Author: Russell Hixson

Key Takeaways:

• Moshe Safdie’s donation to McGill University includes more than 100,000 pieces and his personal residence at the Habitat 67 building in Montreal.
• Officials at McGill called it one of the most influential and important architectural archives in the world.
• Safdie enrolled in the school’s six-year architectural degree program in 1955.

The Whole Story:

Safdie hopes his residence and archive can remain a resource for his Alma Mater and the public.

“I have always valued the great education I received at McGill that has guided me through my professional life. Moreover, Canada has embraced and supported me, making possible the realization of several seminal projects,” said Safdie. “It is therefore fitting that McGill, Quebec, and Canada will be the home of my life’s work.”

Safdie’s vast archive includes more than 100,000 pieces, including loose sketches, sketchbooks, models, drawings and correspondence related to unbuilt and built projects across the globe.

According to the university, Safdie’s collection represents one of the most extensive and thorough individual collections of architectural documentation in Canada. Included is the original model and master copy of his McGill undergraduate thesis, ‘A Case for City Living’, which inspired his design for the Habitat 67 residence.

The university stated that the residence was a major exhibition built for Expo 67 in Montreal and marked a turning point in modern architecture.

The centerpiece of the archive will be Safdie’s personal apartment at Habitat 67 housing complex. The school stated that the four-module duplex unit will serve as a resource for scholarly research, artist-in-residence programs, exhibitions and symposia. Fondation Habitat 67, a non-profit foundation, will collaborate with McGill on the preservation and maintenance of the apartment as part of its mandate to promote the property for public educational activities.

The complex was designated a National Heritage Building by the Quebec Ministry of Culture in 2009. Safdie’s 10th floor unit, which initially belonged to the commissioner of Expo 67, was fully restored to its original condition in 2017 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Habitat 67, and in conjunction with a major exhibition of Safdie Architects’ recent work at UQAM, entitled Habitat 67 vers l’avenir: The Shape of Things to Come.

“On behalf of the McGill community, I would like to express our gratitude to Moshe Safdie for his remarkable gift,” said Suzanne Fortier, McGill principal. “This is a historic moment for McGill. One of the most influential and important architectural archives in the world, from one of our most celebrated graduates, will forever be a part of our University.”

Key Takeaways:

• DIRTT is pausing operations in South Carolina. 
• The plant was designed to maximize manufacturing of wall tiles, a key part of DIRTT’s construction system.
• Officials cited low demand as the reason for the suspension but could revisit the decision in the future.

The Whole Story:

The Calgary-based lindustrialized construction and design firm announced their decision to suspend operations at a manufacturing facility in Rock Hill, S.C. 

“With sufficient capacity for current and expected production requirements at its facilities in Savannah, Georgia and Calgary, Alberta, the decision is part of the company’s ongoing focus on realigning the organization, driving efficiency, and improving profitability,” said the company in a statement.

DIRTT added that it will continue to assess its capacity requirements and will evaluate options to restart operations at the Rock Hill facility as volume demand continues to expand.

“We’re committed to meeting our clients’ expectations when it comes to building a quality, agile space,” said Benjamin Urban, DIRTT’s CEO. “DIRTT’s approach to industrialized construction ensures quality and project lead times will not be impacted as we shift production to our other facilities.”

Urban also thanked DIRTT’s Rock Hill team for their commitment to building exceptional spaces for clients across the U.S. and Canada. He added that DIRTT will be supporting the staff with their transitions.

DIRTT announced the facility in 2021 as an $18.5 million investment. The plant operated in a leased, custom-built 130,000 square foot building. The plant was designed to maximize manufacturing of wall tiles, a key component of DIRTT’s construction system.

Key Takeaways

• The first phase of the rules goes into effect this October.
• More than half of the demolition material that hits Metro Vancouver landfills is recyclable.
• Starting in 2023, the rules will be encouraged with a deposit system that gives a refund when the diversion goal is hit.

The Whole Story:

Rules around demolition waste are changing for Burnaby, B.C. 

The city is introducing the Construction & Demolition Waste Diversion Bylaw, which mandates that at least 70 per cent of waste created as a result of building demolitions must be diverted from landfills. 

City officials stated that once the bylaw comes into force in fall of this year, it will represent a major step in Burnaby’s efforts to meet Metro Vancouver’s regional goal of 80 per cent overall waste diversion. 

“As materials from construction and demolition make up a third of Metro Vancouver’s solid waste, making improvements in the sector is an integral part of the City’s overall waste reduction strategy,” said the city. “More than half of the approximately 400,000 tonnes of demolition material which flows into Metro Vancouver landfills annually is recyclable, and diverting resources like wood, metal and concrete to recycling facilities is a vital step in reducing the greenhouse gases these materials emit when not disposed of correctly.” 

Officials explained that the new bylaw will be introduced in phases, with multi-family and non-residential demolitions subject to the new regulations on October 1, 2022, and rules for single- and two-family buildings coming into force on March 1, 2023. 

After these dates, demolitions will require a non-refundable application fee of $250, and a deposit of $2.25 per square foot of the building being demolished, with a maximum deposit cap of $50,000. The refund received will be calculated on the percentage of waste diverted to the proper recycling channels, with the entire deposit amount being refunded for demolitions which divert 70 per cent or more of their waste.

Key Takeaways:

• The new system will boost capacity with 27 eight-person cabins. 
• The gondola is expected to open in early 2024.
• Work includes updates to base buildings and parking areas. 

The Whole Story:

Shovels are poised to hit the ground for a sky high-project in Metro Vancouver.

Grouse Mountain announced the installation of a new Gondola will begin in September. The state-of-the-art gondola will replace the aging Blue Skyride.

Grouse Mountain is privately held by local, family-owned Northland Properties which is funding the project.

“We are thrilled to be embarking on this transformational project as we approach the 100th anniversary of the first official ski season at the Resort,” said Michael Cameron, president of Grouse Mountain. “Since the world’s first double chairlift was built at the Resort in 1949, Grouse Mountain has had a rich history of investing in modern recreational technology. The installation of the new gondola is the latest development to further enhance our four-season operations to welcome both the local and global community.” 

The new lift system, which includes a total of 13 towers and 27 eight-person gondola cabins, will allow Grouse Mountain to return to just above its original capacity when both the Blue and Red Skyrides were fully operational. In addition to the new gondola, phase two of the project includes future updates to current base buildings and improvements to parking areas at the Resort. 

The mountain’s Blue Tram opened in 1966 and the Red Tram opened in 1976, making the Grouse Mountain aerial tramway system the largest in North America. 

Project Timeline

• Clearing of Gondola Easement Area: September/October 2022 

• Building of Foundations/Base and Plateau Stations: January/August 2023 

• Assembly of Towers and Line Work: September/November 2023 

• System Testing: Winter 2023/2024 

• New Gondola Opens: Spring 2024

Key Takeaways:

• One of B.C.’s largest campus housing projects ever is being planned for Douglas College.
• The $292-million project is expected to get underway next year in New Westminster.
• It will feature 368 student beds, classrooms, collaboration space, labs, offices and more.

The Whole Story:

The $292.5-million project received $202.3 million in provincial funding, while Douglas College provided $90.2 million. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2023, with anticipated completion in summer 2026.

Officials say building will be constructed using natural products, including stone and wood, in accordance with the province’s CleanBC plan.

The 20-storey building with 368 student beds, academic space and parking will be the school’s first on-campus housing.

“Students at Douglas College have told us everything we need to hear. They need access to affordable housing so they don’t have the barrier of long commutes and expensive rent,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training. “I’m incredibly excited by this project and historical investment by our government. We’re going to change lives, both at Douglas College and in New Westminster.” 

The new building will have 368 student beds in one-, two-, and four-bed units, as well as academic space, including new classrooms, student collaboration space, labs and offices, and food services.

Officials said that with classes moving to the new academic building, space will become available for other purposes, including a potential expansion of the college’s child care facility.

6. The Aspen Oil Sands ($2.6 billion)

The Aspen Oil Sands project is a proposed in-situ steam assisted gravity drainage oil sands project. Aspen would produce up to 150,000 barrels of bitumen a day (bpd), making it one of Imperial’s largest oil sources. The output would be achieved with two phases. Final investment decision was approved in November 2018 for the first phase, which will build 75,000 bpd of capacity. However, the project was deferred in November 2019.

5. Mildred Lake Extension ($3.3 billion) 

Sometimes it’s just about keeping the status quo. The Mildred Lake Extension (MLX) project in the rural municipality of Wood Buffalo is being planned to help maintain Syncrude’s current production levels by extending the life of our North Mine. It received regulatory approval in 2019 and is expected to be operational by the mid-2020s. The project consists of two mine sites – MLX West, located northwest of the current North Mine and west of the MacKay River; and MLX East, located on the east side of the Mildred Lake Settling Basin.

4. Nauticol Energy Net-Zero Blue Methanol Project ($4 billion)

This project is looking to use some blue to go green. The Grande Prairie project is expected to produce 3.4 million metric tonnes of net-zero blue methanol annually, creating a low-carbon value-added product from the abundant natural gas production in the Peace Region and incorporating best-in-class 90%+ precombustion carbon capture.  The project will support 5,000 construction jobs, 1,260 permanent direct and indirect jobs, and provide sustained Indigenous and community economic benefits over its 35+ year life.

3. Suncor Base Mine Extension ($4.4 billion)

It’s out with the old and in with the new. The Suncor Base Mine Extension Project, formerly known as Voyageur South Mine, is being planned to replace existing feed from Suncors North Steepbank Extension mine when it is depleted. The Wood Buffallo-area mine is expected to produce up to 250,000 barrels per day of bitumen during its estimated 28-year operational life.

2. Green Line LRT Stage 1 ($5.5 billion)

Calgary is looking to significantly expand its transit options. The green line LRT project, stage 1, will feature the southern leg from Shepard, up until 16th Avenue NW. A total of 15 stations are planned on 20 kilometers of the new track. The city recently announced that Bow Transit Connectors and City Link Partners have been invited to move forward to the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage.

1. Edmonton-Calgary High Speed Rail ($9 billion)

This line could turn a three hour drive into a 45 minute train ride. Prairie Link Rail Partnership (EllisDon and AECOM) is proposing to build a 400 km/h rail link between the two Alberta cities to transport passengers and freight. Last summer, the project team  announced an MOU with Alberta Transportation. The private sector-initiated unsolicited P3 proposal being evaluated by the province under an unsolicited framework process.

Key Takeaways:

• Quebec-based building envelope protection provider Mongrain is looking to expand.
• One of its first steps will be opening a new location in Vancouver.
• Fuelling this initial expansion will be a joint venture with Cascade Roofing.
• The company plans to do more joint ventures and acquisitions as it continues to expand.

The Whole Story:

Building envelope protection provider Mongrain Inc. is looking to increase its footprint across Canada.

The Quebec-based company announced one of the first steps in its strategy will be setting up a new location in Vancouver.

Mongrain has entered into a joint venture with Cascade Roofing of Chilliwack which will be a key part of its initial pan-Canadian growth strategy.

President and CEO Karl Mongrain explained that he has a bold growth plan that will involve the establishment of joint ventures and subsidiaries, as well as acquisitions, in the large Canadian market, which is home to a modern era building heritage that includes all types of constructions erected between 1930 and the mid-1970s. 

Mongrain noted that these older buildings require many repairs to remain sustainable. This means lots of opportunity for the company.

“The strategy is based on the principle of a controlled progression of growth, step by step, towards the East of the country,” said Mongrain.

The company currently has locations in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver with major projects underway. These include ten stations for the Réseau express métropolitain the brand new Maisons des Aîné.e.s in Longueuil and Saint-Jean, and the new Mother and Child Centre of the Fleurimont Hospital in Sherbrooke and its modern emergency room.

The company hopes its sustainable technology will help in its expansion. One of these is its use of a cold installation system.

“With the cold-lay system, which eliminates the use of flames to heat the raw material, it is the end of an era of what is now commonly known as flared roofs,” said Mongrain, who added that the system significantly reduces the risk of fires or injuries. 

Key Takeaways:

• WorkSafeBC has amended the rules around refusing unsafe work.
• Employers must now disclose details of previous refusals.
• They must also explain why the task is not unsafe.

The Whole Story:

WorkSafeBC announced new amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) that are now in effect. The group stated that the changes are designed to strengthen worker protections on the right to refuse unsafe work.

Employers are now required to inform workers about a previous work refusal before reassigning the work.

Prior to the amendment, the regulation did not explicitly prohibit the reassignment of refused work, or require the disclosure that another worker had refused the task due to health or safety concerns.

All workers in B.C. have the right to refuse work where there is reasonable cause to believe it would create an undue hazard to their health or safety.

Under the new rules, employers are required to notify workers in writing of any unresolved work refusal due to safety concerns. It also requires employers to tell the subsequent worker the specific reasons the first worker felt the task was unsafe. The employer must also explain why the task would not create an undue hazard to their health and safety.

The change to the OHSR followed a public and stakeholder consultation process by WorkSafeBC.

“Worker safety is our top priority and this regulatory change strengthens worker protections,” said Dan Strand, director of prevention field services at WorkSafeBC. “This amendment makes the right to refuse process more transparent and allows workers to make informed decisions.”

The need for this change was identified in the 2019 report by lawyer Lisa Helps called, WorkSafeBC and Government Action Review: Crossing the Rubicon. 

During interviews for the report, Helps heard examples of workers expressing safety concerns to their supervisors and refusing to do the work, only to see the same task reassigned to another worker.

“Workers are your eyes and ears on the front line of workplace health and safety,” said Strand. “When workers refuse work, it’s because they believe it’s unsafe. Employers must listen to these concerns, assess the risk with the worker, document the decision, and ensure they take steps to correct the situation that could potentially cause harm.”

The funding will help groups like the Heiltsuk First Nation from Bella Bella. The Nation will use the funds for an essential road infrastructure project designed to increase access to the community by linking Bella Bella to the airport. 

The project includes converting the existing road into a dedicated pedestrian and bike path and constructing 2 km of new road. 

The Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation also received funding. The plan to gain greater food build two green houses, two walk-in freezers and a canning shed, which will support the community garden and sustainability program. Officials say these developments will help safeguard against the impact on food production caused by environmental threats.

In the Strathcona Regional District funds will be used to give residents better and safer access to Read Island through the reconstruction of a dock, boardwalk and community building.

Other communities across the province, including Cumberland, Salt Spring Island, Spallumcheen, and Sparwood will benefit from new or upgraded wastewater treatment facilities and drinking water systems, including the rehabilitation of an aging dam, construction of a new well and reservoir, and upgrades to sewage treatment facilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Ritchie Bros reported recent U.S. sales for excavators have dipped.
• Despite this, Canadian sales remained strong.
• The auctioneer said supply issues remain a critical factor in pricing and sales.

The Whole Story:

An August report by heavy equipment auctioneer and seller Ritchie Bros. found that the U.S. median prices for large excavators are down 9 per cent year over year, while mini excavator prices declined 5 per cent in the last 90 days. 

However the company noted that things looked far less glum in Canada where large excavator prices jumped 12 per cent year over, while mini excavator prices over the last 90 days have rocketed up 31 per cent.

The report also covered Ritchie Bros.’ individual mix-adjusted industry indexes, which are still up over 2021, but declining on a month-to-month basis since the peak pricing achieved earlier this year. In the U.S., truck tractor pricing still leads the way, up 27 per cent year over year, while vocational trucks, medium, and large earthmoving prices are up 18 per cent, 15 per cent, and 12 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, in Canada, truck tractor pricing is up 25 per cent, while vocational trucks, medium, and large earthmoving come in at +10 per cent, +13 per cent, and +12 per cent.

“We continue to experience year-over-year price inflation for equipment and trucks in the U.S. and Canada,” said Doug Olive, senior vice president of pricing for Ritchie Bros. “However, as the transportation and logistics markets normalize, we have seen truck prices decline. We are seeing similar pricing trends across our other industry indexes as well, with year-over-year increases, but declining on a month-to-month basis.”

Doug Rusch, managing director of rouse sales explained that tight supply continues to be the story in the retail market, with lower-than-typical sales volumes driving strong pricing and retail values increasing 2 per cent in July. 

“Excavators in particular have shown strong pricing, with retail values rising 4 to 5 per cent in the past 90 days across all sizes classes,” said Rusch. “Auction values for excavators have moderated a bit since June 2022. Since then, we have seen smaller class mini excavator prices decline 6-7 per cent percent at auction, while larger excavators have declined 2 per cent.”

A new report is shedding light on the movers and shakers at the heart of the country’s booming property tech industry. It was produced by Sustainable PropTech, a collaborative think tank of industry leaders in real estate and technology.

“We’re starting to see a shift in the way property technology is adapting to improve building sustainability and meet building operator needs,” said Mansoor Kazerouni, global director of buildings for IBI Group and one of the experts interviewed for the report. “The application of design principles such as digital twins and Passive House will set the stage for the future of sustainable urban development.”

The following is a list of sustainable Canadian property tech companies with the largest capital raises:

10. Brainbox AI – $36,000,000

This Montreal company uses technology to make building HVAC systems smarter and greener. The big brains behind the company are in part a collaboration. BrainBox AI works with research partners including the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO) as well as educational institutions including Montreal’s Artificial Intelligence Institute (MILA) and McGill University.

9. Dcbel – $40,000,000

Dcbel wants to charge you up. Dcbel’s home energy station brings premium DC charging to residential customers. The Montreal company says it delivers more energy, a faster full-range charge and the ability to power cars with solar panels. 

8. Encycle – $43,900,000

This company began by studying how honeybees use swarm intelligence to harmoniously conduct their daily tasks. They’ve turned those lessons into more than $10 million in HVAC savings. The company uses their technology to help multi-site commercial and industrial companies drastically boost the efficiency of their HVAC systems using artificial intelligence-based services. Encycle serves a broad range of markets and building types, including retail, commercial and industrial. The company noted that perhaps its greatest appeal to customers is that its programs become cash-flow positive almost instantaneously.

7. Ecobee – $47,000,000

What’s all the buzz about? Ecobee was founded with the goal of offering people smart home solutions that enable planet positive actions. They specialize in smart thermostats, temperature and occupancy sensors, smart light switches, smart cameras, and contact sensors. The bees have been busy. To date, ecobee thermostats have delivered over 25 TWh of energy savings. The company says that’s like taking all the homes in Los Angeles off the grid or 3.8 million cars off the road for a year. 

6. Falkbuilt – $48,000,000

Falk is the Danish word for falcon and this company aims to soar to new heights with digital construction tools. Falkbuilt specializes in digital component construction, a new process that incorporates traditional construction components and methods with next-gen technology. Falkbuilt manufactures everything in its factory and delivers precise components onsite for a fast, efficient and clean install. The company says this means fewer materials are needed, faster schedules and less waste on the job site. They call it “conventional construction on steroids.”

5. Nexii – $85,000,000

This green building technology provider has been making waves in the Pacific Northwest. Nexii designs and manufactures low carbon buildings and products to address the climate impact of the built environment. The company uses its own material, Nexiite, along with its construction process to rapid assembly of high-quality buildings and infrastructure with reduced end-to-end carbon emissions, near zero waste and less disruption to the community.

4. GoBolt – $89,000,000

GoBolt believes that the logistics industry is massive and broken. Their goal is to clean up the mess. The company is technology-enabled fulfillment and last-mile delivery provider for businesses of all sizes – from local ecommerce shops to large national retailers.

3. DIRTT – $100,000,000

They may have a dirty name but their goal is to keep things clean. This industrialized construction company specializes in interior spaces. Their team uses custom manufacturing to translate unique visions into compelling spaces where people collaborate, socialize, learn, and heal. Their focus is on advanced digital tools and a sophisticated product infrastructure. DIRTT operates in the workplace, healthcare, education and public sector markets. The company says that their system provides total design freedom, and greater certainty in cost, schedule and outcomes.

2. Hydrostor – $260,000,000

Founded in Toronto in 2010, Hydrostor develops utility-scale energy storage facilities. Hydrostor uses its proprietary advanced compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) system to improve on the mature compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology by eliminating emissions, increasing efficiency and providing location flexibility. The company believes that by leveraging proven construction techniques with known standard equipment and using only air, gravity, and water it can offer a bankable product around the globe. 

1. Amp Energy – $374,000,000

Toronto-based Amp Energy develops, owns and operates clean energy assets around the clone. Alongside Amp X, its disruptive grid-edge technology platform utilizing proprietary artificial intelligence expertise, the company is looking to reimagine the grid and be a leader in energy transition. While it has Canadian roots, Amp operates throughout North America, Australia, Japan, Spain, Czech Republic, and the U.K.

Key Takeaways:

• New renal unit in Manitoba will give patients a closer place to get treatment.
• The project will cost $32 million.
• Plans for the project came together after a study revealed how many dialysis patients would benefit.

The Whole Story:

Construction has started on a new renal unit at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre that will serve patients in the Steinbach, Man. 

The project will allow dialysis patients to receive care closer to home. It’s the first phase of a larger capital project that will expand the site. 

“Manitoba is committed to strengthening health care by investing in bringing care closer to home and improving patient care for all Manitobans now and into the future,” said Audrey Gordon, health minister. “The start of construction at Bethesda Regional Health Centre brings us one day closer to reducing the need for those living in or near Manitoba’s third largest city to travel elsewhere for care while providing the site with the necessary capacity to continue growing in the years ahead.”

The capital project includes $32 million of work.

“Ensuring Bethesda Regional Health Centre can meet the needs of a growing population well into the future is vitally important for both the people who call this city and surrounding area home as well as for the health region as a whole,” said Jane Curtis, CEO, Southern Health-Santé Sud. “We are thrilled to see construction begin on a project that will support more care closer to home for the people who live in or near the city of Steinbach, with expanded acute-care inpatient capacity and the establishment of renal services.”

Planning for the project came after a feasibility study and review investigated the number and frequency of patients travelling outside the community for dialysis treatment. There are currently 23 hemodialysis patients living in the province’s southeast catchment area who could benefit from the new, six-station unit at Bethesda, said officials. 

The renal unit project is part of a capital investment of at least $812 million in building, expanding and renovating health-care facilities across the province. Other capital projects announced include:

• Expansion and renovation of the Brandon Regional Health Centre and Western Manitoba Cancer Centre.
• Construction of a new hospital in Portage la Prairie.
• Construction of a new hospital in Neepawa.
• Expansion of Boundary Trails Health Centre in Winkler/Morden
• Expansion of the Selkirk Regional Health Centre.
• Renovations at Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
• Expansion of Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern.

The new dialysis unit at Bethesda is expected to open to patients next summer. Construction on the overall project is expected to be complete by 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• The massive art project resembles ancient ceremonial construction.
• Work on “The City” began in the 1970s and only recently finished.
• Tickets to view the project in person can be had for $150 if the weather is good and a spot can be reserved. 

The Whole Story:

After spending decades and millions of dollars, construction on an expansive art sculpture called “The City” has been unveiled in the Nevada desert. 

Artist Michael Heizer’s creation is a mile and a half long and a half mile wide complex of shaped mounds and depressions made of compacted dirt, rock, and concrete. 

“The City is intentionally reminiscent of many ancient ceremonial constructions through its complexity and size, but its form is suggestive of the central hub or nucleus of a modern city,” said the Triple Aught Foundation, a non-profit that owns and operates the sculpture.

Decades in the making

The City has been developed and built by the artist since 1970 until today. It sits in an isolated valley within the high desert of the Great Basin that has been the grazing land for cattle and sheep for at least a century. 

According to the foundation, the Heizer family has inhabited Nevada since the 1800s, and the project’s location was partly chosen by the artist because of its remoteness. 

“Almost all elements within the City are made from basic materials—clay, sand, and rock—collected with minimally invasive means, so that the native plants and wildlife may remain undisturbed,” said the foundation. 

In June of 2015, the project’s location and the area surrounding it, 704,000 acres in total, were proclaimed the Basin and Range National Monument to safeguard the area’s unique environment for the enjoyment of future generations.

Team effort 

Work on the City has been aided over the last fifty years by organizational and financial support from institutions around the country, including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas; Dia Art Foundation, New York; Glenstone Museum, Potomac, Maryland; Lannan Foundation, New Mexico; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Many private individuals have also contributed their money and time. 

Trip to the ‘City’

The public can go see the project, but it’s going to cost you and a reservation will have to be made. Starting this fall, visitors can do short day trips for a maximum of six visitors, with prior reservations only, and only in favorable weather. The foundation noted that the project is on private property in rural terrain, and it has no habitable structures. 

“Visiting without a pre-arranged visit is thus potentially dangerous, and it is strictly prohibited and is trespassing,” foundation officials said. 

Reservations for future visits may be requested by writing to info@tripleaughtfoundation.org. Visitors will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis, and visitations will end for the 2022 season on November 1. The price of a visit is $150 per adult, $100 for students, and is free for residents of some Nevada counties. 

Key Takeaways:

• UBC is looking to create one of the country’s largest residential passive house buildings. 
• Researchers will use the building to study passive house construction performance and then release the results. 
• The facility was designed by ZGF Architecture and built by Peak Construction Group. 

Faculty and staff rental housing at University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus just leveled up.

Evolve, one of the country’s biggest residential buildings looking to achieve passive house certification, has welcomed its first residents. Passive house-certified buildings consume up to 90 per cent less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.

The project was designed by ZGF Architecture and built by Peak Construction Group for UBC Properties Trust. It is managed by Village Gate Homes.

The 110-unit facility will serve as a faculty and staff rental building in UBC’s Wesbrook Place neighbourhood. 

Evolve is looking to be one of the most energy-efficient multi-family residential buildings in Canada. The school stated that it will give researchers a unique opportunity to study the benefits and trade-offs of passive house construction, and share the results with the entire industry. 

“This is a rarity in Canadian urban development – to have similar-sized mid-rise comparator buildings, constructed by the same developers, on the same grounds, with the same property manager, similar tenancy profiles, and the same investment in research infrastructure,” added Rysanek. “This is an incredible chance for us to evaluate the benefits and potential trade-offs between Passive House and typical construction in terms of tenant experience, costs and building systems data concerning air quality, noise, extreme heat tolerance, energy consumption and carbon emissions.”

Evolve’s passive house design elements include:

• High performance windows – triple glazed “tilt and turn” windows that significantly increase natural ventilation rates over typical residential buildings in B.C.
• High-efficiency mechanical system – heat recovery ventilation system continuously providing filtered air.
• Thermal insulation – a thicker insulation and assembly was required to create a thermal barrier
• Building envelope continuity – elimination of cold patches or drafts. The design and construction both account for less air leakage through the structure and the building envelope.
• Mixed-mode cooling – ventilation air provided throughout the building is cooled via an energy-efficient heat pump, but sensors on operable windows and patio doors ensure maximum cool air is only supplied to residential suites when their windows are closed– the ventilation will reduce to a minimum but will not fully turn off.
• Exterior shading – movable shades to limit heat and exposure of the sun.

Work on the six-storey, 103,000-square foot building began in 2020. Residents began moving in to studio, one, two, three and four-bedroom units in mid-August.

Key Takeaways:

• The city of Kelowna is rethinking its development cost charges following advice from the province and to help fund infrastructure for projected population growth.
• The changes in include bumping carriage home DCCs from $2,500 to at least $23,000.
• The city would also create a new light industrial category to capture shifts in the industrial market.

The Whole Story:

The city of Kelowna is looking to boost revenue as construction costs increase and its population is forecast to boom.

If approved, the development cost charges (DCCs) would rise for some types of new homes and create new categories for industrial developments. 

Chain reaction

In a report to council, officials explained that labour shortages and an oversupply of construction projects flooding the market have caused upward pressure on construction costs, with tender costing coming in significantly higher than engineering estimates. 

According to the city, construction and land costs in the DCC Program have not been updated in more than three years and since that time construction costs have increased on average by 20 per cent and land costs have increased more than 40 per cent. All project costs in the proposed update reflect 2021 costs so are approximately a year old and may not reflect the recent surge in construction and land costs.

“If construction and land costs continue to trend upward, the DCC program costs may need to be updated within a year of the adoption of this update to keep pace with inflation,” wrote city staff in their report to council.

Carriage homes

One of the biggest proposed increases is to carriage houses. The city estimates that 30 per cent of single-family homes in Kelowna will be built with suites or carriage houses. Council agreed in

2008 to charge a flat fee DCC of $2,500 for all secondary suites and carriage houses which would normally be charged a much higher rate equivalent to a condominium.

The city explained that this practice was flagged by the province as an area that needed to be amended because it provided a specific land use subsidy which is not permitted, as any subsidy must be applied evenly for all land uses.

The city is proposing a new category for Carriage Houses and assessed a higher DCC in the range of $23,000 to $28,000, which officials say better reflects the actual infrastructure impact of the stand-alone units.

Light industrial 

Kelowna has some of the lowest Industrial DCCs in the province that staff say does not fully fund the servicing demands of the emerging light industrial development trend.

In their report to council, staff proposed splitting the industrial category into two categories – light industrial and heavy industrial to better reflect servicing costs.

The light industrial DCC is approximately 50 per cent of the commercial DCC rate and is more in line with the cost of servicing this development form. 

“The heavy industrial DCC is consistent with the previous DCC Program and collects DCC based on a gross site area for land intensive industrial developments like gravel extraction, wrecking yards, outdoor storage, and asphalt and concrete plants.”

Location, location, location

Certain areas of the city have seen higher rates leading up to the latest proposal. Kelowna’s city centre represents about 85 per cent of the new residential units and DCCs have increased less than 5 per cent per year for the past three years. Cumulative increase in residential DCCs, excluding carriage houses, for the three years since the last update is approximately 14 per cent.

However, the city’s Southwest Mission is nearing buildout with some of the infrastructure already in place. This area is seeing the smallest increase – less than 3 per cent per year since the last update in 2019. But it still has the highest overall DCCs due to high costs of extending services to the area at the southern boundary of the City. Cumulative increase in residential DCCs, excluding carriage houses, for the three years since the last update is approximately 4 per cent.

Key Takeaways:

• Niverville, Taché, Hanover and Ritchot in Manitoba will benefit from the new facility.
• The mechanical treatment facility will allow these cities to shift away from less efficient methods.
• Project work includes installing roughly 90 kilometres of effluent pipeline.

The Whole Story:

Officials announced more than $39 million in funding will go towards the construction of a regional mechanical wastewater treatment facility and collection network to service four communities in southeastern Manitoba.

The Red-Seine-Rat (RSR) Wastewater Treatment Facility & Conveyance System will provide the municipalities of Niverville, Taché, Hanover and Ritchot with a new regional wastewater treatment facility to help keep up with current and future population demands. 

The work will include the installation of a wastewater conveyance system with approximately 90 kilometres of effluent pipeline as well as new lift stations and pump stations.

Officials say the facility will increase the region’s capacity to treat and manage wastewater and stormwater, improve the environmental stewardship of the region and encourage economic growth.

They added that it will also result in greenhouse gas reductions as regional partners are able to move away from traditional wastewater lagoons to a new mechanical wastewater treatment facility.

Ottawa will contribute $21.6 million to the project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The province plans to invest over $18 million and the contribution from the proponent is more than $70.2 million.

“Manitoba is home to some of the largest freshwater bodies in the world, and today, we are acting on our collective responsibility to safeguard their health,” said Terry Duguid, minister of the environment and climate change. “By investing in this novel wastewater treatment infrastructure, we are creating better environmental, economic and social outcomes for all Manitobans. This project is another example of what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together.”

Key Takeaways:

• Quebec struggled with residential construction investment.
• Ontario showed strong recovery following construction worker strike.
• Overall investment in construction saw growth, bolstered by non-residential work.

The Whole Story:

Residential construction experienced its first major hiccup of the year. Statistics Canada announced residential construction investment dipped for the first time in nine months in June while gains in the non-residential sector helped push overall construction investment up 0.3 per cent to $20.8 billion.

The agency explained that the majority of strength for the month came from Ontario, reporting gains in all building components following a weak May resulting from a construction workers strike in the province.

On a constant dollar basis (2012=100), investment in building construction declined 0.6 per cent to $12.5 billion.

Quebec creates drag

Despite six provinces reporting growth, residential construction investment declined 0.4 per cent to 15.5 billion in June, with Quebec (-6.7 per cent) contributing the most to the dip.

Multi-unit construction investment fell 1.6 per cent to $6.9 billion in June. The agency noted that despite the decrease, investment in multi-unit construction has shown an overall upward trend since last October.

Within residential construction, Investment in single-family homes continued to show strength, having outpaced multi-unit construction since the COVID-19 pandemic downturn. It increased 0.7 per cent to $8.6 billion in June, with gains in six provinces.

Non-residential construction investment increased 2.4 per cent to $5.3 billion in June.

Commercial investment advanced 2.7 per cent to $3.0 billion, led by Ontario (+4.1 per cent). This boost came after falling for the first time in 13 months in May due to the Ontario construction workers strike. The commercial component made up for the temporary decline and continued its upward trend, said the agency.

Institutional construction investment rose 0.7 per cent to $1.4 billion with six provinces reporting gains, led by Ontario (+3.8 per cent).

Beyond homes

Investment in the industrial component increased 3.7 per cent to $974 million, the highest monthly value increase since May 2020, just after pandemic-related shutdowns.

The total value of investment in building construction rose 3.3 per cent to $62.3 billion in the second quarter, the third consecutive quarterly increase. Investment for residential buildings reached $46.4 billion, largely due to increased spending on multi-unit construction. The non-residential sector rose 2.6 per cent to $15.8 billion.

Ontario’s growth in the second quarter remained flat when compared with the first quarter of the year, with the strike impacting investment in all components. Industrial construction was the only component to show notable growth for the east.

Single-unit gains

Residential investment in the single-unit component increased for the third quarter in a row, rising 2.6 per cent for the quarter to $25.7 billion. Statistics Canada highlighted that the multi-unit component has increased for the previous three quarters, rising 4.5 per cent this quarter, with most of the growth coming from Quebec.

“What we are announcing today is more than an investment in brick and mortar. It’s an investment in the future of a community that is coming together around its past and will benefit the entire community,” said Pablo Rodriguez, minister of Canadian heritage. “The Kebaowek First Nation Cultural Centre plays a key role in ensuring that the Algonquin language, cultural traditions and practices are passed on to the youth of the community. These intergenerational connections give youth a stronger sense of identity and prepare them for success in adult life.”

Chief Lance Haymond stated that the Kebaowek First Nation was very encouraged to see a promise of federal funding to address critical infrastructure gaps in the community. 

“On behalf of the council and the citizens of Kebaowek we are extremely pleased to hear that the Government of Canada has now made a multi-million dollar commitment to advance the needs and interests of our families and community,” said Haymond. “The Green and Inclusive Building program will help to give the citizens and community an opportunity to build a solid base from which to continue the vital work needed to reinvigorate and revitalize our language, cultural practices, teachings and ceremonies.”

Chief Haymond noted that the first nation was especially encouraged that the building will be carbon neutral which he says aligns with their social responsibilities. 

The building will create a place for the First Nation to teach their history, develop their language skills and cultural understanding, celebrate their culture and offer recreational, extra-curricular and employment-related activities to the young people in the community.

Officials added That the facility will also benefit members from neighbouring communities, visiting school groups and the public at large. Its proximity to the pier and the public dock will make the centre a key component of the surrounding tourist attractions and will be an important economic engine for the region, they said.

Key Takeaways:

• Edmonton plans to build Canada’s largest solar array.
• It’s expected to create up to $460,000 in savings each year.
• The array is part of a larger, $98-million upgrade at the centre

The Whole Story:

The Edmonton Expo Centre will soon be home to the largest rooftop solar array in Canada. Phase 1 of the $5.03 million project will see 5,754 solar panels installed across 193,735.5 square feet.

“The City of Edmonton is committed to becoming an energy sustainable and climate resilient city,” said program manager Brad Watson. “This rooftop solar panel array will generate at least 2.8 gigawatts of energy annually, equal to that of about 375 homes.”

Based on the design energy models the array is anticipated to yield operational savings in the realm of $290,000 to $460,000 per year.

“Our new rooftop solar installation means that we will be producing our own renewable, clean solar energy right here on top of our building,” said Melissa Radu, director of social & environmental sustainability with Explore Edmonton. “It also acts as a reminder, to Edmontonians and visitors to our city, that Edmonton is a leader for innovative energy technologies in our country and that we are working hard to support a transition to a lower-carbon economy.”

Officials explained that while other buildings in the city have solar arrays or are having arrays built, the Edmonton EXPO Centre presented a unique opportunity to go bigger.

“The Edmonton EXPO Centre is a unicorn of sorts when it comes to rooftop solar panels,” said Watson. “Its size and dimensions, unobstructed sightlines and lack of interfering rooftop infrastructure allowed us to build an array of this size.”

City officials say the solar system is expected to last 25 years and will yield a payback between 10 to 17 years, considering energy prices and whether energy consumption aligns with generation.

If approved, phase 2 will see additional panels installed across Halls A through C, increasing the footprint of this project as well as significant cost savings. Phase 2 will add a production of approximately 1.9 gigawatts to the system and the estimated cost is roughly $3.4 million. Phase 2 would add an additional saving of about $185,000 to $300,000 per year.

Phase 1 is expected to wrap up in November.

This project is one of 11 solar projects currently underway in Edmonton. Six solar arrays in Edmonton are in operation.

This solar installation is part of a $98 million rehabilitation project at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. On top of the solar project, crews will  upgrade seating in Hall D and updates to Entrance 6 on the north side of the building. Improvements are also being made to the building envelope, and mechanical and electrical systems, including major equipment replacements in the mechanical and electrical rooms. The Edmonton EXPO Centre will remain open during work.