ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2014 building information modelling (BIM) software has been released by Graphisoft North America. This year’s edition, based on the ArchiCAD 17, is designed for use by smaller firms. It includes features to create any virtual building model and documentation, including floor plans, elevations, 3D views, project details, and bills of materials.

Urgent Architecture: 40 Sustainable Housing Solutions for a Changing World, published by W.W. Norton & Company, provides readers with disaster-proof, environmentally-responsible designs suitable for evolving climates. This resource examines natural disasters like floods and hurricanes, as well as rising sea levels or civil disorder damages. The goal is to provide inexpensive, yet sustainable, housing that can withstand these types of occurrences. Written by Bridgette Meinhold, 40 successful emergency and long-term projects are examined.

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre hosts the 2014 North American Steel Construction Conference (NASCC) in March, welcoming design and construction professionals from the fabricated steel industry. Presented by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the three-day event offers the 3500 expected attendees networking opportunities, more than 100 educational sessions, and a show floor with more than 200 exhibitors. This year, educational session topics range from the new direct analysis method and the Code of Standard Practice, as well as practical aspects of designing for torsion.

em>Solar Energy: Technologies and Project Delivery for Buildings, published by John Wiley & Sons, provides information for various applications and operating principles of solar energy. Written by National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Andy Walker, PhD, it is aimed at an audience of construction professionals, engineers, and architects.

In December, the annual Construct Canada conference and exposition drew architects, specifiers, builders, and owners/developers to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTTC). The event, organized by Informa Canada, also included the HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo, PM (i.e. Property Management) Expo, Concrete Canada, DesignTrends, Construct International, and the National GreenBuilding Conference.

The newest version of Graphisoft’s building information modelling (BIM) app, BIMx, has been released. The app is now available for iPad and iPhones and is available through the Apple app store. New additional features also include hyper-model technology bringing touch-screen capabilities as well as 2D and 3D building project navigation to mobile devices, navigation markers, and cloud connection.

ASTM’s subscription-based Standards for Sustainability in Building allows users to access more than 200 standards that relate to sustainable building aspects. These standards are relevant to numerous green rating systems including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Green Globes, and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-performance Green Buildings.

Product Transparency Declarations (PTDs) have been released by Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) as a tool to reveal product ingredients and health-risk assessments of flooring materials. These documents provide information regarding the level of added heavy metals, showing whether it meets any exposure warning levels. Architects, designers, and specifiers will also be provided with any concerns regarding human exposure to the material ingredients.

InterSpec has released e-Specs v8.0, its latest software that now supports additional projects and includes more building information modelling (BIM) tools. A new addition to the program is support for Autodesk Navisworks, enabling architects, engineers, and other project team members can work collaboratively. Additionally, project transfer functionality permits users to package specifications, project files, and BIM linkages to other designers, architects, or building owners.

A non-proprietary, project-neutral low-voltage cable specification guide has been published by industry expert Marc Stringer. Public Cable 1.0; Building Specification Section 13410 Electronic Wire & Cable provides specifiers with objective resources regarding standards and codes for various projects. Included in the text are upward of 80 cable type specifications listing more than 2150 manufacturers parts. The book is structured as a MasterFormat building specification; it also includes 130 industry definitions, associated standards, and general requirements.