Cold-Climate Enclosure Design and Solutions.
Grounded in Building Science.
Our Services
Near North provides building science and enclosure consulting services for new and existing buildings in the Yukon and northern Canada. We support architects, builders, owners, and public agencies in designing, evaluating, and improving building performance, helping clients manage risk and deliver durable solutions suited to cold and northern climates.
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We provide expert support on new construction projects from early design through to on-site field review, helping teams develop durable, high-performance building enclosures. Our work enhances quality assurance by ensuring continuity of control layers, material compatibility, and constructability of the enclosure elements.
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We investigate building enclosure issues through targeted field assessments, diagnostic testing, and detailed analysis to identify the root causes of moisture, air leakage, and durability problems. Our work supports evidence-based repair strategies and ensures lessons learned inform future designs.
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Through close collaboration with design and construction teams, we help resolve complex enclosure details, interfaces, and sequencing challenges. We use targeted 2D and 3D visualizations to test constructability, clarify responsibilities, and support on-site execution, helping ensure enclosure systems are durable, buildable, and perform as intended.
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On-site testing verifies that building components and assemblies perform as intended. Airtightness, water-penetration resistance, and material compatibility testing provide confidence in long-term durability and performance in northern climates.
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We assess whole-building thermal performance and conduct computational 2D and 3D thermal modeling of unique construction details. Our hygrothermal analyses evaluate heat and moisture movement in enclosure assemblies to reduce condensation risk and ensure long-term durability.
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We design, install and interpret building performance monitoring systems to understand how buildings operate in real northern conditions. This includes energy use, thermal conditions, and indoor air quality, supported by sensors, sub-metering, and utility data.
By pairing real-world measurements with research-informed interpretation, we help project teams verify performance, identify gaps between design intent and operation, and make evidence-based improvements. These insights support immediate decisions and inform future projects, contributing to better outcomes and advancing cold-climate building science.
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Knowledge sharing is central to our work. Through workshops, presentations, and technical writing, we translate research into practice, advancing cold climate building science and helping practitioners improve performance across northern projects.
About
Near North
Based in the Yukon, Near North is rooted in the lived experience of northern culture, construction and climate. We’re dedicated to advancing cold climate building science through consulting, research, and knowledge-sharing that’s practical, thoughtful and founded in local realities. We work in collaboration with design teams, builders and communities to help ensure buildings are healthy, durable, and designed for the North.
Where We Live and Work
Near North Building Science acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional territories of Yukon First Nations, including the lands of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council in Whitehorse. We recognize the deep knowledge, culture, and stewardship that Indigenous peoples have maintained on this land since time immemorial.
We are committed to working in ways that respect local traditions, support community well-being, and contribute to a built environment that serves people and place, now and into the future.