Sustainable Building Awards 2023

5 Ontario-based Habitat28 specialises in providing its clients with prefabricated tiny houses that are not only affordable and sustainable, but also stylish and sprinkled with touches of luxury throughout. Built in the company’s native Canada to certification standard, these houses have been expertly insulated to make them perfect for the weather conditions brought about by all four seasons. They are also Ontario Building Code compliant, and with every project overseen by a builder boasting almost 30 years of experience in the industry, homes are certain to be completed to the highest standard and quality. Whether customers seek a rental suite for their gardens, an instant cottage, a business kiosk, or any one of the hundreds of possible uses, Habitat28’s tiny houses serve as the perfect solution. We speak with Head of Operations Shailesh Poddar, who tells us more about the company’s dedication to affordable and sustainable business. Sitting atop 7 years of planning and 2 years of engineering prior to its establishment in 2022, the passion behind Habitat28 is clearly apparent, and the business has evolved into a true industry pioneer, offering innovative tiny home designs perfect for those seeking affordable, sustainable housing solutions. The team advocating for homes of the future to be both energy efficient and sustainable with a smaller footprint highlights an innate dedication to our planet, and a groundbreaking affordability initiative programme has been implemented for the purposes of tackling the issues of affordable housing, with this commitment bridging the gap between people’s limited resources and skyrocketing house costs. Habitat28 is today a recognised and celebrated name in the tiny house movement and serves an array of clients that include individuals and families looking for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional home ownership. Every home built by the company is done so to achieve the shared vision of embracing sustainable living methods that do not have to compromise on luxury, with the team having garnered a reputation for its sustainable practise and unwavering dedication to exceptional craftsmanship. Spurring this on is the business’ dedication to a series of core values, with innovation and client satisfaction joining sustainability and affordability to comprise the four cornerstones of Habitat28. Across the sustainability sector, Habitat28 embodies a crucial role, with its perspective being shaped by a desire to provide affordable housing and increase the sustainability of homes more generally through raising awareness of the impact traditional housing has on the environment. Over the past few years, the team have noticed considerable changes within the sustainability sector, with increased awareness and demand, key technological advancements, a shift towards compact ways of living, the emergence of a strong link between community and social sustainability, and a renewed emphasis on affordability all combining to dictate the needs of the market. Every project undertaken by the firm is treated as wholly unique, and the team’s extensive use of modelling has ultimately a fostered a culture where perpetual learning, reengineering, and adaptability are all championed. This allows Habitat28 to adapt swiftly and remain at the very forefront of design sphere, exceeding the high environmental standards it holds itself to. For the company, a great deal of emphasis is placed upon the customisability of its homes, client collaboration, integrating sustainability, maximising a home’s functionality, and delivering a quality product to a client in a timely manner. The approach taken by the company is one that can be described as holistic and client centric, with these spaces being created to go beyond being merely functional, rather inspiring and enhancing the quality of life. One such way that this is achieved is by fostering wellness, as a smaller space subsequently results in a reduction in clutter and the supporting of mental clarity. Across its solutions, there is too a keen emphasis on pushing the boundaries, and the company’s designs, “reflect a balance between aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability”, as Shailesh describes, ultimately empowering a client throughout the process and beyond. Recent years have seen tiny home manufacturing increase considerably in popularity, and the competition today is fierce as a result. Habitat28 is nevertheless a trailblazer, “standing out as the first to market without wheels”, thus making the homes, “an appreciating asset once installed”, as Shailesh explains. There are also a series of unique selling points that have constantly redefined the business as the ultimate choice for clients, chief among these being the company’s continued investment in the latest technologies and design solutions, guaranteeing that its homes are contemporary and certifiably future proof. Another key area that sets Habitat28 apart is its versatility and drive to provide affordable luxury. The versatile nature of the business allows it to offer clients custom layouts, features, and functionalities for their homes based on each individuals’ unique requirements, choosing layout configurations and interior finishes, whether this be for a residential or commercial application. As for luxury, Shailesh explains, “we challenge the notion that luxury comes at a high cost, making it accessible to a broader demographic. By leveraging innovative design and cost-effective solutions, we provide luxurious living expenses without breaking the bank.” Not only do this team of tiny home builders craft an expertly designed, affordable, and sustainable solution for their clients, but they also provide resources, tips, and useful information on how individuals can bring eco-friendly living into their daily routines, beyond just their new home tiny homes. Continuing to place an emphasis on this is just one of the ways that the team at Habitat28 are ensuring that the future of the firm is exciting, ambitious, and righteous. Another notable project in the pipeline is the opening of the company’s new Discovery Centre, with this set to serve not just as a showcase for its homes, but also the broader benefits of a lifestyle involving tiny living. Moreover, franchising is set to be another key element in the firm, with Shailesh stating, “we are exploring more franchising opportunities to extend our reach and make sustainable living more accessible.” Other projects include continuing to innovate with models, placing units in areas of natural beauty such as above rivers and lakes, and continuing to focus on providing a service that is based around exceeding client expectations. Q1/Q2 of 2024 is set to be a particularly thrilling time, with two new models soon to be released that are tailored to the everevolving needs of clients. As Shailesh describes, “these releases signify our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and providing versatile solutions for a wide range of lifestyles.” Habitat28 is seeking continual growth throughout the next several years, and as part of this strategy, is set to enter into new markets, including Europe and North America, significantly expanding the amount of people that can attain a sustainable, customisable housing solution. By making tiny homes accessible to a global audience, retaining a steadfast commitment to sustainability and affordable housing, as well as possessing excellent customer service skills that are sure to leave clients satisfied, Habitat28 has solidified itself in the industry, and is more than deserving of this Sustainable Building Award celebrating its dedication to the cause and prowess within the sustainable tiny homes market. Contact Details Contact: Shailesh Poddar Company: Habitat28 Web Address: https://habitat28.com/

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