A new international standard will help ensure interior spaces have optimal light and energy performance.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 16817:2012, Building Environment Design–Indoor Environment–Design Process for Visual Environment, will make certain indoor environments include elements related to visual comfort, health, safety, well-being, and efficiency.

A landmark North American study evaluating metal roof and wall assembly performance is entering its final phase.

The Dynamic Building Envelope Research project, conducted by the Metal Construction Association (MCA) and U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), began in 2009.

Burnaby, B.C.’s UniverCity Childcare Centre is aiming to be the first Canadian project to meet the Living Building Challenge—a certification program that defines sustainability in the built environment.

Providing a framework for design, construction, and the relationship between people and the built environment, the program, created by the International Living Future Institute, comprises seven performance areas.

Planned for Nova Scotia’s Strait of Canso, a logistics park linking container ships with railways is expected to be the continent’s most efficient facility of its type.

The Maher Melford Terminal, to be constructed on the mainland side, will connect Asia with interior North American markets through the Canadian National Railway (CNR) intermodal rail service.

Renovations requiring upgraded life safety systems to comply with codes are fuelling the booming Canadian market for fire protection in buildings.

Research from Frost & Sullivan’s “North American Fire and Life Safety Market” reports a fire and safety market of $2.1 billion in 2010, estimated to reach $2.37 billion in 2015.

Winnipeg firm Prairie Architects has been honoured at the Manitoba Excellence in Sustainability Awards.

The accolade, “Action on Climate Change, Air Quality, and Energy Efficiency,” recognizes work in sustainable design, reduced energy consumption, and improved indoor air quality (IAQ).

CSC and Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) have released MasterFormat 2012, updating the organizational standard to include 76 new numbers/titles, numerous revisions, and an expanded utilities division.

Used to organize project manuals, detail cost information, and relate drawing notations to specifications, MasterFormat is a list of numbers and titles classified by work results or construction practices.

The Ontario government says it will continue to invest in the province’s roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure.

The commitment is important for the long-term success of the local construction industry.

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) is seeking entrants for its program to determine the best in the province’s new projects and design teams. Submissions will be accepted until April 12.

The AIBC Architectural Awards ceremony, taking place May 11, will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre to honour excellence in completed architectural projects.

International science, engineering, and architecture consulting firm Kleinfelder will be opening its first dedicated and permanent Canadian office in Calgary. A 100 per cent employee-owned company with more than 50 years of experience, Kleinfelder provides planning, engineering, and management solutions for infrastructure and natural resource challenges.