Innovation is driving today’s renovations, it seems
High-performance homes showcase stylish, sustainable innovation,
Home-renovation projects can be stressful — from selecting the company to undertake the project, to designing your dream space and accommodating the budget you have set in place, there’s a lot to do.
The OakWood Design Centre aims to ease some of that stress by providing a one-stop shop where you can walk around and get inspired by Ottawa’s largest collection of renovation products. Excitement sets in as you speak to a certified design consultant about your dream home or space, craft your plans and are presented with a 3D rendering of your design. And it all takes place at the state-of-the-art centre on Taylor Creek Drive in Orleans.
OakWood is a fourth-generation family-run business: It’s one of Ottawa’s most established residential and commercial builders and is best known for providing quality renovation services. The family has always had an unwavering vision to bring everything homeowners need to design and plan their renovation under one roof.
“Our Design Centre has been 60 years in the making,” says John Liptak, OakWood’s president and CEO. “We started out as a small, family-run carpentry and renovation business. We grew into a complete design and build company. It’s taken us over half a century to get here, but now we’ve done it.”
The local builder and renovator is now at the forefront for embracing new technologies and creative products, to better provide homeowners with unprecedented options when planning a renovation of any scale or a custom home. The company also recognizes the importance of innovation, the transformative and disruptive nature of taking on something completely new, and continues to provide its customers with the latest technological options.
“More than anything we wanted this to be a showcase for what is possible,” says OakWood’s COO, Patricia Liptak-Satov. “We wanted to lead by example and show that beautifully designed renovations can go hand-in-hand with industry-leading environmentally friendly construction methods.”
OakWood sees game-changing innovations in four key areas: energy efficiency, smart home and intelligent building automation, healthy environment and building green.
Clients motivated by sustainability issues and lowering their heating, cooling and energy costs can embrace innovative solutions that deliver greater energy-efficiency and expected savings, ranging from improving the building envelope to installing solar panels and geothermal.
Those who want more control over their work or home environments have the option of intelligent automation, such as timed lighting and heating and cooling systems. Homeowners who are concerned about the materials used in their renovation or new home construction can opt for hardwood floors instead of carpet, eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) often found in paint products, or introduce whole house ventilation systems that maintain air quality. And if sustainable building is of importance, OakWood can provide recycled glass products, natural products like bamboo and cork, reclaimed lumber — the options are endless.
Each of the four areas represents a plank in a concept OakWood calls “High Performance Home & Building.” They represent an area of fastchanging products, techniques and technologies that not only provide homeowners with exciting options, but they’re fundamentally changing how renovators and home builders must design, plan and build. “What we’re seeing is a more informed client,” says John Liptak. He describes these as individuals who emphasize the importance of incorporating ideas, techniques and solutions in one or more of these innovation planks into their project.
OakWood also recognizes that healthy, sustainable living is becoming an important consideration for homeowners and innovations are making bold new solutions possible for renovations, custom homes and commercial homes.
“The whole idea of building green, creating a healthier living environment, and bringing eco-friendly materials into a project is also a big part of the story and concept,” adds Patricia Liptak-Satov. “That’s the broader context for our highperformance concept; it’s a more complex and holistic solution.”
In the end, it all comes back to the design centre: The place that cultivates innovative ideas and solutions for today’s homeowners. The Platinum LEED certified building showcases the most advanced green building technologies available and features more than 22,000 square feet filled with unique displays and materials, including more than 7,500 artistically displayed items to fuel your design and imagination. OakWood provides practical solutions to each client’s unique needs and their design consultants craft custom designs based on the space and budget that has been allocated.
“That’s the beauty of the design centre,” says Dan Lavigne, a senior project consultant at OakWood and one of the main planners behind the layout, configuration and materials on display. “We wanted to provide an exceptional range of examples to spark ideas, and this is a truly unique place to get inspired and facilitate the whole creative side of the renovation process. For example, someone could see one of our cabinetry designs, how we have integrated a refrigerator, a millwork or tile treatment, or an island counter; and bring one of those elements to our design consultants.”
The new Taylor Creek Design Centre features an open-door policy and is a resource that’s available to anyone. Book a tour or free consultation with an OakWood project consultant in one of three ways: Visit www.oakwood.ca or call OakWood at 613-236-8001; or email experts@oakwood.ca.
The whole idea of building green, creating a healthier living environment … is also a big part of the story and concept.