BNKC Newsletter – September 2022

 

 

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Hello!
It’s been a minute…

You may have noticed we’ve been pretty quiet lately. That’s because we’ve been super busy doing the things we like to share in our newsletters!

We’ve been fortunate at BNKC to have been engaged on so many projects throughout the pandemic.

The past few years haven’t been without their challenges though, and it’s interesting that many of us in AEC are feeling the trickle-down effects starting to kick-in just now. The rising Bank of Canada interest rate (up 3% to-date this year!) is a strong message to our industry: time to slow down!

Why we aren’t worried about the multifamily sector…
  • Multifamily vacancy rates have slid to near pre-pandemic levels.
  • The average home price rose more than 40% in 2020 and 2021, topping $800,000 in the first quarter of 2022,  leading to increase demand for apartments.
  • Average in-place rents increased 1.4% quarter-over-quarter and 3.7% year-over-year.
  • Demand for apartments in Canada is driven by strong job growth, rising international migration, the weak supply of new rental units in most markets.
  • Canada accepted a record 405,000 immigrants in 2021 and is targeting 432,000 immigrants in 2022.
Yardi Canada National Multifamily Report, Third Quarter 2022

Here at BNKC, some projects went into holding patterns, as our clients navigate the challenges of rising rates and slowing supply chain. The good news? Others are taking an approach to get ready for the next upturn. This is a perfect time to explore your project vision in more depth and take advantage of a quieter market to speak with stakeholders and unearth new opportunities.

How can we help? If you have an opportunity and aren’t sure if it’s the right time to move, let us help with a feasibility study..

A parting thought before we share some studio updates… We’re here if you want to chat.

Sincerely,
Your friends at BNKC

Projects

Yonge & Green Lane

GFA 3,572,399 sq ft / 331,884 sq m  |  Buildings 17  |  Total Units 2918

Yonge & Green Lane is an ambitiously sustainable, mixed-use, urban village in East Gwillimbury. The 150 acre community is linked through a series of public outdoor spaces including a vibrant town square, hanging gardens, animated courtyards, and mews; each its own defined character district.



Yonge & Green Lane will provide a variety of housing options. From single-family detached homes, townhouses, and mid-rise courtyard buildings to high-rise living.

From market to affordable rental to ownership options. Landscaped podiums and rooftop terraces complement the residential outside areas. This will help to create high-quality indoor and outdoor amenity areas, public realm connectivity, and a mixed-use community that will appeal to people of all ages and demographics.

“I’m very excited about this development; the complete community, the servicing on site, the variety of housing options.” 
     – Ward 1 Coun. Loralea Carruthers 



BNKC has been engaged by progressive developer Redwood Properties to provide the vision for this community through a master plan and will be leading the architectural design of the project.

Read more about the proposed development in this article from the Toronto Star and stay tuned as we share more of Geen Lane’s design story over the coming months!

People
Here We Grow Again!

We’ve been quietly growing and adding amazing talent to BNKC’s already stellar team. In fact, we’ve grown by more than a dozen since the beginning of the pandemic. Meet the folks who have joined our work family over the past two years.

Head to our website to meet our whole team.

 

Arash Mesbah | Project Architect
 

Ashu Wekkelul | Architectural Staff
 

Behrang Tadjalli | Architectural Designer
 

Chris Mascarenhas | Project Manager
 

Chris Williams | Project Architect
 

Hasti Fakouri | Junior Architectural Staff
 

Jeffrey Kwok | Intern Architect
 

Jun Ho Yim | Junior Architectural Staff
 

Kateryna Lokhnina | Intern Architect
 

Karooni Ahmed | Student
 

Nadhim Kadhim | Project Manager
 

Saba Mirmotalebi | Junior Architectural Staff
 

Thilani Rajarathna | Project Architect
 

Are you interested in joining our team? We’re hiring for several positions. Connect with us on our careers page.

Culture
A Team that Rows Together, Grows Together!

The BNKC crew hit the water on one of summer’s most blustery days. Despite intense headwinds, everyone had a fantastic time Dragon Boat racing! We highly recommend Sunnyside Paddling Club for your next team outing.



People
Recent Promotions

We’re pleased to announce the recent promotions of Chris Mascarenhas and Daniel Garnier.



Chris (L) has been promoted from Project Architect to Project Manager.
Daniel (R) has been promoted from BIM Specialist to Manager, Digital Delivery + BIM Lead.

The dedication of these two team members has contributed to BNKC’s exceptional success over the past year. Our ability to deliver technical excellence and follow through on our vision and quality of design will flourish with their continued involvement.

Industry Events
CTBUH Chicago



Jonathan King will be at the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) conference, November 9-11, in Chicago. If you’d like to meet up for coffee while he’s there, please give him a ping.

Project Updates
Serra House, The Working Centre, Geothermal at Clockwork, and East City Condos

Serra House Nearing Completion



Construction is wrapping up at Serra House, with substantial completion scheduled for late October. This student residence and community resource for the St. Augustine’s Seminary has evolved over the past 5 years and has included a heritage restoration and new addition. We’ll share photos of finished project later this year.

The Working Centre: Raising Funds to Fight Homelessness

With the support of local developer, Perimeter Development (The Walper Hotel), The Working Centre has announced a new, net-zero, 38-unit affordable housing project at 97 Victoria St. N., in downtown Kitchener, Ont.



BNKC has provided the architectural concept and preliminary schematic design for the project as it pursues federal funding to make the addition/renovation/adaptive reuse project a reality; and will continue to lead the project through to completion.

“The Working Centre exemplifies the type of work we love to do at BNKC…bringing together the most innovative consultants, to ‘do better’, together.” 
     – Elie Newman, BNKC Principal

We’re proud to be collaborating with The Working Centre, Perimeter, ZON Engineering, Lonergan Engineering, and RWDI to deliver this exceptional project. Learn more about this feel-good project on our website and in this CBC News article.

Geothermal at Clockwork



Boreholes have been drilled at Mattamy’s Clockwork at Joshua Creek development in Oakville, ON. This on-site energy solution will serve the needs of the entire first phase of this project; powering more than 328 units in two towers and mixed-use spaces at grade. Geothermal will temper the plumbing and ventilation systems for the whole building, thereby reducing the overall energy consumption.

Interested in exploring alternative energy sources and/or sustainability solutions for your next project? Principal, Jonathan King, would be happy to walk you through the options.

East City Condos Under Construction



Construction is well underway at East City Condos in Peterborough. There’s a particular beauty to the process. Stay tuned as we follow the progress of this new residential building; part of the St. Joseph’s Hospital redevelopment.

People
Oh Baby!

Meet the newest member of the BNKC team! Baby Joshua (L) made an exciting entrance on May 14th, promoting Chelsea Campbell and her husband to first time parents!