Dartmouth BS* Symposium
This 2-day Event Was Built for You!
Join us on May 7-8, 2026 in Dartmouth, NS, for the BS* & Beer Canada Symposium — a powerhouse two-day event designed for Canadians serious about better building. Tickets $225 CAD
All proceeds to support Honour The Work, Canada
Meet The Presenters
Emily Mottram
Principal, Mottram Architecture
The founder and principal of Mottram Architecture, Emily Mottram’s mission is to design simple but effective homes that are attractive and durable and that use space efficiently. Her specialty is designing for cold climates with super-insulated and zero-energy homes. Emily is a co-author of Pretty Good House: A Guide to Creating Better Homes and a founding member of the BS* and Beer Show (US team!)
Mark Bernhardt
President, Bernhardt Contracting Ltd.
Mark is President of Bernhardt Contracting Ltd. and CEO of Energy Code Solutions. For the last decade he and his team have spent their time developing, building, retrofitting, and consulting on some of Canada’s highest-performance homes. Mark is a Registered Energy Advisor and Passive House Consultant, serves on several provincial code committees and is a CHBA BC Past President.
Michael Anschel
Principal, OA Design+Build
Michael Anschel is Principal of OA Design+Build, a nationally recognized firm known for thoughtful renovations, custom homes, and a candid approach to residential construction. For more than two decades, Michael has worked at the intersection of design, craftsmanship, and building science, with a focus on durability, risk management, and clear communication with clients. He is also a frequent speaker, author, and industry advocate, challenging conventional practices and pushing for better outcomes in residential building.
www.oadesignbuild.com
Andy Thomson
Principal, founder openBuilding
Andy Thomson is Principal of Thomson Architecture Inc. and the founder of openBuilding, the creator of the Objective energy modelling tool. With decades of experience designing high-performance residential buildings, Andy is widely respected for his work advancing energy-informed design and practical building science. Through his practice, teaching, and software development, he continues to shape how architects and builders understand, model, and deliver better-performing homes.
Event Sponsor
Co-Sponsors
Table Sponsors
Event Schedule
We've designed an action-packed two-day symposium with some of the best minds in building science. Your $225 CAD ticket includes all of the learning, food and drinks listed below!
Day 1 - Thursday May 7th
7:30am
Registration & Coffee (Included)
8:15am
Moving Beyond the Justification Mindset
w/ Michael Anschel
As business owners, we sometimes find ourselves in a position where we are attempting to justify something. It might be the cost of the project to the client, or why you chose one building product over another. Either way, it doesn’t feel good. We’ll look at ways you can shift the narrative, shift your mindset, and turn those moments into something healthy for you and your company.
9:30am
The BS* Recipe: How Did We Get Here? w/ Andy Thomson
Overview: Tracking the evolution of building standards from 1900 until now. When building science emerged, and how Canadians helped to shape it. This session will also take a hard look
at some of the more popular modelling systems and how they have changed over time.
10:45am
Sequencing for BS* Success
w/ Emily Mottram
Briefly describe your degree and any other highlights about your studies you want to share. Be sure to include relevant skills you gained, accomplishments you achieved or milestones you reached during your education.
11:45am
LUNCH (Included)
1:00pm
Integration of BS* in our Builds
w/ Mark Bernhardt
Briefly describe your degree and any other highlights about your studies you want to share. Be sure to include relevant skills you gained, accomplishments you achieved or milestones you reached during your education.
2:15pm
Put the Numbers Where they Count the Most!
w/ Michael Anschel
Briefly describe your degree and any other highlights about your studies you want to share. Be sure to include relevant skills you gained, accomplishments you achieved or milestones you reached during your education.
4:00pm
Speaker Round Table & Happy Hour (Beer included!)
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Dinner and Networking (Dinner and Drinks included)
Day 2 - Friday May 8th
7:30am
Doors Open and Coffee (Included)
8:15am
The BS* in All the Data
w/ Mark Bernhardt
Overview: A deep look at big BS in big data sets based in Canada. How are we using data to inform design for cheaper, faster, and better-performing buildings? Going over some of the most common assemblies being used for code compliance in Canada, and how close are we to being able to move up the code to something that is considered more “high performance”?
9:30am
Protecting the Design from the Budget w/ Emily Mottram
Overview: As architects, we often discuss value engineering, but too frequently this translates to value elimination. The first requests typically involve reducing performance, sacrificing
unseen elements crucial for our structures' comfort, efficiency, and durability. With a focus on occupant health, safety, and welfare, participants will explore the architect’s role in minimizing
risks and compromising building integrity through value engineering.
10:45am
The BS* Recipe: Where are We Going? w/ Andy Thomson
Overview: A total deep dive into a new modelling software that just about anyone can Google how to use! OBJECTIVE software! Probably the world’s easiest and fastest energy modelling tool lets users also determine cost /benefit for a range of common system and design options, all while matching the methods and requirements of Canadian building codes and third-party
standards. Find out how this could change your reaction to the words “energy modelling” in this final session of the Symposium!
12:00pm
End of the Symposium!
1pm - 4pm
TBD - Tours of local High-Performance projects (cost may be in addition to the base ticket fee, and space will be limited.
Event Location
Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club
192 Prince Albert Rd, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1M8
Beer provided by Garrison Brewing Co.
Hotel Discount Available
Discounted room rates available May 6,7, 8 at the Holiday Inn Express (335 John Savage Ave, Dartmouth).
Please use "2026 BS Symposium" to receive the discounted rate when booking. Room availability may be limited, so please call 902-431-1122 ext:0 to reserve your room today!