MORE THAN JUST A FRESH LICK OF PAINT John W. Egan Co. Inc. A HOME FOR EVERYONE Legacy Homes Nebraska INDUSTRY EXPERTS Artizan Finishings CONSTRUCTIONINFOCUS.COM SE PT EMB ER 2 02 2 Celebrating 25 years since its humble inception, Avicor has expanded to achieve a leadership role in commercial and industrial construction specializing in interior office finishes. Celebrating 25 years since its humble inception, Avicor has expanded to achieve a leadership role in commercial and industrial construction specializing in interior office finishes. EDITOR’S CORNER 3 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 Robert Hoshowsky | William Young | Claire Suttles David Caldwell | Pauline Müller | Nate Hendley Anne Lindert-Wentzell | Grace McGrenere DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS James Corbett CONTENT MANAGERS Aaron Ferguson | Erika Arenas | Louis Susara Erin McWhinney | Wendy Hood-Morris | Nicholas Hamlyn SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Luke Simms SALES TEAM Pamela Taylor | Morgan Culpepper OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Julia MacQueen GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGER Severina Gachparova GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Laura Pratt | Ashley Dowling Ebic Tristary | Yoana Ilcheva CONTROLLER Jen Hamilton PUBLISHER Jeff Hocken In this issue of Construction in Focus, we turn our attention to Universal Design. A design concept that takes a human-cen- tered approach, Universal Design is underpinned by a series of principles that, ultimately, make spaces more accessible for people of diverse ability levels, including those with dis- abilities or individuals who are choosing to age in place. Universal Design “strives to provide a better quality of life for all individuals regardless of functional limitations,” writes Anne Lindert-Wentzell in this issue. Indeed, “Universal Design is not only seen as a design process that benefits elderly or disabled individuals; it serves to benefit every member of a society through the promotion of accessibility of usable products, services and environments.” At the residential construction level, elements of Universal Design can include automated doors, integrated furni- ture components, smart communication systems, no-step entrances, walk-in showers, good lighting, comfortable-reach designs, and more. And as Anne discovers, building such elements in from the start can save money on retrofits later and can even increase a home’s value. Don’t miss Universal Design – Designing for Everyone’s Needs for a closer look at this growing field. Jaime McKee Editor “Universal Design strives to provide a better quality of life for all individuals regardless of functional limitations.”INSIDE SEPTEMBER FOCUS ON: RESTORATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION CONSTRUCTION SERVICES 4EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS 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 demo- graphic,” according to Hadriana Lowenkron for 5 CONSTRUCTION IN FOCUS IDS – INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW VANCOUVER 22 – 25 September, Vancouver, BC The Interior Design Show Vancouver is the Pacific platform for all things design and is the premier showcase of new products and furniture, superstar designers and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond. Each year, IDS Vancouver produces special features that speak to inspiring design ideas. This year, enjoy: Prototype—a juried platform featuring products not currently in production addressing new ideas for the residential market; Studio North, a marketplace showcase for custom work and limited edition collections; The District, the popular cash & carry neighbourhood featuring fresh collections of design products for the home; and more. For more information NRMCA CONCRETEWORKS 2022 29 September – 3 October, Aurora, CO The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s ConcreteWorks is an event dedicated to professionals in the ready mixed concrete industry. From networking with colleagues from across the United States to participating in online seminars and committee meetings, attendees can bring to their businesses new information and techniques to meet current and new challenges. For more information 2022 SC&RA CRANE AND RIGGING WORKSHOP 3 – 5 October, Dallas, TX Join hundreds of your peers at the Crane & Rigging Workshop, the premier meeting for crane and rigging professionals. This event places a strong emphasis on safety issues, regulatory and legislative updates, and networking opportunities. Additionally, enjoy the Exhibit Center, with 94 booths displaying new equipment and products. For more information CMAA2022 (CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA) 9 – 11 October, San Diego, CA Join CMAA in San Diego for three days of education, collaboration, and celebration for CMAA2022. This year’s event, a celebration of CMAA’s 40th Anniversary, will feature unmatched educational programming, solution and technology providers, invaluable connections and networking, and recognition of the projects and people that help define the construction management industry. For more information LEAN CONSTRUCTION INSTITUTE 24TH ANNUAL LCI CONGRESS 18 – 21 October, New Orleans, LA Join more than 1,000 of your colleagues and industry leaders for the Lean event of the year. With the theme of, ‘Lean Gumbo: The Right Ingredients for Project Success,’ the LCI Congress is where the Lean community comes together for unparalleled knowledge-sharing across dis- ciplines. Gain new ideas and perspectives to enrich your work and drive your Lean practice forward. Earn continuing education credits, engage in cutting-edge Lean methods, and network with your peers and Lean leaders. 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 THIS WILL HAVE YOU CLIMBING THE WALLS As technology advances, the growth of robotics and arti- ficial intelligence continues. In the past few years, we’ve seen robot ‘dogs’ and Atlas—“the most dynamic humanoid robot”—from Boston Dynamics, both capable of incredibly fast, coordinated movements. Now a new innovation will make construction inspection safer and faster. It is no surprise that building inspection has the potential for danger. Ladders can topple and there are plenty of trip-and- fall hazards. HausBots has created a unique, patent-pending technology “to protect and maintain the built environ- ment,” according to the company. The product: a unique, patent-pending robot able to climb walls, inspect surfaces, and be used for maintenance tasks such as painting. Able to maneuver rough surfaces and even obstacles like wires and surface bolts, the company’s HB1 has a payload of 13 pounds (six kg.). At present, the HBI creates 92.5 pounds (42 kg.) of force into surfaces including brick, concrete and stainless steel and has a range of almost 100 feet (30 meters) from the ground. Recently, company co-founder Jack Cornes was shortlisted for the HouseBot in the COINS Grand Challenge in the open, non- student competition. Final judging will take place this October in Birmingham, UK. SASKATCHEWAN CONSTRUCTION FIGURES UP With hundreds of construction cranes in the sky—252 working on building projects just in Toronto in the first quarter of this year—one would assume provinces like Ontario, Quebec, or British Columbia would lead Canada with the biggest growth in building permits. The top prize actually goes to Saskatchewan. According to the latest figures (June) from Statistics Canada, the prairie province led the country for investment in building con- struction, showing a seasonally adjusted increase of 63.0 percent from June of last year. The value of Saskatchewan’s building permits also spiked this June 2022 by 15.8 percent from May. Year-over-year, the province’s building permits grew by 27.4 percent, the third-greatest increase in the country. Non- residential building permits also increased 33.5 percent in June 2022 compared to the previous month, while residential permits also increased during the same period by 2.1 percent. Along with an increase in building permits in the first six months of this year, Saskatchewan grew its merchandise exports by 38.9 percent compared to the same period last year, marking the second-highest increase in Canada. Led by energy products, aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts, metal ores, and non-metallic minerals, the province’s value of mer- chandise exports hit $24.4 billion. “The ongoing growth in both merchandise exports and building permits show how we are continuing to build a strong, auton- omous Saskatchewan,” stated Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison on the provincial government website. “Exports abroad create jobs at home and investment flowing into our province leads to more infrastructure, buildings and homes being built here.” 7INDUSTRY NEWS CALLING FOR 7,000 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS In late January, technology giant Intel announced a massive initiative: an initial investment topping $20 billion for two new chip-making factories in Ohio. The massive site, spanning almost 1,000 acres, would power the company’s next genera- tion of products and fulfill its vision for “IDM 2.0,” Intel’s inte- grated device manufacturing model. The news follows on the heels of the American Congress’ recent Investing in Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing Act. The result of months of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans, the multi-billion CHIPS Plus legislation will see incentives for semiconductor manufacturers, including $52.7 billion in federal funding. Although the thousand-page-long bill addresses other agencies including NASA, the Department of Energy, and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology, much of the attention is focused on semiconductor chips. Following shortages of chips over the past few years, the initiative will push Made in America products, support research and devel- opment, and enable semiconductor manufacturers to build new facilities and increase capacity. Now, less than a year later, the goal is fast becoming a reality. Poised to create about 3,000 Intel jobs and support tens of thousands of other partners and suppliers, it is also expected work will start later this year, and about 7,000 construction workers will be needed. Ohio’s biggest-ever economic devel- opment project, the site will become one of the largest semi- conductor manufacturing sites in the world. The hitch? Where to find thousands of skilled bricklayers, plumbers, electricians and other skilled trades when there is a shortage, and these jobs are in demand? Fortunately for Intel, not all 7,000 construction workers are needed right away. Missouri-based VanTrust Real Estate recently announced plans to build a 500-acre business park next to Intel to house the chip company’s suppliers. Other Ohio-based projects under construction include a 28-storey hotel, a $365 US million biomanufacturing plant, and an addition to Ohio State University’s medical center. 8INDUSTRY NEWS NEW YORK’S $18.6 M WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Across North America, the shortage of construction workers continues to worsen. To address the unprecedented skills shortages in construction, New York is spending $18.6 million on getting new construction workers on the job. The Pathways to Industrial and Construction Careers (PINCC) is focused on enticing about 2,300 low-income men and women into construction and industrial positions over the coming three years. Recently announced by New York Mayor Eric Adams, the PINCC is being funded through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The city sub- mitted a winning proposal to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Good Jobs Challenge. According to the city, PINCC will see new hires throughout their employment journey, from recruitment and training to job placement, retention, and advancement. The program will help place new hires into high wage and/or unionized positions. “The Pathways to Industrial and Construction Careers Program will provide great career-track opportunities for commu- nities of color in New York,” stated Joe Azzopardi, Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer, District Council 9 of Painters and Allied Trades in a LaborPress media release. “We thank President Biden and his administration for awarding New York City with this vital grant and look forward to working with Mayor Adams and communities across New York City as we continue to revitalize our city and build a pathway to the middle class for many New Yorkers.” The move comes in the wake of too few construction workers to fill vital roles. From June 2021 to June 2022, the unemployment rate among construction workers fell to a historic 23-year low, from 7.5 percent to 3.7 percent. To address the shortage, organi- zations, including the Associated General Contractors of America (ACG) launched “Construction is Essential” and “Culture of Care,” national advertising and workforce retention campaigns. 9Next >