| Title |
Speaker Names |
Presentation Outline |
| Practical Guidelines & Best Practices for Low Carbon a morend Equitable Steel less |
Stephanie Fargas, CSP, RSW - Associate, Sustainable Mat moreerials Specialist – DIALOG and Matthew Winters - Project Manager – Steligence, ArcelorMittal less |
Practical Guidelines & Best Practices for Low Carbon an mored Equitable Steel. The steel industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 7- 9% of total emissions. The push towards a low carbon future is driven by both regulatory policies and market demands. Governments worldwide are setting ambitious carbon reduction targets, and investors increasingly prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. For Consultants, and Contractors, adapting to these changes is not just about compliance but about seizing opportunities for innovation and leadership in sustainability. Objectives of the Session: Best Practices for Material Usage Optimization less |
| Revitalizing a Community: Lessons in Large Scale Build moreing Envelope Retrofits less |
Stacey McDougall - P.Tech.(Eng), NCSO, LEED® AP – P moreroject Technologist RFC Engineers less |
Revitalizing a Community: Lessons in Large Scale Buildi moreng Envelope Retrofits Sarcee Meadows Housing Co-operative (SMHC) is a 74 building, 380 unit cohousing community constructed circa 1970. Over the last 55 years, SMHC has undergone numerous alterations, including roof structure modifications, siding overclad, and window replacements. To address ongoing issues with water and air ingress and ice damming, RJC was engaged in 2022 as prime consultant for full replacement of the building envelopes and improvement in the energy performance of the buildings. The project has a year round construction schedule. The buildings maintained occupancy during construction with a continual cycle of construction field reviews including whole building airtightness testing, moisture ingress testing, final walkthroughs, and deficiency closing. Each of the 74 buildings is unique and the various stages of construction can be underway on up to 16 buildings at any one time. The presentation will discuss the drawing package, use of a mock-up phase to establish baselines and optimize the design, challenges and solutions for renovating occupied buildings, and the importance of building relationships within the project team and with external stakeholders. less |
| A Sustainable Approach to Building Envelope Construction |
Mohammed Dawoud, Ennova Facades |
Details to follow |
| A Window on Heritage |
Dale Jarvis, Executive Director - Heritage Newfoundlan mored and Labrador. less |
A Window on Heritage - The colourful wooden buildings more of Newfoundland and Labrador are iconic, and if you've seen a tourism ad for the province, chances are you've admired its streetscapes, fishing stages, and historic structures. Currently, there are over 500 formally designated heritage properties in Newfoundland and Labrador, with thousands of other historic wooden buildings in heritage districts and neighbourhoods. At the same time, there are only a few trained professionals focussing on the repair and restoration of historic wooden windows and doors. Concerned about the loss of traditional skills and the pressures on homeowners to replace wooden windows, Heritage NL has started a project to document, train, and assist with window conservation. Folklorist Dale Jarvis is the Executive Director of Heritage NL, and will give an overview of the province's beautiful traditional architecture, the challenges it faces, and how they are working to safeguard both age-old skills and historic places. less |
| Building Enclosure Commissioning |
Michael Barrington, P.Eng., PE, BECXP, Director, Fishbu morern Sheridan & Associates Ltd. less |
Building Enclosure Commissioning - With approximately 7 more0% of all construction litigation related to deficiencies of building envelope systems and 41% of all energy consumption related to residential and commercial buildings in North America, the need to design and install building enclosures that provide optimal performance is essential. When implemented, the building enclosure commissioning process (BECx) can significantly reduce the risk of future water infiltration, improve occupant comfort, building operation and maintenance and reduce the overall life cycle building costs. The BECx process is scalable, based on the owner's project requirements (OPR), and is aimed at confirming the building enclosure design, constructability, installation quality and performance meet project objectives. This presentation explains the value of the building enclosure commissioning process to building owners and managers providing an outline of the process guidelines and standards. less |
| Code Requirements and Innovation for Fire Rated Assemblies |
Brent Belanger, CTR – CertainTeed Canada |
This session will focus on fire-rated gypsum assemblie mores and their role in providing protection to structures and occupants. In addition to focusing on many aspects related to fire performance and certification requirements, significant time will be spent on innovations with horizontal membranes and low carbon assemblies, as well as recently added fire-rated assembly listings. less |
| Common Masonry Specification Pitfalls |
Andrew Smith is a Masonry Design Engineer with the Cana moreda Masonry Design Centre less |
Common Masonry Specification Pitfalls - 1A Specificatio morens are the foundation of successful projects, yet they often contain errors that compromise design intent, increase costs, and create unnecessary delays. This presentation will delve into the most common pitfalls in masonry specifications, including unclear requirements for engineering, improper material property specifications, and the inclusion of impossible tolerances. These issues can lead to miscommunication, rework, and material inefficiencies, significantly impacting budgets and timelines. The Canada Masonry Design Centre works with architects, spec writers and engineers across the country. We have reviewed hundreds of masonry specifications, and some errors are much more common than others. Through real-world examples and step-by-step explanations, attendees will learn how clear, accurate, and achievable masonry specifications not only enhance project quality but can also drive cost savings and realistic expectations. This session is valuable for architects, engineers, spec writers and all construction professionals working with, or alongside masonry. less |
| CRCA Wind Uplift on Low-slope Roofing Assemblies |
Troy Ferriera, Roofing Canada |
The presentation discusses the importance of roofs as morestructural elements exposed to environmental loads like wind. It covers factors affecting wind on buildings, such as geographical location and building shape, and explains wind uplift. The presentation highlights building codes like NBCC and ASCE 7 for wind load calculations and FM Global's updated wind uplift requirements. It also details the procedures for determining wind loads, pressure coefficients for different roof zones, and the correlation of design wind load with tested wind resistance. Additionally, it compares FM's static testing with CSA 123.21 dynamic testing methods and addresses challenges related to roof assemblies. The conclusion emphasizes the need for clear specifications, tested roof assemblies, and the roles of different parties in ensuring roof performance. less |
| Effective Approaches to Acoustical Challenges in Mass T moreimber Buildings less |
Kiyoshi Kuroiwa, CCCA - Aercoustics Engineering Ltd and more Sarah Mackel - Technical Associate Aercoustics Engineering Ltd less |
Effective Approaches to Acoustical Challenges in Mass T moreimber Buildings As the construction industry embraces more sustainable practices, mass timber has emerged as a leading choice, offering both environmental benefits and aesthetic appeal. However, the acoustic challenges posed by mass timber’s natural properties can conflict with strict sound separation requirements. Current and upcoming changes to the fire code requirements have knock on effects on maintaining acoustical performance. This presentation delves into innovative design strategies that enable acoustic requirements to be met without significantly sacrificing the visual elegance of partially exposed wood. Attendees will gain insights into where and why acoustical challenges are most likely to occur in a variety of project types, including commercial, residential and institutional projects. They will walk away with practical solutions for achieving acoustic targets in mass timber buildings. Through compelling case studies, we will explore real-world applications, highlighting effective strategies for designing and constructing mass timber buildings with superior acoustic performance. Join us to discover how to balance acoustic excellence and architectural beauty in mass timber design. less |
| Fire Code Issues /FIRE STOP |
Alana MacLellan-Bonnell with Jensen Hughes Consultants |
Details to follow |
| High Performance Facades for a Sustainable Future |
Andrew Brassington, CTR - Technical Sales Manager, West moreern Canada - Owens Corning Canada LLP and Stephanie Fargas, CSP, RSW - Associate, Sustainable Materials Specialist – DIALOG less |
Explore how high performance facades and sustainable ma moreterials enhance holistic health and well- being in the built environment. This session will examine the intersection of building envelope engineering and wellbeing conscious strategies, focusing on the use of healthy materials, improved occupant comfort, and ethical supply chain. Discover how integrating these elements can foster a more sustainable and health focused approach to building envelope design. Brief description of how session will incorporate an interactive element(s) – 300 characters Session will simulate real-world scenarios discussing how different façade designs and material selections impact envelope performance and well being of occupants. Participants will engage in a poll and receive feedback on design considerations. Four Learning Objectives – 300 characters • Explain the impact of high-performance facades on occupant wellbeing • Use strategies for selecting sustainable materials in façade design • Assess various designs for effectiveness in comfort and sustainability Design a façade integrating healthy and equitable materials and strategies less |
| How Focusing on Embodied Carbon will Impact Sustainable more Specifications less |
Cyle Sheppard, Designer, Sustainability at NORR and T moreanmay Naik, Designer, Sustainability at NORR less |
How Focusing on Embodied Carbon will Impact Sustainable more Specifications - The impacts of embodied carbon in buildings are significant and multifaceted, affecting the environment, the construction industry, and long-term sustainability goals. Each year, the embodied carbon from building structures, substructures, and enclosures accounts for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 28% of emissions from the building sector. Reducing these emissions is crucial for combating climate change and achieving the targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement. The AIA 2030 Commitment aims for carbon-neutral buildings by 2030 with an immediate focus for embodied carbon reductions. They recognize that by 2050, the embodied carbon and operational carbon impacts of buildings will be essentially equal; thus, by focusing on embodied carbon reduction and sequestration – through prolonging the life of existing buildings – a post-carbon future can be realized. The commitment encourages the use of low-carbon materials, circular design, and lifecycle assessments (LCA) to reduce embodied carbon of buildings and products specified. Achieving zero embodied emissions will necessitate the adoption of reuse principles, such as renovating existing buildings, utilizing recycled materials, and designing for deconstruction; reduction strategies, including material optimization and the selection of low-to-zero carbon materials; and sequestration efforts, such as designing carbon-sequestering sites and incorporating carbon-absorbing materials must be adopted. To evaluate the impact of embodied carbon in buildings, carrying out a lifecycle assessment of building materials in the early design stages is of paramount importance. LCA tools are essential for evaluating the environmental impacts of a product, or whole building, over its entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. Some of the key LCA tools used in the construction and building sector consists of One Click LCA and Tally. Both tools offer integration with BIM tools like Revit and consists of a vast database of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), which allow benchmarking and comparisons of building materials to be conducted. Whole building life cycle assessment (wbLCA) in LEED v5, coming in Q1 2025, will be a critical tool for addressing the growing concern over embodied carbon in buildings and encourages a more holistic view of a building's environmental impact. LEED v5 will also focus on the adoption of sustainable practices, such as material selection, building reuse and waste reduction, for reducing the overall embodied carbon footprint of the project. Most importantly, it will become a Prerequisite in the new version, not a voluntary credit; thus, instead of being an atypical strategy for projects seeking Gold or Platinum, all projects seeking certification – or equivalency – for LEED v5 will have to evaluate embodied carbon. This change has the power to transition our industry towards focusing on embodied carbon in a meaningful way. Through the lens of two recent projects completed by the presenters - a LEED v4 ecclesiastical project where aesthetics could not be compromised, and a cost-driven public building project targeting CaGBC Zero Carbon Building Standards v3 - we will review how utilizing LCA in design can result in significant reductions to embodied carbon, on time and on budget, all while working within existing guidelines and on projects requiring three-to-five “equal alternatives”, over proprietary specifications. The goal of this presentation is to demonstrate how LCA fits into the project delivery process, as well as can be used to balance needs of carbon reduction while meeting clients demands. less |
| How Specifiers Could Benefit from Quantity Surveyors’ more Input During Design and Construction less |
Tammy Stockley, PQS(F), MRICS, GSC, AET - Chair - CIQS more, CIQS - Board Director, Altus Group - Director Development Advisory less |
The demand for effective and timely cost control in pro moreject budgets has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the need for faster delivery of infrastructure projects without compromising on sustainability. This has led to both challenges and opportunities within the construction industry, particularly when it comes to managing costs and ensuring the quality and delivery of the construction development. This presentation will address how the roles of specification writers and quantity surveyors can work together to ensure projects are delivered within budget while meeting the required standards. less |
| Low Carbon Concrete |
Keith Robinson, FCSC, FCSI, RSW |
Sustainable concrete requires communication, coordinati moreon, cooperation, and commissioning—the four C’s of any effective approach to environmentally responsible design and construction. Chris and Keith will highlight the importance of embodied water in concrete and how cement production and mix design are driving water-to-cement ratios higher, often exceeding 0.55. This affects the workability, physical characteristics, and durability of concrete. The presentation will also address the challenges posed by innovative mix designs and the necessary measures to minimize quality control and assurance concerns. Concrete is an incredible material that, when used appropriately, can provide sustainable benefits to your projects—especially when partnered with other construction products. An accounting approach for amortizing carbon content over the structure's lifespan can help reduce the environmental impact of construction. Amortization also provides a method to account for the “cost” of carbon emissions and offers a framework for cooperative management of these emissions. Educating all construction participants, from design to construction, is critical for maintaining a sustainable approach to concrete. The traditional methods we’ve relied on are hindering progress toward the construction industry’s stated goals of improving environmental performance, but new methods of measuring, new technologies, and collaborative approaches are making changes for a more prudent approach and how we work with concrete in the future. less |
| Robotics and Innovation in Construction |
Yuri Bartzis - Innovation Director for Pomerleau. |
Yuri Bartzis presents the future of construction techno morelogy and the research and development that he is supporting at Pomerleau. Mr. Bartzis will summarize the vision of construction research at Pomerleau and share details about the different research projects touching Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, IoT Sensor and more! Bartzis will bridge the gap between innovation research and innovation operations ensuring that applied research remains grounded and applicable to the realities of construction. *As part of Yuri’s presentation we will take a deep dive into construction robotics. Pomerleau has explored the onsite use of robotics extensively with the Boston Dynamic’s Spot robot and over ten other site robots. We will explore the benefits and struggles of implementing site robotics and what place robotics has in the construction industry. less |
| Social Media for Architects: Unlocking Possibilities an mored Benefits less |
Dory Azar - RIB Software |
This presentation delves into the immense possibilities more of a strong social media presence for architects. With captivating anecdotes and industry insights, attendees discover how platforms like Instagram and TikTok effectively connect architects with clients and colleagues. Learn how leveraging social media can foster collaboration, promote architectural achievements, and cultivate an influential online persona, propelling architects into the spotlight. The presentation emphasizes authenticity, meaningful connections, and professionalism in the digital realm, addressing common concerns and providing strategies to maximize benefits. By the session's end, architects are inspired to harness social media's power, amplifying their architectural vision, nurturing relationships, and attracting talent to their firms. less |
| Substitutions vs Alternatives - a Terminology Misuse. |
Paul Gerber, Senior Specifier at Archispectural Consult moreing Inc. less |
Substitutions vs Alternatives - a Terminology Misuse. - more The terms Substitution and Alternatives are often used interchangeably in the construction industry; but are they?? Is there more involved that just terminology? In this session, we will identify the differences between Substitutions and Alternatives. We will also identify the different types of Substitutions and the timing for submission. This presentation is primarily directed to Product Representatives, Contractors and Subcontractors; but will also be of interest to Architects, Engineers and Owners who may be frustrated with the number of Substitutions they receive on a project and want to re-examine the requirements they specify within the documents they produce and strategies to enforce these requirements. We will explore not only when to solicit an Alternative, but also the “psychology” behind them and how to structure them for success. The presentation will outline the differences solicited substitutions, unsolicited substitutions and apparent substitutions, but more importantly how the appropriate communication will make the lives of all project participants less stressful and chaotic. We will take a look at why consultants strongly dislike them, how the appropriate timing can affect acceptance as well as how to organize and what information should be presented to increase the chances that the substitution will be accepted while causing the least disruption to the consultant team member evaluating the proposal. Paul Gerber - Paul has 35 years of experience within the EACO industry. After graduating from Architectural Technology program at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario in 1990, he has filled a number of roles from drawing production, contract administration and since 2007 writing project specifications. His experience has been accumulated from the consulting, owner and contractor sides of the industry. Paul has been involved in CSC since 2010, initially as a member of the Grand Valley Chapter and currently the London Chapter. In 2012 Paul served two terms as Chapter Director for Grand Valley before embarking on his journey through the CSC Executive Council in 2014; serving as President for the 2018-2019 Program Year. Since 2015, he has offered his specification writing services to architects, engineers, owners and manufacturers through Archispectural Consulting Inc. less |
| Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires in Canada and Appl moreicable Solutions less |
Ali Al-Janabi with Rockwool |
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires in Canada and Appl moreicable Solutions This session is designed to deepen the understanding of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas and the National Guide for Wildland-Urban Interface Fires in Canada. The guide offers a best-practices framework rather than an enforceable code, providing flexible, performance-based guidance tailored to local conditions. This adaptability allows communities to implement measures based on regional needs. However, there is a lack of clear guidance on how to construct more resilient buildings in these areas using commercially available materials. This session will present solutions and construction details that leverage mineral wool and other non-combustible materials to enhance the fire resilience of buildings. Attendees will learn how to design and implement fire-resilient, high-performance assemblies that meet industry standards and client expectations. less |
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