Deep Retrofit diary: tower transformation from 1967 to net zero. I know The Atmospheric Fund say this every year, but... The Atmospheric Fund is well underway with its most ambitious retrofit project to date! TAF is working with partners including WoodGreen, ERA Architects, Critical Path, and Penalta Group to complete a net zero retrofit at 444 Logan Ave. With 160 suites of seniors' housing, a key focus of the project has been to minimize resident disruption and improve comfort, resilience, and building performance. I'm excited to provide some updates on the work done so far, and what The Atmospheric Fund is looking forward to for the rest of the project. What's really stood out for me so far hasn't been the innovative technologies or the speed of progress - it's the level of collaboration, care, and respect from everyone involved. There is a strong sense of community and shared purpose. The construction team knows all the details of the project, and how their work is contributing to the end goals. Building staff have remained engaged throughout the process, taking time to understand the changes and how they affect the community. The residents are curious and optimistic - and while no one loves construction, disruptions have been minimized with regular communication. The Atmospheric Fund saw this in action in June, when the heat pumps and ERVs were being lifted via crane to the top of the 21-storey building. The resident coordinator helped to manage traffic in and out of the driveway, while juggling lunch delivery and addressing tenant needs. Several residents chose to sit outside to catch all the action, and had their questions answered by the building staff and construction crew. Commitments by the whole project team to communication, transparency, and collaboration at every stage has helped build trust and foster meaningful partnerships. Since construction started in late 2025, the team has already completed some of the most intensive physical and planning stages of work: Improving the building envelope: * The previous building cladding has been removed, and new prefabricated overcladding panels from Canadian manufacturer Triumph are being installed as The Atmospheric Fund speak. This will make the building more airtight, improving energy efficiency and comfort. * Balconies are typically a big source of heat loss in buildings. Multiple layers of thermal barrier paint have been applied, aiming to prevent heat loss from thermal bridging. Electrifying the building: * Heat pumps, hot water tanks, buffer tanks, and ERVs have all been delivered to site! The old generator was removed from the roof the same day that the heat pumps and ERVs were installed. By the end of the project, residents will enjoy more comfortable units and the added benefit of cooling. * Piping for the heat pumps has been installed on the exterior of the building. Since residents are staying in their suites during construction, this has helped to minimize indoor disruption. In the coming months, prefabricated panel installation continues, including panels on the south side of the building with integrated solar cladding. The Atmospheric Fund is bringing in a new transformer and completing HVAC connections including the fresh air intake dampers in each unit. TAF and its partners will keep you in the loop. Its Retrofit Accelerator was able to partner on this groundbreaking project thanks to the Government of Canada's Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative, but with strong demand for retrofit services, The Atmospheric Fund need to see the program recapitalized. With $2 billion in projects lined up across the country's Accelerators, The Atmospheric Fund hope that 444 Logan will be just one of many retrofitted net zero housing projects across Canada. TAF has been involved with project planning, design workshops, project planning and design review. Its funding has supported energy modelling and investigative studies, and The Atmospheric Fund is also monitoring Indoor Environmental Quality in a number of suites during and post-construction.

GEORGE BROWN POLYTECHNIC George Brown hosts WoodGreen and Toronto Council Fire Youth Empowerment Conference, inspiring youth to pursue their own path to success. March 17, 2026 The Youth Empowerment Conference ignited George Brown Polytechnic's Waterfront Campus on March 6, bringing together Grade 11 and 12 students from across the city for a day filled with meaningful conversation, exploration, and community connection. Organized by WoodGreen Community Services and Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, the event provided a space where young people could speak openly about the realities of growing up today, from navigating an uncertain economic climate to developing a sense of identity, direction, and purpose. The conference aimed to remind youth that life does not follow a straight path and that success can take many meaningful forms. Storytelling, mentorship, and community connection Throughout the day, participants engaged with speakers and mentors who shared personal insights on resilience and the nonlinear nature of success. Contributors included representatives from the Students Commission of Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Ontario Science Centre, BOLT, local entrepreneurs, and several community partners who helped bring authenticity and depth to the discussion. The event's structure promoted reflection and engagement. A keynote presentation, breakout sessions, a panel discussion, and a lively community resource fair provided youth with chances to learn, ask questions, and connect with organizations dedicated to supporting their educational, personal, and professional growth. "Creating spaces where students can see themselves reflected in post-secondary education is incredibly important," said Jessica Rumboldt, George Brown's Manager of Indigenous Initiatives. "Our Indigenous Initiatives and Black Student Success teams hosted a breakout session to highlight student voices, share lived experiences, and remind youth that there are many pathways to success they do not have to navigate those journeys alone," she noted, emphasizing the importance of representation and community within post-secondary spaces. Community organizations and entrepreneurs showcase possibility Beyond the formal programming, the conference featured a pop-up market and community resource fair highlighting both up-and-coming youth entrepreneurs and long-standing organizations working to empower the next generation. Start-up businesses showcased creative ventures ranging from fashion and beadwork to barbering and handmade artisanal work. Community agencies, including NPower, Friends of Ruby, the Nia Centre, the Aga Khan Museum, the Career Foundation, and many others, engaged participants in conversations about employment pathways, mental health supports, arts programs, skills training, and more. Honouring the diversity of journeys At its core, the conference celebrated the idea that no two paths are the same. Through stories of detours, challenges, discoveries, and resilience, young people were encouraged to recognize their own potential and view obstacles as opportunities for growth. The Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre emphasized this perspective, noting, "Our teaching at the Youth Empowerment Conference prompted youth to reflect on what it means to live the good life Mino Bimaadiziwin and to define wellness and success for themselves rather than through society's normalized standards. Many urban Indigenous youth in our communities often experience a sense of disconnection from their culture, community, and traditional teachings. This created a space to explore and reconnect with their identities in ways that felt meaningful to them." Building a future together The day also underscored the transformative impact of community support, mentorship, and access to knowledge key elements that help shape a young person's future. "Young people today are navigating a world that can feel uncertain and overwhelming. The intention behind the conference was to help youth see that they have agency over their futures and do not have to have everything figured out. There is value in learning from challenges and making a career from their passions. Hosting the conference at George Brown provided students with an opportunity to see themselves in a setting that they may one day find themselves in on their pursuit to success," shared the WoodGreen Conference leadership team, Vanessa Wu and Erik Wexler. The success of the event highlighted what is possible when educational institutions, community organizations, and youth-serving agencies come together with a shared purpose. By bringing students, partners, and presenters into one space, the conference fostered an environment where youth felt seen, supported, and inspired and left reminded that their path forward is theirs to shape, backed by a community ready to walk alongside them. George Brown Polytechnic P.O. Box 1015, Station B Toronto Ontario Canada M5T 2T9