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VELD architect

High Performance Sustainable Homes

At VELD, we believe that high-performance architecture is the only way to build for the next century. We don't treat sustainability as an "add-on" or a collection of expensive gadgets; it is a core strategy focused on Cultivating Green-the intentional practice of making responsible, science-backed decisions at the earliest drafting stages to reduce energy use and improve building resilience. 


By prioritizing the fundamental physics of the building, we ensure your home or conversion is built with an Enthusiastic Dedication to quality that matches a farmer's work ethic. Our approach is to integrate the "veld" (the field) with the structure, ensuring the design is site-specific and prepared for the unique environmental stressors of rural life.

Resilient New Builds

We design modern, custom farmhouses from the ground up that stay comfortable in any weather while significantly reducing your energy footprint.

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High-Performance Barn Rescues

We re-engineer heritage timber frames, wrapping them in modern, airtight envelopes to create unique living spaces that perform to the highest modern standards.

Regenerative Design

We integrate your home into the "veld" (the field), making responsible decisions that improve building design and reduce energy use for future generations.

Featured Sustainable Home Projects

Stratford Ontario Barn House
Barn House 1
Uxbridge Ontario Barn House
Barn House 2
Norwich Ontario Sustainable Home
Norwich Passive House
Ben Miller Ontario Sustainable House
Ben Miller Res

What We Do: The VELD Process

Whether you are launching an agritourism destination, rescuing a heritage barn, or building a high-performance home, every VELD project follows a proven six-stage roadmap. We act as your advocate, navigator, and "translator" between your vision and the contractor's hammer.

Phase 1

Discovery & Strategy

We always start with Project Scouting. Before a single line is drawn, we perform a "diagnosis" of your property to ensure you move ahead with confidence and a clear budget.

Stage 1: Project Scouting & Pre-Design:

We analyze your site, building codes, planning permissions, and goals. This phase includes our AgVisioning Kit and Barn Condition Reports to solve the puzzle before the design begins.

Phase 2

Concept & Detailed Design

Once we understand the constraints of your land and the "red tape" involved, we move into the creative and technical planning of your space.

Stage 2: Schematic Design

We develop early design options, 3D renderings, and basic site plans that align with your budget. We meet with authorities early to eliminate future delays.

Stage 3: Design Development

We refine the details-selecting materials, fixtures, and finishes-while coordinating with structural or mechanical engineers to ensure the building operates exactly as intended.

Phase 3

Permits & Construction

We take the lead on the technical requirements and act as your agent during the build to ensure the final result matches the design.

Stage 4: Permit Drawings

We provide the specific sets required by your municipality to obtain a building permit, covering essential code information like fire ratings and structural diagrams.

Stage 5: Construction Drawings

We produce highly detailed plans-including millwork, trim, and wall construction-so your contractor can provide an accurate quote with fewer "surprises".

Stage 6: Tendering & Construction

We help you select a contractor and act as your "translator" on-site. We perform required reviews under the Ontario Building Code and stay involved until you are settled in to ensure your total satisfaction.

The Value of Sustainable  Design

A home on the acreage faces environmental stressors that city buildings never encounter. We don't just design for aesthetics; we design for resilience. By integrating high-performance building science into your project, we ensure that your investment is protected from the volatile Ontario climate while providing a level of comfort that standard construction cannot match.

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Energy Independence

By significantly reducing the energy required for heating and cooling, your home becomes naturally resilient against rising utility costs and more manageable during rural power outages.

Heritage Preservation

When converting 100-year-old timber frames, our technical drawings preserve the character of the barn while providing a modern, high-performance interior that meets the current Ontario Building Codes.

Health & Comfort

Our focus on airtight envelopes and advanced ventilation means your living space remains draft-free, quiet, and filtered for superior indoor air quality-essential for homes located on active working farms.

Long-Term Asset Value
A resilient build represents a modern legacy. These structures are designed to be as enduring as the land itself, ensuring they remain functional, comfortable, and valuable for many future generations.

Sustainable Home Resources

Professional design should be accessible, and the path to a high-performance residence shouldn't be a mystery. Every project is an opportunity to create a legacy that respects the land and stands up to the rigors of the Ontario climate. We prioritize educating you about your choices-from energy-efficient building science to the complex realities of rural zoning-ensuring you feel at ease from the first sketch to the final inspection.

Whether you are just starting to imagine a new build or are ready to evaluate a heritage timber frame for a modern conversion, these resources are designed to simplify the red tape. They provide cost-effective, practical solutions tailored specifically to the unique challenges of the rural landscape, helping you navigate the technical hurdles before you break ground.

Passive House Expert Directory

The Science of Rural Resilience

Building in the Ontario countryside requires more than just standard construction; it requires an understanding of how a structure interacts with the open land. We bridge the gap between traditional farm aesthetics and modern building physics, ensuring your home is an active participant in its environment rather than a victim of it.

Our specialized approach focuses on the intersection of Airtightness, Thermal Integrity, and Site Stewardship. By prioritizing the building's physical shell, we eliminate the mechanical complexity often found in "green" homes. Instead of relying on expensive gadgets that eventually fail, we rely on superior technical drawings and material science. This creates a home that is naturally quiet, perpetually comfortable, and capable of standing for a century with minimal maintenance.

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Airtight Envelopes

We design precise seals that stop energy leaks before they start, ensuring your indoor air quality remains high and your utility bills stay low.

Thermal Bridge-Free Design

Our technical details eliminate the "cold spots" common in rural builds, protecting the structural integrity of heritage timber frames and new custom builds alike.

Climate-Specific Engineering

We engineer every shell to handle the extreme temperature swings and high-wind loads unique to the Ontario landscape.

Mechanical Simplicity

By getting the shell right first, we reduce the load on your heating and cooling systems, yielding a more practical and resilient lifestyle.

What Other Clients Say About VELD architect

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Sustainable Home Project Discovery Call

If you are looking for advice before committing to a full design, our specialized "Additional Services" help you find your footing. To get started, simply fill out the form for a Free Discovery Call.

What happens next? Once you submit the form, a member of our team will call you to schedule your discovery session. During our call, we will:

  • Get Everyone Aligned: Discuss how to get your family and partners on the same page before you invest in architectural drawings.
  • Identify Long-Term Goals: Outline a clear path for the next few years of your farm's development.
  • Offer a Fresh Perspective: Look at your land and legacy from a new technical and strategic angle.
  • Address the Details: Begin identifying the small details-right down to the "sticky-tack"-that make a project successful.

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