Located in Stittsville, Ontario, within Ottawa’s west end, Blackstone Village is a multi-family residential project developed by Broadstreet Properties and built by Seymour Pacific Developments. Designed by Abele Architecture and engineered by Arrow Engineering, the project was planned in response to forecasted residential growth in the area. From an aerial perspective, the buildings form a circular arrangement, reinforcing the idea of a connected, self-contained community.

Residents benefit from convenient access to amenities and services in both Stittsville and neighboring Kanata. Retail and big-box shopping, grocery and pharmacy options, restaurants, cafés, and medical services are all within a short drive. Hazeldean Road and Stittsville Main Street provide everyday conveniences, while larger retail destinations such as Kanata Centrum and Tanger Outlets are nearby. The surrounding area blends new residential development with established suburban infrastructure and is home to more than 4,000 residents within an approximate one-mile radius, set among parks, schools, and major commercial corridors.

Blackstone Village also offers a range of on-site amenities designed to support comfortable, community-oriented living. The development is pet-friendly, featuring a dog run and dog wash station, as well as shared community gardens. Residents have access to on-site management and maintenance, 24/7 client support, secure keyless entry, elevators, guest parking, and EV charging stations. Individual suites include air conditioning, in-suite laundry, full kitchens with modern appliances, walk-in closets, and private balconies or patios, with heat and Wi-Fi included.

Ventilation played a defining role in the mechanical design as architectural layout drove the inclusion of suite-level systems. These systems allowed each residence to maintain independent control, supporting consistent indoor air quality and simplifying long-term maintenance, resulting in the specification of the Fantech HERO 120H HRV in every unit. The compact HRV was selected by the engineering team for its reliability, performance, and suitability for multi-family construction. While lower-cost options were available, Fantech’s collaboration and technical support secured its place in the design.

Furthermore, the consistent use of a standardized, suite-level HRV solution across all units helped streamline coordination between engineering, construction, and commissioning teams.

“It wasn’t just about the specs. Fantech worked with us to make it work. That made all the difference.” 
— Omar Eleshmawi, Engineering Sales Representative

The HRV was specified to meet both ventilation and filtration requirements (the latter required from a comfort standpoint). Equipped with MERV 8 filters and an ECO-Feel TVOC control, the system provides balanced fresh air while supporting indoor comfort and energy efficiency. The HRV only activates when the ECO-Feel receives a call, such as during cooking or when occupancy increases. Furthermore, balanced ventilation improves the feel of the indoor space by acting like a recovery window. These products retain temperature while introducing new fresh, tempered air.

Space constraints typical of multi-family construction required careful coordination. At Blackstone Village, HRVs were installed within laundry closets, i.e., a compact space. This space also utilizes a Thermolec duct heater on the fresh air side of the HRV. The HERO’s form factor and straightforward integration with auxiliary components simplified the mechanical layout and supported efficient installation for a seamless fit.

Furthermore, the design team prioritized occupant well-being. Enhanced filtration reduces outdoor pollutants before air enters the living space, while heat recovery through the HRV core tempers incoming air. The addition of the duct heater further conditions supply air to align more closely with indoor temperatures. Together, these solutions add value to the tenants (better air) and the building owner (meeting code while keeping energy costs low).