In this episode of Behind the Build, Bill Dewson, of Dewson Architects, discusses the Farnham Avenue House: a single-family infill project that balances historic character with modern sustainability. From sourcing century-old brick from a Woodstock warehouse to reclaiming Douglas Fir trusses from a dismantled RCAF hangar, the home merges reclaimed materials and locally sourced finishes with advanced sustainable systems like geothermal heating and bifacial solar panels tied to Ontario’s MicroFIT program. Bill shares how building ‘new’ offered more opportunities for authentic, high-performance, and sustainable design than renovating an existing heritage home, resulting in a residence that seamlessly blends a time-honoured approach and innovative strategies.

Listen to the full podcast episode above.