World demand for R-1 insulation is expected to increase five per cent annually through 2014 to nearly 23 billion m² (247 billion sf)—a large increase over the rate of the last five years. Insulation consumption in most industrializing nations will continue to expand at a healthy pace, according to the The Freedonia Group’s study, “World Insulation.”

A pavilion, a house, and a footbridge were the Canadian winning projects in the 2010 Wood Design Awards. This year’s winners included: Bodega Residence, Cutler Anderson Architects (Bodega, Calif.)–Honour; Tallgrass Prairie Pavilion, David J. Agro (Walsingham, Ont.)–Honour; LightFold: One Kearny Lobby, IwamotoScott Architecture (San Francisco, Calif.)–Merit.

A Canadian hospital project won first place in the existing healthcare facilities category at this year’s American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Technology Awards. Gilles Desmarais, of Montréal’s engineering/construction firm, Dessau, won an award for his work on the rehabilitation of the Pierre-Boucher Hospital (Longueuil, Que.).

Canadian architectural/planning firm Kasian held its second annual Healthy Cities evening in Toronto last month, bringing together design professionals, corporate players, and city planners to discuss the future of the built environment. Held in College Park’s seventh-floor Art Moderne venue, the Carlu, the event assembled speakers from across the country to discuss how architecture interfaces with industry, sports, the arts, and transportation to shape urban environments.

The fifth annual Sustainable Cities ranking was announced last month by Corporate Knights, a national magazine for ‘clean capitalism.’ This year, Western Canada is the leader in urban sustainability, with Vancouver and Victoria, B.C., tying for first place in the overall standings as Canada’s most sustainable cities.

The International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR Institute) has presented its first Award for Excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution for a Small Law Firm to Toronto’s Goldman Sloan Nash & Haber LLP (GSNH). The New York-based institute is a global, non-profit think tank and alliance of corporations, law firms, scholars, and public institutions focused on commercial conflict prevention and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

The second World Plumbing Day is happening next month to draw attention to the importance that plumbing plays in relation to public health and the environment. On March 11, plumbing organizations across the country are joining the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) to participate in activities with the aim of raising awareness to the important role played by Canada’s plumbing industry.

A theatre, a university, and an airport hotel were among this year’s Awards of Excellence in Architecture winners from the Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ). “The awards program is much more than just a competition,” OAQ’s Sylvie Champeau, told Construction Canada Online. “The formula is aimed at saluting and showcasing top-quality architecture by publicizing a number of achievements, all carefully selected by three juries of experts.”

Work on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ new stadium has finally started—and football and construction fans alike can watch. The Canadian Football League (CFL) team’s management, the Winnipeg Football Club, announced the first of many steel piles were driven into the ground at the University of Manitoba (U of M) last week.

Toronto’s Yorkdale mall is undergoing a $220-million expansion that includes more than 13,470.9 m² (145,000 sf) of additional space, 40 stores, and more than 800 underground parking spaces. Additionally, the food court will re-locate to the third floor level of the former Eatons store. It will offer double the seats, 14 new food vendors, and will reduce waste by 85 per cent with reusable tableware.