BIM: digitalizing the construction industry

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a dynamic architectural modeling software program, which adds depth to your designs. BIM enables users to transform two dimensional designs into three dimensional graphics which can be viewed from different angles. BIM is not only designed to give the buyer, designer, engineer and builder a 3D perspective of the building, it also streamlines production and reduces time and resource wastage. Read more

Make your home more energy efficient and save money this winter

No one wants to think of the imminent arrival of old man winter when we are still enjoying the glorious summer weather. But summer is the best time to get your home winter-ready. Retrofits and outside work is best done before the arrival of inclement weather. There are a number of ways to make your home more cosy and reduce your utilities bills. Remember that the costs of improvements in efficiency will be recovered in utility savings. The government also offers incentives and tax cuts to those who make their homes more environmentally friendly.

Create an effective ‘building envelope’ where all of the heat you generate is kept inside to make your home warmer and more energy efficient. An effective insulating wall system, like ICFs, ensures the integrity of your building envelope and can save you up to 50% in HVAC costs.

Consider installing geothermal heating for the most efficient heat and a source of hot water that will recover the cost of installation in a couple of years. Read more

In 2009, Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson made a bold assertion; by 2020, Vancouver would be the greenest city in the world. He wasn’t joking either. Robertson and his Greenest City Action Team set out 10 long term goals to achieve greenest city status. They also made 44 recommendations for short term improvements, two thirds of which have already been implemented. Vancouver is not only Canada’s greenest city; it also has the lowest carbon emissions per capita of any North American city. The emission levels have been reduced to 1990 levels, despite a large increase in population. Large cities are notorious for consuming more than their share of natural resources while producing more greenhouse gases than their rural neighbours. Vancouver is proof that a city can be a vibrant, burgeoning, dynamic concourse while practicing more sustainable energy consumption.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities contributed $324, 500 for the planning and research required to determine whether Vancouver’s goals are attainable and to create a plan that will plot their course to the 2020 deadline. The Canadian government has set aside $550 million to help the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to reduce climate change and improve the quality of soil, air and water in the provinces. Read more