Stephen Carpenter

Stephen Carpenter has endeavoured through his innovative and pioneering engineering approaches to address practical solutions to environmental issues, especially in an era when climate change is a foremost concern for many Canadians. Raised in Ottawa, Stephen studied mechanical engineering at the University of Waterloo, graduating with a master’s degree in 1980.

In 1981, he founded Enermodal Engineering with a goal of designing and creating energy-efficient buildings. Enermodal’s main areas of expertise were sustainable design following the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, green mechanical and electrical design, research in environmental technologies, building inspections and energy audits, and energy performance rating.

Enermodal grew to eight offices in Canada and the United States and focused on energy modeling, green communities, greening existing buildings, solar energy system design, and building performance and measurement.

Stephen was instrumental in bringing the LEED environmental criteria to Canada, and has delivered LEED training courses to over 2,000 individuals. He was the co-author of the LEED Canada manual, and the first chair of the Canadian Green Building Council’s Technical Advisory Group.

A Grander View, Enermodal’s company headquarters on Lancaster Street in Kitchener, is a model of environmentally thoughtful and practical building. It is Canada’s most efficient office building, and reflects what can be done to create green, environmentally compatible buildings.

Stephen has shared innovative concepts and led projects across Canada to foster green communities. Some of these include Nova Scotia Power Headquarters, the Royal Bank Tower in Toronto, the Earth Rangers Centre in Vaughn, and the David Suzuki School in Windsor. Locally his green building work includes Cambridge City Hall, Activa Sportsplex, and the Region’s EMS facility on Maple Grove Road.

In 2014, Stephen was presented with the Order of Canada from then Governor General David Johnston. Stephen’s award recognized him “for his visionary leadership in the development and stewardship of Canada’s green building industry.” He joins only three other engineers from Waterloo Region who have received the Order of Canada. Stephen has also been awarded the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering, and the Entrepreneur Award from the Professional Engineers of Ontario.

Stephen Carpenter is representative of the innovative and forward-thinking individuals who have emerged from Waterloo Region’s academic institutions over the last 60 years. His contributions to making and sustaining greener working and living environments for all Canadians cannot be underestimated.