Downloads
Heritage Building
Project Guide
Your go-to resource for revitalizing historic structures and embarking on new construction projects while preserving the essence of heritage.
Unlock the potential of your heritage property.
Heritage buildings are precious gems in our community. If you’re thinking about giving yours a makeover, it’s crucial to do it right. An out of control project is stressful, massively expensive and unnecessary.
This handbook leads you through each phase of the process and through each important decision to bring your heritage property back to life.
Understand the basics related to the Ontario Heritage Act and the difference between different categories of heritage buildings.
Everything you should know when planning for a project that includes a heritage property.
Renovating a heritage building is an exciting endeavor, but it also comes with unique challenges. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate potential pitfalls and ensure your project respects the building’s history while meeting your needs.
The 10 most common mistakes people make when doing work on heritage properties and how to avoid costly mistakes.
Valuable tips and strategies for conservation and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings by an expert heritage architect.
Your Project
Planning Kit
All the tools you need, in one place. The ultimate toolkit to kick-start your renovation or new-construction project.
What you’ll discover in the Boldera planning kit.
A construction project can be a source of joy and excitement for everyone involved. With this easy-to-use toolkit, we want to minimize your risks and bring you peace of mind.
This handbook leads you through each phase of the process and through each important decision. This toolkit has been designed to give you the information you need to embark on your project journey with confidence. Whats included below.
With our easy-to-use spreadsheet you will be able to develop your own design brief with all the requirements for your new project. You can use this to explain your project to your Architect and Builder.
Are you unsure of how much your construction project is going to cost? We have prepared a simple, easy-to-use construction cost calculator. This tool will help you budget for your project.
How ready are you to start your project? Find out with our customized quiz.
We have pre-qualified and selected the best building professionals for your project.
Building a Custom Home Guide
A free eBook that will help you bring your new home vision to life.
The fundamental guidebook for homeowners.
A custom home, built to your specific needs and desires, can bring tremendous joy and satisfaction.
This handbook leads you through each phase of the process and through each important decision. It is like having your own private tutor and coach, all rolled into one.
This eBook has been designed to give you the information you need to embark on your ‘custom home’ dream.
Starting a new construction project might seem overwhelming. Having that in mind, we have prepared a step-by-step guide to help you make the right decisions from the very beginning.
One of the most important steps when planning a construction project is to determine an appropriate budget. We have outlined realistic construction costs that you can expect when building your new home.
Your architect is the person who transforms your ideas and your back of the envelope sketches into a real-life structure. Choosing the right architect is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
Just like hiring the right architect, selecting the right builder will help ensure the success of your project. Remember, the builder is the one bringing your project to life and they are an extremely important piece of the overall project.
Building a Multi Residential Building
Everything you need to know to start building your multi residential building today.
The fundamental guidebook for developers.
Developing a multi-residential building in Toronto can become a complex and challenging process.
It requires careful planning, execution, and attention to detail. However, with the right approach, it can be a profitable investment opportunity.
Our guide leads you through each phase and each important decision.
Starting a new construction project might seem overwhelming. Having that in mind, we have prepared a step-by-step guide to help you make the right decisions from the very beginning.
One of the most important steps when planning a construction project is to determine an appropriate budget. We have outlined realistic construction costs that you can expect when building a new multi-residential unit.
Your architect is the person who transforms your ideas and your back of the envelope sketches into a real-life structure. Choosing the right architect is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
Ask Boldera
Frequently Asked Questions
About us.
Boldera is a licensed practice with the Ontario Association of Architects and is currently licensed to practice in the province of Ontario and the European Union.
An architect is licensed to practice architecture by a regulating body, such as the Ontario Association of architects. This means they have completed a university degree in architecture (5-7 years), completed a 3-year internship program and have written and passed the licensing exams. Architects are legally responsible for their projects and must carry professional liability insurance to provide services to the public. They must also complete mandatory continuing education and remain in good professional standing to maintain their licenses.
An architect can design any type of building, from a single-family home to an office tower, and is a highly trained and skilled professional with advanced knowledge in design, construction, and building science.
For a building designer, there is no formal schooling required. In Ontario, a building designer must complete two provincial exams (one relating to the legal framework and the other relating the Ontario Building Code).
The title of ‘building designer’ is fairly unrestricted and unregulated, and in most cases, there is no requirement for proof of insurance to provide services to the public. This means a building designer is not responsible for their designs. Building designers are limited to buildings below a certain size (600 square meters in Ontario).
Our firm is specialized in residential architecture, heritage conservation, and sustainable design. We design residential buildings at all scales, from custom homes to low-rise and mid-rise multi-unit developments.
Boldera is a full-service architecture firm. We provide all services from project planning to construction phase administration.
As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our firm has been providing services remotely and we have invested in enhancing our platforms to continue providing services remotely, as required.
Designing your project.
It all begins with your vision. The best starting point would be to book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your project, and if our firm is a good fit, we would invite you for a “Discovery Session”. This meeting will help us better understand the full scope of your project and develop an action plan to achieve your goals.
The purpose of this meeting is to reveal the full scope of work and develop an action plan to help you achieve your goals. We will diagnose what you need and prescribe the right solution.
There is nothing wrong with having doubts in the initial stages of your project. We recommend downloading our free Project Planning Kit and take our step-by-step guidelines to help you develop your project requirements.
You will be as involved as you would like to be. Based on our experience, the most successful projects are the ones where we collaborative directly with our clients and consultants.
Our design process is a fun and engaging process, leveraging the use of the most advanced industry technology to develop interactive 3D models and visualizations during the design process to ensure everyone participates in the creative process.
This will depend on the scope and complexity of your project. Typically, most projects will require a surveyor, a structural and MEP engineer.
Some projects might require specialty consultants, such as: Geotechnical, Acoustic, Building Code, Interior Designers, etc.
This will determined during our Discovery Session. Traditionally, residential projects will require a survey plan, and as-built drawings in case there is an existing building on site that will be used for the project.
Boldera does provide bidding and tendering services.
Our firm has extensive knowledge of the local construction market and we have relationships with the most reputable builders in the industry. We will help you ensure you have selected the right builder for your project.
Based on your needs, we will provide construction administration services and site visits as required to ensure the construction follows the highest standards of execution and conforms with the design intent of the project
Regulations and Approvals.
We will prepare all documentation for the Building Permit application while we are completing the Construction Documents for the project.
Depending on the scale and complexity of your project, it might take 4-10 months to complete the design work. Typical municipal approvals take around 1-2 months.
Approval times between municipalities may vary.
Boldera will prepare and submit the application to the local municipality and will communicate directly the plans examiners during the review process.
We will discuss the need for any re-zoning application during our Discovery Session, once we have prepared a preliminary zoning analysis. We will also help you understand the timelines for that process.
Our firm specializes in Heritage Conservation, and we will take care of any special approval application, as part of our design services.
Work with us
Partners
At Boldera, we understand that successful projects are the result of outstanding collaborations. That's why our process seamlessly facilitates collaboration between multi-disciplinary teams of all backgrounds with a comprehensible, streamlined approach to help our clients achieve their goals.
We appreciate how valuable each individual’s expertise is and do our best to honour it throughout the development process. This commitment to fluid partnerships and dialogue is why developers choose to work with us — because, at Boldera, we get it.
Careers
Open Positions
Get the opportunity to learn and explore a range of architectural projects from custom homes to adaptive-reuse buildings. Join the Boldera team today and explore the possibilities.
Looking for an architectural job in Toronto, we are always looking for talented, ambitious individuals to join our team.
Apply Here
Are you a homeowner who wants to work with Boldera?
From energy-efficient homes to precise construction techniques, we make it easy to build your dream home with confidence.
With our dedicated team and sustainable solutions, you can trust Boldera to help create a beautiful home that will stand the test of time.
Are you a developer who wants to work with us?
Unleash your developer potential through innovative solutions and comprehensive support.
Get the opportunity to learn and explore the latest advancements in technologies tailored to promote and enhance collaboration while maximizing our client’s success.
Are you a homeowner who wants to work with us?
From energy-efficient homes to precise construction techniques, we make it easy to build your dream home with confidence.
Are you a developer who wants to work with us?
Unleash your developer potential through innovative solutions and comprehensive support.
