More Than Just A Building
By: Derek Hyde, AScT Multi-unit residential buildings continue to grow in popularity as they appeal to a wide variety of people. Buildings on their own can provide a number of different conveniences for tenants of any age, and in today’s competitive market, developers need to ensure that buildings are not only meeting the basic needs […]
Mind Your Footprint – Sustainable Design
Award Magazine, July 2018, by Natalie Bruckner-Menchelli Sustainable design used to be a buzzword, now it’s almost a byword in the building industry. This concept no longer solely encompasses environmental sustainability, but also social issues, human health, and advances in technology. Over the past year there have been dramatic changes within the sector, influenced largely […]
Elevating Home Control & Communication Systems
Award Magazine, April 2018, by Stacey McLachlan If you think of the walls, ceilings, staircases and floors as the bones of a home or office space, it’s the electrical and communication systems that are the heart. Though this important element can languish behind the scenes, builders and architects know the importance of these complex systems. […]
Residential Building Trends in Vancouver
By: Dan Lee, AScT, LEED® AP In the greater Vancouver area and the Lower Mainland, demographics, affordability, opportunity, and the increased focus on energy efficiency among various stakeholders are the strongest factors driving trends in the multi-residential market. Demographics & Affordability Baby boomers are reaching retirement age and are downsizing from a single-family home as […]
Coming Together – Energy Management
Award Magazine, February 2018, by Natalie Bruckner-Menchelli It’s an interesting time for those involved in energy management. Regulations are quickly changing, technology is fast advancing, incentives are in place to help reduce costs and move Canada toward a sustainable future, and individuals in companies are collaborating to share experiences and further advance the sector. Over […]
Passive House Design
Imagine designing and constructing a building that is affordable, comfortable and energy efficient. This type of building should have limited air drafts and radiant temperature asymmetry (no cold or hot spots) while providing occupants with the right amount of ventilation to maintain a high level of indoor air quality, which is a result of a […]
Going Beyond LEED Certification
When thinking of sustainable building design, one of the more commonly known certifications is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED certification is a formal method of confirming that a building has been designed, constructed, and will operate in a sustainable way. LEED has been the […]
Green Building Design
Award magazine, November 2017, by Natalie Bruckner-Menchelli This past year has seen great strides being made in the world of green building design. Partially due to changing codes, regulations and greater incentives, but in the most part it is down to greater education and awareness of what it actually takes to design a green building. […]
Williams Engineering Acquires Umbra Engineering
Edmonton, Alberta, November 2017 – Williams Engineering Canada (WEC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Umbra Engineering. Umbra Engineering is dedicated to the life safety industry. The company, which was established in 2008, focuses on the delivery of fire detection solutions, integrated security solutions and mass notification audio and video-based building solutions. Glenn Staines […]
The Rise of Smart Buildings
In an economy where smart technology has rapidly transitioned from a trend to a standard, it has increasingly become an integral part of numerous commercial and residential buildings around the world. A ‘smart building’ is a building equipped with technology that enables occupants to remotely control, program, and analyze data from an array of electronic […]
The Newest Technology In Lighting & Sustainability
Award Magazine, October 2017, by Stacey McLachlan Whether you’re an architect, designer, builder or homeowner, one thing is clear when you walk into a room: lighting completes a space. It sets a mood and tone for a room and, of course, helps you actually see what you’re doing. So while lights may sometimes get categorized […]
Leveraging Technology in Project Management
By: Jessica Heine In this technology-driven world, companies are compelled to utilize technology and tools extensively. While work can be completed without advanced technologies, there are significant benefits to incorporating project management software to aid in the effective planning, managing and forecasting of projects. Organized project management processes are essential to achieving successful project outcomes. […]