2017 Sustainable Building Awards

BUILD / Sustainable Building Awards 2017 5 , Best Sustainable Family Homes Building Firm - Ontario SanDiego Homes is a family-owned production/customhome builder and land development company. We profiled the firmand its co-founder, Diego Rizzardo to find out about the reasons behind the company’s success. SanDiego Homes is a registered ENERGY STAR new home builder. The Energy Star qualified homes that the firm builds come equipped with an array of ENERGY STAR features, including increased insulation on all exterior walls and attics, triple glazed windows, a 95 per cent equal or better high-efficiency furnace. These features also include sealed ductwork supply air runs as per energy star specifications, along with a heat recovery ventilator for increased indoor air quality and reduced energy consumption. As co-founders, Diego and Sandra Rizzardo have worked with some of the largest home builder firms and have become responsible land developers and home builders by living in the community that they built. Having gained their experience in Scarborough, Alliston and Innisfil, the pair have constructed over 1500 homes 1983 to 2011. Concerning its recent projects, SanDiego Homes’ Lakeside Living project in Innisfil showcases the firm’s commitment to sustainable building. The firm are completing a NetZero discovery project at Lakeside Living. Four residences at Lakeside Living will also have geothermal heating, as part of a Ground Source Heat pilot project to be completed in partnership with Enbridge Gas. Contact: Diego Rizzardo Contact Email: [email protected] Address: 1101 Quarry Drive, Innisfil, Ontario, L9S 4X2, Canada Phone: 001 705 436 5445 Website: www.sandiego-homes.ca From a Northern Italy Heritage and generation after generation of skilled carpenters and tradesmen, Diego Rizzardo learned about home building from a young age. Diego has developed a real passion for home building after graduating with diplomas in architecture, business and accounting. He also possesses post-secondary qualifications in real estate. There is a wealth of experience in home building and land development within the firm, as co-founders Diego and his wife Sandra enjoy fifty years of experience within the industry combined. A family oriented business, there are three more of the Rizzardo clan joining the business, with Amanda, Silvano and Jessica having all graduated from University. Outlining the firm’s mission statement, the company aims to: ‘demonstrate the family’s dedication and devotion to all its customers, with personalized attention for even the slightest detail. The firm aspires to exceed expectations in every home it builds; and it continues to strive for excellence in design, construction, service and innovation. A reflection of customers’ trust is the company’s greatest measure of success.’ SU170009 Two years ago, the firm realized the importance of sustainable building practices to the health of local communities and long- term satisfaction of its clients. The company also realized the importance sustainable building would have on the future of the business, therefore Diego and his family have fully embraced sustainable building philosophies and are now leading the charge for sustainable home construction in the area. Offering a variety of services, the future for the business looks positive as the firm is able to combine a new vision of home building and land development with its proven communication skills and excellent customer service. Alongside the experience the team possess, the company is also able to approach any project with an inspiring attitude, innovation and an exceptionally high quality standard features included in every home constructed. Differentiating the firm out from competitors within the industry, the firm believes sustainable building results in greater efficiency, delivering a better quality of home for the customer. The firm is ahead of its competitors with regard to the planning stage of future projects. SanDiego Homes believes the average homeowner’s way of living is going to change. The team have included features such as additional truss support and solar conduit rough-in for solar panels and a 240 V electrical line in the garage for electric cars. Regarding the future, SanDiego Homes will have greater control and flexibility in producing the best possible homes at the best possible price. Although not at the top of customer’s lists right now, SanDiego Homes believe that energy efficient homes will be integral in the coming future. Sustainable building will transform from a nice area into standard procedure as customers will begin to realize the increase in quality and reduction of day-to- day utility costs, with substantial reduction in carbon emissions.