Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. So when building the latest addition to FortWhyte Farms, the Ben and Rose Puchniak Woodworking Studio, we knew it needed to have as little impact on the environment as possible.
Sun Certified Builders Co-op Ltd. took on the challenge, laying the foundation for one of the most energy-efficient commercial buildings in the province from initial construction to ongoing energy consumption.
“The woodworking studio will be energy efficient, have low carbon emissions from both its operation and construction, will have optimal interior air quality and thermal comfort, have resilient exterior finishes that are recyclable, and will continue to be an example of the potential for commercial buildings in these areas for many decades.”
— Evan Proven, Vice President of Sun Certified Builders Co.
This exciting new building at FortWhyte Farms will help expand the youth program by providing a dedicated space for woodworking. In addition to the skills youth are already learning — gardening, cooking, and leadership to name a few — youth will now also gain hands-on experience in a growing trade in Manitoba: carpentry.
By using Passive House building techniques, the Ben and Rose Puchniak Woodworking Studio is an example of how a building can built and operated to be climate resilient with minimal environmental impact.The building’s design focuses on an airtight building envelope and features walls, floor and ceilings that are heavily insulated using cellulose insulation manufactured from recycled newspapers. This efficient design increases occupant comfort and reduces the need for supplemental heating and cooling even in Manitoba’s extreme seasonal temperatures.
None of this would be possible without the generous support of FortWhyte Alive champions, Bob and Marnie Puchniak.
Bob has been visiting FortWhyte Alive since the 1950s, when his parents, Ben and Rose, would take his family for regular nature walks through the old Canada Cement property. Bob and his wife Marnie continued this tradition with their own family, and together they developed an appreciation for nature. In fact, it was their family’s experiences at FortWhyte Alive that inspired two of their daughters to become wildlife biologists.
“Over the past fifty years we have witnessed the transformation of a rather unsightly, open-pit clay mine to a modern centre of sustainability where people of all ages and all backgrounds can experience nature firsthand and better understand its intricacies.”
— Bob Puchniak
Knowing just how transformative nature can be, when the opportunity to support FortWhyte Alive’s growing social enterprise arose, they knew they wanted to be a part of it.
“We are pleased to support this initiative of moving the woodworking studio from the garage to a permanent place of its own…It also provides us with the opportunity to remember my parents, Ben and Rose, who introduced us to the wonders of FortWhyte.”
It is with our deepest gratitude that we thank Bob and Marnie for their incredible generosity. Their dedication to a sustainable future means youth will gain valuable employable skills, helping grow the future changemakers of our community.