Designing for Everyone’s Needs
Universal Design, also referred to as “inclusive design”, can be defined as “the architectural and creative process of ensuring infrastructure in the built environment is accessible to all, regardless of age, ability, or any other demographic,” according to Hadriana Lowenkron for Bloomberg.
Mental Health and Wellness in the Trades
Those engaged in construction and other trades can affirm that the sector is a challenging one. The challenges are presented in numerous ways. Factors such as the physical demands of the work, jobsite safety, long or irregular hours, separation from family thanks to the industry’s scattered construction sites, and financial insecurity in downturns are just a few of the common stressors.
Creating Cities with Seniors in Mind
A good ‘quality of life’ takes into consideration evaluations of overall physical health, degree of happiness, culture and values, positive social interactions, and liveable neighbourhoods which we gladly call home. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines quality of life as an “individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectation, standards and concerns.”
Canfield Development
A person’s home is more than a physical structure providing shelter. Homes are our refuges from the masses and places where families are raised, friends socialize, and where our most memorable times are shared. But there is a huge differentiator between a building that is merely a roof over our heads and a home that is considered quality, safe, suitable, and affordable housing. Research clearly indicates that the latter leads to a sense of personal wellbeing.
Northland Constructors of Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota is home to a construction company that for 50 years has proven its diverse capabilities for clients in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Today, Northland Constructors is thriving with approximately 40 full-time and 250 seasonal employees.
Dant Clayton Corporation
Attending sporting events is intricately woven into American society and culture. Diehard fans would never miss the opportunity to see their favorite team or player outshine the competition.
Cypher Environmental
It has become clear to those that really care about the environment, that initiatives toward a sustainable planet are no longer an option – they are a necessity. Individuals and businesses have to change their strategies to effectively address the environmental challenges before us.
Building Knowledge Canada
Since the first humans roamed the face of this planet, there has been a need for not only food, but shelter from the elements in a place of security and comfort where family gathers. However, our shelter expectations have come a long way since then. Enter building science, the study of “how heat, air, and moisture interact with a building enclosure and its occupants,” according to Building Knowledge Canada’s (BKC) Vice President and Director of Building Science Andrew Oding.
Templeton Properties
The skyline of Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital city, is changing, primarily due to substantial multi-residential development. This particular sector is showing no indication of slowing. In fact, according to the Conference Board of Canada, the city is forecast to grow by close to two percent this year.
Michuda Construction
Michuda Construction is a century-old construction firm, established in 1919. It remains family-owned, providing full services in general contracting and construction management. The company operates in many markets including commercial, education, senior living, and places of worship. However, its primary specialization has always been the healthcare industry, where it has decades of experience working within occupied spaces while integrating lean and clean practices.
Workplace Health and Safety
The workplace is where we spend one third of our lives. Work is intricately woven into every aspect of daily living. And self-preservation in the workplace – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, can change everything about it for the better.
L.B. White
One of the fundamental instigators of a healthy economy is a strong construction industry. In the United States, the construction industry is anticipated to grow by eleven percent between 2016 and 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
R L Murphey Commercial Roof Systems
In the world of building construction, whether it is residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, or otherwise, there are two primary considerations. Those are the foundation and the roof. There is no question as to which has the most vital role to play in a structure being deemed safe, secure, and indeed, habitable – the roof system. This is simply because leaks, damage, and improper maintenance can and will ultimately affect the foundation and the integrity of a building.
General Equipment & Supplies
The demand for efficient heavy construction equipment is propelled by several factors across the United States, Canada, and indeed, globally. Urbanization, with the need for building construction and infrastructure systems, is just one factor driving this demand. Activity in the oil and gas, mining, agriculture, and forestry industries is another.
Assura Windows & Doors
Assura Windows and Doors, LLC., designer and manufacturer of impact windows and doors for the residential market, is headquartered in Pompano Beach, Broward County, Florida, slightly north of Fort Lauderdale. Assura’s Plant Manager Armando Barrionuevo describes how impact windows and doors “protect all that matters,” so families are safeguarded from injuries resulting from the impact of “high-velocity debris during a storm, by keeping the elements outside the home rather than inside.”
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Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) provides a depth and breadth of services, programs, and opportunities for manufacturers. Headquartered in Owen Sound, Ontario, with a national presence, EMC also encourages young people to enter the manufacturing workforce and is always looking for ways to enhance the sector.
Facing Up to What’s Facing Construction
When you think of the world’s largest industry, perhaps agriculture or energy come to mind—but it turns out they’re not the biggest.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
After profiling the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) sustainability efforts in previous articles, Construction in Focus caught up with the organization once again, this time to learn about an exciting new report. State of Decarbonization: Progress in U.S. Commercial Buildings 2023 discusses the sector’s progress, the current status of data availability, and mechanisms available to reduce the carbon emissions of commercial buildings in the United States—the first report to compile all of this information into a single source.
Cushing Terrell
There is a quote attributed to Wayne Gretzky that you have likely seen in PowerPoint presentations. It is the one about skating to where the puck is going, rather than where it is. In hockey, Gretzky seemed to have a preternatural ability to anticipate the best place to be. In business, Cushing Terrell has that same knack.
Animal Arts Design Studios
When thinking about architecture and building design, we know much time and thought goes into creating sound, healthy, and attractive structures for people, but what about housing for our animal friends? Animal Arts Design Studios specializes exclusively in animal care design, including animal shelters and veterinary hospitals, with a proven track record of success with more than 1,500 projects in 40 U.S. states, Canada, and overseas, ranging in size from 600 to 110,000 square feet.
Enercare
Coming together to address a vital energy need in the market, Enercare and Subterra Renewables are working to decarbonize living in the way we interact in our homes, transitioning away from fossil fuel powered systems to renewable geothermal energy. Finalized in Q4 2023, the partnership of these two Canadian companies represents a first-of-a-kind industry relationship aimed at providing quality products, service, and results to clients, all while helping to reduce our carbon footprints.
