Breaking Ground Magazine 2019 Winter by Edmonton Construction Association

FEMALE-FOCUSED EVENTS AT THE ECA

HOW BUILDWORKS CANada brings value to projects

Official Publication of the Edmonton Construction Association

structural wood construction growing in prominence

Winter 2019

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Building up downtown

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The current and future evolution of downtown Edmonton

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 12

Message from the ECA executive director, John McNicoll

Winter 2019

ON THE COVER

Your ECA team

Urban shift: Annual conference – SHIFT – urges attendees to challenge the status quo for urban innovation

Downtown: Everything’s waiting for you

A little help goes a long way: The ECA supports 78 apprenticeships every year through scholarships

The current and future evolution of downtown Edmonton

Alberta Construction Association update

One year in the books! Update from BuildWorks Canada

A new chapter for storied Edmonton library: Stanley A. Milner Library undergoes renovation

Collaboration and teamwork: ESPD choses IPD method for new schools

Reaching new heights: New development going up near EIA

A new chapter for storied Edmonton library: Stanley A. Milner Library undergoes renovation

Casting call: Prefab design and construction methods get its close up

Here comes the sun: Solar energy on the rise in Edmonton

Improving the odds: How BuildWorks Canada adds value

More than just a number: Workforce age demographics in the construction industry

Wood you? Structural wood growing in prominence

Breaking barriers: Female-focused events at the ECA

The productive construction supervisor and the five M’s of construction

100

Cheers to 50! RPK Architects celebrates half a century of work

101

Index to advertisers

102

ECA Eddie

FEATURED ON THIS EDITION’S COVER (left to right): John McNicoll, executive director, ECA; Mike Saunders, vice-president, development, Qualico; Anand Pye, executive director, NAIOP Edmonton; Peter Jonkman, vice-president, construction, Edgar Development; Ben Aitchison, senior project manager, Edmonton – ICE District, One Properties; and Kevin McKee, CEO, Pangman Development Corporation.

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ECA Breaking Ground Published by: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0G5 www.delcommunications.com

President David Langstaff Managing Editor Shayna Wiwierski shayna@delcommunications.com

10215 - 176 Street Edmonton, AB T5S 1M1

Advertising Sales Manager Dayna Oulion Toll Free: 1.866.424.6398

Phone: (780) 483-1130

Advertising Sales Gary Barrington Brian Gerow Jennifer Hebert Dan Roberts Anthony Romeo

contact@edmca.com

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Production Services Provided by S.G. Bennett Marketing Services www.sgbennett.com Art Director / Layout & Design Kathy Cable

2019 ECA BOARD Trevor Doucette (chair) Jillene Lakevold (vice-chair)

Advertising Art Dave Bamburak

Jason Collins (treasurer-secretary)

Contributing Writers Melanie Franner Ken Gibson Curtis Griffith Phil Perry Jason Syxivay Jim Timlick

Doug Hansen

Andrew Sharman Rob McGrath Sean Rayner Trevor Panas Roger Buksa Greg Burghardt Dana Bouwman

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein and the reliability of the source, the publisher in no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for

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errors, omissions or statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommendations made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.

Publications mail agreement #40934510 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, MB R3L 0G5 Email: david@delcommunications.com PRINTED IN CANADA 11/2019

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Message from the Executive Director

Greetings to you and your construction team. You might find helpful inspiration by the articles in this edition of Breaking Ground magazine as we are featuring city developers, the Edmonton International Airport, structural wood, IPD schools, precast systems, BIM and DPD, and solar energy. As you read, you will get a great update on the state of

pattern and try some new approaches? This could be your year of ECA engagement. The lifetime members know the value this creates for their bottom line – the same can be true for you. Our association with board and staff works for you every day to enable your firms’ success. The ECA also advocates on your behalf, clarifying the highest

issues facing our market and how your fellow member firms and

levels of behaviour for our whole industry, and the owners

owners are dealing with issues and challenges. You might find

we all encounter, with attention to best practices for project

sparks for your thinking about your firm’s journey to success

management, contracts, collaboration, and communication

through constant improvement. You, and all our members are

throughout each project.

always gathering intel on our construction community and the trends that are shifting the way we build and do business. I want to encourage you and your staff to embrace the

Have a great year in business and thanks for allowing us to contribute to your success. In your service,

challenges of our market and find ways to strengthen your team. The ECA is here to enable your firm’s growth through networking, procurement, education and collaboration. Your company can strategically leverage the ECA for maximum benefits and we are here to help you do that. Most of our members take advantage of our services beyond our

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Executive Director

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JOHN McNICOLL

MATT SCHELLENBERGER

JOHN McNICOLL

MATT SCHELLENBERGER

Executive Director

Director of Corporate Development

LISA KEHOE

Membership Coordinator

LISA KEHOE

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Procurement Specialist

DANIEL BENNETT

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ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 17

Urban Shift

Annual conference — SHIFT — urges attendees to challenge the status quo for urban innovation By Jason Syvixay

The SHIFT conference was held this year on October 24 at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. It drew in a large audience of owners, builders, consultants, constructors, and contractors.

One of the keynote speakers, Tyler Waye, president of IN.FORM, imparted with conference-goers the necessity for innovation in our workplaces.

Edmonton Construction Association

By definition, to shift is to move from one place to another. Locally, nationally, and internationally, people and places are experiencing tremendous shifts — from climate to the economy to technology to even our political interests. Our cities are also undergoing significant changes — or anticipating them. In Edmonton, a new municipal development plan, the City Plan, is being drafted in hopes of setting out the course to grow to a city of two-million people. A big part of reaching this goal will involve the addition of new housing choices — shifting from low-density to mediumdensity dwelling forms. Concurrently, the city’s regulatory tool, the Zoning Bylaw, is being rewritten to enshrine these City Plan visions, policies, and plans into the day-to-day business of Edmonton, ensuring that what is built is in alignment with overarching goals of a modern, dense, sustainable metropolis. This type of city-building is all about embracing contemporary and predicted shifts, and about celebrating change and disruption. To leverage and support urban shifts like these, the Edmonton Construction Association (ECA) conceived the SHIFT conference. “SHIFT brings various levels of the building community together to meet each other, learn from one another, and most importantly, to challenge the paradigms that exist in the current building process,” explains the ECA. Hosted this year on October 24 at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, SHIFT drew in a large audience of owners, builders, consultants, constructors, and contractors — all representing various facets of

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of how it will transform over the

One of the keynote speakers, Tyler Waye, president of IN.FORM, imparted with conference-goers the necessity for innovation in our workplaces.

coming decades,” Waye said. “Inspiring innovation is part of the answer. However, let’s not overlook what it actually takes to make that happen. This year’s conference

Edmonton’s design, development, and construction industries. Bronwyn Scrivens, an associate with Omada Commercial, an Edmontonbased brokerage team specializing in sales and leasing to tenant and landlord representation, noted how the conference offered opportunities for collaboration between professionals with a wide-range of expertise through diverse keynote presentations, networking opportunities, table activities, and panel discussions. “This conference is different from others because it balances interactive sessions with personal experience learning,” Scrivens said. “It also encourages the collaboration between novice and senior members within the industry which helps to foster new ideas

and create a common language.” Scrivens added that she attended this year’s event because of its strong focus on technological disruptions and their impacts on development and construction industries. “If you’re not ahead, you’re behind. Guest speaker presentations and panels helped to tackle this further, with insight on some of the possibilities that are coming down the road, and how to integrate these technologies into their daily business to be more efficient players,” she said. One of the keynote speakers, Tyler Waye, president of IN.FORM, imparted with conference-goers the necessity for innovation in our workplaces. “The world of work is big, complex, and we have little true understanding

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explored the concept of innovation with the depth required to push it away from simply being a frenzied pursuit to something that can become a successful strategy.” A project engineer with Al-Terra Engineering Ltd., Thomas Ziegler, was particularly inspired by the gathering of young, creative, and passionate professionals in the field — all eager to tackle Waye’s concept of innovation head-on. “Young professionals are ready to drive change in our city, and they were at SHIFT in droves,” said Ziegler. “Now with a deepened understanding of real disruption and a language to connect each of us across our industry, we can face anything together.” He added, “The future of our industry presents both a challenge and opportunity for change. My vision is that we are equipped to respond to change and drive innovation together, building an industry that leads the way forward.” The ability to respond and adapt to change was a big take-away from this year’s SHIFT conference for Suryaraj Panwar, a professional engineer and senior project manager with Arpi’s North Inc. “The decisions we need to make to ‘future proof’ our work was explored at length, with panels and speakers who expanded on the topic of innovation in our community and how it directly affects our industries,” Panward said. “With rapid changes to our work

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A little help goes a long way

The ECA supports 78 apprentices every year through scholarships By Shayna Wiwierski

Every year the ECA awards 78 recipients with scholarships. From left to right: Michelle Berg, program coordinator, Faculty of Extension, U of A; Danny Bielesch, scholarship winner; Katy Campbell, dean, Faculty of Extension, U of A; Doug Hansen, ECA director, Fillmore Construction.

A big part of what the Edmonton Construction Association (ECA) does is support those in the industry and those just entering. Every year, the ECA helps dozens of young men and women in their trade training and apprenticeship through scholarships. The monies to support these scholarships come from endowment funds built up by the ECA Board of Directors over many years, and every year the ECA awards 78 recipients with scholarships in total of $96,000 from endowed or direct ECA giving. The endowments provide 65 awards valued at $67,500, and the rest ($28,500) is through the ECA. The following scholarships are 22

Edmonton Construction Association

provided every year on behalf of ECA members: • 46 Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trades Awards ($46,000) • 4 ECA Family Member Scholarships ($10,000) • 5 Thygesen Family Awards ($7,500) • 4 Women in Construction Awards ($4,000) • 4 NAIT Advancement Carpentry Awards ($4,000) • 10 NAIT Awards ($1,000) • 4 NAIT Terry Fulcher Scholarships ($10,000) • 1 University of Alberta Construction Administration Award ($1,000) The ECA has been providing the Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry

Training Board (AAITB) with scholarships for the past 12 years. J’Amey Bevan, chair of the AAITB, says that the association is one of their top supporters. “Their scholarships help 55 apprentices every year,” says Bevan, adding that the majority of the scholarships go to those in Edmonton and the northern Alberta region. “We have 42 general AIT scholarships, we have three that go to women apprentices, and we have five that go to top apprentice scholarships. We also have five AIT scholarships that are shared with the Thygesen family.” Bevan says that when looking at who to award the scholarships to, they often see that the top item that apprentices talk about being their biggest challenge

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is financial assistance. She says that they

Advanced Carpentry Awards, and four

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The ECA also supplies NAIT with 18 scholarships; 10 NAIT awards, four NAIT

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From left to right: Jay Summach, Yellow Pencil, selection committee; Michelle Berg, U of A Faculty of Extension, selection committee; Kaitlin Jaffray, scholarship recipient; Matthew Fransson, scholarship recipient; Samantha Sjolie, scholarship recipient; John McNicoll, ECA; Jess Kuhnel, formerly of the ECA.

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ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 25

The ECA also supplies NAIT with 18 scholarships; 10 NAIT awards, four NAIT Advanced Carpentry Awards, and four NAIT Terry Fulcher Scholarships. Brad Mielke, instructor for the Construction Engineering Technology program at NAIT, also says that these scholarships help students complete their training without the stress of financial burden.

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result being that most have to depend on savings, loans, and awards to make it through their 16 months of school time. Those that do excel and demonstrate those qualities are recognized by these awards and do certainly benefit from the financial aid.” In addition to the 78 scholarships given from the endowment fund and ECA giving, the association also awards four $2,500 scholarships that are given to first-year students who are under 20 years old and whose parents are employed by ECA member firms. Potential applicants can apply via the ECA website, however, applications closed on October 9, 2019. For more information on scholarships, please visit edmca.com/education/ scholarships. u

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Association update By Ken Gibson, Executive Director, ACA Led by 2019 chairman Ian Reid (vicepresident, Bird Construction, Calgary), the Alberta Construction Association’s (ACA) board has approved three priorities: Influencing the government’s policy agenda; Support development of member capabilities; and advance industry interests with government procurement. Influencing government ACA advocacy is rooted in the fact that many Alberta families rely on a healthy construction industry, as one in 10 working Albertans directly earns their living in construction (240,000+ workers), with thousands more employed in related services and manufacturing. Since the election, the ACA has written the premier and key ministers aligning

their platform of efficient government, red tape reduction, creating jobs, and delivering on a transparent long-term capital plan with industry issues. To date, the ACA has met with new ministers to advance our advocacy: • Service Alberta to advocate for a review of construction payment legislation • Advanced Education to propose revitalizing the apprenticeship board • Infrastructure to discuss the proposed act, P3s, and possible red tape reduction initiatives • Labour to advocate for changes to OHS and WCB, and to propose partnerships for workforce recruitment, development, and retention. In each case, government ministers have been receptive to ACA advocacy, with the opportunity for the ACA to

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play a major role in consultations for the balance of 2019 and 2020. The ACA is pleased to note that past chairs Paul Verhesen and Paul Heyens have each received appointments to the Skills for Jobs Task Force, charged with finding ways to expand and strengthen apprenticeship education and skilled trades opportunities to meet market demand. The ACA supports the reintroduction of the option of banked overtime at 1:1 and is working with the government to revisit changes introduced by the previous government to Occupational Health and Safety, the WCB, and tendering requirements. The ACA continues to hear from members that not all of the changes fit the unique nature of construction work – weather conditions, remote locations, projectbased work where the role for one trade may be affected by the completion of work by other trades. Our advocacy focus remains squarely on two themes – advocating for sustainable, predictable investment so that our employees have steady predictable careers of choice, and advocacy to minimize unintended consequences that reduce the opportunity for our workers to earn the incomes they need to support their families. The ACA has submitted a number of red tape reduction recommendations based on these concerns. The ACA appreciates the support from Alberta Roadbuilders and the Heavy Construction Association, BILD AB, Electrical Contractors Association, and Construction Labour Relations

Association for a number of our positions. The ACA supports the efforts of the Canadian Construction Association to engage Alberta’s construction workers in informed participation in the October federal election. Government legislation is proving to have a dramatic impact on Alberta’s ability to export our resources to market, directly impacting the livelihood of all Albertans. Supporting member capabilities The construction trade press and industry commentators sound on an almost daily basis that the construction industry will be subject to more change in the next five years than the last 50 years. The ACA is undertaking a number of inter-related projects to help our membership respond to technological change. Th ACA has recently written its support for an application by NAIT for a province-wide initiative in digitizing construction. Should NAIT’s request of funding be approved by NSERC, this will trigger more than $2 million of construction research and innovation across Alberta.

delivery. The ACA has also requested representation on the Procurement Council recommended by the MacKinnon panel. The ACA’s workshops on the implications of onerous non-standard contract terms has now completed Phase 2, engaging in dialogue directly with owners to better understand how the contracting industry prices onerous terms, and fostering dialogue

to find win-win solutions of protecting owner interests while providing fair and profitable project opportunities for industry. The ACA has submitted a recommendation to Alberta Infrastructure to examine standardized contract language as a means to reduce government red tape. Thanks for your continuing engagement and support. u

Government procurement The ACA continues to engage Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Health Services in dialogue to ensure efficient and fair procurement and project delivery processes. The ACA thanks the Edmonton Construction Association for their generous invitation to join their board meeting to meet with new Infrastructure Minister Prasad Panda. Industry responded to Minister Panda’s challenge to improve efficient delivery suggesting areas to review including: procurement processes, including the current emphasis on selecting low bid, standard contracts and inappropriate risk allocation; insufficient resources for complete design for tender documents; scope changes post tender; payment terms; stability in spend and investment in workforce to avoid labour shortages; and more collaborative forms of project ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 29

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and accomplishments to owners and general contractors across Canada. We are constantly creating and testing new tools that will help you find the specific work you need to grow your business. We will also continue the work of adding high-value content and project information to make sure BuildWorks Canada remains your trusted source for project leads in your local service regions. Your local construction associations are here to serve you, and we are working hard every day to find work and improve our service to create exceptional construction procurement in Western Canada. Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to a safe and productive 2019 construction season. u

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Downtown: Everything’s waiting for you The current and future evolution of downtown Edmonton By Melanie Franner

Enbridge Centre, a $400 million 25-storey office tower, helped fuel growth in Edmonton’s downtown after opening in 2016. Photo courtesy of Pangman Development Corporation.

No one can argue against the fact that the Edmonton skyline is changing, but so too is the vibe and feel of the city. Developers are working hand-in-hand with city planners to revitalize the downtown core – and momentum is building. A new sense of purpose and a new energy is fuelling a new wave of development that will continue to change this cityscape for many years to come. The lights are much brighter there “We’ve seen a lot more attention and excitement building in the downtown core over the last few years,” says Ian O’Donnell, executive director, Downtown Business Association. “With that, we’ve seen the rise of younger entrepreneurs.” O’Donnell attributes this growing demographic to a combination of Edmonton graduates opting to stay in the city to launch their own careers (e.g. new restaurants and pubs) and to a continuing influx of tech companies. “The average age of employees in the tech sector is lower than you’d find in the more typical corporate world,” he says. “This tends to skew to a younger demographic.” The construction industry has responded to this changing demographic, focusing on creating new buildings to meet the evolving needs of this generational shift. “The bar has been raised,” notes O’Donnell. “The design industry has really raised the bar in terms of what they have

Edmonton Construction Association

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This 30-storey LEED Silver apartment building is perfectly situated steps from the Grandin LRT station, close to the University of Alberta and the downtown core. The Hendrix is a 260-unit building featuring street-oriented townhomes in addition to studios, one bedroom, two bedroom, and three bedroom units with scenic views of downtown and the city’s celebrated River Valley. The J. T. Ross House was carefully preserved and incorporated into the new development, bringing a touch of history to its new life as a boutique office space. Photo courtesy of Edgar Development.

provided to their clients. We started to see it in workplace design, with the addition of different types of amenities, like break-out rooms and common areas.” O’Donnell cites the Edmonton Tower and the Enbridge Centre as two recent examples that exemplify this change in construction. “These two buildings raised the bar in Class AAA space across the board,” he says. “They spurred redevelopment and renovation.”

Rendering of the the Parkview project, which will feature two residential towers on 108 Street and Jasper Avenue. The towers will be connected by a 13-storey podium and will be designed to have stores at street level. Photo courtesy of Pangman Development Corporation.

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No finer place for sure Anand Pye, executive director, NAIOP, is the first to admit that the downtown has changed – both commercially and residentially. “There’s been major investment in downtown office and residential projects, with several new towers completed in just the last few years,” he says. “That’s led to a lot of focus on industries which are growing fast enough to absorb all this new space.” Pye credits Edmonton with having one of the youngest populations in the country – and one of the most educated. “Having this demographic has proven to be appealing to tech companies,” he says. “They are coming here – and staying here.” A perfect example of this can be found with DeepMind, which was acquired by Google in 2014. The artificial intelligence (AI) company opened its first satellite research lab outside of London, England, in Edmonton in 2017. BioWare Video is another example. The company’s 300 employees moved into its

new downtown location in September of this year, occupying 75,000 square feet of space in the Epcor Tower. The surge in tech companies has definitely had an impact on the revitalization of the downtown core. Not only has it attracted a younger demographic, it has given way to an alternate lifestyle. “The people gravitating to our developments downtown aren’t necessarily the ones with kids living in the suburbs,” says Peter Jonkman, vice-president, construction, Edgar Construction. “It’s the younger professionals who want the downtown lifestyle.” Jonkman attributes the downtown evolution to a couple of factors, one of which is the City’s own focus on the area. Numbers from the City’s Edmonton Strategic Plan predict a population of 2.35 million by 2045. It also suggests the need for an additional 2.35 million square feet of office space and 2.35 million square feet of commercial space. The plan definitely calls for increased densification and a revitalization of the downtown core, citing a “shift to a more urban centre”, which will aid in it “becoming a more livable city”. “Our residents want to see more vibrancy, more nightlife, and a greater sense of community,” adds Jonkman. “They are looking for a more sustainable, more amenity-driven and more walkable/ car-share lifestyle.” Edgar Development recently finished the Hendrix Tower, a 30-storey apartment building located near the Grandin LRT Station, which is close to the downtown core. The 260-unit building features townhomes, as well as studio, one-, twoand three-bedroom apartments. The MacLaren is another recently completed project from the company. It rises 27 storeys and offers a collection of one- and two-bedroom rentals. Edmonton’s growing tech sector will not only help make the City’s plan a reality, it will also create demand for more downtown housing.

The neon signs are pretty A huge stimulus in the growth of the downtown core is the ICE District, a 25-acre, multi-use development that combines offices, condos, a public plaza, sports, entertainment, and shopping – all in one location. At the heart of this mini metropolis is the Roger’s Arena, a $480-million facility with an 18,500 seating capacity. It opened in September 2016. “The downtown core has changed

dramatically since the arena opened,” says Ben Aitchison, senior project manager, One Properties. “It acted as a catalyst for the area, spurring the opening of a lot of bars and restaurants. You’ve probably seen three to four residential towers go up as a result, with many more being planned. The whole vibrancy of the downtown core has increased dramatically.” According to Aitchison, Phase 1 of the ICE District is largely complete. Two of

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An innovative reimagining of the historic Buena Vista Building on the corner of 124th Street and 102nd Avenue, The MacLaren will consist of a 27-storey tower atop commercial space within the existing iconic building. The MacLaren will preserve the character of this wellknown corner in Edmonton’s Oliver neighbourhood, while promoting a modern, urban lifestyle in this prime locale. Photo courtesy of Edgar Development.

the three buildings are now open, with the third starting within the next few months. “The good news on this front is that the leasing interest in the downtown core has been very successful,” he adds. Aitchison cites the Stantec Tower as a prime example of this. The 66-storey building opened in 2016, with 1.3 million square feet of space. The aforementioned Edmonton Tower and Epcor Centre are other examples. The former 29-storey building opened in 2016 with 40,000 square feet of retail space and 430,000 square feet of office space. The 28-storey Epcor Tower opened in 2011 with 625,000 square feet of office and retail space. It was the first

building in the Station Lands project, and held the esteemed position of being the tallest building in Edmonton until 2017. “The leasing success of these latest towers shows that there is a demand for high-quality, energy-efficient and live/work/play spaces,” says Aitchison. “Edmonton is becoming a very popular place for Canadians. It has a very young demographic, led largely by a high student population. This encourages us, as a developer, to build more and more residential buildings. Our research shows that there is a growing willingness to live downtown. This younger generation is not as concerned with owning property, so high-quality rental buildings are very popular. At this point in their lives, they

Edmonton Construction Association

want to be entertained and enjoy life.” Mike Saunders, vice-president development, Qualico Commercial, also believes that the recent construction activity in the downtown core has attracted a lot of interest. “ICE District has boosted the energy of the downtown, and people have taken notice,” he says. “There are a lot of Edmontonians who are starting to look for something different than the suburban experience of having to drive to get a cup of coffee, drive to the grocery store, drive to a restaurant. They want a more walkable environment and our downtown is starting to deliver.” To that end, Qualico is in the process of revising its masterplan for Station Lands,

originally designed to bring five new office towers to downtown. “Station Lands is one of the last major growth nodes in downtown,” he explains. “We still have plans for five towers, but our vision is for much more than office space. Across the six remaining acres there will be a combination of boutique office space, mixed-use residential, and experiential retail. We see this as our opportunity to build an environment that’s going to have a much more positive effect on the long-term livability of the downtown.” Station Lands is slated to be a multiuse development on a 9+ acre site on land once occupied by the Canadian National rail yard. Once completed, it will offer 2.5 million square feet of office, retail, hotel, and residential space. Although there is little doubt that the ICE District has helped raise the allure of downtown, it’s not the only construction project to do so. Kevin McKee, CEO of Pangman Development Corporation, is quick to

point out a long list of significant projects

McKee admits that the construction

that have also helped fuel growth in

of the Rogers Place has gone a long

the downtown core. These include the

way to generating renewed interest in

addition of a new building at NorQuest

Edmonton’s downtown.

College; the consolidation of MacEwan

“But, at the same time, there has been

University’s operations; MacEwan

a lot of ancillary development, not only

University’s construction of a $180 million

around Rogers Place in the ICE District,

Centre for Arts & Culture; Royal Alberta

but additional investment in the area,”

Museum’s move to the downtown core in

he says. “There is a significant amount of

a new $375 million facility; the expansion

capital investment there. We’re talking

of the Francis Winspear Centre for Music;

billions of dollars in construction activity.”

upgrades to Citadel Theatre; the opening

One of the new developments that

of Enbridge Centre, a $400 million

Pangman Development currently has

25-storey office tower; and AIMCO’s

underway is the construction of The

recent purchase (and rebuilding) of the

Augustana, a 30-storey, mixed-use, high-

former HSBC Bank Place.

rise apartment building offering 240

“On a macro level, the growth in the downtown core can be attributed to the strength of Alberta and [the] City

residential apartment units that range from studio to three bedroom. The company also has plans for two

of Edmonton’s economics,” says McKee.

additional residential properties with a

“The changes are also a bit of a reaction

combined 1,800 apartment units, one of

to the real estate market and to the

which will be located on property near

design/construction community. As a

the proposed City of Edmonton Park

result, employers are more willing to

and the other on the former Edmonton

change the location of their office space.”

Motors property.

ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 37

One of the new developments that Pangman Development currently has underway is the construction of The Augustana, a 30-storey, mixed-use, high-rise apartment building offering 240 residential apartment units that range from studio to three bedroom. Photo courtesy of Pangman Development Corporation.

Things will be great This growing interest in the downtown is expected to continue well into the future. Various stakeholders – the City, developers, and residents – all have an investment in maintaining the momentum going forward. “If the current development slated for the downtown continues, along with the few great projects in the works now, then the downtown will see a dramatic increase in density,” says Edgar Development’s Jonkman. “And with that will come additional services and retail. That will make for a more vibrant downtown core.” Jonkman describes the City of Edmonton as currently being “great, but could be better”. He anticipates positive things for the future. One of these “positives” may take the 38

Edmonton Construction Association

form of another emerging demographic to the downtown core: seniors. “The current downtown demographic favours the 18- to 35-year-old crowd,” explains Downtown Business Association’s O’Donnell. “But the active senior population, those 55 to 70, are starting to leave their homes and move to the city centre. They’re interested in establishing a smaller residence so they can travel or they want accessibility to amenities.” One Properties has also recently broken ground on two new towers. At 12010 Jasper Ave., CNIB is a 33-storey residential rental building, while Clifton Place (124th St. and 102nd Ave.) is a senior living complex located on the west side of downtown. Aitchison anticipates that both residential towers will be completed

within the next two years. “We’re trying to develop product that meets a range of needs,” he explains. “We’re finding that where you have a lot of success is with projects that incorporate a lot of amenity spaces, like patios, gyms, hot tubs, golf simulators and eating areas, etc. People want their own living space but, at the end of the day, they thrive on social activity.” Qualico’s Saunders also envisions more activity within the senior population. “As our city ages, seniors are looking for living arrangements that allow them to be active members of their communities, while also giving them the autonomy to access retail, amenities, and other services that are nearby. Downtown is ideal for this,” he says, “and we’d like to help provide these types of opportunities.” Yet another potential change coming to the downtown may be renovation and demolition. “The biggest change that we haven’t yet seen will be the significant amount of Class C office buildings that will be re-developed into alternate uses, like hotels, rental, apartments, and condos,” suggests Pangman Development’s McKee. “I suspect that some of the poorer office buildings will actually be demolished at some point.” For NAIOP’s Pye, the future of the downtown core is one that continues to thrive on change. “We have to keep the momentum growing with some of the broader building initiatives over the next few years, like making a great downtown Central Park and the continuation of the LRT,” he concludes. “These will be major amenities for downtown. And I think, in turn, that these amenities will attract more people to come to, and stay in, the downtown core.” All this – and more – may lay in the future of the city’s downtown core. As to the actual degree to which it may occur, or when such things may happen – only time will tell. But regardless of how much or when, there is no doubt that downtown Edmonton will continue to thrive. u

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A new chapter for storied

Edmonton library

Stanley A. Milner Library undergoes $84.9-million renovation By Jim Timlick

The Stanley A. Milner Library closed in December 2016 as part of an extensive $84.9-million renovation. It is scheduled to reopen to the public in February 2020.

A popular fixture of downtown Edmonton is undergoing an extensive makeover and the transformation is already drawing plenty of curious stares and generating tons of buzz on social media.

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The pre-cast concrete panels that previously adorned the outside of the library have been replaced by a new zinc finish.

The Stanley A. Milner Library closed in December 2016 as part of an extensive $84.9-million renovation of the storied facility that was built in 1967 and attracts more than one-million visitors each year. It is scheduled to reopen to the public on February 14, 2020. In addition to an upgrade to the library’s exterior, the renovations include a massive overhaul of the building’s interior including the addition of a new digital interactive display wall and a much larger children’s library, as well as significant structural and seismic upgrades. The project is being overseen by the Edmonton operations of Clark Builders. The first change visitors to the library will notice is to the building’s exterior. The pre-cast concrete panels that previously adorned the outside of the library have been replaced by a new zinc finish. The zinc has a matte-like finish and is lighter in appearance than other zinc materials on the market. Because the product has

Edmonton Construction Association

a matte finish, it reduces possible glare while supporting LEED certification by reducing the so-called urban heat island effect. The matte finish will also provide a reflective finish at night. Mauro Zorzetto, project superintendent for Clark Builders, says the exterior work posed a number of challenges for his company and its crews. First and foremost was ensuring public safety, so fencing was installed to keep pedestrians a safe distance from the building during construction. Removing the old concrete panels was no simple task. However, Zorzetto says it was made easier by the fact that Clark was able to install a tower crane on the roof of the six-storey building to remove the panels, which were subsequently sent to a crushing yard to be converted into gravel for road construction. Visitors to the library likely won’t recognize it when they first walk through its doors. It was stripped right down to its core structure and has been reimagined

as an open air space with plenty of natural sunlight due to a substantial increase in the number of windows (from 288 to more than 650). The aim is to encourage people to mingle and explore. As part of an emphasis on “opening up” the building’s interior, a number of concrete barriers were removed and replaced by atriums to allow natural sunlight in. Other barriers were removed so that visitors can see what’s happening on multiple floors at the same time regardless of where they might be. “Previously, every floor was isolated from the floor above or below it. It was impossible to know what was happening on different floors,” says Paul Corbett, project executive. “With the new design… you can see a lot more movement and activity among the floors. It’s akin to opening a book. You can flip all the pages open at once and see multiple layers of the building. By cutting open the floors, it allows for different sightlines through to different areas.” Another major change to the building was the demolition of the library’s northend façade that had been added in 2000. In its place, a new addition was built that will house several collections of books and other artifacts, as well as a reading ramp where people will be able to read at their leisure. It will also serve as the library’s new entrance and is located on the northwest side of the building. In addition, the top three floors of the library have been totally modernized. Two of those floors will be occupied by library staff while the third will be available for lease to outside groups. Visitors who make their way to the library’s basement will notice some major changes to that area. The Muttart Theatre that was once buried there has been opened up to make it more accessible. In fact, the entire basement will be much more open and visitors will be able to use it to access the underground parkade and a new LRT line. “That entire area used to be a dark little hallway that felt like a dungeon. That’s now been opened up and integrated into the overall library,” Corbett adds.

Another major change to the building was the demolition of the library’s north-end façade that had been added in 2000. concrete, remove earth and concrete, and fortify the underground infrastructure. Complicating matters was the fact that the parkade remained open during construction and much of the work had to be performed by hand in extremely tight spaces.

Perhaps the most important upgrades to the library are ones that most visitors will never see. Due to its age, the building required some significant upgrades to its mechanical and electrical systems. That included digging down below the threelevel underground parkade to cut open

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The library was stripped right down to its core structure and has been reimagined as an open air space with plenty of natural sunlight due to a substantial increase in the number of windows.

“Consider the logistics of where you are. You’re three levels below ground with a six-foot head clearance,” Mauro says. “That makes for very small machinery, and mobility is very limited. What should have taken whatever amount of time was tripled or quadrupled because of that.” That was one of the reasons why the budget for the project rose from an initial $62.5 million to the final $89.4 million price tag. Further complicating matters was the fact the building required far more extensive structural upgrades than what was originally budgeted for. That included customized steel wrap-type structural

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The top three floors of the library have been totally modernized. Photo by Leroy Schulz.

Edmonton Construction Association

is different,” Corbett says. “Typically it was either smaller or not in alignment from what the calculations would have required.” Despite those challenges, there were few hiccups along the way. Corbett says one of the reasons for that was Clark Builders adhered to Lean construction principles on the project to effectively track schedules, budget, and personnel. In the case of Stanley A. Milner, the company also incorporated what is referred to as the Last Planner System (LPS). It’s a collaborative planning process that involves trade foremen or design team leaders actively participating in planning details as the time for completing the work draws close. “In traditional construction, a bunch of us sit in a room and create a schedule and then the people in the field go and try to adhere to it,” Corbett explains. “With the LPS…everybody is involved in the process, from the client to the architects, engineers, construction manager, and the people physically doing the work onsite. The actual schedule is developed by the people doing the work. It’s a very collaborative process. Everybody is relying on each other to do their task and do it on time and safely.” Steve Lenarduzzi, senior vice-president, Northern Alberta, says all of the work done on the library could extend its lifespan by another 50 years or more.

Left: The Stanley Milner Library team. From L to R: Paul Corbett, project executive; Steve Lenarduzzi, senior vice-president, Northern Alberta; and Michael Duchcherer, project manager. Missing from the photo is Mauro Zorzetto, superintendent. Below: Due to its age, the building required some significant upgrades to its mechanical and electrical systems. Photo by Leroy Schulz.

“The building has been designed and constructed so that it can adapt to the changing technology and the changing requirements of its users,” he says.

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While the actual opening of the library is still months away, the renovations have already generated plenty of online chatter. A number of commentators have posted critical reviews, some likening it to a battleship or tank. “We were a bit surprised by that, especially the fact that a lot of industry people and a few architects in the city chose to criticize an incomplete building and did it while the project was still in the construction stage,” Lenarduzzi says. “To me, architecture is something that’s supposed to be experienced, not just looked at. How do you criticize a building without walking into it and experiencing it? I thought that was a little unfair. But if it creates a conversation about architecture in the city, then that’s a good thing. I think it’s going to be an incredible facility that will be extremely active just like the old one. The interior is where the magic is going to happen with this facility.” u

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Collaboration and teamwork EPSB chooses IPD method for new schools By Melanie Franner Thelma Chalifoux, a Grade 7 to 9 school, was built using IPD technology.

When the Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) began planning its latest round of new builds, it did so with the intent to find an alternative to the traditional construction process. It was an innovative move that has since produced remarkable results.

New man in town Today, the EPSB has got five Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) projects under its belt. And it’s achieved significant success on many different fronts. “We began thinking about IPD about four years ago,” explains Terri Gosine,

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Edmonton Construction Association

director, infrastructure PMO, EPSB. “We had just opened 11 new schools and one of the things that we didn’t love about the process was the adversarial nature of the traditional construction process.” After some extensive research and conferences on IPD, along with conversations with a colleague in Red Deer, EPSB began working on its first IPD pilot project. Mill Creek School opened in January 2019. “Mill Creek came in on budget at $11 million, but we didn’t gain as many savings as we felt we could,” says Gosine. “But we still got a lot more in the school than we would have through the traditional construction method and we certainly got significant value from the experience.” The EPSB has since gone on to use IPD for four additional school projects: Thelma Chalifoux (Grades 7-9) and Soraya Hafez (Grades K-6); Dr. Anne Anderson (Grades 10-12); Garth Worthington (Grades K-9); and Aleda Patterson (Grades K-3) and Alex Janvier (Grades 4-9).

“Everyone is committed to working together to resolve problems. They are no longer working against each other.” “We definitely learned as we went along,” says Chris Wright, managing director, infrastructure, EPSB. “IPD is not a universal application. You have to tweak things and make adjustments with every team in order to get what best meets your needs.” The one constant in every project, however, is the collaborative working environment. “The relationship built among the team of people involved on the project is so different from what you would find in traditional construction methods,” says Gosine. “Everyone is committed to working together to resolve problems. They are no longer working against each other. To me, that’s huge. And it’s paying dividends.” More for less Delnor Construction Ltd. won the RFP for two of the EPSB’s IPD projects, each involving the construction of two schools. According to the general contractor’s CEO and principal, Glenn Cyrankiewicz, it was the first time the company worked with IPD methodology. “We were familiar with the concept and we’re looking for an opportunity to build using IPD,” says Cyrankiewicz. “EPSB was a long-term client of ours and we had a good relationship with them so we saw this as a really good fit and opportunity.” And so it proved to be. “We found that IPD was everything people claimed it to be – and then some,” says Cyrankiewicz. “In the end, you’re still building the same thing; you still have the same commodity of trades and roles. But I think IPD really breaks down the traditional conflict that you find on most traditional construction projects. The energy on IPD projects is

redirected toward solving problems. The problems still happen, but everybody is very motivated to solve them, rather than pointing fingers at each other.” Delnor Construction is about 75 per cent finished on its first of EPSB’s IPD projects and will be breaking ground on the second one shortly. “We’re ahead of schedule and under budget on our schools that are nearing completion,” says Cyrankiewicz. “And we’re giving the EPSB more value for

their money by adding ‘wish items’ into the scope of the work.” According to Gosine, the IPD methodology enables the “owner” to create a sort of “wish list” of items for each project. Wish list items aren’t usually expensive in terms of cost, but rather are items that enhance the building for the end user (in this case, students). For Edmonton Public Schools, the wish lists usually include items such as additional doors or openings to create more

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Grade K to 6 school, Soraya Hafez was also built using IPD which features a collaborative working environment.

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“Together we build our future, and our future looks bright.” 48

Edmonton Construction Association

flexibility in the schools. As savings are realized, items move from the wish list into reality. “There is nothing on the wish list of our second IPD project that we aren’t getting,” she notes. “IPD allows us to be really mindful of what our students need and then enables us to give them those tools.” Delnor Construction is also singing the praises of IPD. The company has since convinced two of its other clients to use IPD for their upcoming projects. Notable notes Harley Chorney, manager, Ideal Contract Services, got the opportunity to familiarize himself with IPD firsthand when the company won the contract for drywall services for the Thelma Chalifoux and Soraya Hafez schools. “It was an absolutely amazing experience,” he enthuses. “It was really a team environment, where everybody was working for the same goals. There was a lot of collaboration and teamwork, which created a lot of wins in efficiencies, budgets, etc.” And although Chorney sees the popularity of IPD resting with “some progressive owners”, he hopes to see more of it in his company’s future. Cyrankiewicz also believes that the success of IPD projects rests largely with the owners. “IPD proved to be a very positive experience for us,” he concludes. “But it definitely needs owner commitment from the get-go to be successful.” u

Moving the Industry Forward “Suppliers and subcontractors now have greater assurance of competing on a level playing field. General contractors are assured of completed bids that cover the entire scope of the project. Owners benefit because they can compare ‘apples-to-apples’ compliant bids on clear definitions. In the end, everyone wins.” —Ken Gibson, Alberta Construction Association www.tradedefinitions.com

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Reaching new heights New development going up in Airport City near Edmonton International Airport By Jim Timlick

The area around the Edmonton International Airport, known as Airport City, has been full of development in the last few years. Seen here is the Premium Outlet Collection Edmonton International Airport in the foreground, Costco Nisku behind that, and to the left is the Century Mile Racetrack and Casino with Costco behind it.

Located near the junction of Queen Elizabeth II Highway and Airport Road, the Premium Outlet Collection EIA is the first new shopping centre to be built in the Edmonton region in 30 years.

Edmonton Construction Association

When is an airport more than just an airport? It may sound like some kind of riddle, but it’s a question many people who live in Edmonton or visit the Alberta capital are asking themselves these days. What’s prompted the query is a recent flurry of construction in and around Edmonton International Airport (EIA) as part of a project that is often referred to as Airport City. The 600-plus acre development – located between the cities of Edmonton and Leduc – has generated more than $750 million in private investment in the

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Market research conducted on behalf of the mall has shown that nearly a third of its shoppers live at least 60 kilometres away from the Premium Outlet Collection.

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Edmonton Construction Association

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airport region so far, and that’s just in terms of building costs. The development includes everything from the Edmonton region’s only outlet shopping centre and a horseracing track to a massive truck transportation hub and an aerospace technology training centre. “I tell people we’re an airport and that’s our ticket to the game. But after safety and security, our job is economic development. What we really take to heart as part of our mission is driving our region’s economic prosperity through aviation and commercial development,” says Myron Keehn, EIA’s vice-president of air service and commercial development, adding all profits from the development are reinvested into the airport. “It’s about how do we utilize our real estate assets and the airport as a living lab to help companies accelerate their business or create opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist.” Planning for Airport City began in early 2008 while construction began in earnest in 2015. And EIA is literally just beginning to scratch the surface. It has another 3,000-plus acres of developable land in addition to the 600 acres that have already been developed. The concept of Airport City is based on four key pillars of development: aviation and aerospace technology; supply chain e-commerce; commercial retail; and light industrial construction. Some of the more notable developments to have taken shape as part of the transformation of the region include: • Century Mile Racetrack and Casino – a one-mile horseracing track and entertainment centre that offers yearround thoroughbred and standardbred racing, VLTs, dining room, and a sports bar. • Aurora Sky – a state-of-the-art, 800,000-square-foot greenhouse

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The concept of Airport City is based on four key pillars of development: aviation and aerospace technology; supply chain e-commerce; commercial retail; and light industrial construction.

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Edmonton Construction Association

facility for cannabis production and research featuring a glass ceiling that allows natural sunlight into the building and melts snow into water that can then be reused. • RedTail Landing – an 18-hole, prairielinks-style golf course located on a picturesque 234-acre plot of land. • Costco Wholesale – at 154,000 square feet, it’s one of the retail giant’s largest outlets in Canada. • Castrol Raceway Motorsport Park – a huge, 320-acre multi-motorsport park that offers everything from Le Mansstyle racing to monster trucks and dirt bikes, and attracts weekend crowds of as many as 30,000 people. One of the real centerpieces of the commercial development at Airport City is the Premium Outlet Collection EIA, a spacious 428,000-square-foot shopping mall that opened in May 2018. It features around 100 stores, including some of the biggest names in retail like Polo Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade New York, Lacoste, Under Armour, and Columbia Factory Store. Located near the junction of Queen Elizabeth II Highway and Airport Road, it is the first new shopping centre to be built in the Edmonton region in 30

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years. While its location makes it easily accessible for anyone living in Edmonton or neighbouring Leduc, it’s also quickly become a popular destination for people visiting the region. In fact, EIA offers complimentary transportation to and from the airport with its On-Airport Transit. As well, other travel-focused services such as flight information screens, boarding pass printing stations, and luggage storage are available at the shopping centre. Market research conducted on behalf of the mall has

shown that nearly a third of its shoppers live at least 60 kilometres away from the Premium Outlet Collection. The Ledcor Group oversaw construction of the shopping centre’s base while PCL Construction’s Edmonton operations completed the rest of the build. Abigail Alfonso, marketing and tourism manager for Premium Outlet Collection EIA, says the mall faced a few challenges during construction, such as Edmonton’s long winters, which

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Edmonton Construction Association

played a factor during construction. Also, because the mall is on Crown land, the approval process for permits was unique. Since opening, the mall has earned positive reviews from consumers, and the company was pleased with the final result. “We were fortunate to work with industry leaders for the construction of the shopping centre,” Alfonso adds. EIA’s Keehn says there have been a number of issues construction companies involved in the development of Airport City have had to contend with. That includes federal aviation regulations which govern everything from lighting and noise to odours and storm water. Much of the credit for overcoming those issues, Keehn says, is the result of the cooperation EIA has received from partner agencies like NAV Canada, Transport Canada, and the provincial and civic governments, as well as EIA’s own operations infrastructure team. “I’ve had the privilege of working at quite a number of airports in my career and I can honestly say our team is probably the most advanced when it comes to dealing with all those issues,” he adds. Much of the construction that has taken place in or near Airport City has been conducted by local companies both big and small. It’s something that’s a source of pride for EIA officials. “If possible, we want to utilize local construction companies because they can show the prowess that we have here in Edmonton. We have a great wealth of knowledge and expertise in all forms of construction,” Keehn says. As for the future of Airport City, EIA officials have already begun working with local governments and other partners on a new interchange that would open up about 2,000 acres of developable land. That site could become home to a wide range of commercial activity, including e-commerce, cargo logistics, retail development, hospitality, and light industrial. “You’ve got to put a lot of irons in the fire to get this much development,” Keehn says with a laugh. u

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Improving the odds How BuildWorks Canada adds value By Melanie Franner

Central Tower opened on August 1, 2019 and is a high-quality, condo-grade rental building right on the Central Park LRT line. The owner team utilized BuildWorks Canada to build and complete the project.

Edmonton Construction Association

There’s something to be said for someone who likes the company so much that he buys it. We’re all familiar with the Remington razor scenario, but there’s another tale to be told that’s a little closer to home. Enter George Schluessel, CEO, ProCura Real Estate Services Ltd., and Josh St. Cyr, president, Cyrcorp Partnership Ltd. The two came together on the Central Tower project; the former the owner and developer behind the 18-storey rental apartment building at Century Park, and the latter a project management and development services consultant. So successful was the partnership that ProCura bought Cyrcorp and St. Cyr came on board as a managing partner. So what set this project apart? According to St. Cyr, it was the aligned vision of both the developer and consultant, along with the added value that Cyrcorp was able to bring to ProCura through the use of COOLNet, now BuildWorks Canada (BWC). “We were able to maximize ProCura’s value proposition through engagement with contractors and subcontractors,” says St. Cyr. “We controlled and managed the project in conjunction with ProCura during the entire development stage of Central Tower. It was after the tower was under construction that George called me up and said that it had gone so well, he wanted to work together with us on future projects. He asked what the future held for us. Ultimately, it led to ProCura’s acquisition of Cyrcorp and a merger of our forces on aligned values, goals, and objectives.” The acquisition took place October 2, 2018. Looking back, St. Cyr admits that BWC

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The building incorporates a living wall in the lobby area, garden plots, a golf simulator, a full “Muscle Beach” gym, a spin room, a pool table area – and more.

played a role in the project’s positive outcome. “Was the success of Central Tower all due to BWC?” he queries. “No. Did BWC have something to do with the project’s success? Absolutely. You can have a good vehicle but you still need good drivers.”

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In the driver’s seat St. Cyr has long been an advocate of services like online plan rooms. It was his familiarity with COOLNet that saw him take ProCura down that route. “BWC is a partnership and merging of the previously provincial online plan room services provided by the various construction associations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba,” explains Curtis Griffith, director, business development, BWC, who adds that full membership in any of the construction associations within these three provinces provides full access to the service. By posting owner/developer project opportunities online, BWC broadens the window of opportunity for potential contractors and suppliers to get involved. “We’re extraordinarily well placed to do the work we do,” says Griffith. “We are sharing information with the industry and helping our members while growing

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ProCura’s next project is The Louvre, another residential apartment building in Central Park.

“We’ve been working very hard to really increase our contractor network. These relationships are becoming more important, especially in current economic times.”

local construction associations that are

proof positive that BWC brings value to

have a general contractor operate as a

adding a lot of value to the industry.”

the table.

facilitator, but you should design around

“By advertising the opportunity, we

Griffith explains that from an

the talent you have.” Another important element in the

economic angle, BWC provides owners

brought a lot of clarity, structure, and

with increased competition on their

process to the project that they didn’t

process is the relationship developed

projects. But the online service also

necessarily have,” he says. “I like to think

through services like BWC.

provides access to the “cream of the

that we created a really solid foundation

“We have really strong feelings

crop” when it comes to commercial

for the project. And it must have worked

about building direct relationships with

contractors.

because they have already expressed

our subcontractors and suppliers,” he

interest in working with us again.”

explains. “We’ve been working very hard

“Those who use our service are

St. Cyr concurs that BWC proved to be

members of their respective associations and tend to be the most qualified, the

very useful on the project. “BWC provides an opportunity for

most sophisticated, and the most ethical in the market,” he adds. Griffith estimates that BWC members

those people who want to use it as a tool,” he says, adding that, contrary to

represent about 15 per cent of the

popular opinion, the posting of a project

commercial construction industry, but

on BWC doesn’t mandate a low-bid

that they likely build 75 per cent of the

scenario. “It doesn’t have to be about

projects.

the lowest price. And it still allows for

Griffith is also quick to point out that

the ability to have the pre-qualification

BWC is a great platform for projects of

process. It’s more about putting yourself

all sizes and types.

at risk of not increasing your awareness

“Many private owners think that

of contractors by not using it.” St. Cyr emphasizes the need for

posting their project on BWC means

to really increase our contractor network. These relationships are becoming more important, especially in current economic times.” The proof is in the pudding Central Tower opened on August 1, 2019. And already, the 18-storey concrete structure is garnering rave reviews. “This is a high-quality, condo-grade rental building right on the Central Park LRT line,” says St. Cyr, who adds that the building incorporates a living wall in the lobby area, garden plots, a golf simulator, a full “Muscle Beach” gym, a spin room, a

that they have to go with the lowest

owners to broaden their circle of

bid, but that’s not the case,” he says.

contacts. He cites the potential scenario

“We are advertising a lot more private

of a small-town contractor who

in the future of purpose-built rentals

projects – everything from towers to

specializes in a certain stone technique

today,” says St. Cyr.

strip malls, new builds, and renovations.

or specific glazing finish, someone who

We’re a service that can add value, even

wouldn’t necessarily get the call to bid

co-generation unit means it has the

on projects that are only $60,000 to

on a big job, but someone who may

complete ability to supply its own power.

$70,000 in size. We can change the

hear of the project through a service like

The heat generated through the process

process – and add value on the front

BWC.

is used in the snow melt of the building’s

“It’s important to get the best people

end.” Of course, Griffith is quick to cite

available,” he says. “And to do that,

pool table area – and more. “It is an opportunity for us to live

Additionally, the Tower’s rooftop

sidewalks. Having used BWC on the Central

BWC’s success with ProCura on such a

you need to know who is available and

Tower project, St. Cyr identifies the

high-profile project like Central Tower as

what their specialty is. You can still

top two benefits of online service as:

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one, providing a transparent, organized

“We will definitely go through BWC for

process for procurement; and two,

The Louvre,” adds St. Cyr, who estimates

projects to come that will follow suit. “Our future project pipeline consists of

opening the doors to subcontractors and

that work will begin as early as winter

multiple urban locations in Edmonton,”

supplier relationships that may not exist

2019/2020.

concludes St. Cyr. “Together, they

otherwise.

The way forward

“Our next project is The Louvre,

St. Cyr describes Central Tower as

another residential apartment building in

encompass over 1.4 million square feet of land holdings, over 4.4 million square feet of developable space, and over

Central Park,” he explains. “This one will

“one of the most successful projects at

be a mix of wood, concrete, and steel. It

ProCura”. He states that it came in at a

will have 358 units and will be more of a

good price in a tight timeline – and with

stakeholders need to take advantage of

‘affordable meets luxury’ building.”

no delays or disputes.

online procurement services like BWC. It

Already, the company has committed

And, perhaps just as important, the

6,900 multi-family units.” Now, more than ever, all industry

may not fit the criteria of being a “game

decision has already been made to work

to using BWC on its next project. And

changer”. But it definitely delivers a

with BWC on the upcoming project.

chances are that there will be many more

significant value add. u

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ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 65

Wood you? Structural wood growing in prominence By Jason Syvixay Photos courtesy of Manasc Isaac and Beam Craft.

According to Beam Craft, structural wood systems have been proven to be a viable way to build all types of buildings, including tall buildings. Photo courtesy of Beam Craft.

Sidewalk Labs, the Google-backed company developing the plan for Toronto’s newest neighbourhood — Quayside, a 4.9-hectare waterfront — made national news recently for its announcement that its buildings would be made entirely out of timber. As The Globe and Mail’s architectural critic Alex Bozikovic writes, Sidewalk Labs “wants to build about six-million square feet of offices, homes, and retail space using engineered wood components that have been precut and partly assembled in a factory that Sidewalk promises to build in the area.” 66

Their goal? Fast assembly, reduced construction costs, and added health benefits. A neighbourhood built from trees may also add to “biophilic benefits”, connecting humans with their innate affinity towards nature. Some studies even correlate increased biophilia with enhanced well-being and health outcomes for people. As the Journal of Commerce reports, the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) will include the use of mass timber construction in 2020 for 12-storey structures. “The 2020 NBCC refers to encapsulated

Edmonton Construction Association

mass timber construction (EMTC), a construction method using engineered wood product which has a fire and strength rating. Encapsulated means the mass timber is encapsulated by Gyproc or other materials, such as concrete topping, to resist fire spread. Under the new ratings, EMTC buildings would use mass timber with a minimum thickness of 96 mm and a minimum 50-minute fire rating.” For Beam Craft, a commercial woodframing company that specializes in mass timber assembly, the shift towards structural wood systems is imperative. “Beam Craft has always been

WOOD SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE 2019 Rendering courtesy of Moriyama & Teshima Architects/Acton Ostry Architects Inc. Associated Architects for The Arbour

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Beam Craft has utilized mass timber products in a variety of projects in Edmonton and across Canada.

passionate about working with exposed

older mass timber systems — found

has multiple benefits across multiple

structural wood systems,” says Jason

in places like Edmonton’s warehouse

levels of our society.”

Beamish of Beam Craft. “From traditional

district — Beam Craft is continuing to

mortise and tenon joinery found in solid

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Edmonton Construction Association FM36848.indd 1

2019-05-08 9:07 AM

Architects Manasc Isaac are another Edmonton contributor looking to popularize mass timber across Canada. Photo by Jeff Hilbrecht.

“Wood fibre is integral to Canadian exports, as well as domestic use. Structural wood systems have been proven to be a viable way to build all types of buildings, including tall buildings. As a forested nation, Canada has the opportunity to be a global leader in the development of the next era of structural wood usage. Alberta specifically has a large amount of smalldimension softwood lumber which could be used in mass timber products.” Beam Craft has utilized mass timber products in a variety of projects in Edmonton and across Canada: • Tall residential: Brock Commons 18-storey tall wood building (Vancouver) • Low-rise mixed-use: Westblock 300 (Edmonton) • Educational: various schools — St. Jeromes (Vermilion), Edwin Parr (Athabasca), Springbank Hill (Calgary), Ranchlands (Medicine Hat), Morningside (Airdrie) and currently, the Kehewin First Nation school (Kehewin) • Commercial: Mountain Equipment Co-op (Edmonton, Calgary), Nearctic

Fast + Epp

offices (Edmonton), Nandos Restaurant (Edmonton) • Municipal: Queen Elizabeth Park (Edmonton), Prairie Winds Park (Calgary), Lewis Farms Fire Hall (Edmonton), Capilano Library (Edmonton), CASA Centre (Edmonton) In advancing these projects, Beamish recalls a variety of benefits, from reduced timelines and costs. “There is much written about the benefits of structural wood systems,” Beamish said. “The one that we are most focused on as installers is the efficiency of construction, commonly understood as ‘reduced site time’. However, there are several factors which must be realized,

Edmonton Construction Association

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As there are a limited number of specialists in this niche market currently, Beamish notes, “commitments should be made early and front-end planning and manufacturing timelines need to be respected.”

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understood, and embraced in order to have a success story worth telling. The mass timber market is emerging here locally and it is not without challenges.” He goes on to say that mass timber is not a commodity at this point in the marketplace. It is a custom, CNC-cut jigsaw puzzle that typically involves interfacing with structural steel, concrete, and envelope systems. This can cause confusion and mistakes when developers and general contractors operate in a traditional approach to bid tenders and building phases. Mass timber elements are only faster on site when intensive pre-planning, coordinating, specialty engineering, specific manufacturer involvement, installers, associated sub trades, and general contractor are working together, further ahead of the schedule than previously. As there are a limited number of specialists in this niche market currently, Beamish notes, “commitments should be made early and front-end planning and manufacturing timelines need to be respected. Traditional ‘transactional’ contracts built out of a hard bid tender system are difficult mechanisms for this type of process to thrive under.” Beam Craft joins a bevy of Edmonton contributors looking to popularize mass timber across the country: Western Archrib (mass timber manufacturer), Manasc Isaac (architects), GEC (architects), Fast & Epp (mass timber engineers), ISL Engineering (mass timber engineers), Mytec (mass timber installer), and Advanced Research in Timber Systems (UofA Faculty of Engineering). Western Archrib has been manufacturing glulam/mass timber in Edmonton since 1951, and all the projects mentioned have been manufactured and supplied by Western Archrib. Their scope of work includes preliminary budgeting, design and technical support, CNC prefabrication/ robotics, 3D modeling, custom finishes, and pre assembly. The facility can manufacture the longest and largest beams in North America (47 metres). With an additional facility in

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Manitoba, Western Archrib supplies to all of Canada and many points in the United States. Their glulam projects are featured prominently in award-winning projects,

“ The Alberta Wood-Works, Canadian Wood Council, and the Edmonton Construction Association, too, are putting in a lot of effort to make our business better.”

many of them previously mentioned. Another company, Fast + Epp, are structural engineers at the forefront of timber design in Edmonton and North America. With extensive experience in a wide range of mass timber products from nail-laminated timber to crosslaminated and glued-laminated timber, Fast + Epp has collaborated with multiple architects and clients to produce creative and beautiful buildings. Locally in Edmonton, they have designed the award-winning priMED Mosaic Centre and Ritchie Market, both of which are well loved and used in their communities. Mass timber was also incorporated into the design of the Kehewin Cree Nation K-12 School, the Bonnyville Town Hall, and the Metis Crossing Cultural Centre. Stephan Pasche, associate principal at Fast + Epp, notes that contractors and installers

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exposed mass timber structure,” says Skopac. “Personally, I prefer to use a variety of materials. However, I’ve noticed that the majority of end users we work with would find exposed wood to be a welcoming finish for their space.” Skopac and Manasc Isaac were the creative minds behind the Edmonton’s Mosaic Centre and Red Deer College Residence.

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Edmonton Construction Association

“The Alberta Wood-Works, Canadian Wood Council, and the Edmonton Construction Association, too, are putting in a lot of effort to make our business better,” Beamish proudly states. u

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Casting Call Prefab design and construction methods get its close up By Jason Syvixay

Coming from humble beginnings as a small family affair precast manufacturer, Eagle Builders has become one of Canada’s most recognized and trusted names in precast construction with global recognition for their quality. “Right now, we’ve got 150,000 square feet of production space and we’re doing everything from multi-level buildings for seniors to the largest NU bridge girders you can produce, to warehouses exceeding half-a-million square feet,” says Jesse Hawiuk, business development manager at Eagle Builders. “So, we’re fairly diversified in our precast concrete projects.” According to a study published by Polaris Market Research, the global precast concrete market size is anticipated to reach $149.1 billion (USD) by 2026. Its growth and application within the development industry is largely due to the rising need to reduce building costs, labour, and an increased desire for safer construction practices. As defined by Shreyanka S. Murari and Ashwin M. Joshi in “Precast Construction Methodology in the Construction Industry,” precast construction “is a manufacturing process, generally taking place at a specialized facility where various materials are joined to form a component part of the final installation”. Precast construction is believed to be particularly effective in reducing time, labourer requirements, and in significantly improving the quality, performance, and finish of a building. There are different types of precast systems — from large-panel systems to frame systems to precast concrete systems. All of these greatly accelerate

Jesse Hawiuk of Eagle Builders.

the construction process while adding value and exceptional degrees of quality ECA2019.pdf 1 9/16/2019 9:21:33 AM assurance.

“There’s lots of benefits to precast. For construction, it’s a streamlined process. Any time you can reduce

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your construction schedule, there’s a plethora of benefits that will result from it,” Hawiuk notes. “In some cases, we can find 60 per cent time savings when converting a conventional structure to precast. In the construction world, that’s huge for contractors and stakeholders!” Other benefits include less maintenance over time. As Hawiuk explains, “There’s a lot less maintenance with our precast concrete wall system. Typical wall assemblies in most cases require an extensive and costly maintenance program to prevent

corrosion, mould, and rust, whereas with our wall assembly we encased all structural and insulating elements in concrete allowing for an extremely durable building that, when tested, withstands the harshest working environments very affordably and for multiple generations.” A waterfront redevelopment in Toronto known as Quayside, a 4.9-hectare property, is being led by a Google company — Sidewalk Labs. Sidewalk Labs is exploring and investigating adoption and adaptation of precast

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design and construction. As explained by Sidewalk Labs’ Eric Baczuk, many firms lack the capital to invest in new technologies that streamline construction, reduce costs, and keep end-user (e.g. a tenant or homeowner) prices low. Baczuk contends that construction industries in the United States only invest 0.5 per cent of their annual construction costs to research and development of new development strategies and techniques — “far below that of other manufacturing-oriented industries like automotives (3.7 per cent) or computing and electronics (8.8 per cent).” Baczuk adds, “The net result is that buildings are made the same way they were during the mid-20th century: workers perform highly repetitive tasks and custom-fit stock materials together on-site.” Precast design and construction methods could reduce overall development costs by “over one-third, and completion schedules shortened by over half,” notes Baczuk. The “prefab trend” is sweeping the world, from Sweden to Australia to Asia. Is Alberta next? Change often takes a pioneer. As Hawiuk notes about precast concrete systems, “Stakeholders in the Alberta market are starting to shift from conventional construction to precast,

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but are still only dipping their toes. If we look in Ontario, full structural precast concrete towers 26 storeys and greater are common to find, but here, designers and stakeholders haven’t quite committed yet, but it’s only a matter of time.” He adds that over the last five years, Eagle Builders and the local industry has come a long way. “Not only are we shifting the outdated perception of concrete by showcasing the incredible structural and architectural capabilities of precast, we are proving the sustainability of it,” says Hawiuk. “When you compare a true cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment looking at embodied costs, energy usage, and greenhouse gas emissions of a building, studies are finding that precast concrete can (in a lot of cases) be more sustainable than conventional systems.” Hawiuk mentions that there is some great research being conducted right now and one of the more interesting findings by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is showing that up to 72 per cent of GHG emissions are not properly accounted for in the wood industry. “When the true analytics are added into the cradle-to-grave assessment, the systems become much more comparable, putting concrete as a sustainable front runner,” he says. “So, there needs to be more transparency and available research for designers and stakeholders so they can make informed decisions for our suitable future.” Eagle Builders sees itself as more than just a precast concrete manufacturer. “We’re taking the risk away from the owners, builders, and consultants. We procure raw materials and turn them into full structural packages, ensuring the quality throughout the entire process. Doors, windows, roof membranes, they can pick and choose what they like, but the full structural system is our scope. That just reinforces the confidence in what they are buying. We’re big advocates for precast, we like to push its boundaries and grow the industry — we truly believe it is the best system you can buy.” u

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ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 81

29/03/13 2:09 AM

Here comes the sun Solar energy on the rise in Edmonton By Melanie Franner

The Seventh Street Annex in Edmonton has taken solar to new heights with their 128 kW wall mounted solar PV system.

The City of Edmonton has long

photovoltaic (PV) modules. This price

established itself a leader in building

reduction started in 2013, he adds.

design and construction. And when it

Since then, PV modules have been

Seeing is believing One of the big projects currently heating things up for the industry is the

comes to the use of solar energy, the

making their way into construction

retrofit of the Edmonton Convention

City’s record has followed suit.

projects that cover the gamut –

Centre.

Today, solar electricity accounts for less than one per cent of the city’s total

government, commercial, school, largescale utilities, and residential.

The $10+ million project will see about half of the panels in the building’s atrium

electric energy usage. But that number,

“Over the last decade, there has been a

in itself, is almost 17 times what it was a

top-down direction and initiative of many

mere five years ago, and 100 times from

municipalities, counties, institutions, and

eight years ago.

large corporations to ‘Go Green’, and

by DIALOG to withstand extreme

“The growth rate of the City’s installed

(or 696 of them) replaced with PV glass units. The installation has been designed

reduce their carbon footprint,” says David

temperatures and accommodate the

solar PV capacity over the last five years

De Bruin, renewable resources, business

vertical slope of the building’s roof.

is 1,560 per cent, which is 75 per cent

development, AltaPro Electric Ltd. “In

per year, and 9,600 per cent over the

the last few years, this direction has

a uniquely Edmonton display that will

last eight years,” says Gordon Howell,

been met with new programs and new

be visible from within the atrium and

president, Howell Mayhew Engineering.

grant streams. All of these have boosted

across the river valley,” states the design

the total megawatts of solar energy

company.

Howell attributes much of this growth to the dramatic decline in price for solar 82

Edmonton Construction Association

produced each year.”

“The finished installation will feature

The PV cells are expected to

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generate about 227,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually and to reduce GHG emissions by more than 150,000 kilograms. The new investment is expected to be paid back in about 22 years. “The Edmonton Convention Centre is just one of hundreds of solar systems being installed in and around Edmonton,” says De Bruin, who mentions his company’s recent work in producing ‘Net Zero’ electrical solar designs for commercial clients and other clients like the Edmonton Public School Board. “The new Millcreek Public School is a great example of how we integrated the PV panels into the building façade and wall design. The students are being educated

about their PV system when they look to the indoor monitor, which provides full visibility of the system’s technical and financial performance, including integrated charts and PV array layout.” Despite being just one of many highprofile projects recently announced or underway, the Edmonton Convention Centre continues to be the darling of media attention – which is a good thing for the industry. “Visibility of solar drives adoption of solar,” says David Vonesch, president, SkyFire Energy. “Those that see the solar glass at the convention centre will begin to consider solar for their home or business.”

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Market heats up Just as the visibility of solar energy has risen dramatically over the last few years, so too has the reasons behind its implementation. For one, research has shown that the city of Edmonton is ideally positioned to take advantage of the alternate power. “A solar system installed in Edmonton will produce about the same energy as a system installed in Rio de Janeiro,” notes Vonesch. “Our cooler climate actually improves the efficiency of the solar modules.” But it is about more than just location, location, location. “Initially, clients were installing solar systems for environmental reasons,

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Jayman Built has partnered with SkyFire Energy to offer solar as a standard feature on every Jayman single-family home.

but more recently, it is the economic model that is attracting a new cliental,” says Clifton Lofthaug, president, Great Canadian Solar. “The previous provincial government invested smartly by putting solar on most of its new schools. But there has been significant investment from the private sectors, including commercial, agricultural, and utility-scale solar farms as well.” There are additional advantages to solar energy, aside from the obvious energy and GHG savings. “Solar systems are very reliable and they have long warranties as well,” says Vonesch, who cites 25-year power production warranties for solar modules/ panels and 10- to 25-year warranties for inverters. “They are also deployable at any scale – from small residential to large utility-scale projects.” Already, home builders within the Edmonton area are integrating solar energy into their offerings. Jayman Built, for example, describes itself as the first builder in Alberta to have solar panels standard on every 2019 home. The company estimates that solar will be included on approximately 750 homes in the province in 2019. It is partnering with SkyFire Energy for the panels. There is no doubt that solar energy is making significant inroads into the city of Edmonton. And it looks like the future will continue to be just as bright – if not brighter.

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ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 87

More than just a number Workforce age demographics in the construction industry By Shayna Wiwierski

One out of 13 workers employed in Canada earns a living in the construction industry. The changing demographics of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s labour force, especially when it comes to those in construction, has increased dramatically over the past few decades. According to BuildForce Canada, since 1996, the construction sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total employment has increased by nearly 730,000 workers, and the industry, in total, employs about 1.4 million people. In Alberta alone, one-in-10 working Albertans earns their living in construction, according to the Alberta Construction Association. 88

Edmonton Construction Association

Graham Construction is one of many construction firms who hire those who fall into the Generation Z category.

According to BuildForce Canada, 1.4 million Canadian men and women have jobs in a wide variety of construction trades and professions. Photo courtesy of Graham Construction.

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Trevor Doucette, general manager at Graham Construction, says that the ages of their employees range from early ‘20s up to over 65.

Since 2010, Canada’s annual GDP growth for the construction industry has increased 2.9 per cent, meaning that more people are seeing the construction industry as a viable and long-term career path. So much so that 1.4 million Canadian men and women have jobs in a wide variety of construction trades and professions. Robert Half, the world’s largest specialized staffing firm, deals with a lot of construction companies helping to find ideal and competent potential employees; the company does the hiring for many construction organizations across the city, of all sizes and types. Evangeline Berube, branch manager at Robert Half in Edmonton, says that in terms of those entering the workforce

they are seeing a lot of incoming employees from Generation Z, those who were born between 1990 and 1999, roughly. “What are they generally looking for? We definitely see a demand for aptitude and attitude over technical skills, particularly when they are looking at hiring more junior-level roles,” says Berube. “What I mean by that is there is a real sense that it is about cultural fit and hiring someone who will adapt to change very easily and pick up new technical skills quickly. That is really important in looking at hiring people right out of school or with not a lot of experience since organizations – not just construction – understand that the world is changing and it’s changing very

quickly, and they need employees who can help their organization navigate and thrive through that change.” Graham Construction is one of many construction firms who hire those who fall into the Generation Z category. Trevor Doucette, general manager at Graham Construction, says that a large proportion of individuals who are being hired on with the company are out of university or some sort of post-secondary education and that they are highly advanced in the technological aspect of the industry. “Everything is highly advanced text and we are in the age of almost paperless transactions. Much of our project management documentation, drawing reviews are on cloud-based sites and we utilize online project management

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Edmonton Construction Association

software for communications and document control,” says Doucette, who adds that the ages of their employees range from early 20s up to over 65. “That’s where we see their skillsets. They are very eager to work and eager to learn. One of the skills – it’s probably not a hard skill, but more of a soft skill – is that eagerness to learn.” In terms of those retiring, both Doucette and Berube mention that people are sticking around a little longer, or are semi-retiring. Berube says that they see a lot of individuals who don’t want a full-time job anymore, but want more flexibility and are happy to do consulting work instead. She says they do this for a number of reasons; one, it gives them a purpose to get up in the morning; and two, they might not be ready financially to retire. “I think that because of some of the economic downturns we have had and issues we have had in the last 15, 20 years, it has eroded some people’s ability to save,” says Berube. “They are not able to fully retire when they want.” For many, financial issues may be the reason they are getting into the construction industry. Allan Jensen, chair of the Carpenter Apprenticeship program at NAIT, says that although the average age in their classes are the high 20s, they have a lot of people who are in their 50s and 60s who are changing careers as well. “We have lots of people with university degrees, and lots are looking to learn something that is more satisfying for them,” says Jensen. “Some of them have these degrees from university that have struggled for years to find gainful employment in and are now working in a trade and happy to be doing so. It’s paying the bills and feeding them.” Roger Cloutier, program chair for the Millwork and Carpentry program and Cabinet Making Apprenticeship program, adds a recent stat from the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, in that 40 per cent of apprentices that schools are seeing today have some sort of degree.

Of course, when it comes to those entering the industry, just like a lot of things in Alberta, it really depends on the economy. Jensen says that when oil was booming and construction was on the rise, they would see 1,200 to 1,500 students per year who were eligible for training who chose to enroll. They would max the classes out to 900 spots. In the last few years, that number has been reduced, and this year they have 720 spots and he says they struggle to fill those completely. With that being said,

Jensen adds that it isn’t necessarily a bad thing since companies are now choosing more qualified employees rather than taking as many as they can get to fill busy worksites. “They are screening a lot better now because they can,” says Jensen. “Before, they needed so much manpower that they often didn’t have the luxury of caring what their skills starting out looked like, they just needed a body in there. So it seems to have gone from one extreme to another.” u

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ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 91

Breaking barriers Female-focused events at the ECA By Shayna Wiwierski

The September 2019 YBG FaceTime event, Changing the Face of Design & Construction focused on the push towards equal representation in the workplace, as well as diversity and inclusion.

When it comes to male-dominated industries, construction definitely makes the list. Although the numbers have been slowly changing, according to Statistics Canada’s most recent Labour Force Survey, of the 934,000 people working in the industrial, electrical, and construction trades in 2008, only 3.7 per cent of them (34,600) were women. The construction industry is one of Canada’s largest industries, employing over 1.2 million men and women, so it makes sense that there is an upswing in the amount of females choosing a career in the trades. The ECA has been recognizing this as well and has recently been offering more events to cater to

their female members. Take for instance the September 2019 YBG FaceTime event, Changing the Face of Design & Construction. The second FaceTime of 2019 focused on the push towards equal representation in the workplace, as well as diversity and inclusion. The event, like all FaceTime events, brings together YBGs to interact with senior leaders in a “speed dating” format. “Most of our FaceTimes are a little broader and this was much more specific on changing the face of diversity and inclusion in the design and construction [industry],” says Lindsay Munn-Price, manager of capital projects for the University of Alberta, and a member of

Edmonton Construction Association

the YBG leadership team. “We invited both female and male mentors and it was interesting to hear the males. One had four daughters and another had two daughters and they said ‘I’m here because I have daughters and I want to raise them so their options are more open’. It was interesting to hear from a male perspective that they had personal interest in it as well.” Of the seven mentors, only two were male. They included Kalen Anderson, director, The City Plan, City of Edmonton; Cynthia Dovell, principal, AVID Architecture; Cory Jodoin, president, Jen-Col Construction Ltd.; Salima Kheraj, chief innovation officer, Beaverbrook Group of Companies; Jillene Lakevold,

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Of the seven mentors, only two were male at the sold-out September 2019 FaceTime event.

vice-president of manufacturing, All Weather Windows; Jill Matthew, chief customer experience officer, Norquest College; and Andrew Sharman, vicepresident, facilities and operations, University of Alberta. The sold-out event was a success and Munn-Price, who has worked in the

industry herself for over 15 years, says it is just the start of what’s to come with what the ECA has up their sleeves. Another event the ECA offers, which is strictly just for females, is the Women’s Nine and Dine, a female golfing event which lets women brush up on their golf skills and network with each other as well.

Edmonton Construction Association

The idea for the event came about in 2017 when Jeneth Pelletier, proposal coordinator at Chandos Construction, had played in a couple golf tournaments through the ECA and noticed there weren’t a lot of women playing in these events. She became friends with Caroline Bowen, director of membership at the ECA, and they had spoken briefly in passing about creating something that was specifically for ladies. “Every year there is an abundance of golf events which companies participate in corporately,” says Pelletier. “Generally speaking, women don’t feel confident enough to put their hand up to represent their companies in these events, so we wanted to make an event to help women understand that golf should be fun and it’s a time to make business connections and network with others.

YBG is where careers and connections are made! A healthy and connected YBG means a healthy, connected future for construction in Alberta. Formed in 2014, the YBG has become the gathering place for emerging leaders in every construction sector— not only contractors and trades, but designers, engineers, owners, and other stakeholders. If you’re an ambitious, creative leader in the first half of your construction career, the YBG is for you! For more information, visit edmca.com/ybg @YBGBUILDSYEG

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The Nine and Dine was born in 2018 where they had 15 women attend with five golf pros. The ECA held the event again in 2019 where 40 women participated.

It isn’t something that should be scary or uncomfortable or intimidating. Golf skills shouldn’t hold them back from making advancements in their careers and connections with others in their industry.” The event was born in 2018 where they had 15 women attend, as well as five golf pros, who were paired in five different groups. The first event, which was held at Riverside Golf Course, was a

success and the players mentioned that they were interested in doing it again next year and that they have friends who would love to join. In 2019, the event was held at Lewis Estates Golf Course on August 8 where they had a total of 40 women who played a nine-hole scramble and then shared drinks and appetizers after. The second part of the event is networking, where the golfers are able

to sit down with other women in the industry and talk with each other, sharing their experiences, both personal and in their career, and make connections with other women in the industry. The ECA plans to continue running the Women’s Nine and Dine annually and Pelletier says that the feedback has been phenomenal, adding that their hope is to grow the event to a full field of golfers in the next five years or so. She also adds that they are in the process of planning four events in 2020 that will be directed to women and give them another opportunity to network with more people. “Sometimes as a woman in the construction industry, it can feel isolating

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a definitely a male majority, especially in the field, but that number is changing, slowly but surely,” says Pelletier. “It is nice to make those connections outside your company with other women, it is nice to hear their story. It feels so great to have the opportunity to show support for one another.” For more information, please contact Caroline Bowen at caroline.bowen@edmca.com. u

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ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 97

The productive construction supervisor and the five M’s of construction By Phil Perry

The difference between the success or failure of a construction project often depends on the construction supervisor the contractor puts in place on site. This supervisor is known by many titles such as superintendent, site manager, foreman, or site supervisor. Every contractor will determine how they approach projects and what the office will do and what will be done in the field. Essentially the project manager will manage the business of the contract and the construction supervisor will manage the business of the site. While the project manager is focused on the overall strategy for the success of the project, the construction supervisor is focused on the tactical level to achieve project success. The project manager and construction supervisor need to work as a team for the project to be successful. Over the years, I have done hundreds of seminars for contractors and subcontractors of all sizes and from all segments of the construction industry. They are all facing similar issues when it comes to production (or lack of it) on site. When a project is struggling, it inevitably comes down to one or more of the five M’s not being managed by someone. The five M’s are things beginning with “M” that need to be managed. This is true of a foreman in charge of a crew, a superintendent in charge of dozens or hundreds, a project manager in charge of multiple sites. It is true of the contractor, a subcontractor, or a sub-subcontractor. They are: • Men/women – The people involved with the project (both internal and external 98

When a project is struggling, it inevitably comes down to one or more of the five M’s not being managed by someone.

to the organization). We build the project with the people we have or can find. This can be challenging in a hot economy. Don’t manage new people like they are experienced and don’t manage experienced people like they are new. • Materials – The materials required for a work package should be 100 per cent there before work starts on the package. This requires proper procurement by whoever is procuring the materials and the proper drawings and specifications and proper shop drawings in enough time for the procurement to happen. Easier said than done at times. If the office is buying 90 per cent of the materials and the field is buying 10 per cent, that office/field split needs to be determined early and managed. It drives the superintendent nuts to buy everything they were supposed to buy along with everything the office was supposed to buy, but “forgot” to buy. • Machines – The small tools and construction equipment needed by the workforce. Is there enough or are crews standing around waiting for equipment? Superintendents have a tendency to hoard equipment because they may need it so they need to buy into the equipment plan for the project.

Edmonton Construction Association

• Methods – There are lots of ways to do things. The supervisor needs the IFC drawings and specifications (and shop drawings) in time to properly plan and execute the work. If the drawings and specifications are constantly changing, this will require a lot more effort to manage the methods being used at the workface. • Money/manhours – In broad strokes, the project manager keeps an eye on the dollars and the site keeps an eye on the hours. If it is a 10,000-hour project and the supervisor gets it done for 10,000 hours, things will generally work out. If it is headed to 12,000 hours, there better be 2,000 hours (with the associated dollars and time) in change orders. If a project is going off track, a review of the 5 M’s should be done to see which one (or ones), needs to be adjusted. The sooner the problems are identified and managed, the sooner the project can be brought back on track.

Phil Perry is president of Perry Educational Services Ltd. He has over 30 years of construction management experience and has been delivering courses on construction management for various organizations such as the Edmonton Construction Association for over 11 years. u

Cheers to 50! RPK Architects celebrates half a century of work By Shayna Wiwierski

One of RPK Architect’s newest projects was the Hay River Regional Health Centre. The architectural company turns 50 years old this year.

RPK partners from left to right: Jan Pierzchajlo, Jonathan Rockliff, and Jan Kroman.

100

Edmonton Construction Association

A long-standing Edmonton architectural firm celebrates a milestone anniversary this year. Rockliff Pierzchajlo Kroman Architects (RPK) celebrated 50 years of continuous business in 2019. The company, which was founded by John Rockliff and Erwin Bauman, is now headed up by John’s son Jonathan Rockliff, Jan Pierzchajlo, and Jan Kroman. Throughout the last half-century, the ideals of the firm have stayed the same, while the ownership structure has changed. Pierzchajlo joined the company 30 years ago and became owner five years after that, with Jonathan becoming partner in 1999, and Kroman becoming partner in 2016. RPK’s portfolio spans across Edmonton, Western Canada, and the Territories, with a focus on health care, long-term care, socially responsible housing, civic, and institutional projects. Pierzchajlo says that the firm started and built its reputation in housing in

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JOIN THE PEG! Formed in late 2017, the Professional Estimating Group (PEG) is focused on bringing together and supporting the estimators, spec writers, quantity surveyors, and PMs who work hard to keep the project pipeline full! Through networking, mentoring, and professional-development events, the PEG will cultivate the business relationships and friendships that every professional needs to excel in their work. Remember: the PEG is open to all employees of ECA member firms. For more information or to join, please email Daniel Bennett at daniel.bennett@edmca.com.

Pierzchajlo says that the firm started and built its reputation in housing in the ‘70s and ‘80s. After he joined, they developed an expertise in health-care design, designing acute care hospitals in Alberta, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.

Historic photo from RPK Architects early days.

the ‘70s and ‘80s. After he joined, they developed an expertise in health-care design, designing acute care hospitals in Alberta, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. This expertise continues to this day, tackling projects of various scales. As an extension of this specialty, they have constructed many seniors accommodations and supportive living facilities as well. In recent years, they have been excited to refocus on Edmonton, rehabilitating City buildings for not-forprofit art groups. Pierzchajlo says that they like designing buildings that bring a sense of community; creating lasting structures that act as a touchstone for citizens. Several notable buildings that RPK has designed include the Bonnyville Health Centre, Reynolds Museum, the Whitehorse General Hospital, and the rehabilitation of the building envelope of the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre in Fort McMurray. Most recently, in Edmonton they have renovated the Muttart Conservatory, constructed Fire Hall No. 5, and are currently working on two rehabilitations of buildings in the Quarters District of the city. In particular, the Hay River Regional 102

Health Centre is one of Pierzchajlo’s favourite builds to date (although he adds that they are all important and that it’s like “choosing your favourite child”). The use of colour and the organization of the building makes it so much more than an acute health centre; it truly invites the community to a space of healing. A similar humanistic approach is being employed for the emergency department being added to the Misericordia Community Hospital in Edmonton, slated to be operational in 2023. “This [emergency department], for the next 10 years, will be the latest and greatest,” says Pierzchajlo. “People interested in emergency department design will come to visit it, because it will embody the most current thinking in terms of evidence-based design and patient-centered care.” When designing their projects, Pierzchajlo says that they try to be contextual in that the building should fit into their neighbourhood, whether that’s a mid-century modern look or something more historic. He adds that there is a great collaboration between the client, owner, and themselves to ensure that the finished solution meets their needs

Edmonton Construction Association

and that the building is forward-thinking in terms of anticipating what the owner may need in the next 10 to 20 years. Currently the company has 19 staff; six architects, one intern architect, two students, and 10 technologists. Pierzchajlo says that although a few decades ago at 15 staff they were considered a large company in Edmonton, the business of architecture has changed greatly over the years. “Now, large is 60 to 80 people and our size of firm I have heard people call it a ‘boutique company’,” says Pierzcharjlo. “Through mergers and acquisitions, these companies are becoming bigger and they sort of gobble up each other and we have resisted that because it allows us as partners to actually do the architecture as well, as opposed to just running a business with staff doing the work and us disconnected.” Pierzchajlo adds that when they brought on Kroman it infused some new energy and ideas into the company. “RPK’s culture continues to evolve – but the core values stay the same; we are and will always be a service firm. We always put the client first.” As for the next 50 years, Pierzcharjlo says that he sees more of the same; constant evolution, based on strong core values. “We will continue to exist as an independent force, provide great service and give back to the community with fantastic architecture,” says Pierzcharjlo. “It’s been a great 50 years and we are excited about the future and excited to be celebrating this milestone ourselves.” u

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Ewel

Fast + Epp

Fibertel Communications Canada Inc.

Field Law LLP

Fluor Canada Ltd.

Foster Park Brokers

Frontline Contracting

Grant Metal Products Ltd.

Gravisys Inc.

Hendriks Construction Ltd.

Hub International

Inline Group Inc.

Innovative Fall Protection

ITC Construction Group

JK Environmental

Johnston Builders Ltd.

Kehoe Equipment Ltd.

Keller Foundations Ltd.

Kerr Interior Systems

Ketek Group Inc.

Sherwood Park Dodge

Kor Alta Construction Ltd.

Soletanche Bachy Canada

Lenbeth Weeping Tile

St. Albert Parking Lot Maintenance

Lloyd Sadd Insurance Brokers

Loadrite

Super Save Group

Madsenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Custom Cabinets

Master Paving Alberta Ltd.

McElhanney Land Surveys

Synergy Projects Ltd.

T & T Sand & Gravel Ltd.

TC Infrastructure Services Ltd.

McLennan Ross LLP

Tech-Crete Processors Ltd.

Merit Contractors Association

Terra Excel Constructor Corporation

Miclex Construction Inc

104

Midwest Caissons 2014 Inc.

Modern Cladding Finishes

Modern Niagara Alberta

Mytec Contracting

Nait

103

Total Plumbing and Heating Ltd. United Supreme Group Inc.

69 6 OBC

University of Alberta

W.R. Meadows of Western Canada

Wallworks Acoustic Architectural Products

55 61

NC Equipment Ltd.

Waste Connections of Canada

Nilex Inc

WD Industrial Group

Northern Exposure Decking

Wescor Food Equipment

Northland Construction

Western Archrib

Overhead Door Co. of Edmonton

Paandon Construction Ltd.

Western Kwik Forms Inc.

Park Paving Ltd.

Western Weather Protector Ltd.

PCL Construction Management Inc. Petrocom Construction Ltd.

3 78

Positive Life Concepts

Protint Inc.

Pumps & Pressure Inc.

Qualimet Inc.

Rapid Concrete Ltd.

RKT Contracting Inc.

Robert B. Somerville Co. Limited

Sabre Concrete Construction Inc.

Sego Industries

Serv-All Mechanical Services Ltd.

Shelby Engineering

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ECA Breaking Ground | Winter 2019 105

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