used to create more holistic retirement villages where modules can be added to create unique spaces such as live-in care/companion accommodations, exercise rooms, therapy facilities, or top- level gardens and greenhouses. “That’s my vision for Flexsola, to give people the ability to start with a small unit and add on modules as their needs evolve and their budget allows,” says Varias. The Flexsola system also provides benefits to builders. Major components can be made off-site and transported in when required. As well, the connective ease of the saddle system, which uses guide pins to temporarily hold beams in place during erection, means projects can be built quickly with fewer labour requirements than a traditional build. For the construction industry, it’s a potential game-changer, says Varias, and one he’s been working to intro- duce to the trade since as far back as the late 1980s. That’s when he first began designing and building adapt- able homes in London, Ontario. In 1995, that success earned Varias a spot in the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s flexhousing design competition, which he went on to win. “After that, I was invited to build a model unit in Ottawa at the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology. Ever since, I’ve been promoting this flex- house system to anyone I can,” he says. Varias is now bringing his Flexsola modular system to life with a prototype house he’s planning to build on Lake Huron in Ontario. Once complete, the house will serve as a proof of concept for industry stakeholders and, conven- iently, as his retirement home. In the meantime, Varias says the recognition he received from winning the TCA award has gone a long way towards getting the Flexsola name out there. “Innovation isn’t easy,” he notes, “which is why winning this award is very exciting because now more people know what I’m working towards.” TCA INNOVATIVE PRODUCT AWARDS SECONDPLACE:NETZEROWATER Interpump Interpump’s Net Zero Water, a rain- water harvesting service, began with a vision to sustain industrial and commer- cial applications with as little water waste as possible. Company owner Scott Braid saw Interpump’s potential to lead the way in providing a service that would offer rainwater harvesting solutions to construction industry, and it was out of this desire that the concept for the Net Zero Water was born. “When Scott purchased Interpump, he realized the company had a great deal moretoofferthanonlypumpsandpump packages. With the water treatment industry changing, he saw that there was auniqueopportunitytoexploredifferent markets,” explains Melissa Lubitz, who works in water innovation and engin- eered sales at Interpump. Today,NetZeroWaterofferscommer- cial building engineers and design professionals customizable turnkey rainwater harvesting solutions for a wide range of applications, including irriga- tion, toilet and urinal flushing, cooling towers, and bus and carwash stations. While doing so can contribute greatly to meeting LEED requirements or saving money on water expenses, Lubitz explains that the main drive of Net Zero Water is to promote greener properties. “By utilizing rainwater for purposes that would ordinarily use potable water, or by implementing treated stormwater for uses that do not need high-quality water, you are reducing your water use, lowering your impact and keeping the Net Zero Water movement closer to a closed loop,” he says. Developing Net Zero Water, however, was something of a challenge. Inter- pump engineers first had to decide on the right combination of technolo- gies to create a simple, efficient, and compact rainwater harvesting package that would be appealing to property stakeholders. Interpump’s network of manufacturing partners and its existing high-tech facilities were key. Next, Interpump was challenged to find the right markets for its green product in an industry where rainwater harvesting regulations did not exist and potential customersweren’tnecessarilymandated to consider such solutions. Nevertheless, the inherent value of Net Zero Water drew attention. “By being on top of the regulations and Builders' Digest Quarter 4 2017 | 23