Diggin' It | March 2018 by DIRTT

How long can you hold it? ONLY 20 DAYS TO BUILD WASHROOMS

UK Innovators SERIES GETS PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT DIRTT

Biomimicry THE NATURE OF BUILDINGS

Do Disturb

DISRUPTING THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

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Michael’s letter Almost nine weeks ago, you welcomed me into DIRTT. From the start, you made it very clear exactly how passionate you are for building better and for each other, and what a purpose-driven culture this is. You’ve also made it very clear that Partners are our lifeblood. Supporting today’s Partner model is the biggest opportunity for DIRTT’s future. We are fully committed to staying on that path and supporting our Partners’ growth. In the last six weeks, I have had the pleasure of meeting with teams from across the US and Canada, including: Arizona, San Diego, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Texas, New Jersey, Chicago, Toledo, New Orleans, Nashville, North Dakota, Boston, Florida, the Mid-East, and spoken by phone with others.

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These past weeks have been about listening and learning. I heard many times that the tools and building blocks our Partners seek for developing their businesses are finally beginning to take hold. There’s an energy and expectation about their opportunities for growth. All are believers that the biggest opportunity lays ahead. In the words of Jeff Lerdahl from Lerdahl Business Interiors, “We see DIRTT as the absolute future.”

We see DIRTT Partners as the absolute future! From my perspective, and to build on Jeff’s comment: “We see DIRTT Partners as the absolute future!”.

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I also heard about how integral DIRTT’s support is to their success (especially with implementing lessons learned), and that it can be overwhelming trying to design and develop a new business at the same time. There’s a real desire for additional help and assistance, and we intend to continue doing everything we can to set teams up for sustained success. As a side note,

DIRTT’s Partner Development team is tremendous and I want to recognize Kingsley, David, Laura, Michael and Liana for everything they’ve done to organize and support our Partners (and me on these trips). Thank you for your patience during these first nine weeks at DIRTT. I’m absolutely honoured to work with this team and am committed to our success.

Best regards, Michael Goldstein

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Message from Mogens Folks, In these times of uncertainty, it is important we reinforce the importance of the DIRTT vision established 14 years ago. To get through this will take the commitment and loyalty of the entire Team. Words cannot describe our profound appreciation for our Partners’ support and belief in our company. Make no mistake, our team of DIRTTbags will fight to the death against any attempt to dilute and destroy the Vision.

What got us here? And what’s designed to take us to the next step in our success? Our Partners and the Teams we’ve built to make them succeed!! Even the automotive industry, which is TOTALLY straightforward

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compared to what we are doing, understands local distribution is the only way to go. You need people who understand local concerns and goals. You need people who have a stake in the community. Ford understands this so deeply they hired Jim Hackett as their CEO after he retired(!) as the leader of Steelcase. A place famous for their strong local distribution. Cars are a piece of cake compared to what it takes to deliver solutions open to radical interpretation by the End User. You need to have the tools to empower your team. They must be able to confidently design, price and schedule without having to go back to the manufacturer to see if what the Client wants is impossible or not. And the manufacturer has to have a system in place that profitably allows this level of personalization for a made-to-order output. 4

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That is why and how we built this company. ICE® is the ONLY tool in the world to give distribution teams full control over the unique, yet manufactured, solutions for their local Clients. In lock-step are the DIRTT components – designed to respond to everything the Client requires now and in the future. On top of this, regional Partners need and want to have their own, human link to the manufacturer. Someone they can rely on. Someone who has constant contact with everyone at the manufacturing facilities. Our Reps, PMs and Technician Teams are vital to our Partners. They don’t just deliver intel from HQ, they go out – shoulder to shoulder – drumming up business, seeing projects through to completion and helping our Partners through teaching and building the right teams. This symbiotic relationship between DIRTT and Partners is what got us here in the first place and is the only way forward to be exponentially profitable. There is a reason we don’t sell direct. Twelve of our people are being consumed by a project right DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

now because we sold direct on one account last year. If we did this all the time, we’d have to add another 500 people to the team! We know that kind of bloated model won’t work. Our Partners who embrace DIRTT are succeeding. They’ve taken the bull by the horns and are all-in. They’ve hired the right team. They tell the right story to the right clients. They deliver strongly and profitably. That’s what the future looks like! Just like every other company in the world, we are in no way perfect. Finding problems at any organization is shooting fish in a barrel. We know our challenges and we continually work toward improving. However, if you only see the challenges and can’t see the astonishing and global upside of our approach, both in what we do and how we do it, you are in that third class of people called out by Leonardo da Vinci: “Those who see, those who see when they are shown, those who do not see.” Stopping what we are doing now would be like if I woke up this morning with a pimple on my face and decided to fix it by cutting off my head. 5

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Until this exact moment in history, the construction industry fought a war against innovation. That fight is finally, officially lost. The skilled tradespeople, nearly all of them in retirement age, are looking at a strong but volatile stock market and thinking there is no way they are missing this boat like they did in 2009. They are getting out while the getting is good. A major construction company recently announced they alone are short over 20,000 tradespeople for the work they already have on the books. But the construction system has been broken for a long time. So why hasn’t prefab come up sooner? Ask yourself: Would you live in a typical prefab house? Any that are NOT cookie-cutter come from prefab companies that are either bankrupt or on the verge. Without ICE and responsive components, prefab will never be supportive of individual people, while simultaneously profitable to manufacture. Outside DIRTT, there isn’t a single viable entity in the world able to build unique

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prefab. They offer a few options designed to allow for an economy of scale in their off-site facilities. That is why prefab has never gained true acceptance, particularly for interiors. Prefab HAS made big strides for the core and shell of buildings. But it’s the insides where the people are. Inside is the most complex and personalized part of any building. DIRTT, with our user-driven digital construction and our deeply committed culture, is in perfect position to take over this massive portion of construction at exactly the time when the world desperately needs it. We just need to stay the course and improve it as we go. Changing horses midstream is famously a bad decision. Thank you for taking this vision as your own. Thank you for your support in your communities. Thank you for fighting the good fight every single day.

Mogens

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VR Roadshow The DIRTT Virtual Reality Roadshow is gearing up to hit the road again. They’ll be travelling across North America to train Partners and DIRTTbags on how to put the power of ICEvr and ICEreality to use in your markets. Haven’t heard about the VR Roadshow? Let’s dive in. Jenna Davis, ICEcube Sales Rep, and Madison Pinder, Marketing and Communications DIRTTbag make up the dynamic duo of the VR Roadshow. This initiative is an investment by DIRTT to help Partners learn how to best leverage the world of ICE virtual reality and make it a key part of your sales process. Any Partner who has invested in virtual reality hardware and an ICEvr license is able to use this resource. The goal of this initiative is simple: to help you, our Partners, transform your business by teaching you how to use this incredible technology with your Clients. DIRTT Reps are encouraged to participate in the DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

training with their Partner teams to hone their VR skills as well. When the VR Roadshow team visits you, they will take you through inperson, hands-on training sessions with your team. They’ll teach you how to set up all your hardware, prepare your ICE files and give useful tips on running memorable demos. Participating Partners are also encouraged to set up events like lunch and learns, opens houses, and presentations with 7

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current and potential Clients while the VR Roadshow team’s expertise is at your fingertips. This will make the most of their time in your area and will create some buzz right off the bat in your market. Plus, it’s a great way to learn new tricks for when you host your own events and presentations. How did this roadshow come about? If you attended the DIRTT Phoenix training session, you are well aware that Mogens is passionate about encouraging our Partners and DIRTTbags to use our extremely powerful virtual reality tools. In fact, he now expects it. Why? It’s all part of DIRTT’s mission to provide that exceptional experience to our Clients. It allows them to become immersed in their design. To interact with it. To validate their decisions and provide them with design certainty. They know exactly how their space will look and feel before construction begins. And, it ensures that all stakeholders share that same vision. This means you can guarantee your Clients will be blown away with the space you build. As an added bonus, this technology has that WOW factor. It will ensure that a potential Client or event attendees will remember you and the construction movement you’re leading. And know you’re leading with technology. Other companies are just starting to dabble into these kinds of technologies. But we’ve mastered them. Show others that you’re ahead of the curve and DIRTT is the future of construction. The largest hurdle for our Partners is the misconception that there is a steep learning curve. Newsflash! Once you learn the process for preparing an ICE file and facilitating a VR or ICEreality demo – it’s SUPER simple. No special skill sets or witchcraft required.

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The Roadshow team is here to demonstrate the simplicity of ICEvr and prepare you for showing the world the power of ICE. No matter your current skill level, the VR Roadshow team is here to build your teams’ confidence with these tools. As VR technology grows and changes, so will the VR Roadshow. You can rest assured you’re always receiving the most up to date information. We promise you one thing: these types of technologies aren’t going away any time soon. In fact, they are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s business landscape. You have some of the best VR tools at your fingertips. If you’re not already using them, what are you waiting for?

Getting on the VR Roadshow Schedule If you’re a Partner or DIRTTbag who wants to be involved with the VR Roadshow, please reach out to the ICEvr team icevr@ice-edge.com. Jenna and Madison are more than happy to answer questions and get you on the roadshow schedule. They can also provide information on what hardware and licensing is required beforehand.

Other resources Jenna and Madison can run webinars remotely with your team to kick things off. Connect with them to discuss your team’s learning needs and set something up.

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Restrooms like this in 20 days? Yes way. It takes smart construction to build such a functional and aesthetic restroom in less than three weeks. Especially when you’re testing new ways of doing things. Building at a DIRTT facility is the best opportunity to test new methods and ideas. And push our limits. That’s exactly what we did building the new bathrooms on the lower level at DIRTT HQ. All while illustrating our extreme speed of construction – even with the intricate details of a high-end restroom. Learning from our Partner NMG, we took a new approach to drywall. Yes, that material we’re always battling can sometimes be a necessary evil. Instead of lining up our DIRTT walls to the drywall bulkhead, we flipped the process. We asked the drywallers to come in after the DIRTT walls were up

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to build the bulkhead down to the walls. This gave the drywallers a level and straight target to build to. The result was total control. Dimensions could be more precise. The reveals above the DIRTT wall were exactly 9mm for clean lines. DIRTT also used carriers to support wall-mounted toilets in the bathroom build. The DIRTT walls are customized to accommodate the carriers. And of course, access within the wall to service or maintain the fixtures down the road is easy with DIRTT. Find out more from Wes Tran, Mick Berry, and Tine DeFrancesco in the video.

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Sparking Conversations in the UK: The Innovators We’re no stranger to innovation at DIRTT. Making construction projects faster, most cost-effective, more sustainable and flexible takes an innovative mindset and a go-getter attitude. But most of all, it means inspiring people to join us as we change the face of construction. So, we’re sparking conversations!

The Innovators is a monthly web series led by DIRTT on how we can build better. Each month, DIRTT will host an exclusive discussion, led by three industry experts, exploring construction challenges in the UK. This is a forum for forward-thinkers and those who want to see change in the construction industry. As one attendee said, “a platform that can provide benefits to all stakeholders – clients, designers, main contractors, subcontractors is powerful.” Identifying innovative, practical solutions - especially using technology DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

and digitization - will be a focus of these discussions. All in support of better projects. The Innovators officially kicked off on February 28 with ‘Building a BIM revolution’. The goal? To improve digital construction understanding and uptake in all levels of the UK construction industry. It’s a subject participants are calling “vitally important”, adding “the next generation of digital construction is connecting design plans to manufacturing.” The response so far has been incredibly positive – with attendees asking to be invited to the next one already! There’s a need to change the construction industry and events like this are giving people solutions they can implement to do just that.

Check out the video invitation that went to industry leaders 11

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Biomimicry in building design NEXT GEN ADAPTABILITY: CREATING HEALTHY AND FUNCTIONAL BUILDINGS FOR THE LONG TERM By Mike Iannone

The Nature of Buildings Nature offers an elegance of design that people have tried to mimic through millennia. Crude attempts at visual likeness often failed. They lacked the underlying scientific understanding and engineering acumen. This gave way to the gears and motors of the industrial age. A clumsy attempt to elicit at least the basic functions. Only recently have science and engineering begun to incorporate nature’s effective design solutions into man-made systems. Robotics is one of the most obvious applications to shift from boxy awkward contraptions to the more organic systems they wish to mimic. Mechanical and structural systems now act more like an organism. Reacting to changing contexts, they set a new standard for behaviors that are revolutionizing countless industries. One example of exceptional biomimicry in robotics is the work of FESTO, a pneumatics and automation technology manufacturer. DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

Early attempts at biomimicry based on visual likeness often failed, lacking the scientific, technological and engineering acumen to reach organic function. 12

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Their innovation center uses the principles of nature to provide new insights for technology and industrial applications. This inspiration from nature is illustrated through incredible creations such as their SmartBird. FESTO SmartBird: Aerodynamic SmartBird flight model

The exception to these evolutionary advancements seems mired in the world of building design and construction. Zaha Hadid achieved great acclaim for the organic forms she introduced into the traditional world of steel boxes and concrete. The allure of those facilities is steeped in an almost genetic attraction to the shapes and laws that govern our own bodies. They are a leap forward in the direction of organic design in both form and experience. Functionally, the interior spaces were still limited by the conventional building processes employed to create them. The very nature of these systems is to resist change. Today’s buildings are essentially static. Adaptation to changing technologies, equipment, strategies, services and goals requires partial shutdown, demolition and reconstruction. This last bastion of planned obsolescence and poor return on investment is facing a new challenger. A few early adopters of the next generation of pre-manufactured systems have employed an interior construction paradigm. One that offers fluid and reactive behaviors. Not quite fully organic, but fully adaptive – eliminating obsolescence that results in replacement.

Buildings as Nature Let’s reframe our perspective. If we look at buildings as something with the potential to be functionally organic, interesting opportunities arise. Like our bodies, buildings also rely on the health, maintenance and stamina of its systems. Vital systems must be healthy for our optimum function. Circulatory, digestive, respiratory, nervous, structural, and musculature systems parallel plumbing, DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

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Optimum function comes only through the collaborative, integrated nature of organic design. HVAC, med gases, electrical, data, technology and life safety systems. This is more than simply working. Optimum function comes only through the collaborative, integrated and supportive nature of organic design. In our bodies, critical pathways must remain clear. A clogged artery or airway is a serious issue. Restricting the flow of blood, air, or electrical activity of the nervous system results in reduced capabilities. Unresponsiveness at worst. It’s also why our body’s systems are designed to minimize the negative impact on other systems. When the function of one system impedes another’s, the body is unwell. In buildings, the main pathway is the ceiling plenum – the space between the ceiling and deck above. This plenum exists solely to accommodate the buildings vital systems. DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

In most buildings, however, multiple systems are designed and forced to coexist with no consideration of the other’s needs or behaviors. Some preconstruction reviews may search for spatial conflicts, but there is no review of the design itself with regards to the health, maintenance and accommodation for change of other systems. Even the smallest of changes after construction have significant impact on multiple systems. The result is reduction in function, temporary shutdowns or obsolescence leading to demolition and replacement.

Health and Longevity Just like we hope for people to live long and fulfilling lives, it’s logical to rate a building’s health by considering its longevity. This assessment is based on the ease of adaptation to constant change and maintenance, not just by its systems’ current functions. There are two main issues regarding systems design that significantly impact a building’s health. First is the design and placement of systems main distribution and all elements placed in

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the plenum. These must be configured to minimize plenum constriction. Placement should maximize systems access for maintenance and upgrades while accommodating the installation of new technologies.

Yet in violation to this organic logic, many designers focus primarily on their individual system’s performance goals. This approach isolates solutions into silos. This often results in systems taking the path of least resistance without consideration of the impact on other system’s goals. Further exacerbating the problem is a distribution design that does not organically include their access and termination points, their very reason for existing.

Trapped in the silo of old habits

The second is the reason for all the systems existence. Systems are in the plenum solely to be routed to specific locations within the habitable spaces. The buildings existential functions are reflected in the systems that bring service to activities, equipment and devices. These are placed by the architect in response to the client’s programmatic requirements. “Lean design” is focused on maximizing harmonic integration.

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As detrimental as obstructions in the plenum are to a building’s health, they are common. There are a few conditions where these obstructions can’t be avoided, i.e. fire rated walls, HVAC isolation and very high acoustic (STC 50+) attenuation. Other noncode reasons for obstructing the plenum, however, are almost all based on outdated, silo-based habits that technology has since overcome. Acoustic design frequently takes place in a silo, defaulting to deck to deck construction as the optimal attenuation solution. This blocks the plenum and

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chokes the systems that rely on it for their function. While acoustic privacy is a critical design criterion, it should not dismiss integrated, more organic options. Since all systems greatly benefit from an unobstructed plenum, deck to deck solutions should be the last resort rather than the default.

The disruptions and associated costs, combined with the recurring cost of modification, remediation and resealing is one of the least organic condition in today’s buildings. Why do we stay with this unhealthy, expensive and poor ROI solution? It can’t be defined as good design or a good investment.

By definition, a plenum is a pathway for systems in the building. It has no natural way of attenuating sound that enters it. Placing an uninterrupted barrier in the plenum is an effective way to diminish sound transmission. However, it also dramatically reduces the plenum’s ability to achieve its main purpose: supporting the passage of every other building system. A clogged artery is a symptom of poor health. It’s counterproductive to create this condition by design when unnecessary.

Reframing the challenge

Another health-related consideration is the type of materials used to build this barrier. Drywall inherently resists change. When modified or penetrated, it releases toxic dust that must be contained and remediated. Then after the modification, the new systems must be sealed to maintain the barrier. DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

Going back to our organic parallel, imagine an artery cutting off a nerve pathway. The artery may be functioning just fine, but the toll it takes on other critical systems creates an untenable situation. A wider, holistic perspective allows us to see the forest for the trees. It’s important to consider design goals in context. When the design goal is minimized to “stopping sound from going to the next room,” then deck-to-deck construction erroneously seems acceptable. Consider the wider context of a healthy building and attenuating sound without impacting the performance of other systems. In this real-world context, deck-to-deck construction should be avoided when possible.

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A better way Nature has spent tens of thousands of years resolving inherently selfdefeating design. It may take a while for designers to catch up. We just have to remember: we hold the ability to make changes to building design and construction at our discretion. Stepping out of our silos, focusing on systems integration and optimization, we consider multiple possibilities. What if we could simply prevent the sound from entering the plenum in the first place? This would solve many issues simultaneously. Acoustics is just one obvious area that would benefit from a more organic approach. While pertinent to all building types, Healthcare facilities are at the apex of building types whose efficiencies and health depend on adaptation. The velocity of biotech, scientific and medical advances place pressure on a facility to stay current in an expedient and cost-effective manner. Whether it be technology upgrades, increased acuity, improved acoustics, updated aesthetics, additional functionality, or modifications in MEP, disruption to services must be minimized. DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

Reducing downtime and disruptions also serves to reduce the true cost of constantly-required changes. Necessity dictates we move away from the static nature of conventionally-built structures. We need to embrace the adaptability and organic behavior of modern premanufactured systems to future proof our facilities.

Leverage technology Construction technology has advanced far beyond the rock and mud world that imposes its limitations and toxicity on buildings and their maintenance. Many healthcare institutions are requiring the elimination of all drywall except where fire code requires it. Drywall is too susceptible to damage and requires constant, messy maintenance care. It’s designed to resist rather than support change. Its dust is defined as toxic by building code and infection control managers. Ceiling systems can now achieve the sound attenuation rated to STC 50 separation. This eliminates – or greatly reduces – the need for deck-to-deck construction to stop room to room

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sound transmission. Leveraging the ceiling for sound attenuation leaves the plenum open to perform its primary function – and leaves the buildings arteries clear to function as they should. In situ testing has proven that partial removal of the barrier can yield significant passageway openness while maintaining a high level of acoustical privacy. State-of-the-art premanufactured, interior construction systems eliminate drywall and the associated toxicity, resistance to change and ease of damage. Technology has created systems that go beyond modularity, with a performance that is more evolution than adaptation. This behavior mimics natural evolution and adaptation. It’s the basis of design in most cutting-edge industries. It’s time the construction world accepted this paradigm shift.

Designing by habit Walls are the termination and access point for many of the critical systems distributed in the plenum. This access is a major functional goal of the design. Too often, the default placement of these systems are based on habit DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

rather than to optimize access points. MEP configured for distribution ease rather than to optimize access is a functional weakness. Imagine if our bodies were built this way!

Designing systems by habit rather than functional need results in something closer to a blob fish.

What if our airways, nervous system and arteries were designed first rather than in response to our functional needs? Rather than the strong, fast, agile beings we are, we’d look more like a blob fish.

Embracing change As we embrace technology in almost every area of our lives, it seems that architecture and construction are defaulting to the outdated ways of the past. It doesn’t cost more to base a design on function. It doesn’t take longer. It just takes a fresh look and a new, more logical sequence. 18

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Manufactured construction systems are quickly becoming the gold standard for medical facilities that want to futureproof their building. Accessible interiors, plug and play infrastructures and readily accessible structural systems support changing biotechnology. Evolution and adaptation defines the successful healthcare facilities of the day.

What if our airways, nervous system and arteries were designed first rather than in response to our functional needs? It seems contrary that the design and construction industry has yet to shift towards the technological efficiencies available today. Perhaps it hasn’t happened because there’s little incentive to accept a paradigm change. Possibly, only a client who is aware of this method and these solutions receives the benefits afforded by advancement in design and construction. It’s time to revisit “how we’ve always done it”. DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS | Diggin’ It | March 2018

The change is simple Flip the sequence. Set your access points in state-of-the-art manufactured systems rather than static walls. Use a ceiling that stops sound from entering the plenum. Design the buildings MEP for optimum interface with the functional devices in the walls. The ROI of this basis of design is a building that is vibrant and healthy. A building that continues to support and adapt. As this approach is more frequently adopted by the strongest building owners and facility managers, then architects, engineers and consultants will readily adopt these changes. Until then, clients will have to set the guidelines to assure they receive truly successful design and construction – for now and the longterm success of their facilities. We invite you to consider the biomechanics of our natural world in your next building. Not just for the shell, but for the comprehensive function and longevity of the building itself.

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Heard at DIRTT Having seen what we saw today, I don’t think we could build without using DIRTT – Head of a board that is building a healthcare facility for people with muscular dystrophy

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DIRTT in the news YourWorkplace.ca featured DIRTT in a recent article on organizational culture and employee loyalty. Of course, loyalty isn’t a one-way street. By building employeeemployer loyalty, DIRTT has managed to keep turnover at just 2.8% in an industry that averages over 16%. See how the DIRTT culture keeps us ahead of the curve in the full article. DIRTT was featured with our partner Haldeman Homme in The Daily Telescope. The article highlights that DIRTT is now considered Division 13: Special Construction, acknowledging us as an integrated design and construction solution. It also highlights the role that partners play in the project process.

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Making moves in Hospitality Although we’ve dabbled in hotel environments before, Element IWS’ current Hotel Arts project is paving the way for DIRTT to disrupt the hospitality industry. The hotel is where art and design meld together to provide a high-end, comfortable stay for out-of-towners looking to rest their heads in Calgary. The hotel also hosts high-profile city events and conferences throughout the year. Why did this company choose DIRTT’s whole new approach to interior construction for their 28-room renovation? Longevity and speed were both critical considerations in Hotel Arts’ decision to build better.

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Quality hotels typically need to renovate every five years to stay on pace with their visitor’s expectations. Hotel Arts knew DIRTT solutions would give them the ability to quickly and easily upgrade in the future. Quick construction schedule and speedy changes means downtime is limited. The project has just begun on site and will wrap up in under three weeks! When every room is a revenue generator, recouping time made fiscal sense. Hotel Arts will be left with a flexible future without having their hallways fill with drywall dust. The minute you walk through this hotel’s doors, it’s clear they care deeply about the experience their space brings for guests. Compelling artwork. An outdoor court in the center of the space. Trendy restaurants. Everything ties together to make their guests feel content with their choice of stay. DIRTT’s solutions will tie into this upscale look, with durability to withstand the thousands of guests that will come through in the years to come. The hotel will employ custom millwork side tables and benches and fabricwrapped DIRTT tiles as the headboards. The space is sure to impress while handling the wear-and-tear that comes with the business. That’s just a snapshot of what makes this project a great fit for DIRTT. We couldn’t give it all away! Stay tuned in the coming months for a video case study that explores Hotel Art’s journey of building better.

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Candygrams for a cause DIRTTbags really showed how much they love each other – and the community – on Valentine’s Day. And the result is a great head start on fundraising for Adopta-Family 2018! 167 candygrams were sent out across DIRTT Calgary from secret admirers and appreciative colleagues. Each candygram or surprise grab bag was crafted with love by the community team, who raised a whopping $436.48 through the initiative.

Now that’s spreading some love.

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DIRTT donates $4,900 TEAM FUNDRAISING EFFORT TO COASTAL PET RESCUE DIRTTbags have done it again. Coming together to make a major impact in the community. The DIRTT team in Savannah donated its winter holiday fundraising proceeds in the amount of $4,900 to Coastal Pet Rescue (CPR), an organization that supports homeless, neglected and abused animals throughout Savannah.

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The $4,900 was raised by Savannah DIRTTbags. During the holiday season, the team reached out to vendors, partners and local businesses for donations to raffle off to team members, who purchase tickets with their own funds. The resulting proceeds then went back into the community in the form of a donation to CPR. “Giving back to the community and caring about our planet are both really important to us,” said Laura Lee Bocade, our market and community lead in Savannah. “CPR delivers customized, positive solutions for pets and people, and we’re proud to partner with such a deserving organization doing good things in the community.” The dollars raised will go far in helping CPR to care for and shelter homeless animals, according to CPR founder and CEO, Lisa Scarborough. “This much-needed funding comes at a special time,” says Scarborough. “February marks our 15th anniversary, and with this generous donation, we can’t wait to start on our kennel renovation project, which will allow us to help even more animals. We are very grateful that DIRTT will be part of our growth.” In addition to the donation, DIRTTbags plan to volunteer with CPR in the coming year. CPR says they have approximately 100 volunteers who assist in providing help for more than 700 animals each year. This includes feeding and socializing the animals, coordination with agencies and adoptive families, fundraising and administrative support. DIRTT plans to join the crew.

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Rolling out new look DIRTT’s refreshed visual brand is rolling out. We’ve been hearing from many of you with questions about how to leverage it. Keep the questions coming! Your DIRTT MarComm team is here to help. Need a document refreshed? Wondering how to use our new logo? Drop a line any time to graphics@dirtt.net. Want to update your screensaver or use a new PowerPoint template? You can also find resources on myDIRTT.

Decoding the new nametags If you’ve brought clients to Calgary lately (nudge, nudge – always a good idea!), you’ve seen the new colours for nametags at HQ. Here’s what they mean for the next time you don a badge.

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HAVE A STORY THAT SHOULD BE FEATURED IN DIGGIN’ IT? MarComm@DIRTT.net

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