As the spring of 2010 approaches, we, at Sustain Design Studio, have some very exciting news. We realize that you, our customers and followers, have been very patient.  We have been working diligently in acquiring a suitable manufacturing location in central Ontario.  When this is completed we will be able to meet the needs of the hundreds of requests we have had for the miniHome.

Over the past few years we have developed several prototypes for the miniHome.  We have used our early prototypes to redesign the units we will be launching in the coming months.  Not only are the new models of better quality, but we are determined to offer them to you at a lower cost.  The most recent design is located in downtown Toronto, our Urban Mode unit, (145 Tecumseth Street, Toronto, ON M6J 2H5).  We encourage you to check out the newest photos of our miniHomes over the next few weeks as we completely redesign our website, www.sustain.ca.

In the meantime, please continue to send in your thoughts and requests to info@sustain.ca.  We will be getting in touch with you in the very near future to setup delivery of your new miniHome!!

Sustain is proud to present the 12X36 TRIO. The 12X36 TRIO was designed  with special consideration for passive cooling and ventilation in a range of temperate to hot climates. The TRIO has 10′ ceilings, and a larger Master Bedroom than our other 12WIDE models.

Continue reading 2009 12X36 TRIO

Sustain is proud to present the 12X36 TRIO Extreme. This 12X36 TRIO was designed with special consideration for minimized heat-loss and extreme snow (100psf) and wind loads (100mph) in a range of cold climates. The TRIO Extreme features a reduced volume and optimized area:volume ratio. The roof is designed to work with prevailing winds to accumulate snowdrift against both the low and high end-walls, and to gather snow on the roof for added insulation. The Extreme edition has 7′ to 10′ ceilings, durable galvalume steel cladding and a higher level of insulation (R60) than our other 12WIDE models.

Continue reading 2009 12X36 TRIO Extreme

With Host Nora Young

To hear the podcast, click here (we are halfway through the show)

To visit the SPARK Blog click here. On September 29th, CBC’s Spark did a wonderful thing - they invited Patrick Condon to talk about the development of a new/old form of small-lot, ecological planning - aka. The Trailer Park - as a viable component in the mix of future-oriented housing that is at once affordable and sustainable. Patrick is The James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Liveable Environments at the University of British Columbia which has developed an entire toolkit of urban and community-scale planning solutions that address our current development crises, while illuminating their originating context. The JTC has developed a substantial list of highly relevant planning documents and charette-derived planning guidelines that have resulted in extremely successful and livable communities all over the Pacific Northwest. Publications here at the UBC site , and here at Smart Growth on the Ground.

Continue reading CBC’s Spark features the miniHome, with commentary by planner Patrick Condon

HGTV - Small Space, Big Style & CBC’s The Nature of Things

Back in September, 2006, Andy and Daughter Arkela entertained HGTV’s Small Space, Big Style crew for the day in downtown Exeter, where the miniHome was built. While we were amazed by the white squirrels in the park (Exeter’s claim to fame), having never them before, HGTV was amazed with our little space. In this clip, Andy explains the design and the interior spaces of the miniHome.

CBC, The Nature of Things

Host David Suzuki introduces us to the miniHome and dozens of other sustainable buildings and their designers in this excellent documentary titled Build Green (you can purchase a DVD of the complete show from the CBC website). Here, Andy and the camera take you through an in-depth look at some of the mechanical systems available in our top-of-the-line, carbon-neutral features - such as the whispergen combined power and heating system that runs on biodiesel.

Videos after the jump…

Continue reading The Tour - A Video Double Feature!

On June 28th, 2007 Kevin Sylvester (above) interviewed Andy about the miniHome at its current Harbourfront location in downtown Toronto. For those who missed it - here is the MP3 in full an audio tour of the miniHome and some of the design philosophy behind it.

copyright cbc radio, 2007 all rights reserved.

For the Month of August, the miniHome will continue to serve as Waterfront Toronto’s Interpretive Centre for the New Toronto Waterfront Masterplan. The miniHome will be staffed and open from 11am to 7pm 7 days a week. If you would like to arrange a personal tour by Sustain Staff, please call Altius Architecture at (416)516-7772. While we have been keeping pretty quiet this Summer, we should let you all know we are planning a limited production run of SOLO SE (Special Edition) miniHomes for Spring 2008 Delivery - and stay tuned for news on our expanded line!

Look for the patch of life between the Power Plant Gallery and Queen’s Quay Terminal.

Continue reading miniHome at Toronto Harbourfront

Airing June 17th, 2007 will be a special edition of CBC’s The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, featuring - you guessed it, the miniHome. Be sure to check it out if you have access to CBC television.

Press-release from the CBC below.

Continue reading The Nature of Things - features the miniHome

Showtime here. January 04, 2007 6:30 PM ET/PT

Arkela and Dad Andy walk you through the features and functions of the miniHome - Be sure to check it out if you are near a TV on the 4th! It was a very fun day of shooting and the editors told us the piece came together really well, so if you haven’t seen anything but static images on the web, this will give you a chance to see the miniHome in action!

Air dates for HGTV Canada here - from HGTV: Dear Andy,

Thank you for contacting HGTV. The episode entitled Mini and Marvelous Places is currently scheduled to air on January 29 at 17 p.m. ET as well as March 23 at 17 p.m. ET. Enjoy!

We hope you continue to enjoy our programming.
Sincerely,

HGTV Viewer Relations

To those who came down last Friday (I thought I was clear that the Open House was Thursday and Saturday) we apologise, and announce another Open House this Saturday from 10 until 5. We have moved the miniHome to 3 Bridgman Avenue (just south of George Brown College at Kendal and Davenport) in the parking lot of Julia West Home.