AWARD-WINNING, MODULAR— AND VERY DIFFERENT Apex Homes ELEVATING RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION: HARRISON HOMES SETS A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE DESIGNING AND BUILDING COMMUNITIES Harrison Homes A LEGACY OF SERVICE MMP Architects CONSTRUCTIONINFOCUS.COM N O V EMB ER 2 02 3 EDITOR’S CORNER 3 As the year begins drawing to a close, we’re looking ahead at what the future of housing will bring. In the realm of interiors, many of the latest trends are focused on sustainability, intersecting with afford- ability. For builders, home- owners, and renters, this may mean incorporating fewer toxic materi- als, reducing the carbon footprint of the home, both during construction and in operation, and reducing waste produced at every turn. While larger investments like solar energy systems provide bang for the buck in certain locales, smaller moves, like bringing the outdoors in in the form of plants, airflow, and natural light can have a big impact as well, both on a home’s inhabitants and on its eco-friendly stature. “Natural elements like sunlight and greenery are behind some of the key principles that make up eco-friendly trends in interior design,” writes Karen Hawthorne in this issue. Using natural, renewable materials, refurbishing and reusing second-hand furnishings, and reducing the use of VOCs in materials like paint also help to limit a home’s carbon footprint. Karen tells us more in this issue’s Elegant and Eco-Friendly – Greener Interior Design. Jaime McKee Editor Suite 300, 7071 Bayers Rd. | Halifax, NS | B3L 2C2 | Canada P: 1-647-479-2163 | E: EDITOR Jaime McKee DEPUTY EDITOR Tim Hocken COPY EDITORS Thora Smith | Allister Havercroft CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allison Dempsey | Claire Suttles | Margaret Eaton Nate Hendley | Pauline Müller | Robert Hoshowsky Alan Tughan | Karen Hawthorne | Jessica Ferlaino DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS James Corbett OPERATIONS MANAGER Severina Gachparova OPERATIONS ASSISTANT Marc Arsenault CONTENT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Scott Forbes SENIOR CONTENT DEVELOPER Wendy Hood-Morris CONTENT DEVELOPERS Erin Grant | Erin McWhinney | Faye Hiscock Logan Neil | Nilla Poorashkan | Steve Finn SALES TEAM LEAD Pamela Taylor SALES TEAM Morgan Culpepper | Dean Lucas GRAPHIC DESIGN TEAM LEAD Laura Pratt GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ashley Dowling | Ebic Tristary Isaac McWhinnie | Yoana Ilcheva SENIOR STAFF ACCOUNTANT Christi Lingard OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Julia MacQueen BUSINESS COORDINATOR Abigail Potter IT ADMINISTRATOR Rebecca Sanford PUBLISHER Jeff HockenINSIDE NOVEMBER FOCUS ON: INTERIOR DESIGN MODULAR BUILDING EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS 4 Greener Interior Design Gleaming countertops and ample storage space aren’t the only things on people’s minds when they’re looking at buying or renovating a home. While the aesthetics of nesting are important, the new trends in interior design are focused on sustainability. How do the chosen materi- als and techniques impact the environment? Are there better choices for eco-conscious consumers that are still affordable? CONSTRUCTION SERVICES 5 CONSTRUCTION IN FOCUS INTERNATIONAL POOL | SPA | PATIO EXPO™ / DECK EXPO 13 – 15 November, Las Vegas, NV The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo™, co-located with Deck Expo (PSP/Deck Expo) is where all segments of the industry (pool, spa, patio, decking, and outdoor living) gather to stay well-informed of the latest trends, market directions, and technology. The event offers industry pro- fessionals a broad selection of educational sessions, an expo hall, and various networking opportunities. Interact with industry leaders, speak with top manufacturers, and learn about how to thrive in today’s pool, spa, and outdoor living industry. For more information THE BUILDINGS SHOW 29 November – 1 December, Toronto, ON For 35 years, The Buildings Show has delivered cutting-edge, expert-led seminars, best-in-class continuing education opportunities, informative panels, thought-provoking roundtables, more than 100 conference sessions, and a tradeshow experience that can’t be missed. Now, experience four events with one ticket: Construct Canada, PM Expo, Homebuilder & Renovator Expo, and the World of Concrete Toronto Pavilion. For more information CANADIAN POOL & SPA CONFERENCE & EXPO 4 – 7 December, Niagara Falls, ON The Canadian Pool & Spa Conference & Expo is the place to come together as an industry and connect with leading manufacturers, distributors, and other pool & spa industry suppliers. The Conference & Expo is packed with educational sessions, seminars, hands-on learning experiences, and a tradeshow full of exhibitors excited to showcase the latest products, services, and technological advances. Additionally, the Expo presents several educational programs, a public pools symposium, and social events providing chances to learn from and speak with industry professionals. For more information WORLD OF CONCRETE 23 – 25 January, Las Vegas, NV WOC 2024 is the industry’s only annual international tradeshow dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries. WOC has served the global concrete and masonry construction industries for 50 years, connecting and educating buyers and sellers through live and digital events throughout the year. Make connections and enjoy opportunities for growth. For more information THE INTERNATIONAL SURFACE EVENT (TISE) – SURFACES | STONEXPO | TILEEXPO 23 – 26 January, Las Vegas, NV The International Surface Event (TISE) is the megalopolis of all things floor covering, stone, and tile. The umbrella for three mega events, SURFACES, StonExpo, and TileExpo, TISE is the annual resource for sourcing and purchasing the newest products, networking with industry leaders and game changers, and discovering new trends. Whether you’re after the newest products, looking to connect with vendors, or seeking further training and certifications, TISE has the journey for you! For more information INDUSTRY EVENTS 6 Are you planning an event relating to North America’s growing Construction Industry? To get your event listed in Construction in Focus, please contact us at least six to eight weeks before the event takes place at or call 1-647-479-2163INDUSTRY NEWS PAYMENT DELAYS ADDING BILLIONS TO U.S. CONSTRUCTION BIDS A survey of construction companies from across the United States shows that both general contractors and subcontractors are increasing their bids by anywhere from six to 10 percent to compensate for late payments, which add $273 billion each year. The study was conducted by construction software specialist Rabbet, which looked at the U.S. construction industry’s esti- mated value of $1.97 trillion in 2023, extrapolating that to find that increased bids represented an additional $98 billion for general contractors and $175 billion for subcontractors. Other findings from the report showed that the number of subcontractors using credit cards to float payments in 2023 was up to 57 percent from 51 percent the year prior, nearly double the 22 percent it was in 2021. Subcontractors are also increas- ingly tapping into lines of credit and business savings. General contractors, too, are relying more heavily on savings to cover daily operating costs. This year, 63 percent of respon- dents relied on business savings, up from 40 percent in 2022. Fewer, however, are turning to lines of credit or credit cards, especially in this high interest rate environment. Between rising costs and later payments, it is a very challeng- ing operating environment, but it is not without its oppor- tunities as well. The most successful operations are looking to adapt to the changing times by integrating more modern processes and advanced technology to optimize efficiency. CCA CALLS ON FEDS TO PARTNER WITH CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has issued an industry call to action encouraging the federal government to work with the construction industry to find a solution to the housing crisis. The CCA is seeking 18,000 members and the public to send letters to Members of Parliament to remind them of the impact partnership with construction can have. The organization is urging the government to commit to a comprehensive, long-term infrastructure investment strategy, address the skilled labour shortage, and modernize procure- ment practices, in addition to the short-term efforts already being made via policies like the National Housing Strategy. CCA is hosting its annual Hill Day event on November 7 as an opportunity for industry representatives to meet government officials to discuss the construction industry and its role in creating and maintaining the critical infrastructure relied on by Canadians each day. 7INDUSTRY NEWS BORING MACHINE STUCK UNDERGROUND IN TORONTO SINCE 2022 FREED After spending 19 months 18 meters underground in a sub- division of Toronto, Ontario, a boring machine is finally freed, bringing a hefty bill in the tens of millions of dollars that the public is going to foot. The rear section of the 1.5 meter by 5-meter-long remote- controlled micro-tunnelling machine was finally removed weeks after the head of the equipment was rescued after it got trapped during a project to dig a new storm sewer in the area to mitigate chronic flooding in the area, which began in March 2022. The borer was carving a 282-meter sewer path to a pre-built exit shaft, but it had to do so at depths below the Bloor-Danforth subway line when it found itself stuck in underground steel tiebacks from a condominium project, causing it to veer off course. There were only seven meters left to go on its route. The rescue effort was complicated by mud and water, which required stabilization work to ensure safety of the workers and those who live in the area. An investigation into how the mistake happened will take place. The delay pushed back the completion date of the overall project and is likely to cost the city around $25 million, though that number could still grow. At that cost, the city considered leaving the $3 million equipment in the ground, but opted not to as it would lead to a complete project redesign and would end up totalling more than the rescue efforts. SWEDISH CONSORTIUM JOINS ELECTRIFICATION OF U.S. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY A Swedish consortium of Atlas Copco Group, Husqvarna Construction and Volvo Construction Equipment has joined an initiative to electrify the U.S. construction industry, a collabora- tion founded by Business Sweden, the Embassy of Sweden in the U.S., the Swedish Energy Agency, and Sweden’s innovation agency, Vinnova. The Sweden-U.S. Green Transition Initiative opened its Washington, DC office in November 2022 and has established pilot projects that showcase innovation that will support the eventual green transition. The goal of the effort is to showcase the potential of the electrification of construction equip- ment, with a focus on the construction of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to promote the use of EVs. 8INDUSTRY NEWS GREENBELT SCANDAL CONTINUES TO HEAT UP BIDEN TO PROCEED WITH TRUMP-ERA BORDER WALL After walking back on his government’s decision to open 2,994 hectares of protected Greenbelt land for development to the benefit of private interests, Doug Ford’s administration is being investigated by the RCMP O Division’s Sensitive and International Investigations (SII) unit. The government is fully cooperating with the investigation, citing confidence that no criminal activity took place. The criminal probe will look at whether the province’s housing minister at the time, Steve Clark, who has since resigned, violated ethics rules. Both Clark and his chief of staff at the time, Ryan Amato, who also resigned, have been the focus of the province’s integrity commissioner and auditor general. Questions remain about the process to select lands, which was found to be flawed and gave preference to certain develop- ers. The developers in question stood to benefit from their land value increasing $8.3 billion. The Biden Administration has announced plans to forge ahead with a new 20-mile section of border wall in Starr County, putting to work Trump-era funds to do so, which has drawn criticism from several groups, including landowners and activ- ists who are concerned with the process. The Biden Administration waived 26 federal laws to expedite construction activity, some of which provide ecological pro- tections related to water, air, and life quality for those who rely on these sensitive ecosystems. Likewise, even landowners who support the wall are not willing to part with property for the inadequate values being offered. The proposed project will feature 18-foot heights with six-inch diameter bollards in a moveable concrete, jersey barrier-style base design. The project also includes gates, lighting, access, maintenance and patrol roads, erosion and drainage control, and security. Next >