October Frameworks
Sustainability? Not Spooky
October 2026
Ghosts and ghouls, werewolves and vampires, spirits and… sustainable building practices? Only one of these things shouldn’t scare you, because here at Frameworks we’re working to de-mystify high-performance building practices so that you can go without fear into creating a better, more sustainable built environment.
We’ve got two more spine-tingling webinars to cap off your 2026, as well as a building tour and panel talk at the new Cowan Recreation Centre. Finally, we hope to see you at the inaugural Frameworks Forum, a casual coffee & chat for industry professionals.
Happy Halloween,
The Frameworks Team
JOIN FRAMEWORKS AS A FOUNDATIONAL MEMBER
Frameworks is committed to providing valuable resources, informative webinars, and inspiring in-person events to connect members of our local construction industry and support the development of profitable, sustainable building practices.
In order to do this, Frameworks needs the help of industry leaders. Please consider becoming a Frameworks Foundational Member - organizations that align with the work we do. Initial membership is $500. Members are positioned as leaders in the industry and are invited to engage with our network and activities and influence the direction of the program.
Would you like to receive free and discounted passes to our events? Consider becoming a Frameworks Individual Member!
SWR Open House at evolv1
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 4:00-6:00pm | 420 Wes Graham Way
Come join us on October 28th to learn more about SWR’s programs and projects at our annual 2026 SWR Open House!
Do you want help setting sustainability targets for your organization? Do you want to help plant a microforest? Are you interested in learning more about sustainable waste management or building practices? Our staff at SWR look forward to sharing the programs available to support you in pursuing these opportunities and more.
We will also be leading a tour of evolv1, Canada’s first net-positive office space, to give attendees a closer look at this innovative building.
Register here to save your spot.
Inaugural Frameworks Forum *Monthly Recurring Event*
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | 7:30-8:30am | 420 Wes Graham Way
Join Frameworks for the first of many monthly meet-ups for members of the construction industry to connect, share experiences, and enjoy some morning coffee and snacks. No agenda, no driving theme, just a casual forum where industry members can build community and foster relationships.
Available to any and all who would like to attend, no strings attached, simply drop on by the evolv1 building.
Sustainable & Healthy Housing: Upgrading & Adapting Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
When: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | 1:30-3:00pm | Online
How to maximize the longevity of MURB assets through improvements in energy performance, structural adaptability, and resident-centered design.
Join us to hear about innovative work that’s investigating real, local, Multi Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs) and some strategies to reduce cost, increase comfort, and extend asset lifespan for both market and non-market rentals.
Then hear about a unique, panelized MURB retrofit that is currently underway, that’s taking place with all residents remaining in their homes with minimal disruption.
Don’t miss out on this exciting webinar!
Adapting our Homes and Buildings to Resist Flood, Fire, and Extreme Weather Risk
When: Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 12:00-1:00pm | Online
Join us for an in-depth conversation about climate resilience in the context of the property insurance sector.
ICLR’s Resilient Homes Task Force and PIEVC Program provide practical approaches to adapt homes and buildings to current and future weather extremes. Learn about these initiatives from Dan Sandink, Senior Director, Resilience Programs, of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction.
Cowan Recreation Centre Building Tour and Panel
When: Thursday, December 10, 2026 | 2:00-4:00pm | 1664 Huron Rd, Kitchener
The Cowan Recreation Centre is a new standard for sustainable community centre design, built using an Integrated Project Delivery process, and pursuing a net-zero carbon facility carbon certification from Canada Green Building Council. The facility will host hundred of thousands of community members annually, boasting a multitude of state of the art athletic facilities ranging from a full indoor FIFA sized field, to an expansive aquatic centre.
Join us at the newly constructed Recreation Centre for an in-depth, technical tour of the facilities, followed by an expert-led panel featuring key project-members.
The Frameworks resource library is the best place to find high-quality, vetted, free sustainable building resources. Whether you’re an expert, or amateur, a consultant, or a contractor, there’s something for you on the Frameworks website.
Accessibility as a Key Component of High-Performance Buildings:
This piece focuses on centering accessibility in high-performance, sustainable building.
What is Mass Timber?:
An introductory guide to key components of mass timber, its application, suppliers, and key resources for developers.
Less Impact and More Savings - The Benefits of Environmental Audits on Building Performance:
A report on four distinct types of environmental audits building owners can undertake on their properties to improve efficiency, occupant health, and resale value.
Frameworks curates events from industry partners that bring value to our community. Below are a few upcoming learning opportunities to attend and share with your network:
We encourage you to check our calendar often for event opportunities that may be of interest to you. And if your organization has an upcoming event that would bring value to the Frameworks community, please let us know—we’d be happy to help share it.
Date: November 6, 2026
Location: Toronto, ON
Join renovators, builders, industry leaders, and technical experts for a full day focused on the trends, technologies, and opportunities shaping the future of the sector.
Register now to secure a spot!
Date: November 10, 2026
Location: Cambridge, ON
OECA Ontario Energy Symposium 2.0 will bring Ontario’s energy leaders together for a full-day working forum focused on collaboration, infrastructure readiness, capital alignment, implementation constraints, and coordinated action.
Date: November 4, 2026
Location: Vancouver, BC
Join founders, investors, corporate innovators, government representatives, and ecosystem leaders as we unveil the 2026 Foresight 50 and celebrate the companies driving Canada's next wave of cleantech growth.
Register now to secure a spot!
Date: December 2-4, 2026
Location: Toronto, ON
The Buildings Show is the event your industry peers and leadings experts attend to discover, learn, and discuss what’s next for the residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial building sectors accross North America.
A hand-picked selection of relevant articles covering the latest developments in the building and construction industry; including market trends, policy updates, major projects, sustainability innovations, and emerging technologies.
Title: Hitachi announces $479M plan to build transformer insulation factory in London, ON
Published: October 16, 2026
Electricity demand is set to explode due to a number of key factors like data-centre buildout, as well as the transition to greener energy solutions. The industrial, material component of that effort must therefore also increase.
Title: City of Kitchener says Cowan Recreation Centre will open Nov. 14
Published: September 17, 2026
The much awaited Cowan Recreation Centre is gearing up for its November grand opening says City of Kitchener. The free grand opening will be available to the public, and feature an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, as well as a number of other activities and family-friendly fun.
LET’S CONNECT
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have a question, an idea, look for connections, or want to explore how we can work together to shape a more Efficient, Smarter, and Healthier built environment.