Nidus3D & Centra Windows: Building the Future

On indigenous lands not far from Calgary, homebuilder Nidus3D is working on a groundbreaking project that promises to provide much-needed housing for residents of the reserve while revolutionizing the wider industry.

Centra Windows has partnered with Nidus3D to ensure their buildings have high-performance windows and doors which will make them as comfortable and energy efficient as possible. The team was kind enough to invite our Window Geeks to site for a tour and a chat about this exciting project and the process that makes it possible.

Innovative Housing Solutions

It’s no secret that Canada is currently facing a housing crisis. Traditional, wood-frame housing is not keeping up with demand, but Nidus3D's venture marks a paradigm shift, leveraging cutting-edge 3D printing technology to construct affordable, resilient homes at a fast pace. The structure itself can be completed and completely enclosed, including windows and doors, in just a week or two.

The Nidus3D team is not looking at their 3D printed process as something that will replace traditional wood-frame structures – the housing crisis is not one that can be solved with a single solution, after all. Rather they see their method as something that can bolster supply. They shared that their current hope is to reach a point where they can print subdivisions of hundreds of homes at a time, something which communities and prospective homebuyers will be very happy to hear.

Community Impact

This project, named “Kakatoosoyiists” (Star Lodge), is currently the largest 3D construction printing housing project in Canada. There are four buildings of roughly 2,200 sqft each, split into four units for a total of 16 one-bed, one-bath residences.

The intent of this project is to provide supportive housing for individuals of Siksika Nation who are fleeing domestic violence or facing homelessness. We at Centra Windows were grateful for the opportunity to work on this project for two main reasons – the chance to contribute to such a cutting-edge construction process was exciting, but being part of something that will make a lasting, positive difference in a community was also very much inline with our values.

Ensuring Residents’ Comfort

Alberta’s climate can see some serious swings throughout the year, with hot summers and extreme winters very much the norm. Maintaining a comfortable indoor environment has to be top of mind, and that has certainly been the case for Nidus3D. We love the aesthetic of their buildings, though they’re certainly unconventional and may leave some wondering how it feels to live in one. Turns out, there’s no need to worry!

The Centra team visited the site on what was a very cold day in early February – and we were pleasantly surprised by just how warm the buildings were. The first unit we visited had nothing more than a miniature heater in the main room, yet the whole place was toasty. It demonstrated just how impressive and efficient the building process and insulation usage are, and it’s heartening to know just how cozy they will be for their future occupants.

The Importance of High-Performance Windows

Energy-efficient windows play an integral role in a home, and this fact wasn’t lost on Nidus3D. They put a lot into ensuring their buildings are as comfortable as possible for residents, and they didn’t want their impressive, well-insulated structures to be let down by poor fenestration. That’s why they chose to partner with Centra Windows.

Well-made, properly insulated buildings see much lower energy usage when it comes to heating and cooling, and therefore, lower energy bills for the residents. Centra’s custom-made, high-performance windows are designed to exceed code requirements and bring a lifetime of comfort. They complement the insulation in the walls, help maintain indoor temperatures, and make the project more efficient overall. The team at Nidus3D are very happy with the products – and we have no doubt that the future residents will be too.

Be sure to follow Nidus3D on their website and social media channels to stay up to date with their extraordinary projects, and reach out to Centra’s Window Geeks for help with your own new builds or renovations.

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We love to talk windows! We’re here to help, so if you have a question about your window project all you have to do is reach out. Contact us early in the process so that our experts can make sure everything is correct from the get-go.

For more information on this topic (and many more!) contact our local Employee Owners at 1-888-534-3333 or drop us an email at info@centra.ca. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about what's happening with Centra Windows. Join the club and become a Window Geek yourself by signing up for our newsletter, which provides news, advice, and tips about the window industry and upcoming events, and test your window knowledge by following us on LinkedIn.