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Change Builders — Part 2 with Projects With Grace

In Part 2 of our Change Builders conversation with Grace Bergen of Projects With Grace, we zoomed out from the job site details and explored the bigger questions shaping high-performance building in B.C.: Are we innovating fast enough? Is regulation outpacing product availability? How do we balance sustainability with affordability — without compromising results? Grace’s answers were as grounded as her building approach: progress happens when products are proven, details are done correctly, and high-performance strate

Part 1: Grace Bergen on Airtightness, Comfort, and Getting Step Code Right

Change Builders — Part 1 with Projects With Grace Welcome back to Change Builders, a video series where we connect with builders and industry change makers who are pushing the industry forward in practical, buildable ways. For Part 1 of this conversation, we’re joined by Grace Bergen of Projects With Grace — a licensed residential builder with a decade of experience and a clear, consistent philosophy: build better.

A Full-Service Builder in a Changing Industry

In this episode of Change Builders, we sat down with Danielle and Josh Knight, the team behind Shining Knight Construction, a family-owned building company that has been serving Nanaimo for more than 16 years. From bathroom renovations to full custom homes, Shining Knight has built a reputation for thoughtful construction, strong trade partnerships, and a commitment to guiding clients through increasingly complex building requirements, especially when it comes to energy efficiency.

Change Builders | Understanding the PACE Program and What It Means for Homeowners

In this episode of Change Builders, we sat down with Dave Stewart, Environmental Planner with the City of Nanaimo, to talk about one of the most practical tools municipalities have to reduce emissions and support homeowners: the PACE program. As part of Nanaimo’s broader climate strategy, PACE is helping residents upgrade their homes — without the typical upfront financial burden that can stop retrofit projects before they begin.

Change Builders Series | Zsiros Contracting

Welcome back to Change Builders, a video series spotlighting builders and industry leaders who are pushing construction forward across Vancouver Island. In this episode, we sat down with Jim Zsiros, owner of Zsiros Contracting, to talk about high-performance homebuilding — what sparked his early commitment to energy efficiency, how he balances affordability with sustainability, and where he sees the next wave of innovation heading.

In this episode of Change Builders, we sit down with Ava Campbell, Circular Impact Lead at Lighthouse, to talk about the Building Material Exchange (BMX) program and how it’s making construction reuse practical, accessible, and cost-effective. From surplus lumber and salvage materials to partnerships with Habitat ReStore and upcoming bin services in Nanaimo, Ava shares how small changes on job sites can reduce landfill waste, lower carbon, and support more housing in our communities.

Change Builders Series

In this episode of Change Builders, we sat down with Chiara Sulyok, Regional Partner with Alair, to talk about one of the most pressing questions facing residential construction today: How do we balance energy efficiency with affordability — in real projects, with real clients and real budgets? Chiara brings a unique perspective. Having been with Alair for 10 years, she now supports franchises across Vancouver Island and Arizona, working closely with business operations, staffing, training, and project management team

Change Builders Series

In this episode of Change Builders, we sat down with Jamie Kuhn, one of the owners of Pheasant Hill Homes, to talk about what “energy efficient” really means on Vancouver Island — beyond the usual conversations about insulation and windows. From custom builds to complex renovations, Jamie and the Pheasant Hill team have been building high-performance homes for more than a decade, with a company culture shaped by energy efficiency long before it became mainstream.

Leading the Way in Smart, Sustainable Homes on Vancouver Island

Featured in LIV Magazine, the Change Builders series celebrates Vancouver Island’s visionary builders who create energy-efficient, high-performance homes that balance innovation, sustainability, and affordability for real families and communities.

How Smart Planning Lowers Costs and Raises Standards A Change Builders Conversation with Mark Bernhardt

In this episode of Change Builders, we sit down with Mark Bernhardt of Bernhardt Contracting to talk about high-performance building, affordability, and why the biggest cost savings happen in design — not on site. From Step Code and coordinated design to seismic (lateral load) savings and Part 9 consulting, Mark shares practical insights on how builders can simplify projects, reduce change orders, and build more energy-efficient homes without driving up costs. If you’re a builder, designer, or homeowner interested in

Featuring Andrew Brassington, Owens Corning Canada

In this episode of Change Builders, we sit down with Andrew Brassington from Owens Corning to explore energy efficiency, sustainable construction, and practical ways builders can improve home performance without sacrificing affordability. From insulation and airtightness to emerging technologies, incentives, and future-proofing homes for evolving codes, this conversation offers clear, actionable insights for builders and homeowners across Vancouver Island.

How carriage homes, smart density, and energy efficiency can transform affordability

A conversation with Chiorando Homes on how carriage houses, gentle density, and energy-efficient design can improve housing affordability and quality of life on Vancouver Island.

Setting the foundation for industry-led change

Welcome to Change Builders! Join Kerriann Coady as she introduces the new podcast series exploring how builders are innovating to create energy-efficient, affordable, and sustainable homes on Vancouver Island. Learn what’s coming in future episodes and why this conversation matters for our communities.

Best Environmental Initiative Winner 2025

Beyond The Event

As wildfire risk continues to intensify across British Columbia, the conversation around housing is shifting from reaction to resilience.

A Conversation with Deva Veylan, Coefficient Building Solutions Change Builders Series

Best Environmental Initiative Award- 2024

VIBI AWARDS

Change Builder Series

Change Builders In The Classroom

Over two full days in Nanaimo, builders and renovators gathered at the Coast Bastion Hotel for intensive Net Zero Builder and Net Zero Renovator training, led by Mark Bernhardt. With the Building Science prerequisite setting the foundation, this wasn’t just theory — it was a practical, hands-on deep dive into what high-performance and Net Zero/Ready construction really looks like today. Here are some of the key lessons that stood out.

The Nanaimo Hospice Dream Home by Momentum Design Build

Best Environmental Iniative 2023