From Discovery to Innovation
Institute for Research in Construction
Presentation by Chris Norris on behalf of
Sherif Barakat Director General, Institute for Research in Construction FIATECH Technology Roadmap Workshop November 15 2002
National Research Council (NRC) • • • •
National organization, federal government agency 3,300 full-time employees, 1,096 guest workers Labs and facilities across Canada Network of technology advisors to support small business • Dissemination of S&T information to industry and scientific community • Provides essential elements of national S&T infrastructure
Research Institutes • 19 research institutes; focused programs in technology sectors important to Canada’s economy • Spectrum of research activities from long-term strategic to client-driven partnerships • Collaborative research, consortia, special interest groups, facility-based partnerships • National mandates, located and integrated regionally • New institutes / research centres under development
The Canadian Construction Sector • A national asset that impacts the competitiveness of every other sector • Major public good issues - health and safety • Geographically distributed • No government ministry or focus
The Canadian Construction Sector • 12% of GDP • $103 billion capital expenditures • Supports $5 trillion built assets • Construction employs 815,000 people in 82,000 companies • Building products employs 182,000 people • Low R & D expenditures < 0.10% of turnover (IRC R&D ≈ 20% industry total)
Institute for Research in Construction (IRC) • Established 1947 • Guided by industry advisory board • $20 million annual budget • 220 employees • Post-Doctoral Fellows • Visiting Workers
IRC: “Canada’s Construction Technology Centre” • IRC Focus – Safe, healthy & durability of homes and buildings – Productive work environments – Durable infrastructure
IRC Role • National leadership • Critical issues – Multi-disciplinary • Networks/Outreach • Short and long-term research • Strong role in regulations / standards
IRC Focus • Knowledge Generation – Basic research – Gateway • Public Good – Produce national codes/standards – Training young engineers/scientists • Industry Support – Consortia for critical issues – New technology – Technology transfer
IRC Program Areas • Building Envelope and Structure • Indoor Environment • Fire-Risk Management • Urban Infrastructure Rehabilitation • Codes and Evaluations
Recent Initiatives • Canadian Centre for Housing Technology • Municipal Infrastructure Guide • Construction Innovation Systems
Construction Sector - Systemic Issues • Low R&I and receptor capacity • Disjointed supply chain • No industry focal point • Majority of innovation is project-based • Pro-cyclic with main economic cycles • Main focus is on low-bid c.f. life-cycle • Low productivity/profitability
Construction Sector - Technology Issues • Generally product rich • Sustainability - design for life cycle • Managing information as an asset capturing project innovations • Sustainability • Improving management practices • Innovation friendly regulation
Technology Roadmapping • IRC has support/funded 6 in past 2 years – Capital Projects – Intelligent Buildings Technologies – Municipal Infrastructure – Building Envelope – Indoor Environment – Lighting Technologies (DOE)
Some Benefits of TRMs • Brings together experts from a broad base • Industry wide perspective - combines market, supply and research/technology issues • Cost effective • Rapid - basis for periodic review • Identify opportunities and barriers • Participants are predisposed to future collaborations • Allows for more focussed (research) investments
Construction Innovation: Recent Activities • CIB - TG35 Review of Public Policies • International Symposium – June, 2001, Ottawa
• Joint Statistics Canada and NRC Survey of Innovation in Canadian Construction Sector • 3 Industry Roundtables • Canadian Construction Innovation Forum – June, 2001, Ottawa
• Formation of National Steering Committee for Innovation in Construction