Modular homes to be built in NWT
Territorial government awards contracts to Yellowknife and Hay River companies
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Friday, July 8, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
For the first time ever, the territorial government has awarded contracts to local builders to construct modular homes in the NWT.
Marta Jorge, left, and her husband Manuel Jorge, owners of Energy Wall and Building Products, stand in their plant on Coronation Drive in Kam Lake. Their company is one of two Northern firms that has been awarded contracts by the GNWT to build modular homes. - John McFadden/NNSL photo |
The news was given exclusively to Yellowknifer Wednesday by Caroline Cochrane, the minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. One of the homes will be built by Yellowknife's Energy Wall and Building Products in Kam Lake, while 38 more will be constructed by Concept Energy Services out of Hay River.
The home, to be built at Energy Wall's site on Coronation Drive, will eventually be moved to a permanent location in Yellowknife while those homes built in Hay River will be distributed across the territory. A modular home is constructed in a factory and then moved to a site, where a foundation is built.
"What it really means for us is that we can actually start manufacturing modular homes in the NWT and there is a huge market for that," Cochrane said. "Modular homes for the private sector are coming up from the south constantly. If we can support manufacturing of modular homes here then all of the money we spend on homes will stay in the North."
Cochrane said the modular homes that will be constructed will cost between 25 and 48 per cent less than the average "stick-built" home - a house made of wood constructed entirely or mostly on-site. She added the homes that will be constructed here will be energy efficient and built to withstand Northern winters and that both contractors will prioritize the hiring of Northern workers.
She called creating a modular home industry in Yellowknife a game changer.
"Previously, if you wanted to build a home in Yellowknife you had to either do a stick-built (home) or you had to bring it in from the south, which meant you had to worry about transportation, insurance," Cochrane said. "Having the option to decide if you want a stick-built home or a modular unit - both will now be available within the NWT and that's a huge benefit to everyone."
This latest development may ease concerns from at least three MLAs, including Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Tom Beaulieu, who said the practice of awarding southern companies contracts and shipping modular homes to the NWT is costing communities in his riding jobs. Beaulieu had not responded to an interview request by press time.
Energy Wall's owner, Manuel Jorge, said he is only going to construct one home at this time because he is new to the modular-home business. However, his company has been in the construction business since the 1980s and he said he is confident he can built the kind of home Northerners want and need.
Jorge's modular home will have his own stamp on them. He invented and trade marked the Energy Wall system about six years ago.
"It is an exoskeleton building approach. We developed an insulation panel that creates the foundation of Energy Wall homes," Jorge said.
"I looked at the human body and how we are protected from the environment. Our whole body works as a system ... a home is no different. A home has a structure. You want to protect that structure so you adapt insulation. You want to make sure than the house breathes, so you have windows so people can have healthy air inside. Because winters in the North are so harsh, we have to close the windows so that's where our heat recovery ventilation systems come into play."
Jorge said he is not just trying to secure a larger contract to build modular homes in the NWT but wants to create an affordable, 700-square-foot house that will sell for about $100,000, not including the land. He said at that price, the homes would be feasible for many, including individuals, young couples or retirees.
"We call it a flex home. You have your living room, your kitchen, your bathroom, your bedroom but then later you can make it any size you want," Jorge said.
"It's the same concept as kids building with Lego blocks."
Jorge said he is anxious to show the government just how good his homes are and that is why he took them up on the pilot project offer, even though there is no guarantee of a larger contract at the end of the day.
