Is a "Smart Home" really the smart choice? With the introduction of products such as the Nest thermostat, the building industry is trending towards homes that purport to increase convenience, comfort, energy-efficiency and security through automation. Reliance on interconnected and often incompatible gadgetry, however, isn't necessarily the most effective way to accomplish a responsive, responsible, and resilient home. Using a suite of devices that utilize multiple apps to monitor and operate your heating and cooling systems arguably consumes more energy than opening a window or turning on a fan. Paul Dowsett makes the case for the "Dumb Home": one that relies on passive solar heating, shading, natural ventilation and above code-minimum insulation to regulate temperature and occupant comfort. By demonstrating the importance of the building envelope: insulation; airtightness; ventilation; and materiality, he shows the advantages in using what nature provides for free, making the most with the least.

Paul Dowsett is the founding Principal Architect at SUSTAINABLE.TO. 
With more than two decades of local and international residential, institutional and commercial sustainable design and project management experience, Paul leads a highly collaborative design team for projects of diverse scales, types, and complexities. At the core of Paul’s philosophy and practice is the belief that design and construction solutions should be simple, sensitive, and sustainable. His work has been recognized locally and internationally, most recently as a winner of the 2014 Homegrown Design Challenge, DIY Backyard Bee Hotels, and as a recipient of an AIA Designing Recovery Award in 2013 for Resilient House. Paul Dowsett began SUSTAINABLE.TO to provide expert resource and energy-efficient
 design/build solutions that are realistic, achievable and affordable.

The Building, Ecology, Science and Technology (B.E.S.T.) lecture series has been made possible since 2009 through the generous sponsorship of Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance.

Each B.E.S.T. lecture qualifies for 2 hours of Ontario Association of Architects Structured Learning Credits. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. If the lecture hall reaches capacity, an overflow space will be provided where the presentations are simulcast. Lectures are followed by an informal reception with complimentary refreshments and snacks.