Elevating utility of buildings with hollow-core precast concrete slabs April 13, 2017 Katie Daniel With the increasing concerns of climate change, natural disasters, and energy disruptions, buildings need to be resilient. Architects and decision-makers are often on the lookout for new ways of enhancing building projects. + Read More

Three common continuous mineral fibre myths debunked April 5, 2017 carly_midgley It can be difficult to sort through the falsehoods about mineral fibre insulation to find the truth. How does it really perform in the face of wind-washing, water infiltration, and cold temperatures? + Read More

CGSB updates safety glazing standard to exclude wired glass March 28, 2017 carly_midgley The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has updated its safety standards to apply to all glazing materials, and has withdrawn a standard assessing wired glass as a safety glass. + Read More

Factors driving the future of roof coatings March 9, 2017 Katie Daniel As building owners have increasingly realized the cost benefits of completing roof restorations rather than reroofing, the demand for roof coatings has similarly grown. + Read More

Seeing through rose-coloured glass March 8, 2017 Katie Daniel On a stormy spring evening in 2007, a marble panel fell from the 60th storey of Canada’s tallest building. Although no one was hurt, the event called into question the safety and durability of the building’s aging façade, made of 45,000 marble panels. + Read More

Wastewater Isn’t Useless Water: Improving residential water consumption onsite March 7, 2017 Katie Daniel By 2027, the world’s population is predicted to double, meaning millions more people will be denied access to clean water. Scientists from around the world are urging an immediate adoption of clean waste-processing technologies. + Read More

A primer on examining brick masonry March 6, 2017 Katie Daniel Often enduring more than a hundred years, brick masonry is testimony to the traditional collaboration between architect, engineer, and mason. Beauty and historical significance are often the most compelling features of brickwork. + Read More

Improving the performance of curtain walls March 3, 2017 Katie Daniel There is perhaps no building element that typifies contemporary architecture more than the curtain wall. Lightweight and flexible, these glazed assemblies not only allow more usable floor space within a building, but also epitomize upscale, modern construction. + Read More

Updating building codes in response to climate change March 1, 2017 Katie Daniel Canada’s climate is changing. Projections for the next 30 years all point to warmer minimum, maximum, and average yearly temperatures. + Read More

Specifying steel curtain walls with enduring beauty February 28, 2017 Katie Daniel Each year, curtain walls continue to soar higher, form angles that are more challenging, and push the building envelope closer to total transparency. A case in point is the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC’s) Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station. + Read More