Building up with lightweight wood frames

Lightweight wood-framed (LWWF) construction has gained significant popularity over the past decade as a sustainable, cost-effective solution for low-rise multi-level buildings in Canada. More recently, the push has been to extend use of LWWF to mid-rise construction for increased density on urban or rural projects.

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Opening the door to improved access control

Many architects and specifiers are well-versed with regard to American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) standards for builders’ hardware used throughout North America. These standards typically pertain to commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities, covering everything from hinges to locks to power doors.

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Smart, connected real estate

In the late 1800s, this author’s great grandfather, Warren Y. Soper, collaborated with Thomas Ahearn to find a better way of living for those in Ottawa. Like others in the growing city, they were tired of using wood, coal, and gas for the purposes of heating, cooking, and lighting. Thomas Edison, south of the border, had caught their attention.

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Designing with insulated metal panels

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) have become increasingly popular in the last decade as a lightweight, prefabricated, total building enclosure system. Their strong, stiff, metal skins provide excellent water and air control. However, the joints between panels and the transitions to other components—especially windows, doors, roofs, and foundations—demand close attention.

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