITALIA SUMMER STREET FESTIVAL 2011
"Celebrate European culture, music, and food July 2-3 2011 as CORSO ITALIA welcomes the World to its 14th Annual CORSO ITALIA FESTIVAL. St. Clair Avenue West between Lansdowne & Westmount is transformed into a European "PIAZZA" for the week-end with: Live music on street corners representing the best of Italian, Portughese, Latin, Jazz, Classical & Swing bands; Local Italian, Portuguese, & Latin restaurants featuring their delicious versions of 'street-food'; Some of the finest European-style shopping this side of the Atlantic with local family-style retailers who pride themselves on service with that special "personal" touch; and delightful children's activities found throughout the street including rides & games for the entire family to enjoy.
CORSO ITALIA, long-known as the epicenter of Italian-Canadian World Cup celebrations in 1982 and 2006, invites you to experience a little bit of Europe in Toronto this Summer. On July 2nd & 3rd, come discover what makes this neighbourhood unique; and such an enjoyable place to live, work, and play!
WELCOME, BENVENUTI, BEM-VINDO, BIENVENIDO, and BIENVENUE!"
Jeff Gillan, Chair Corso Italia BIA

What: 14th Annual Corso Italia Festival

When: Sat Jul 2, 2011 / 1:00pm - 11:00pm
Sun Jul 3, 2011 / 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Where: on St. Clair Avenue West
(between Westmount & Lansdowne Avenue)

Free Admission

torontofiesta.com
Corso Italia BIA

Wo-Built Invites Everyone to Join in the Corso Italia Festival

In past postings we told the world about the wonderful area we found to relocate our office in: Corso Italia, St Clair West, between Dufferin and Lansdowne. We talked about supporting our neighbours, the community and our passion – food. Corso Italia really offers most of the things that one needs to run a business, go shopping for groceries, clothes, day-to-day items, restaurants, ice cream, walks in the park, exercise, professional offices, doctors – you name it and you can probably find it in Corso Italia. But we also found friends among our neighbours.

So we would like to invite everyone to come to the Corso Italia Festival on July 2nd and 3rd to check out the area, have fun, listen to music, have wonderful ice cream, taste some of the great food and of course fall in love with the area as we have.

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

Please check out our Corso Italia Festival offer:

Sign up for a design & build 2nd storey addition for your home before September 30th, 2011 and we pay your permit drawings with an estimated value of $2,500. Conditions apply.

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

Construction Statistics and Economic Indicators: Signs for Future Projects

Collage: The Ranch and the Tower Projects:
Interesting Additions with Architectural Merit.
Credit: MS Office ClipArt: Silhouettes

On Tuesday, June 7th the Toronto Star published an article "GTA developers seeing slowdown" by Tony Wong about the slowdown of new residential and non residential construction seen by developers in the GTA. A follow article "Home building frenzy slows down" about the subject was published on the Toronto Star website on Wednesday. In his articles Mr. Wong mentioned that "in the key Toronto market, permits fell by more than half at 55% to 945 million in April", due to a decline in the condominium driven market and institutional buildings. However, high volumes of sales in the condo market are predicted to eventually translate into housing starts. He also mentions a record sale in existing homes in April. But with the Bank of Canada’s likely raise of interest rates and the home prices’ significant outpacing of job growth and income, affordability of new homes will be weakened, according to Francis Fong, an economist at the TD Bank.

In our opinion what is the likely outcome for the large scale home renovations such as additions? Due to the record home sales in the first half of the year it is likely that less renovations were scheduled as people moved rather than added to their home. Even at spring time, usually the start of the building season we observed fewer building signs from our competitors; larger renovations seems to be done by the owners or developers.

However, higher interest rates, a soft economical environment and a larger sale of condos will likely impact the prices in the house market negatively. It is conceivable that more large scale renovations will be undertaken by home owners once this happens.

But will it? The Toronto housing market has not performed over the last few years during the recession as one would expect; lesser housing prices, fewer sales, more large scale renovations in the medium price range ($150,000 to $500,000). On the one hand owners seem to hold back, on the other they bought new houses driving the market price up. The home sales were helped by extremely low interest rates. Recently, some of the major banks lowered their mortgage rates, even though the Bank of Canada rate stayed the same. Does that mean a decline in housing sales in May?

As a construction company specializing in the medium range construction it seems that even when the normal economic indicators forecast a likely increase in potential home extension projects, there are no sure outcomes. Our approach is two-pronged, being global, but staying local:

• a) In the World: as a strategy - it is key to raise our brand profile to become a household name among the global community. In our experience social media is a great vehicle for sharing and connecting with our clients and partners and allowing us to show the public what we are about.
• b) At Home: as a strategy and a core believe - it is important to promote and further local social concerns and we are working with community papers to make our name more known in specific areas of Toronto, such as East York / Beaches and Etobicoke; both areas have emotional connections to us. At home also includes the community around our office, Corso Italia and The Junction / High Park / Swansea (location of one of our previous offices).

As there is no crystal ball as to the future of the Toronto housing market and home owners’ behaviour, the two-pronged approach is likely to yield a steady, sustainable growth regardless of circumstances. The key is to increase market share by being a household name, not to rely on a larger number of construction projects.

But of course if the economic reality becomes such that for homes to appreciate in value the owners rather stay put; maybe a future article by Mr. Wong will indicate this; we would like to reiterate words from Ari Berman’s posting: "In short – if you bought it, keep it. If you need more of it, expand it. And, if you plan to sell it at some time in the future, maintain it in good condition while staying as free of debt as possible. "

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

links:
moneyville.ca: Home building frenzy slows down
by Tony Wong | Wed Jun 08 2011

HomeView: Ontario Home Starts Decline in May
by: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Published on Jun 08, 2011

wobuilt.com: House Prices: Part of the Problem or Part of the Cure?
by Ari Berman | Mon October 06 2008

Wo-Built Inc Daily: We Are Publishers

Screenshot: The Wo-Built Inc. Daily
Easy to Read Newspaper-style Format
Spreading construction, design and build ideas through social media
Credit: Paper.li

Paper.li – Be a publisher
Paper.li organizes links shared on Twitter into an easy to read newspaper-style format. Newspapers can be created for any Twitter user, list or #tag.
@SmallRivers - Creator of paper.li

We are publishers courtesy of paper.li, who compile our tweets and those of the people we follow in a newspaper form every day for free. We love The Wo-Built Inc Daily for three reasons:

1. It shows all tweets of the day of our Twitter friends in one place. So we do not miss interesting tweets from people and companies we like to see updates from. Often I find stories about design, renovation or construction which I consider educational or informative and which, since I do not check Twitter every hour, I would have missed.
2. We can share the paper with our friends and followers and of course Paper.li is an open forum and anyone can view the papers. Previous editions are archived and can be used for future reference. We can choose the keywords we want to share and the newest features include great editorial powers.
3. The look of the paper is phenomenal. It is well laid out, easy to read and to navigate. It simulates a real newspaper and therefore has more of a stimulation effect than just reading the tweets as it shows the attachments in full with images and text.

Wo-Built Inc Daily is only the start for us. The next step is to setup papers which are geared to specific topics such lighting, green, environment, construction and architecture, topics which are important to us and which we tweet about all the time.

I found paper.li through people I followed on Twitter since they used the application and shared their papers. I thought this was a wonderful idea as it referenced the contributors (some of them grabbed my content) and gave such a great opportunity to engage in a conversation with Twitter friends. We have in turn recommended the application to others. Check out The Toronto Corso Italia Daily, run by the Corso Italia Business Improvement Area (BIA), Wo-Built’s home turf.

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

Sunnyville Grill: Home-style Meal Cooked by Mom with Love

Photo Collage: Sunnyville Grill
Make everyday 'sunny' with a great Breakfast!
Culinary Gem in Corso Italia Toronto
2011 © wobuilt.com

Where on Corso Italia would you go to find good home-style cooking and good value for breakfast or lunch - just the way your mom would have made it for you? Well, when we first moved to the area I read a number of restaurant reviews on Toronto's food pages online and what tops the list there is Sunnyville Grill at 1218 St. Clair Avenue West.

Working in the area, I eat out a lot. So reading the praise of the Internet foodies doesn't make me a believer. I need to go and check it out myself. And, to my surprise, it was a better eating experience than I read about or even expected.

On weekdays or weekends, when you are looking for a good breakfast or lunch and you want to enjoy the hot cooked love of mom, you have to go to Sunnyville Grill. First you will notice a cast of characters up front. The owner, Louie Reppas - a really big guy with an equally big heart who makes you feel welcome. And then you will find two very attractive and talented servers, Angeline and Daisy. (If you have ever been to His Majesty's Feast you may have seen Daisy serving up food there where the horses and knights put on a good evening show.) But over at Sunnyville Grill, in the back, where the bacon meets the grill is where you find the engine of this restaurant - Mom, Vivian Reppas. She is a power in the kitchen and a woman who REALLY knows about good flavours!

The day I came by for my first visit, I really didn't know what I wanted to eat. It was late for breakfast but early for lunch and despite having a large menu with great options for both, I couldn't decide what I should have. So, sensing my dilemma, Vivian made for me a wonderful combination burger. This burger had everything I was looking for even though I wasn't aware I was looking for it. The meat was light but cooked to a caramelized brownness. The bacon was crispy and added a tangy salty twist. Condiments included a sweet Videla onion slice and home grown garden tomato that tasted like summer. My appetite went from undecided to overwhelmed.

After I inhaled the burger, fries and salad, a desert arrived unexpected to my table, one that Vivian had been working on for her husband for later that night. It was a cross between a cake and a pudding, drizzled with chocolate. That pastry just finished me off. I was fed, happy and ready to go back to work.

Since that day, I've been back to Sunnyville Grill often and have even used their services to cater office meetings. They bring their wonderful menu (and even things not on the menu) to our office for our lunch meetings and right after lunch, the dishes and trays disappear without a trace. We have come to really enjoy the food and the folks at Sunnyville Grill.

And, in closing, let me issue a special note of congratulations to Louie and his wife Marijana on the birth of a beautiful baby girl Liana. Like any good dad, Louie has lots of baby pictures on his iPhone to show you. Just ask him to see his baby pics.

____________________________________
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.

links:
wobuilt: A Little Culinary Gem in Corso Italia: Sunnyville Grill
wobuilt: Building the Friendship of Neighbours in Business
wobuilt: Agio’s New Brunch: Community Starts at Home
foodpages.ca: Reviews on Sunnyville Grill
foodpages.ca: Sunnyville Grill - All Day Breakfast
chowhound.com: Hidden gems on St. Clair W?

Architecture: Combining New and Old

Photo-collage: Architecture: Combining New with Old
Acknowledge the history of the place +
Impose new ideas for evolution and growth
2011 @ wobuilt.com

Cities grow, evolve and combining the new with the old in the same area will acknowledge the history of the place. Projects that pay homage to the existing fabric of a space, but also incorporate new architecture would be my ideal.

I have asked myself recently which commercial/non-residential projects I ideally would like to secure for Wo-Built. Projects that pay homage to the existing, but also incorporate new architecture would be my ideal. The choice has a lot to do with my attitude to city planning and architecture which started to be formed during my visits to Berlin in the late 1980's.

I fully embraced the West Berlin’s attitude to architecture. To build something new at that time meant that the old had to be torn down. This thinking gave way to some amazing projects by international architects, Zaha Hadid, Giorgio Grassi, Rob Krie, Peter Eisenmann, Peter Cook + Christine Hawley with Hinrich & Inken Baller, Aldo Rossi. West Berlin was a show piece and it was certainly showing off. Walking around was very exciting. Ever so often an interesting piece of architecture occupied a space in between the older buildings. Not trying to fit in, just standing on its own merits. Even today I like the idea to see new and architecturally exciting modern non matching infill buildings in the fabric of a city.

When I returned to the unified Berlin in the early 2000's and I was both amazed and bit disappointed at the transformation of the previous East Berlin. In the 1980's only a handful of buildings had been restored most likely due to cost and a lot of emphasis had been made on building monumental socialist's housing projects after the war. After reunification this area saw an enormous amount of new and modern buildings in some areas, but many historical buildings and whole streets were rebuilt (of course modernized) the same way as they were before the Second World War.

Berlin was an architecturally splendid city before the war and one can understand the desire to rebuild it as it was. But this was an opportunity missed. Thinking about it philosophically, combining new and old allows opportunity to acknowledge the fabric of the city as it was and to impose new ideas for evolution and growth. I felt at the time that effectively 45 years of memory were eradicated. Cities grow, evolve and combining the new with the old in the same area will acknowledge the history of the place.

We have great examples of this in Toronto. The Michael Lee Chin Crystal (Renaissance ROM, the Royal Ontario Museum's renovation and expansion project) by Daniel Libeskind, and Frank Geary’s extension to the Art Gallery of Ontario (Transformation AGO: New Building) to name a few of civic scale. On a smaller scale a new site of the police station at 2054 Davenport Road which also uses an existing building as part of the new design. We also have some bold infill buildings like the co-operative residential building at 60 Richmond Street East, but we need more building initiatives that either combine the old fabric with the new or boldly insert themselves into the existing fabric of the city at the same scale.

We would love to take part in the evolution of Toronto cityscape combining old with new.

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

links:
e-architect.co.uk: Berlin IBA Architecture, Germany : Information
Internationales Bau Ausstellung : Architecture in German Capital

nationalpost.com: Pug Awards: Housing Co-op and Royal Conservatory come out on top
by Kristen Smith Jun 17, 2010

rom.on.ca: Michael Lee-Chin Crystal

ago.net: The New AGO: Frank Gehry's Redesign

torontopolice.on.ca: 11 Division - new site
The architect selected for this project is Stantec Architecture Limited, Architects.
The construction management service chosen is Eastern Construction Company Limited.