By Adrienne Roman
According to Gabion’s President Reza Baharivand, MEng., builders today can often overlook a number of critical elements. He credits paying close attention to a good design as the foundation for Gabion’s successful projects, working diligently with clients to transform houses into magnificent homes. It’s a winning partnership of elegance and engineering, based on Gabion’s mission of prioritizing quality and performance.
“We’re most interested in optimizing the construction process, saving costs, and working to create faster scheduling,” Baharivand said.
Gabion’s properties emphasize luxurious minimalist living in modern European-style homes designed for comfort and efficiency. With a philosophy based on a signature style of workmanship, and the acute ability to anticipate problems and implement innovative solutions, the company’s vast technical knowledge and taste is the secret to its success. The result is consistent client satisfaction and a continuity of impeccable interior and exterior spaces that ebb and flow seamlessly.
Evolving Technologies
Gabion Developments’ co-founder, Essam Elsahwi, said, “We strive to create homes that prioritize both the well-being of our clients and the planet.” With a Ph.D. in engineering, Elsahwi’s expertise in control and optimization systems ensures all of Gabion’s projects uphold the highest standards of function and sustainability. They integrate a range of sophisticated heating, cooling, and water systems, and enable excellence in air quality using low-VOC paints, formaldehyde-free materials, and superior ventilation systems.
“We focus on energy efficiency by utilizing advanced insulation materials, energy-efficient windows, and HVAC systems,” Elsahwi said. “We also incorporate renewable energy sources like solar panels to generate clean and sustainable energy onsite. Water conservation is another key aspect of our approach. We implement low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and grey water recycling to reduce water consumption and preserve local water resources.
“We always prioritize eco-friendly options; sustainably sourced wood, recycled steel, and low-embodied energy materials, to name but a few. This ensures that our construction practices have minimal negative externalities on the environment,” Elsahwi added.
Timeless Design
Baharivand admires designers from the past to the present, often collaborating with younger designers and architects who bring fresh approaches to the drawing board.
“We’re inspired by a wide range of styles, and then we make it our own,” Baharivand said. Large windows and sky panels, complete with glass walls that can be electronically blurred, work to illuminate spaces while simultaneously offering an added privacy option.
Distinguished design details are consciously included, with sight lines and clear views taken into consideration, a vitally important element that builders often overlook.
Camouflaged custom doors and cabinetry, skillfully crafted with elegant woods, natural stone, and striking in-floor lighting features, merge with sleek fixtures to bring spaces to life. Additionally, grooved designs are often added on the front doors, and exterior panels like louvres are also incorporated to blend with feature walls on the interior.
Gabion also applies passive design strategies such as creating alignments using natural light, which blends the outdoor environment effortlessly with the indoors. Ventilation and proper orientation help to minimize the need for artificial heating and cooling.
“By integrating smart home technology features such as hydronic water systems, we’re empowering our clients to manage and monitor their energy usage effectively,” Elsahwi said.
Gabion prides itself on its ability to create value for clients, often entrusting the firm with multiple concurrent projects.
“Our customers understand our genuine care for them, and recognize that we’re truly passionate, taking great pride in the work we do,” Elsahwi said.
Streamlined Form & Function
Today Baharivand and Elsahwi are recognized as clean market leaders, commercializing technologies that are changing and improving how nearly 15% of the world’s industrial chemicals are produced.
After visiting First Nations communities in Northern Canada, they understood the need for access to clean water and began developing advanced water treatment solutions.
“Our engineering background allows for a deep understanding of scientific and technical principles, allowing us to take a meticulous approach to the design and construction process we run. As important as it is for us to develop beautiful, aesthetically appealing homes for our clients, we focus first and foremost on structural integrity, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Our analytical skills give us the advantage of giving our customers a range of flexible options with construction techniques, cost, and design. We are confident in the longevity of the homes we develop,” Elsahwi added.
Feedback and Flow
Gabion’s promise of quality and excellence is one the firm consistently provides with construction: remaining onsite daily, and ever-present throughout each phase of the company’s builds. After concluding that the industry was an underserved market with excessive environmental impact, Baharivand and Elsahwi understood the need for improvement and set out to elevate client experience. Designs are changed according to feedback, an important factor in the flow of their projects, a four-step journey that begins with exploration and ends with delivery.
The first phase involves creating a vision for the space, followed by expansion of the designs to include architectural alternatives and waste-reduction options. Once a design has been chosen, the building and review processes are then finalized. Gabion works diligently to remain transparent and keep clients informed with accurate timelines and budgets.
Gabion believes the best designs are achieved with the integration of new technologies that work to improve a client’s quality of life. The simplicity of the their spaces allows for versatility, multiple conversation areas, and open, light-infused rooms that showcase clean lines and expressive, bold colour with unique design choices.
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Glowing Beauty of Trinity Bellwoods!
Nestled in the heart of the Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood of Toronto, 321 Manning Ave’s unique charm has been described as the transformation of “a moth to a butterfly.” Sculptural feature walls flow into welcoming rooms equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. Glass staircases with in-floor lighting and large windows allow for open spaces, with efficient indoor climate control to achieve maximum comfort.
Gabion’s projects span multiple locations from Port Union to Port Credit and include Cedarvale, Beaches, Swansea and Bayview Village. They are currently in the early phases of a number of exciting new projects.
For more information on this custom build, please visit gabiondevelopments.com
