Prof part of winning design team in sustainable-house competition

Jamew_McKellarJames McKellar (left), a real property professor at York’s Schulich School of Business, and his architect wife Clelia Iori were on the winning design team that captured top prize in the Archetype Sustainable House Competition June 21.


The competition challenged entrants to develop a new prototype, single-family house featuring the most advanced standards in environmental sustainability, while also remaining attractive to potential homebuyers. Presented by Toronto Regional Conservation Authority and the Design Exchange, the contest drew 17 entries from major design firms and was judged by industry experts from across Canada.



McKellar, academic director of Schulich’s Real Property Program, was part of the winning design team (Team 2) that included architects Iori, Anne Stevens, Terrell Wong and student Christina Cardys, as well as mechanical engineer Al Davies. McKellar served as real estate adviser on the team.


The team received The Archetype House Award at a gala ceremony held June 21 at the Design Exchange in Toronto.


The winning design, known as Building Blocks (right), will be built later this year as a full-scale demonstration model for sustainable development at the Living City Campus at Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan. Key features are a geothermal heat source, an engineered wetland wastewater system as well as exterior structures that create shaded patios and courtyards. Building Blocks and other competition entries can be viewed online at the Design Exchange Web site.


McKellar, who is also an award-winning architect and Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, played a key role in overseeing the design and development of the Seymour Schulich Building, which received a 2006 Governor General’s Medal in Architecture.