Altius Architecture Inc is a full service architecture firm licensed by the Ontario Association of Architects. With a wide variety of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings we have successfully worked across the complete spectrum of the building industry.

Over the last several years, due to the success of, and attention given to our residential work we have had the pleasure to work almost extensively in the residential market. Our philosophy of working closely with our clients has resulted in a diverse range of solutions that fit each individual project.  In particular we have proven to have a particular ability to identify with the unbelievable beauty and diversity of Ontario’s cottage country and the challenge that comes with building on these unique landscapes.

Complementing this design sensibility is our early desire to move outside traditional practice and remain closely involved in the construction of our designs, to the point of complete Construction Management services. Our experience in these areas has resulted in close relationships and shared respect being established amongst the designers and the local trades. This combination has allowed us to achieve continuity to the entire design and construction process and allowed us to consistently achieve the desired results in each project that would not be possible otherwise for unique designs.

Altius has continued to move forward towards a complete, holistic and collaborative approach to building. We believe that the best buildings are achieved when architects, engineers, consultants, constructors and clients come together to achieve something greater than the sum of their individual parts. We subscribe to a team approach to building and believe that the confluence of architecture, structure, mechanical systems and building technology must meet at the commencement of the design process in order to successfully meet the needs of our clients, their budgets and respond to our modern times.

We have established close relationships and continue to share knowledge with the best consultants available to us in the fields of structural, mechanical and sustainable systems design.

Ultimately we use this extensive experience to design the most desirable and prudent building for our clients. We look forward to discussing your project with you!

New for 2009: The Home Renovation Tax Credit

As part of Canada’s new Federal Budget and Economic Stimulus Plan, The Home Renovation Tax Credit was introduced for 2009 and offers homeowners a tax credit worth up to $1350.00 on eligible improvements and renovations undertaken between January 27, 2009 and February 10, 2010. Click here for the PDF.

Renewed for 2009: The ecoEnergy Retrofit Program

The ecoEnergy Retrofit Program has been renewed for 2009 and offers homeowners grants of up to $5000 for specific and targeted improvements to home energy performance.  These two programs are independent of one another and may be applied to the same renovation.  For more information on these programs please visit the Government of Canada’s ecoAction website.

Going SOLAR for 2009: Ontario’s Proposed FIT Program

Ontarians can now boast of the best incentives for the deployment of small and large, grid-connected renewable energy systems in North America. With proposed buyback rates of almost $0.80/Watt, the new FIT program nearly doubles the rate proposed in the former RESOP. (Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program). This bodes extremely well for a solar revolution in Ontario - with system payback rates of 8-10 years, green is making excellent economic sense. Together with the proposed sales tax on natural gas and other home heating fuels, we expect to see more emphasis placed on better design powered by renewable energy systems. Altius have become experts in Advanced building envelope design, passive solar, geothermal and BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics). There has never been a better time to build your green dream! Contact Altius to find out how your next home can take advantage of all of the currently available incentives for Green Architecture. For more information, visit Generation Solar, our preferred PV and SDHW Contractor.

The Proposed 2011 Building Code

Altius and Sustain were recently invited to participate in the panel session of the the advisory workshop on the proposed 2011 Ontario Building Code. Here’s a quick synopisis; by 2011, all buildings built in Ontario will need to conform to Energuide80 - or a rating of 80 on the Energuide scale of efficiency and performance. What this means is almost every new residential project in the province will need to meet R2000 levels for energy efficiency and environmental features. All buildings will need to be modeled in the energy analysis software Hot2000, and tested for air-tightness with a door-fan - something Altius already does on many of our projects. Currently, only about 5% of all new residential construction meets Energuide80. While this will be difficult for large, conventional builders to accomodate, Altius is already ahead of the curve. We can perform R2000 energy modeling, carbon-footprint estimation and optimize your new home or renovation for maximum energy efficiency as part of our standard services.