Chronicle - Summer 2012

VICTORIA • VANCOUVER • CALGARY • EDMONTON • WINNIPEG • KITCHENER • TORONTO • OTTAWA • MONTREAL • QUEBEC CITY

[PAGE 6]

CAPITAL IDEA How do you craft a capital that represents our differences? Besides managing properties and organizing parties, Ottawa’s NCC reaches across the country to get answers and build a plan.

[ PAGE 12 ] LEATHER MAN EG Forge designs and produces bags and cases from a Calgary studio.

[ PAGE 14 ] BAREFOOTING Merrell’s Montreal design office helps build a global sport shoe collection.

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• In Kitchener: Allied and the Lang Tannery project • In Toronto: Telanet knows the future of the office telephone • In Montreal: CM Labs builds simulators for NASA missions, tower cranes and bulldozers

SUMMER 2012

THE ALLIED PROPERTIES REIT TENANT MAGAZINE

INCOMING...

Photo: Yvan Marston

Developing telecom space in CBC’s Toronto headquarters

With more than 500,000 square feet of empty space and some restrictions over how it can be leased, the CBC entered into an interesting arrangement with Allied, which has decided to lease space at the crown corporation’s headquarters at 250 Front Street West in Toronto to expand its telecommunications infrastructure.

Allied expects to invest approximately $30 million in the 168,000-square-foot space with a view to establishing it as a premiere telecom facility in Canada.

On completion of the upgrade, which is expected to occur in 2013, the space will be leased to the type of tenants served by its facilities at 151 Front Street West, 905 King West and 60 Adelaide West.

151 Front is one of eight key internet hubs in North America and the leading telecommunication interconnection point in Canada. 905 King and 60 Adelaide are connected by fiber-optic cable to 151 Front, Canada’s premier technology hub, offering the tenants of these buildings a secure environment with ample power, cooling and fibre optic connectivity.

The three properties include approximately 340,000 square feet of specialized space for telecommunications and information-technology tenants. n

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Développement d’espaces de télécommunications au siège social de CBC à Toronto Avec plus de 500 000 pieds carrés d’espaces libres et certaines restrictions quant à la façon de louer ces espaces, CBC et Allied ont signé une entente des plus intéressantes, alors que cette dernière a décidé de louer des espaces au siège social de la société d’État au 250 rue Front Ouest à Toronto pour y élargir ses infrastructures de télécommunications.

Allied prévoit investir approximativement 30 000 000 $ dans les locaux de 168 000 pieds carrés en vue d’en faire l’une des plus grandes installations de télécommunications au Canada. Au terme de ce réaménagement, prévu en 2013, les espaces seront loués au même type de locataires que ceux desservis par ses installations aux 151 rue Front Ouest, 905 rue King Ouest et 60 rue Adelaide Ouest.

Le 151 Front est l’un des principaux carrefours Internet en Amérique du Nord et le premier point de connexion en télécommunications au Canada.

905 King et 60 Adelaide sont reliés au 151 Front par câbles à fibres optiques, offrant ainsi aux locataires de ces édifices un environnement sécuritaire doté d’une puissance, d’une capacité de refroidissement et d’une connectivité à fibres optiques inégalées – ainsi qu’un accès direct aux locataires et aux services du 151 rue Front Ouest, carrefour technologique de premier plan au Canada. Les trois propriétés offrent approximativement 340 000 pieds carrés d’espaces spécialisés pour les locataires qui œuvrent dans le domaine des télécommunications et des technologies de l’information. n

COMMUNIQUÉ Allied buildings and management team celebrated at Toronto awards The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) cited several of Allied’s Toronto buildings for excellence in overall management and one building was lauded in a national category for its significant efforts to address environmental issues.

In May, members of the Allied property management team attended a Toronto awards ceremony to receive BOMA certificates of Excellence for 469 King Street West, 257 Adelaide Street West, 204-214 King Street East, 193-195 Yonge Street and 72 Victoria Street.

nommé dans une catégorie nationale pour les efforts de taille déployés afin d’aborder des enjeux environnementaux.

Buildings were awarded points for management and operations, community impact, tenant relations, energy and environment management, emergency preparedness and the training of building personnel. An additional national award for sound environmental practices went to 469 King Street West.

En mai, des membres de l’équipe de gestion immobilière d’Allied ont participé à une cérémonie de remise de prix afin de recevoir des certificats d’excellence de l’association BOMA pour les édifices situés aux 469 rue King Ouest, 257 rue Adelaide Ouest, 204-214 rue King Est, 193-195 rue Yonge et 72 rue Victoria.

Des édifices et l’équipe de direction de l’entreprise Allied célébrés lors d’une remise de prix à Toronto L’association Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) a décerné à plusieurs édifices de l’entreprise Allied situés à Toronto des prix d’excellence en gestion globale et un édifice a même été

Les édifices ont reçu des points pour la gestion et les opérations, les impacts sur la communauté, les relations avec les locataires, la gestion de l’énergie et de l’environnement, la planification d’urgence et la formation du personnel de l’édifice. Un prix national supplémentaire pour de saines pratiques environnementales a été décerné à l’édifice sis au 469 rue King Ouest, qui a été jugé selon la description et le résumé de l’édifice, la réduction des risques pour l’environnement. n

Merci de nous avoir fait part de vos commentaires!

La rénovation de bâtiments ou l’amélioration de services se font toujours plus efficacement avec de bons commentaires. L’équipe d’Allied remercie sincèrement tous ceux et celles qui ont participé au Sondage national récemment mené auprès des locataires d’immeubles. Avec l’aide de la firme de recherche indépendante en immobilier Altus Insite, nous pourrons bientôt présenter une mise à jour sur les initiatives que nous mettons actuellement au point selon les commentaires fournis par les locataires. Félicitations aux 25 gagnants régionaux qui ont reçu chacun une carte cadeau Visa d’une valeur de 100 $ pour avoir participé au sondage.

Thanks for the feedback!

Allied Head Office on the Move As of July 23rd, Allied has a new address with the management team taking up space at 520 King Street West, Suite 300, Toronto ON M5V 1K4.

Conducting any kind of building or service improvement is always more effective with good feedback. The Allied team is sincerely grateful to all individuals who participated in the recently conducted National Tenant Survey. With the help of independent real estate research firm Altus Insite, we will soon be able to provide an update on initiatives we are designing based on feedback provided by tenants.

Congratulations to the 25 regional winners who each received $100 Visa gift cards for participating in the survey.

Le siège social d’Allied déménage Dès le 23 juillet, Allied aura une nouvelle adresse alors que l’équipe de gestion immobilière occupera les lieux du 520 rue King Ouest, bureau 300, Toronto ON M5V 1K4.

www.alliedreit.com FSC LOGO HERE

Send your company info, events and story ideas to news@alliedpropertiesreit.com Editor: Yvan Marston • Design: Gravity Design Inc.

3 • ÉTÉ 2012

[RESTAURANT]

Classic Mexican No fancy fusion food-truck warps here. Habaneros is traditional, sauced-up, knife-and-fork-required burrito country. By Yvan Marston

ST. LAWRENCE AREA, TORONTO / - With festive yellow lights strung casually about its space, giant paper maché geckos clinging to the wall behind the bar, Agave cacti cut-outs at the back and Dos Equis on tap, there’s little mistaking Habanero’s for anything but a Mexican restaurant.

Still, owner Helen Mark says what most people commonly refer to as Mexican food is actually Tex Mex. And Habanero’s, she explains, is California-Mex. “We do more sauces and we don’t do the rib and steak thing,” says Mark of the difference between the two styles.

She says the sauces also tend to focus on the use of fresh ingredients and that the emphasis here is on burritos and chimichangas you have to eat with a knife and fork.

Not to say there isn’t steak (the steak tampiquena is done topped with chipotle sauce) and Mexican inspired burgers

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and poutine for the more gringo of the crowd, but this is really about regional Mexican cooking – getting the flavours and authenticity derived from serving tamales and enchiladas baked with cheese and doused in a tasty sauce.

“People also love our fajitas and guacamole,” adds Mark who has been serving Mexican fare to St. Lawrence market area patrons since 1999, though only recently under the Habanero’s banner.

Formerly known as Hernando’s Hideaway, the restaurant was part of what was once a 30-location chain started out of Ottawa by the original draft-dodging American who opened Mexicali Rosa’s in 1979 out of a yearning for good Mexican food.

Mark says the appetite for Mexican food has been steady in the last 15 years but that the confusion over real Mexican

TORONTO Photos: Yvan Marston

Habanero’s cheerful space is brightly dressed with the colourful art of the late Lupe Rodriguez, artist, arts reporter and educator (she and her students also crafted all the paper maché geckos).

and the Tex-Mex style items often served in pubs has made Habanero’s more for the Mexican-savvy foodies.

“Some people think of a taco or burrito in terms of the fancy designer food truck stuff, and that’s not what we serve here,” says Mark with a characteristic irreverence for food trends. Instead, she and her crew deliver Mexican classics, not to mention the refreshing drinks that go with them.

“I think we have the best margueritas in the city – bar none,” she says. “I used to be shy about saying it – but the margs are really good here because unlike most people we don’t use an overly sweet mix. And we use a lot of alcohol.”

One trend Habaneros did pick up on is the rising consumer interest in sipping tequilas. Not to be confused with the gasoline-like substance abused all too often in one’s youth, varieties of Jose Cuervo, Don Julio and Cabo Wabo go down smooth and subtle like single-malt scotches.

With space for 100 seated and 195 if running a capacity event (which means taking out half the tables to clear a dance floor), the Wellington Street East dining room tends to cater to patrons attending nearby performances in the evening.

Lunchtimes can get busy and there’s a solid attendance at the end of the workweek, which always tends to bring out more diners.

Summer in the city is especially nice at this location, across from the Flatiron building, and patrons lucky enough to get a window seat can enjoy a view of the park from the open front of Habanero’s second-storey dining room.

“We don’t have a patio, but with the windows open in the summer it’s like being on a balcony,” says Mark. n

hernandoshideaway.com

5 • SUMMER 2012

[GOUVERNEMENT]

Une réflexion Mandatée pour planifier l'avenir de la capitale du Canada, la CCN élabore un plan en vue de bâtir un lieu qui reflétera qui sont les Canadiens et ce en quoi ils croient.

Par Yvan Marston

RUE ELGIN, OTTAWA / - Les Canadiens aiment leur capitale.

Quatre Canadiens sur cinq ont une opinion très positive d’Ottawa et les trois quarts d’entre eux veulent avoir leur mot à dire sur son avenir. Heureusement, la Commission de la capitale nationale, la société d’État chargée de la planification de la capitale, qui a mené ce sondage, est ouverte aux suggestions. « Lorsque nous avons entrepris de planifier la vision à long terme pour la capitale, nous avons décidé de parler aux Canadiens et j’ai été étonnée de constater à quel point ils tenaient à leur capitale » déclare Marie Lemay, première dirigeante de l’organisme vieux de 53 ans et dont les bureaux sont situés dans l’édifice Chambers, à l’intersection des rues Sparks et Elgin, où 429 des 513 employés de la CCN occupent huit étages.

LA GESTION DES TERRES C’est de cet endroit que la société d’État s’occupe de l’aménagement et l’utilisation de terrains fédéraux, gère les biens patrimoniaux dans la région de la capitale, organise des événements qui célèbrent la capitale et le pays et planifie l’avenir d’une région qui couvre deux provinces, des territoires des Premières nations et 13 municipalités.

Plus grand propriétaire foncier de la région de la capitale, la CCN semble à première vue avoir pour tâche de gérer de l’immobilier. En effet, au-delà de son portefeuille composé de 1300 bâtiments, qui comprend 30 bâtiments patrimoniaux et 40 ponts, elle est responsable d’une bande de terre de 200 kilomètres carrés en forme de croissant qui constitue la Ceinture de verdure de la Capitale nationale. Celle-ci comprend la Mer Bleue, une zone humide reconnue à l’échelle mondiale, une dizaine de parcs urbains ainsi que le parc de la Gatineau qui s’étend sur 361 kilomètres carrés.

La Commission est également responsable de plus d’une centaine de kilomètres de promenades panoramiques aménagées, de quelque 236 kilomètres de sentiers à usages multiples et de plus de 200 kilomètres de sentiers pour la randonnée et le ski.

DÉFINIR L’IDENTITÉ CANADIENNE Mais au-delà de son mandat d’intendante de biens nationaux, tels que le 24 Sussex, le parc de la Gatineau et la patinoire du canal Rideau, et au-delà du rôle qu’elle joue dans l’organisation des célébrations de la Fête du Canada et du Bal de Neige, la CCN se trouve dans la position de tenter de définir l’identité canadienne. Qui plus est, elle devra planifier et concevoir une capitale nationale qui reflète cette identité.

L’année dernière, la Commission a organisé huit forums publics dans des grandes villes canadiennes et a mené un sondage national afin de recueillir des renseignements sur l’image que les Canadiens et Canadiennes voulaient que leur capitale reflète.

Bien que la plupart aient fait montre d’un vif intérêt à se sentir représentés par leur capitale, comme l’explique Mme Lemay, cela s’est traduit de différentes façons. « Les commentaires recueillis se résumaient au fait que ce n’était pas tant une question d’ethnicités ou de géographies différentes mais plutôt de qui nous sommes et ce en quoi nous croyons : nos valeurs. Cela constitue donc un plus grand défi, celui de trouver la façon de représenter ces valeurs » ajoute-t-elle.

Alors que la CCN est encore en train d'étudier les données et commentaires recueillis lors des forums et par le biais des médias sociaux et des divers partenariats (des travaux menés avec la revue Canadian Geographic, par exemple, ont permis (Suite à la page 8)

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6:

Number of official residences it manages including Rideau Hall (Governor General of Canada), 24 Sussex (Prime Minister's residence) and Stornaway (residence of the leader of the opposition).

11:

Percentage of the land area in the capital region over which it has authority.

236:

Number of kilometers of multi-use pathways it manages (also more than 200 km of walking and skiing trails).

1,300:

Number of buildings in its real estate portfolio, including 30 heritage buildings and 40 bridges.

1959:

The year crown corporation NCC is formed.

The NCC is planning a capital that means as much to Canadians as it is representative of who we are.

ELGIN STREET, OTTAWA / - Canadians love their capital. Four out of five have a very positive view of Ottawa and three quarters want to have a say in its future. Luckily, the National Capital Commission, the crown corporation in charge of planning the capital, and which conducted the survey, is open to suggestion.

“When we engaged in planning the long term vision for the capital we decided to talk to Canadians, and I was amazed to see how much Canadians care about their capital,” says Marie Lemay, CEO of the 53-year-old agency, housed in The Chambers building at the intersection of Sparks and Elgin where 429 of the NCC’s 513 employees occupy eight floors.

From here, the agency orchestrates land-use and manages heritage properties in the capital region, organizes events that celebrate the capital and the country, and plans the future of an area that covers two provinces, First Nations territories and 13 municipalities.

The largest landowner in the capital region, the NCC’s role at first blush, appears to be one of land management.

Indeed, beyond its 1,300-building portfolio, which includes 30 heritage buildings and 40 bridges, it is responsible for the 200-square-kilometer crescent shaped band of land that makes up the National Capital Greenbelt (including Mer Bleue, an internationally-recognized wetland), a dozen urban parks as well as the 361-square-kilometre Gatineau Park.

24 Sussex

There are also more than 100 kilometers of scenic landscaped roadway corridors for which it is responsible and some 236 kilometers of multi-use pathways and 200 kilometers of walking and skiing trails.

But beyond its mandate as a steward of national assets such as 24 Sussex, Gatineau Park and the Rideau Canal Skateway, and beyond its role of organizing Canada Day Celebrations and Winterlude, the NCC finds itself currently trying to define Canadian identity. Moreover, once it has defined it, it must plan and design a national capital to reflect it.

Gatineau Park

Last year it hosted eight public forums in cities across Canada and launched a national survey to gather information on what Canadians wanted their capital to be. And while most indicated a keen interest in feeling represented by the capital, what that meant, as Lemay explains, took different forms.

Photos: Sarah O'Neil, NCC

“What we gathered was that it was not necessarily a matter of different ethnicities or geographies, it was about who we are and what we stand for: our values. So really that’s even more challenging as to how you would represent that,” she says.

While the NCC is still sorting through the data gathered at the forums, from social media and through various partnerships (work with Canadian Geographic magazine, for example, yielded additional media impressions) there is some initial (continued on page 8)

Rideau Canal Skateway 7 • SUMMER 2012

OTTAWA

National Capital Commission by the numbers:

de recueillir d’autres impressions médiatiques), les résultats préliminaires indiquent déjà que les répondants aimeraient avoir plus d’endroits où les gens peuvent se réunir et échanger, comme des places publiques ou des boulevards pédestres (Barcelone a été citée en exemple à plusieurs reprises).

LE PORTRAIT D’UNE VISION « Certains répondants ont indiqué qu’ils voulaient mieux connaître le pays, peut-être par le biais de mets et de musique par exemple, » explique-t-elle, ajoutant que la première tentative en vue de dresser le portrait d’une vision et de déterminer certains objectifs stratégiques était actuellement en cours.

Les résultats permettront d’élaborer un plan d’action décennal, qui fait partie d'une plus vaste initiative intitulée Horizon 2067. Cette initiative établit une politique de planification et de développement physique de la capitale pour les 50 prochaines années.

Ainsi le plan d’action décennal fera véritablement avancer Horizon 2067. « Nous avons obtenu beaucoup de bonnes idées et senti une énorme énergie dans les commentaires recueillis » nous confie Marie Lemay « mais il faut maintenant décoder tout cela ». n

capitaleducanada.gc.ca

What do you think of your capital?

A national poll conducted for the Association of Canadian Studies and the National Capital Commission last fall found that: • 75% of Canadians agree that they should have a say in the future plans of Canada's Capital.

• 82% Canadians have a positive view of Canada’s Capital.

• Canadians ranked “reflects the entire country” as the most important quality to be reflected in Canada’s Capital.

• Canadians ranked representing Canada to the world as the most important role for Canada’s Capital Region, followed by representing Canada to Canadians.

• When asked: “in order to be a great Capital, which of the following features would they like to see more of in Canada’s Capital”, Canadians ranked their Top 5 responses as follows: 1. National Celebrations and Festivals

Que pensez-vous de votre capitale?

2. Museums/Art Galleries/Heritage Buildings 3. Parks, Green Spaces and Recreation Facilities 4. Gathering Places and People Places

Le sondage mené pour l’Association d’études canadiennes et la Commission de la capitale nationale en automne 2011 a ramèné ces derniers résultats:

5. Monuments and Commemorations

• 75 % des Canadiens sont d’accord qu’ils devraient avoir leur mot à dire quant à l’avenir de la capitale du Canada.

• 82 % ont une opinion positive à l’égard de la capitale nationale.

(continued from page 6)

• Les Canadiens ont choisi « refléter le pays en entier » comme étant la qualité la plus importante à être reflétée par la capitale nationale.

indication that respondents want more places where people can meet and interact, such as public squares or pedestrian boulevards (Barcelona was mentioned as an example on several occasions).

• Les Canadiens affirment que le rôle le plus important de la région de la Capitale nationale est de « représenter le Canada à travers le monde », suivi par « représenter le Canada auprès des Canadiens ».

“Some said they want to experience the country, maybe through food and music, for example,” she explains, adding that the first attempt at crafting a vision and some strategic objectives is currently underway.

• En réponse à la question « afin d’être une grande capitale, lesquelles des caractéristiques suivantes aimeriez-vous voir plus présentes dans la Capitale nationale? », les Canadiens ont choisi leurs 5 réponses les plus importantes :

The results will direct a 10-year action plan, which is part of the larger Horizon 2067 initiative which establishes a policy for planning and the physical development of the capital over the next 50 years.

1. Célébrations et festivals nationaux 2. Musées/Galeries d’art/Patrimoine bâti 3. Parcs, espaces verts et installations de loisirs 4. Lieux de rencontres 5. Monuments et commémorations

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The ten-year action plan will drive the initiative forward, explains Lemay.

“There were a lot of good ideas and a lot of energy,” she says, “but now we have to figure out what it all means.” n

canadascapital.gc.ca

SUMMER GRILLING: PART 2 With the summer grilling season in full swing, impromptu gatherings can catch you off guard.

Here’s a three-step guide to hosting a small gathering with confidence.

Grilled corn is another summer favourite not to overlook, adds Reading. If you’re grilling it with the husk on then the corn should be soaked in water for 15-30 minutes before going on. Alternatively, peel the corn and grill it as is and a have butter at the ready to rub on at the finish (usually ready after 10 minutes).

3. EXPAND YOUR SALADS Adding a grain like quinoa, couscous or wheat berry for bulk can dramatically change a basic salad. Just be sure to step up the dressing to accommodate the addition of the grain.

A three-bean salad is also easy to do, especially if you use canned beans. Rinse the beans and combine them in a bowl, adding ingredients that you might have on hand, like sections of orange, lemon or lime as well as juice, green onions, grape tomatoes, red or yellow peppers, fresh cilantro, a bit of ginger and some pressed garlic.

Six most common BBQ mistakes 1. MOVING THINGS AROUND TOO OFTEN: Let the

1. AIM SLOW It’s hard to beat the convenience of a gas grill but real barbecuing isn’t about speed, says Susie Reading, Executive Chef at the Calphalon Culinary Center on Toronto’s King Street West.

Seeing a growing interest in using real charcoal and smokers, Reading says these slow methods are the ones that yield the best flavours using a tougher cut and a dry rub.

“A simple steak is always wonderful, but cheaper, tougher cuts like brisket, pork butt and whole flattened chicken are where the flavour is,” she says. Whether it’s over gas or charcoal, she says it is best to cook low and slow and use a dry rub (usually made of a sugar, salt and pepper base with any number of other spices added).

2. GRILL YOUR SIDES To keep the culinary action outside, consider making a pizza on the grill as an appetizer or accompaniment. Reading says any kind of crust will do - whether handmade or store bought. Just toss it on the grill, as is with a bit of olive oil to make flat bread or grill it one side, flip and garnish with a few favourite toppings then close the lid until the toppings are warm and the cheese bubbly.

food sear or caramelize. A good indication proteins are ready to turn or move is when they don’t stick to the grill.

2. COOKING AT TOO HIGH A TEMPERATURE: This way the outside looks cooked but inside it’s raw.

Keep an eye on the BBQ thermometer or use an instant read thermometer for internal temperatures.

3. ALWAYS LIFTING THE LID: this lowers the temperature of the grill dramatically.

4. OVERCROWDING: If you have a lot of food, cook in batches.

5. ADDING BBQ SAUCE BEFORE GRILLING: The sugars in the sauce caramelize and burn before the food is cooked. Start with a dry rub and baste BBQ sauce on the food when it is almost done cooking.

6. USING CHEAP TONGS: Look for tongs that are sturdy and can easily pick up heavy cuts of meat without bending.

For details, visit Calphalon.com/centers 9 • SUMMER 2012

TORONTO

CALPHALON CULINARY CENTER

What is Expressive Arts Therapy?

Expressive Arts Therapy (EXA) is a way of using the arts to help people with a variety of challenges; whether they are psychological, emotional, behavioural, or challenges associated with life traumas, relationships or transitions. By engaging in play and the arts, clients are taken into the world of the imagination, where possibilities can be seen that are not evident in their daily lives. Instead of focusing on deficiencies and dwelling on problems, the EXA approach is resource-based and solution-focused. source: isis-canada.org

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TORONTO

[EDUCATION]

ARTS & MIND Toronto’s ISIS Canada teaches students to develop the skills they need and the self-development that is key to being a good expressive arts therapist. By Micayla Jacobs QUEEN STREET EAST, TORONTO / - In expressive arts therapy, one learns more through the journey than at the destination. The work is important, explains Stephen Levine, but only insofar as it contributes to the experience of the client in an effective way.

“The role of the therapist then is to help the client go through a process of play and art-making that will give them a sense of aliveness and open up new possibilities for self-development.”

Besides being poet, actor and clown, Levine is Emeritus Professor of social science and social and political thought at York University, and Dean of Doctoral Studies in Expressive Arts Therapy at the European Graduate School in Switzerland.

He has written extensively on expressive arts therapy and is co-director of Toronto’s ISIS Canada – the International School of Interdisciplinary Studies, a training program in expressive arts therapy, located at 468 Queen Street East in Toronto A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE ISIS teaches expressive arts therapy, which differs from traditional art therapy by involving all kinds of arts, not just visual arts. When ISIS started 21 years ago the faculty had to solicit clinics and agencies to take on students for practicums, but now, Levine proudly notes, ISIS is receiving calls requesting students.

He attributes the interest of clinics and agencies to the fact that ISIS students are versatile and can work with different types of people. “The arts are really a universal language,” he says.

A professor emeritus at York University in Toronto, Levine was training to become a psychotherapist when he attended Leslie College Graduate School in Cambridge and engaged in a post-doctoral study of using the arts as a form of therapy. A poet and theatre practitioner with doctorates in philosophy and anthropology, Levine had always had an interest in the arts.

While training to be a therapist in Toronto he had already used creative kinds of therapy, tapping into the imagination of his patients through games and play.

INSPIRED TO OPEN A TORONTO SCHOOL “When you enter the world of the imagination through arts you enter the possibility to go beyond your literal real-life situation and you can use your imagination to explore alternatives with surprising results,” he explains.

When Levine finished his fellowship at Leslie College he was inspired to bring a similar program back to Toronto. It was while travelling in Europe that he came upon the International School of Interdisciplinary Studies (ISIS) in Switzerland.

Upon his return, Levine, along with his wife Ellen, a trained art and child psychotherapist, and Fran Harwood, also a practicing psychotherapist, established ISIS Canada in 1991.

KNOW THYSELF Earning an ISIS diploma is typically done over three years with classes one night a week as well as one intensive weekend a month from September to May. In addition to this, each student has to be in their own therapy for 90 hours, as well as doing a total of 600 practicum hours over the three years.

While it is considered to be a half-time program, Levine says it really requires students to give a lot of themselves.

“You have to look at yourself and at your own issues through the arts as well as having the practical and theoretical experience.”

He also notes that students and practitioners derive tremendous satisfaction from the work. While it can be easy to burn out in most ‘helping’ professions, with expressive arts therapy, he explains, practitioners are engaged in work that is itself fun and that engages creativity and the imagination.

In the future, ISIS is working towards satisfying the forthcoming regulations in Ontario concerning psychotherapy, which to date remains an unregulated profession. ISIS is following this change closely, and adapting the curriculum to the new regulations.

ISIS is also affiliated with the European Graduate School (EGS), and its students can receive advanced standing towards an MA degree from EGS. n

isis-canada.org expressivearts.egs.edu 11 • SUMMER 2012

[RETAIL]

BAG MAN With a degree in business, a passion for design and a background in motorsports, Eric Goodwin handcrafts bags, cases and accessories from his Calgary studio.

Photo: Anastassia Martynova

7th AVE. SW, CALGARY / - EG Forge is a relatively weather,” Goodwin explains. “With the leather that I use, it is new addition to the Art Central building. The studio was cured with tree bark, which allows it to maintain its strength.” launched just a year ago by owner/operator/designer Eric With his new spring/summer collection, Goodwin has also Goodwin as a business focused on handmade bags and started to cut and dye his own leather, creating an unique cases. But with his spring / summer collection this year, opportunity for EG Forge.

Goodwin has branched out into accessories, such as belts, “I dye a full hide at a time right here in my studio, which notebooks, watches and wallets. means I can choose my colours and create something unique Goodwin isn’t a trained designer. for my customers.”

In fact, he went to Mount Royal In July, Goodwin added to the EG University for a business degree.

Forge line to include product for one But he has always had a passion of his other passions – cycling. The new for design, and has pursued that biking collection includes panniers, passion by working with a variety more ergonomically-designed messenger of materials. bags, and leather handlebar wraps.

“I started out working in carbon BLACK LABEL DESIGN And as fiber for the motorsports industry, Goodwin’s talents have become more designing dash accents and other refined, he is planning the release of new interior work for cars,” Goodwin all-leather bags to add to his collection, explains. “It was in the process of as well as an exclusive EG Forge Black designing leather wraps for steering Label design. wheels that I started working with “Up to this point, I’ve wanted leather.” to produce all of my products in In Calgary, with such a long welcoming, earthy tones. The EG Forge winter, there wasn’t a lot of opporBlack Label will be released as part of tunity to expand his motorsport my fall collection as a more exclusive, interests, but Goodwin quickly limited edition black leather line.”

EG Forge owner/designer Eric Goodwin has a saw the value of developing a line The Art Central Building has been passion for all of the arts and a knack for video of quality bags and knapsacks. a perfect location for Goodwin to build production. Visit his web site to see a video he “There are plenty of niche EG Forge’s presence. “I make all of my produced highlighting his new cycling collection. designers in New York and products here in my studio, and with Toronto for bags, but there was the building being so central, I get lots really nothing in Calgary,” says of great walk-in traffic.”

Goodwin. “It seemed a wide-open market.”

Walk-in traffic is still the majority of Goodwin’s business, FASHIONABLE & DURABLE As Goodwin also loves the although with the growth of his accessories line, his online mountains, he was keen to create a line of bags that would be business is developing apace as well. With a semi-regular both fashionable and durable. “I want my customers to feel updated journal on his website, customers can easily keep up comfortable using my products wherever they go,” he says. with new developments in design and product offerings. In To make that possible, Goodwin uses quality canvas and fact, on occasion Goodwin also holds contests on the site, vegetable tanned leather. where customers can win EG Forge gear.

“Many leathers are cured with chromium salts, which actually Watch for updates about the fall line on the EG Forge makes it more porous and more likely to get damaged in wet web site. n

Egforge.com alliedreit.com • 12

Photo: Eric Goodwin

CALGARY

What is vegetable tanning and what is so great about it?

Vegetable tanning uses the tannins that occur naturally in the bark and leaves of many plants.

Tannins bind to the proteins in the hide and coat them, causing them to become less water-soluble, and more resistant to bacterial attack. The process also causes the hide to become more flexible. The primary barks, processed in bark mills and used in modern times are chestnut, oak, redoul, tanoak, hemlock, quebracho, mangrove, and wattle. Hides are stretched on frames and immersed for several weeks in vats of increasing concentrations of tannin. And given vegetable tanned hide is flexible, it’s ideal for luggage and furniture.

13 • SUMMER 2012

[DESIGN]

SHOE LAB From high adrenaline outdoor pursuits to minimalist running Merrell’s Montreal contributor to building a global sport shoe collection. by Yvan Marston

Photos: Merrell

ST. LAURENT BLVD. MONTREAL / - For Merrell shoes, the conceptual rubber hits the road nine stories above the pavement of Montreal’s St. Laurent Blvd. where a team of designers is housed as part of a global network of product design studios for one of the world’s largest brands in outdoor athletics.

“What we learn here in this office informs our entire global approach to our product line,” explains Bill Dodge, vice president of product development for the outdoor division of Wolverine World Wide, a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company that designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes footwear and apparel in 190 countries – and of which Merrell is a key brand.

And while part of Wolverine’s massive reach includes the sourcing and licensing of a number of other brands (Cat Footwear, Hush Puppies, Sebago, Harley Davidson, and most recently acquiring Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Stride Rite and Keds brands as part of a consortium) the Merrell line stands a $500+ million player in the international sport shoe industry.

Canadian sales and distribution channels are managed through a larger operation in nearby St. Sauveur, and the five-person office on St. Laurent is one of three global design studios – the other two are in London and Grand Rapids, MI – that are strategically located to take advantage of a cosmopolitan environment that is sensitive to wider consumer trends, explains Dodge.

The Montreal team spends most of its time developing designs for women’s shoes with up to 30 different design projects happening at any given time to respond to the demand for two launches per year.

“They work on everything from performance hiking boots to lifestyle products for everyday use to minimalist running

alliedreit.com • 14

shoes,” says Dodge, explaining that the ‘barefoot’ running trend is one of two major shifts in shoe design thinking he has seen in his years in the business.

“The greatest shift in consumer attitude really has been the increased desire to participate in outdoor activities,” says Dodge, explaining that this was quickly followed by a keen interest in activities that could be undertaken in the span of a day, or even an evening.

In other words, the demand for heavy-duty backpacking boots for week-long expeditions began to wane as interest grew in trail running, fast-packing and rock climbing.

“Fitting longer trips into a normal schedule is hard,” says Dodge, “as a result products began to look different.

There’s less of an emphasis on big backpacks and a greater emphasis on product that is much more versatile.”

MONTRÉAL

design office is a key Dodge says trail shoes moved away from their beefy hiking boot pedigree to looking more like running shoes, which has brought the industry to its next shift, a move to more minimalist footwear where Merrell has established itself as a leader in ‘barefoot’ performance shoes.

“The trail shoes have a different traction than a road shoe would and have a thin thermoplastic plate that offers protection from puncture. Ours are closed toe shoes that look like normal footware but give you a barefoot feel,” he says.

Not to be undertaken lightly, barefoot running engages the foot differently than a padded running shoe which is designed for the foot to strike the ground heel first. Minimalist shoes are designed for the wearer to align his body over the mid-foot by standing straight and landing the foot flat and directly below the hips, rather than reaching forward with the stride.

Merrell’s Bareform platform has expanded well beyond trail running to include, everyday use, water shoes and a kids’ collection.

While the barefoot trend has more men adopting it than women, the number of users is almost evenly split between the sexes for a line that is only a little over a year old.

And one can be sure the Montreal market’s attitude towards this new footwear is sure to be watched closely, as much from the ninth floor of a building on St. Laurent as it is around the world. n

merrell.com

Le labo pour chaussures Pour les chaussures Merrell, c’est neuf étages au-dessus du bitume du boulevard Saint-Laurent que les semelles de caoutchouc conceptuelles pavent la voie, là où une équipe de designers œuvrent dans le cadre d’un réseau mondial de studios de conception de produits pour l’une des plus grandes marques de chaussures athlétiques extérieures au monde. « Ce que nous apprenons ici-même dans nos bureaux documente notre approche mondiale en matière de ligne de produits » explique Bill Dodge, vice-président au développement de produits plein air pour Wolverine World Wide, une entreprise de Grand Rapids, au Michigan, qui conçoit, fabrique, commercialise et distribue des chaussures et vêtements dans 190 pays – et dont Merrell est une des marques principales.

Bien qu’une partie des activités de Wolverine comprenne le sourçage et la production sous licence de diverses autres marques (Cat Footwear, Hush Puppies, Sebago, Harley Davidson et plus récemment, l’acquisition des marques Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Stride Rite et Keds dans le cadre d’un consortium), la gamme de produits Merrell compte parmi les joueurs de premier plan au sein de l’industrie internationale des chaussures de sport avec sa valeur de plus de 500 millions de dollars.

Au Canada, les ventes et les réseaux de distribution sont gérés à travers une plus vaste entité située près de Saint-Sauveur et le bureau sur Saint-Laurent, qui emploie cinq personnes, est l’un des trois studios de design à travers le monde – les deux autres étant à Londres et à Grand Rapids, MI – qui sont situés stratégiquement pour profiter d’un environnement cosmopolite sensible aux plus vastes tendances en matière de consommation, explique Dodge.

L’équipe montréalaise consacre la majeure partie de son (Suite à la page 16)

15 • ÉTÉ 2012

7 things every beginning barefoot runner should know STAND UP STRAIGHT. Keep your shoulders back and relaxed and arms bent between 45-90° for optimum posture.

BALANCE YOUR FOOT LANDING. Your foot strike should be nearly ‘pancake flat’ and beneath your hips rather than extended far from your body. Keep your knees bent and soft rather than stiff.

COUNT YOUR CADENCE. Your feet should touch the ground at 180 foot strikes per minute. Running to music of 180 beats per minute is a great way to keep up your cadence.

KEEP A LEVEL HEAD. You'll avoid heel striking when you keep your head level. You can also wear a necklace or item around your neck. If the item bounces, shift your weight more over your knees.

CHECK YOUR FOOTPRINTS. Run through some sand or mud. Balanced foot landings will leave an equal imprint of your heels and your toes.

LISTEN. Landing balanced on your midfoot should be very quiet. If you’re heel striking, the sound of your feet hitting the ground is significantly louder.

KNOW YOUR LIMIT. Assess your overall level of fitness. Check out Walt Reynold's Full Length Movement Assessment on YouTube (search Merrell Bareform) For more instruction on what Merrell calls the “Bareform Technique” visit Merrell.com.

temps à mettre au point des concepts de chaussures destinées aux femmes, alors que jusqu’à 30 différents projets de design se déroulent en parallèle afin de répondre à la demande pour deux collections par année. « Les concepteurs se penchent sur tout, des chaussures performantes de randonnée aux produits passe-partout pour usage quotidien en passant par les souliers de course de style minimaliste » déclare Dodge, qui a observé que la tendance « pieds nus » en course constitue l’un des deux changements majeurs dans la façon de concevoir les chaussures depuis qu’il œuvre dans le domaine. « Le plus grand changement survenu chez les consommateurs a vraiment été leur désir accru de participer à des activités extérieures » déclare Dodge, qui explique que cette nouvelle tendance a rapidement été suivie par un vif intérêt dans les activités qui peuvent se dérouler dans l’espace d’une journée ou même d’un soir.

En d’autres mots, la demande de bottes massives de grandes randonnées pédestres de fin de semaine a commencé à diminuer au profit de l’intérêt croissant pour la course en sentier, les randonnées avec le minimum d’équipement et l’escalade de parois rocheuses. « C’est devenu difficile d’insérer de longs voyages dans l’horaire régulier » affirme Dodge; « les produits ont donc commencé à être différents. On insiste moins sur les gros sacs à dos pour se tourner maintenant vers des produits qui sont beaucoup plus polyvalents ».

“

« Ce que nous apprenons ici-même dans nos bureaux documente notre approche mondiale en matière de ligne de produits »

Dodge confie que les chaussures de randonnée ont abandonné leur côté massif et robuste pour prendre la forme de chaussures de course, ce qui a mené l’industrie à sa prochaine transformation, une tendance vers des chaussures de style plus minimaliste où Merrell s’est hissé au rang de chef de file des chaussures hors route de style « pieds nus ». « La traction des chaussures de randonnée est différente de celle des chaussures de route; les chaussures de randonnée sont de plus munies d’une plaque thermoplastique qui offre une protection contre les perforations. Nos modèles sont à bout fermé et ressemblent à des chaussures normales mais elles vous procurent la même sensation que si vous marchiez pieds nus » déclare-t-il.

Fait à souligner, la course «pieds nus» engage le pied différemment de la course avec des chaussures renforcées, qui sont conçues pour que le pied touche le sol le talon en premier. Les chaussures de style minimaliste sont conçues de sorte que la personne qui les porte aligne son corps au-dessus du milieu du pied en se tenant bien droit et en atterrissant sur la plante du pied et directement sous les hanches plutôt que d’aller vers l’avant sur son élan.

La plateforme Bareform de Merrell va maintenant bien au-delà de la course en sentiers pédestres pour inclure des chaussures de tous les jours, des chaussures d’eau et même une collection pour enfants.

Bien que la tendance «pieds nus» connaisse plus de succès auprès des hommes que des femmes, le nombre d’utilisateurs de cette collection, qui a à peine plus d’un an, est presque le même pour les deux sexes.

Il ne fait nul doute que l’attitude du marché montréalais pour ce nouveau type de chaussures sera suivie de près, tant par le neuvième étage d’un édifice du boulevard Saint-Laurent que partout à travers le monde. n

alliedreit.com • 16

TORONTO

TOTUM TIPS

2 to clarify: Totum expert weighs in on two frequent fitness misconceptions Once you have tuned your radar to a training method or a nutritional plan, you’re likely to find as many champions as there are descenters. That’s just the way of the information era we live in. It’s also why people seek out expertise from fitness pros.

Alvarez

Rianna Alvarez has over 10 years of experience working and studying in the health fitness and wellness industry, is a registered nutritionist, has a background in kinesiology, is a certified personal trainer and is the personal training director at Totum Life Science on Kind Street West. She also would like to correct a couple of commonly held misbeliefs.

1. YOU DON’T HAVE TO STRETCH There’s a lot of controversy around the effects stretching and whether it’s needed before during or after exercise, says Alvarez adding that the simple answer is: Yes, do stretch. Stretching is good.

www.totum.ca There are two types of stretching she explains, static and dynamic. If you’re training for a specific sport like track and field, then you should use some dynamic stretching before your event. Typically this involves moving slowly through a sequence of stretches similar to movements of the sport you are about to engage in. This warm up prepares the muscles for the work about to be undertaken.

Static stretching for injury prevention or muscle recovery is best done after your workout. “Increasing your flexibility and insuring that you stretch properly should be just as important as the exercise itself,” says Alvarez who suggests stretching should be done daily. Here’s her 3-step stretching prescription: 1. Make sure your body is warmed up before you stretch to prevent stress and over stretching (stretching a cold muscle can lead to further injury).

PASSIVE MOVE: A partner assisted stretch, where the other person provides the force, helps you achieve the range of possible movements around a joint and its surrounding muscles during a passive movement.

2. YOU CAN GET A WASHBOARD STOMACH DOING CRUNCHES Crunches are easily one of the most overrated exercises, says Alvarez and can be particularly risky for your spine. You can lose the love handles by ramping up your cardio and improving your diet, but a lot of what your midsection looks like comes from genetics, she explains, adding that doing crunches will not give you a washboard stomach.

“You can’t get rid of the fat over a muscle by repeatedly working out that body part,” she says, explaining that a better focus is on strengthening your core.

“Core stabilization is very important for the strength and alignment of the whole body,” she says, explaining that the body is one long kinetic chain starting from the top of your head running down your spine through your pelvis, down your thigh into your calf down the ankle and into your toes.

2. Start with a gentle range of motion and work up to 30-second holds. The hold or end position is where you feel a slight discomfort but not pain.

3. Spend five minutes every day doing it.

“The core is the area that we always have to go back and retrain and re-align. It’s where the kinetic chain comes together. It’s our body’s foundation for posture, balance and coordination,” she says. n CORE WORK: Doing planks on a stability ball, exercises on a Bosu ball, using the balance boards or even just training on one leg to offset your balance are all methods of working your core.

17 • ÉTÉ 2012

alliedreit.com • 18

KITCHENER

“

340,000 square feet of renovated historic buildings that are home to tenants such as Google, Desire2Learn and Communitech.

[REAL ESTATE]

Allied a major landlord in Kitchener’s Warehouse-Innovation District KITCHENER, ONTARIO / - Once the site of the largest leather tanning operation in the British Empire, the Lang Tannery in Kitchener has come to embody Southwestern Ontario’s commitment to the knowledge industry.

And its 340,000 square feet of historic buildings, renovated to accommodate high-tech tenants, is the perfect complement to Allied’s other two holdings in the area – one at 72 Victoria and the other the Breithaupt Block (where Allied has a 50% share of the collection of old factories being restored by the Perimeter Development Corporation).

“The three properties together form the core of the Class I office component of Kitchener’s Warehouse District, which is rapidly becoming both a transportation and technology hub for the surrounding region.” said Michael Emory, Allied President and CEO. The acquisition, set to close in August, occupies two entire city blocks, bounded by Charles on the north, Victoria on the west, Oak on the south and Linden and Francis on the east. It is home to tenants such as Google, Desire2Learn and Communitech, the association representing the region’s tech companies.

Built in 1894 and 1904 as a facility for the production of leather shoe-soles, the complex was redeveloped for office and retail use over the last four years. It is comprised of four buildings, two of which are single-storey and two of which are multi-storey. n

L’acquisition d’une ancienne tannerie de cuir fait d’Allied l’un des principaux propriétaires du Warehouse-Innovation District de Kitchener Autrefois le lieu des plus grandes activités de tannage du cuir de l’empire britannique, le complexe de tannerie Lang Tannery de Kitchener incarne aujourd’hui l’engagement de la région Sud de l’Ontario envers l’industrie du savoir.

Et ses 340 000 pieds carrés de bâtiments historiques rénovés afin d’accueillir des locataires de haute technologie complètent à la perfection les autres propriétés d’Allied dans la région – l’une située au 72, rue Victoria et l’autre, le bloc Breithaupt (où Allied détient 50 % de l’ensemble des anciens entrepôts actuellement en rénovation par la Perimeter Development Corporation). « Les trois propriétés forment ensemble le cœur de la composante administrative de Classe I du Warehouse District de Kitchener, qui est rapidement en voie de devenir à la fois un carrefour des transports et de la technologie pour la région avoisinante » déclarait Michael Emory, président et chef des opérations d’Allied.

L’acquisition, qui devrait se faire officiellement en août, occupe deux pâtés de maisons complets. Le site est délimité au nord par la rue Charles, à l’ouest par la rue Victoria, au sud par la rue Oak et à l’est par les rues Linden et Francis. On y trouve des locataires tels que Google, Desire2Learn et Communitech, l’association qui représente les entreprises technologiques de la région.

Bâti en 1894 et en 1904 pour y abriter des installations de production de semelles de cuir, le complexe a été réaménagé à des fins administratives et de vente au détail au cours des quatre dernières années. Il est formé de quatre édifices, dont deux d’un étage et deux de plusieurs étages. n

19 • SUMMER 2012

[TELECOMMUNICATIONS]

Get Together Multiple lines and means of communication call for unified solutions as Toronto-based Telanet helps clients sort out the joys, complexities and future of the office telephone.

By Yvan Marston

ST. LAWRENCE MARKET AREA, TORONTO / - In telephony, the mobile phone hogs the spotlight. Clever apps cater to every aspect of modern life and new handset announcements are greeted with the zeal once reserved for state visits. And amidst all this sound and fury, where does that leave your desk phone, toggled as it is to a wired connection?

Just like mobile devices, Internet-enabled IP phones have more to do with features than actual voice communication.

And in a feature rich environment, it’s often helpful to have a guide. That’s where Dan Silverman’s company comes in.

A boutique telephony consultancy based in Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, Telanet partners with telecommunication equipment makers such as Avaya, Cisco, Shoretel, Mitel and Polycom to provide midsized companies with personalized service navigating the complexities of things like computer telephony integration, data cabling, VOIP, SIP trunking, and local and long distance business line solutions.

GOOD TELEPHONY IMPROVES WORKFLOW “Companies always view telecom as an expense,” says Silverman who worked in telecom right out of school, first in his family’s business before setting out 15 years ago on his own to form Telanet that services a niche business crowd – clients with 20 to 300 employees and with multiple offices around the world.

“But good telephony will improve workflow, make you more accessible, and if you are a smaller company, it can make you look like a bigger business,” says Silverman, explaining that unified communication is the sphere in which Telanet has come to distinguish itself currently.

Simply put, unified communications is the ability to connect all means of communication so that you can send a message on one medium and receive the same communication on another medium, he explains.

A voicemail message on your office phone, for example, can be accessed through e-mail or a cell phone, and if the sender is online, a response can be sent through text, chat or video call. And if not online, you can respond with a non real-time message that can be accessed through a variety of media.

“Unified communication is a billion dollar industry and we went from dealing with clients strictly in the Toronto space to helping them on a global level reaching offices in Dubai, Poland, England and the U.S.,” says Silverman whose client list includes concert promoter Live alliedreit.com • 20

Nation, talent house The Agency Group and First National Financial.

“Right now, we are in the business of delivering content. We started out with voice, then unified communications solutions and now that content is going to include video,” he says.

Increasingly, phone manufacturers are making devices with video capability, but that’s not where it ends, says Silverman.

ANOTHER BROADCAST MEDIUM At its simplest, video content such as digital signage can be seen as the dynamic menus at takeout restaurant counters or LCD displays in building lobbies and elevators, but adding an increasingly complex array of options as to what those boards can display is a matter of managing them as delivery systems. Digital signage communications then becomes an integrated part of the network communications you can deploy, either as one-to-one communications or as broadcast communications.

“Digital signage is just another medium for broadcast information,” says Silverman whose company has partnered with Cisco, a market leader in this emerging technology.

He explains that office building networks, for example can run news content in one area of the screen while another provides updates on a building fire alarm drill. But even broader is the notion of being able to push content out to a network of mobile phone users – whether as an inter-employee communication or a broadcast of some sort.

“As much as we look at how telephony is changing, we’re evolving with it, and the next phase is video,” says Silverman, already girding for the revolution to come. n

As companies continue to embrace Internet-based telephone communications, Daniel Silverman must often correct the misconception that adopting VOIP is basically about saving on long distance calls. “VOIP is not about reducing your long distance bill, it is an overall different way to communicate, says the president of Telanet, a Toronto-based telephony consultancy.

An IP telephone is essentially an internet-enabled device that is a part of your network, explains Silverman. Companies tend to upgrade from a basic

dial tone system so that they can benefit from unified messaging where they can get all their messages from anywhere using phone, email or any other communication mode.

“The second reason is for mobile twinning (using the cell phone as an extension of their office phone) and cell phone call control,” he says. “And thirdly, there are now desktop collaboration tools available so you can use these to see if other users are active or available so you can call or instant message them.”

21 • SUMMER 2012

TORONTO

VOIP: More than a long distance savings strategy

[TECHNOLOGY]

Reality Training Montreal’s CM Labs builds simulators for NASA mission rehearsals, oil rig tower crane operators, bulldozer drivers and everything in between.

CITE MULTIMEDIA, MONTREAL / - Perched one hundred and fifty meters above a North Sea swell, there’s little room for error in the tiny glass cab of the tower crane on an offshore oil rig as you lift loads from a surging supply ship.

Rookie mistakes can be costly, but as simulator training becomes more sophisticated, it is increasingly less likely that any new operator will be entirely unfamiliar with the sensation of being at the controls of an oil rig tower crane.

Heavy equipment simulators are a growing global industry, not only because they have proven metrics that allow trainers to accurately and empirically assess an operator’s abilities, but also because they reduce accidents.

ACCIDENTS IN TRAINING Defense training departments, for example, recognize that more than 60% of accidents happen during training, says Sébastien Lozé, marketing director for Montreal’s CM Labs Simulations Inc. , a 75-person firm that designs and sells a range of simulators, from desktop models used on a computer, to fully immersive multiple-screen turnkey simulators that replicate a crane operator’s cab environment.

The CM Labs tower crane simulators have helped to make the crane training program at the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario world renowned and are one of the company’s strong points.

It has inked deals in the last few years to supply simulators mimicking the cranes used on oil rigs in the North Sea where, given the unique wind, water and weather conditions, even a veteran land-based tower crane operator would benefit from simulator training. alliedreit.com • 22

Simulators are a fraction of the cost of the machines they simulate and likely less than the cost of the damage an improperly used machine could inflict on a work site.

The CM Labs team has helped organizations deploy and support simulation projects in construction, mining, and forestry equipment, sub-sea vehicles, marine equipment, robotics, defense vehicles, and planetary robotics.

FOCUS ON KEY INDUSTRIES Although it does a lot of custom work, its out-of-the-box systems focus on three industries, heavy construction gear such as cranes and excavators; offshore oil and gas; and port container handling equipment.

At the heart of every CM Labs true-to-life simulation is its Vortex software, which puts high-fidelity behaviour into motion for customers such as Honda, John Deere, L-3, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Carnegie Mellon University.

With over fifteen years of experience in the development of simulation-based training technologies, CM Labs delivers software (Vortex), solutions and expertise for vehicle, robotics or earth moving equipment virtual training applications. Vortex enables users to model 3-D worlds and simulate the interacting objects including accurate dynamics, collision detection, joint manipulation, and computational geometry. n

CM Labs has delivered simulation solutions to over 100 organizations around the world including: • Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario • PNI training • Liebherr Cranes • British Petroleum • Department of National Defence Canada (Defence Research and Development) • BAE Systems

• Lockheed Martin • NASA • L-3 • Honda Research • Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique (CEA – France) • EADS • Subsea7 • Carnegie Mellon University • Babcock Engineering

vxsim.com on Twitter @Vxsim

Les simulateurs VxAdvantage offrent des environnements virtuels entièrement interactifs.

du programme de formation des grutiers de l’Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario.

Au cours des récentes années, ils ont permis de conclure des contrats pour la fourniture de simulateurs imitant les grues utilisées sur les plateformes pétrolières dans la mer du Nord où, compte tenu des conditions éoliennes, maritimes et météorologiques particulières qu’on y retrouve, même un opérateur de grue à tour expérimenté qui travaille sur la terre ferme profiterait de la formation en simulateur.

Les simulateurs coûtent une fraction du prix des machines qu’ils simulent et probablement moins que le coût des dommages qu’engendrerait une mauvaise utilisation de la machinerie sur un chantier.

L’équipe de CM Labs a aidé de nombreuses organisations à déployer et à appuyer des projets de simulation d’équipement de construction, minier et forestier, de véhicules sous-marins, d’équipement maritime, de robotique, de véhicules de combat et de robotique spatiale.

Bien qu’elle mène beaucoup d’activités sur commande, ses systèmes innovants et prêts à l’usage se concentrent particulièrement sur trois industries, l’équipement de grands travaux de génie civil tel que les grues, les excavatrices; l’équipement d’activités pétrolières et gazières au large des côtes et enfin, l’équipement de manutention de conteneurs portuaires.

Perché cent cinquante mètres au-dessus de la mer du Nord déchaînée, il y a peu de place à l’erreur dans la minuscule cabine de verre de la grue d’une plateforme pétrolière au large des côtes, alors que vous levez des charges d’un navire de ravitaillement en pleine tempête.

Les erreurs de débutant peuvent être coûteuses. Les formations virtuelles en simulateur deviennent de plus en plus sophistiquées et il devient de moins en moins probable qu’un nouvel opérateur ne soit pas du tout familier avec la sensation d’être aux commandes d’une grue de plateforme pétrolière ou de tout autre équipement lourd.

Les simulateurs d’équipement lourd représentent une industrie mondiale en pleine croissance, non seulement parce qu’ils sont dotés de paramètres éprouvés qui permettent aux formateurs d’évaluer avec précision et de manière systématique les habiletés d’un opérateur, tout en permettant de réduire les accidents.

Au cœur de chaque simulation des plus réalistes de CM Labs, l’on retrouve son logiciel Vortex, qui place le comportement haute fidélité en action pour les clients tels que Honda, John Deere, L-3, Lockheed Martin, la NASA, et l’Université Carnegie Mellon.

Forte de plus de quinze années d’expérience dans la mise au point de technologies de formation axées sur la simulation, CM Labs propose un logiciel (Vortex), des solutions ainsi qu’une grande expertise dans le domaine des applications de formation virtuelle pour véhicules, robotique et équipement de terrassement. Le logiciel Vortex permet aux utilisateurs de modéliser des mondes en trois dimensions et de simuler les objets qui y entrent en interaction, y compris des dynamiques précises, la détection de collisions, la manipulation articulaire et la géométrie informatique. n

Les services de formation du domaine de la défense, par exemple, reconnaissent que plus de 60 % des accidents se produisent pendant la formation, confie Sébastien Lozé, directeur du marketing pour l’entreprise montréalaise CM Labs Simulations Inc., qui compte en ses rangs 75 employés et qui se spécialise dans la conception et la vente d’une vaste gamme de simulateurs qui s’étend des modèles d’ordinateur de bureau aux simulateurs clé en main à écrans multiples entièrement immersifs qui reproduisent l’environnement de la cabine d’un opérateur de grue.

Les simulateurs de grues de CM Labs, l’un des produits phares de l’entreprise, ont contribué à la renommée mondiale

VxVehicles facilite la reproduction à haute fidélité de voitures, de camions, de machinerie lourde, de véhicules militaires et de robots.

23 • ÉTÉ 2012

MONTRÉAL

La firme montréalaise CM Labs crée des simulateurs de formation de missions de la NASA, d’opérateurs de grues de plateformes pétrolières, d’opérateurs d’engins de construction et tout ce qui se trouve entre les trois.

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