We are excited to announce that BDP Quadrangle’s latest study, focusing on residential balconies in multi-unit residential buildings, is now published and available! This comprehensive research, a supplement to our Low Carbon Now initiative that explores the interconnections between thermal performance, embodied carbon, constructability, and cost in balcony design.

In collaboration with Multiplex, RWDI, Lukachko Climate Strategies, Sapphire Balconies, RES Precast, and Global Precast, this study offers a holistic view of the technical aspects of balcony design. Sustainability standards are expected to continue to evolve over the next decade. Housing supply, affordability and liveability also remain top of mind. We believe that research that helps industry to make design decisions more holistically is increasingly important. In the City of Toronto, balconies will continue to be an important part of the housing conversation going forward.

This report compares six different balcony designs, starting with the industry-standard cast-in-place balconies, and evaluates alternatives, including structural thermal breaks, clip-on systems, and precast balcony slabs. The results assess the thermal performance (RSI) of each design relative to its global warming potential (GWP), offering a fresh understanding of carbon intensity in each case.

At BDP Quadrangle, we are committed to ensuring all of our projects net-zero carbon ready by 2030, and research like this helps drive our progress towards that goal. A special thank you to all our partners for their support in bringing this research to life.

For a deeper dive into the technical aspects of balcony design in cast-in-place concrete buildings, you can access the full study HERE.