Urban Design Guideline Embodied Carbon StudyPolicy, Strategy
The Urban Design Guidelines study was undertaken to understand the impacts of the current Guidelines on embodied carbon emissions.
Working with the City of Toronto, Ha/f provided life cycle assessment and analysis of ten recently completed projects ranging in scale across the city. These recommendations subsequently informed revisions to the Midrise Guidelines.
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YZD Rights of Way StudyStrategy, Policy
In partnership with Northcrest, Ha/f Climate Design explored how rethinking street widths at Downsview can lower carbon emissions and build community resilience. By reducing road space and expanding green infrastructure, the study shows how smarter street design can cut infrastructure emissions, increase housing, add green space, and create safer, more sustainable public spaces for future residents.
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Design Primer for Low Carbon ConstructionPolicy, Strategy
Ha/f authored the Project Planning & Design Primer for Low-Carbon Construction, guiding Canada’s shift to net-zero buildings.
The primer outlines whole-life carbon concepts, introduces mitigation frameworks, and applies strategies across project phases—pre-design, design, construction, and occupancy—emphasizing systems thinking, phased decision-making, and life cycle assessments to reduce embodied carbon emissions.
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Wellington HousePolicy, Strategy
Wellington House is a deconstruction and material reuse pilot project supported by the City of Guelph’s Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad.
The project diverted 90%+ of materials from landfill, showcasing the carbon, material, and cultural value of reclaiming building components over demolition.
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Clean Enery Canada: Building Toward Low Cost and Carbon Policy, Strategy
Ha/f co-authored Clean Energy Canada's 2025 report, Building Toward Low Cost and Carbon. Leading an architecture and engineering consortium, Ha/f conducted in-depth research on efficient building design strategies aimed at reducing both carbon emissions and construction costs.
The study analyzed case studies of townhouses, mid-rise, and high-rise buildings, demonstrating how smart design choices can lead to significant carbon and cost savings.
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In collaboration with Local Works Studio, Ha/f developed a reuse strategy for Waterhouse Square’s granite facade, treating it as an “urban quarry.” By prioritizing deconstruction, on-site reuse, and low-carbon fabrication, the project reduces waste and emissions while advancing the goals of London’s Circular Economy Roadmap for sustainable building practices.
Working with LGA Architects & Planners, Ha/f provided energy modelling, life cycle assessment, and material strategy support to the design and delivery of the CMHC Housing Design Catalogue.
Additionally, Ha/f provided a Climate Risk & Resiliency Guide to help future builders and owners adapt the designs to site-specific concerns.