Our Story
In the fall of 2008, John Godden spearheaded an initiative designed to bring industry stakeholders together to engage and support sustainable builders.
The goal was to construct 50 homes that all had 50% greater energy efficiency when compared to a home built to the 2006 Ontario Building Code. The program was named the “Green is 50 Challenge”. Designed as an industry-based pilot project, the Challenge partnered supporting manufacturers and suppliers with new home builders, local utilities and municipalities.
Based on the success of the Green is 50 Challenge in bringing industry stakeholders together to achieve a common goal, Godden teamed up with Lenard Hart to create the Sustainable Housing Foundation (SHF). Their early objective was to build capacity within the industry in order to advance sustainable building.
Since then, in its 10-year history, SHF has hosted numerous events to bring its key stakeholders — including design professionals (architects, designers and engineers), energy raters, builders and renovators, municipal officials, manufacturers and financial institutions/appraisers — together.
Whether it’s discussing a performance or prescriptive part in the Building Code, or learning about new products that can assist builders in reaching their energy performance targets, SHF has been educating the marketplace about the advances in high performance homes for over a decade.
Our Vision
We are in an era of global warming and political change, coupled with fiscal constraint. Individuals need to take responsibility for a sustainable future. The Foundation, through its engagements, seeks to create an environment where stakeholders collectively define an action plan for the journey towards a sustainable tomorrow.
Board Members
The Sustainable Housing Foundation Board members possess a diverse range of skills and expertise that is critical to delivering our mission and vision. SHF’s work would not be possible without their dedicated contribution.
Michael McCallum
Senior Project Manager at McCallum HVAC
Michael McCallum is the Director of Operations at McCallum HVAC Design Inc., a family-owned business where he has developed his skills over the past five years under the mentorship of his father, Doug McCallum. Doug founded the company in 1993 and has been instrumental in advancing the standards of residential HVAC design. McCallum HVAC Design Inc. is renowned for its integrated design approach, which brings together architects, builders, developers, HVAC contractors, energy advisors and homeowners to create HVAC solutions that prioritize comfort, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
In his role, Michael collaborates daily with a diverse team of professionals to ensure that the HVAC systems meet the specific needs of clients while adhering to the highest standards of efficiency and comfort.
Paul De Berardis
Director of Building Science, RESCON
Paul De Berardis, M.Eng, P.Eng., is the director of building science and innovation at RESCON. Paul has a diverse technical background, including experience in forensic engineering, building science and the residential development/construction industry. His widespread yet complementary practical engineering knowledge has enabled him to tackle all types of building projects and issues, ranging from ground-related to high-rise applications. As a technically minded thinker, Paul spearheads innovative construction techniques and building science research to help guide the way homes and condos are built in the GTHA.
John Godden
President, Clearsphere
John Godden has over 35 years of experience as a home energy rater, heating system designer and low energy home builder. A graduate of the Bachelor of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo, John is a leading sustainability consultant for Better Than Code, ENERGY STAR, EnerGuide and LEED Canada for Homes programs.
John is a founding board member and director of technology for the Canadian Residential Energy Service Network (CRESNET) as well as a founding board member of the Sustainable Housing Foundation.
As a hands-on energy rater and consultant, John is able to affect culture changes with builders with respect to energy efficient design and site integration. John has been very active as an advocate for builders in relation to code changes.
Paul Lowes
Building Products of Canada
Paul has over 25 years of experience in the downstream segment of the oil and energy industry with multinational oil companies. He is focused on advancing environmental policies through the use of cost-effective biodegradable and biomass products made with recycled and renewable technology that complies with international eco-friendly labels and programs. Paul has extensive experience in the infrastructure, marine and residential construction industries and has been involved in a number of major infrastructure projects, including the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and the New Champlain Bridge.
Paul has transitioned to the residential construction industry and works for Building Products of Canada, managing builders and architects. He is a member of the Canadian Residential Energy Services Network (CRESNET). Paul’s background in petroleum encompasses marketing, negotiation, business planning and development, national accounts, analytics, continuous improvement initiatives and operations integrity management systems.
Michael Lio
President of buildABILITY Corporation
Michael Lio is president of buildABILITY Corporation and has driven change in the homebuilding industry for over 30 years. With deep expertise in housing, buildABILITY acts as a catalyst for innovation. Michael has collaborated with builders, trades, governments, manufacturers, utilities, and associations to help adopt new technologies and turn change into opportunity.
buildABILITY operates at the intersection of the built environment and the organizations shaping it. Its strength lies in a customized stakeholdering process that uncovers challenges, builds consensus, and creates implementation strategies that meet project objectives. Beyond delivery, the firm measures and optimizes outcomes. Its philosophy is captured in three words: EXPLORE. ENGAGE. TRANSFORM.
Michael is a professional engineer and nationally recognized housing and energy expert. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering (Building Science) from the University of Toronto. He also taught building science for over 25 years at Toronto Metropolitan University and the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design.
Jiri Skopek
Principal Consultant
Jiri is best known for developing Green Globes environmental assessment tools. As an architect and planner, Jiri has contributed to Toronto’s skyline. He was senior designer with Bregman and Hamann Architects of Toronto and master planner for Brookfield Place in downtown Toronto. In the 1990s, he ran the Paris office of Santiago Calatrava.
Jiri has been involved in many international sustainable community activities throughout his career. He was a founding participant in solar research and development at Milton Keynes Development Corporation in England, and he designed the first active solar house in the U.K. With Llewelyn Davies International, he was a planning consultant to the governments of the Sultanate of Oman and Qatar. In Saudi Arabia, he designed the new town of Jizan and was the chief urban designer for King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. He has recently started his own consulting agency.
Christian Rinomato
Director of Sustainability at the Rinomato Group of Companies
Christian joined our Board in December 2020 and brings a wealth of on-the-ground builder experience to the issues of building sustainable housing in the GTA. Christian is currently leading some really interesting research projects with Country Homes using demonstration houses in Milton Ontario. We are really pleased to bring his experience to our Board.
Sonny Pirotta
HVAC consultant and Heat Pump Expert
Sonny is a HVAC consultant and Heat Pump Expert. He has over 15 years of HVAC industry experience and has experience as a Contractor, Distributor and now a Manufacturer. Sonny has a passion and drive to help inform, offer and educate Builders, Developers, Designers and contractors on better building practices and methods to improve IAQ and Energy efficiency in new and existing homes.