Last month, the second annual Arctic Inspiration Prize was awarded to a residential design/construction research project, benefitting the Canadian Arctic and its inhabitants.

SakKijânginnatuk Nunalik is a Nunatsiavuk housing project that involves a plan to build and monitor the northern Labrador Inuit community’s first sustainable, multi-unit residential dwelling, and establish a prototype for Northern housing development addressing the changing northern climate, infrastructure requirements, and Inuit housing needs.

A new report shows Ontario’s production of wind energy has doubled over the past four years.

According to 2013 electricity data from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), wind energy saw an increase to 3.4 per cent in 2013—up from three per cent the previous year.

The Green Globes program has been updated, based on Canada’s adaptation of American National Standards Institute/Green Building Institute (ANSI/GBI) 01-2010, Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings.

The web-based Green Globes for New Construction certification system provides information for project teams regarding energy-efficient design elements. An alternative to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, its verification is determined by a review of working documents including specifications and calculations.

ASTM International and Single Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) have published product category rules (PCR) for single-ply roofing membranes.

PCRs provide a guideline for developing environmental product declarations (EPDs). These are then third-party-verified to ensure lifecycle assessment (LCA) data describes the environmental aspects of products.

Wood Works B.C. and the Canadian Wood Council (CWC) are hosting the International Wood Symposium in January, welcoming industry experts from across the globe.

January 23 marks the third symposium held in Vancouver, British Colombia. The one-day event attracts design professionals, architects, and structural engineers from around the world to discuss new wood product technologies.

The Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario (RMCAO) has released a new pavement design program.

The Pavement Design Assistance Program (PDAP) was announced at last month’s Concrete Canada show, part of the Construct Canada event held in Toronto. This program allows engineers and consultants to view concrete pavement alternatives for projects.

International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) has presented its 2013 awards to concrete repair projects in Canada, United States, Mexico, and Poland.

Among this year’s winners was the repair done at EPCOR’s Gold Bar Water Treatment Plant in Edmonton, Alberta. This project team—EPCOR, Read Jones Christopherson (RJC) and general contractor, Sure-Form Construction Ltd.—received the International Award for Excellence in Sustainability of Concrete Repairs.

This month’s Ontario Concrete Awards, presented in part by the Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario (RMCAO), honoured projects featuring the prominent material.

 “The annual Ontario Concrete Awards competition focuses on the achievements of owners, designers, contractors, and suppliers who have made concrete their construction material of choice,” RMCAO’s marketing and communications director Tom Bellis told Construction Canada Online. “Support for this year’s Ontario Concrete Awards was great, with a sold out banquet.”

The second annual Margolese National Design for Living Prize has been presented to West Coast architect, Bing Thom.

Presented by the University of British Columbia’s (UBC’s) School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), the award honours a Canadian who significantly contributes to the living environment’s development or improvement. The winner receives a $50,000 prize and an invitation to lecture on their work.

Canada’s November housing starts were down slightly from the previous month, stabilizing the six-month increase, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Last month’s housing starts were trending at 194,014, down slightly from the 195,274 reported in October. The slightly increased trend since July, levelled out in November—remaining on par with the existing home sale trends across the country.