The second edition of the Maverick Awards are recognizing an aspiring net-zero residential development, a leader in sustainable building leadership, and feature a tie for top spot in the “Transformational” category.

Announced by the homebuilding industry non-profit Built Green Canada to promote and celebrate sustainability practices, the winners of the 2025 cohort are:

• EVE Park, a townhome community in London, Ont. prioritizing net-zero features, for the Innovation Maverick award;
• Jim Zsiros, the owner and founder of Courtenay, B.C.-based custom homebuilder J. Zsiros Contracting, for the Ambassador Maverick award; and
• the Transformational Maverick award given to both Best Builders for Phoenix House in Abbotsford, B.C. and the Spring Creek Mountain Village by Spring Creek Real Estate.

“It's a privilege to learn how these creative problem solvers apply their ideas and solutions to their projects,” Built Green Canada's CEO Jenifer Christenson said in the announcement.

“And in this year's four winners, we're proud to recognize some standouts who represent our mission to progress industry toward more holistic sustainable building practices — these are our trailblazers."

This year’s winners join standouts from last year including Vancouver-based homebuilder Major Homes for the Transformational Maverick award and Kelly Williams of Sterling Homes for the Ambassador Maverick award.

The Innovation Maverick

EVE Park, a development by St. Jacobs, Ont.-based s2e Technologies Inc., is comprised of 84 townhome units in four round buildings for its first phase. Low-carbon living is at the centre of the project.

A microgrid that combines solar panels with a community-scale battery and connection to London’s power grid is designed to power EVE Park with clean energy.

The parking towers that are prominently featured as part of the community will have electric vehicle (EV) charging. Also, s2e plans to give residents access to an EV car share program.

The townhomes will be made airtight to reduce energy consumption, and will be equipped with LED lighting connected to smart switches, smart thermostats and energy-efficient appliances.

“EVE Park is an innovative rethinking of suburban living, addressing high performance buildings and smart parking towards greater green space and development,” Built Green Canada said.

The Ambassador Maverick

Zsiros was commemorated for “leadership in advancing sustainable building” through industry engagement and knowledge sharing. He has worked in construction since the early 1990s, according to his firm's website.

Energy-efficient housing is a priority for J. Zsiros Contracting. The company says it built the first net-zero home in North Vancouver Island.

Named Absolute Zero, it was built in 2019. Designed for entry-level clients, it consumes as much energy as it produces with a solar power system and energy efficiency features such as Energy Star-labelled appliances, LED lighting, triple glazed windows, heat recovery ventilation systems and heat pumps.

The Transformational Mavericks

The Transformational Maverick award, which “recognizes the impact sustainability practices can have in driving real change”, was given to two projects.

Phoenix House, a collaboration between Delta, B.C.-based homebuilder Best Builders and Nick Bray Architecture, was one of the winners. Built after a fire that destroyed a multigenerational home, the name evokes the image of rising from the ashes.

A host of attributes are meant to make it a standout in sustainability. Near-zero energy use, solar panels and heat pumps, use of low-carbon and reclaimed materials and all-electric design are included. The goal is to make it a proof of concept for B.C. as the province sets higher standards for carbon and energy.

Phoenix House is Canada’s first Zero Carbon-certified, Built Green Net Zero Energy+ home, according to Built Green Canada.

Spring Creek Mountain Village in Canmore, Alta. is a 70-acre master-planned community incorporating a geothermal technology named geoexchange for heating and cooling. It is certified as Built Green Platinum.