Capital Upgrades & Retrofits
FMs ponder procurement amid trade war
Facility management professionals are preparing action plans in light of potential tariff impacts and sharing how the situation is creating unity within the sector.
Lack of regulations and data hinder LCA progress
Selecting the lowest carbon-emitting products across a building’s material portfolio could reduce emissions by more than one-third, according to new global findings.
Healthcare facilities launch nature-based programs
In healthcare facilities, where sterile aesthetics replace trees, plants and flowers, nature-based interventions can support the well-being of patients and staff who spend much of their time indoors.
Ontario recharges energy efficiency budget
Ontario’s energy efficiency budget has been recharged with a pledged 12-year, $10.9-billion spending strategy that significantly boosts funding for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential electricity customers.
Aquatic facility makes a splash in B.C.
The təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre in New Westminster, B.C., was named after the playful, curious nature of a sea otter, in turn, reflecting the kind of visitor experience the local community was hoping to create at the newly completed facility.
Prized office tenant steps up green demands
Ottawa landlords are contemplating a list of new expectations from a prized office tenant following recently announced updates to the federal government’s green operations strategy.
Plastic chemicals face growing scrutiny
The United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a resolution on March 2, 2022, to end plastic pollution by 2040.
Decarbonization roadmap navigators in demand
Real estate operators are looking to consultants, turnkey contractors and software for navigational assistance in developing and implementing decarbonization roadmaps.
State of good repair lags in City of Toronto
Toronto is backsliding on the upkeep of municipal facilities, with a state of good repair backlog that’s projected to surpass $1 billion this year and then continue accumulating to nearly $1.47 billion by 2033.
A first Passive House retrofit in Halifax
Once complete, it will serve as an inspiration for others pursuing deep retrofits of existing buildings, an endeavour that offers the most hope for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Halifax.
CRE fosters all-in approach to decarbonization
Daunting net zero targets in the buildings sector are spurring an all-in approach to decarbonization that assigns roles to finance, engineering, management and operational teams.
Building electrification projects impart lessons
The business case for electrification works best when retrofits are synced with the end-of-life of existing mechanical equipment and/or asset repositioning plans
New standards for sustainable material use
A new set of standards defines minimum sustainability criteria for high-volume materials used in architecture and interior projects.
Reconciling through design at Centennial College
A look at the recently completed $112-million expansion project at Centennial College built on Indigenous values.
Climate change adaptation efforts unfolding
Canada’s newly finalized climate change adaptation strategy sets out objectives and attaches mid- to near-term targets to bolster resilience in five key action areas.
Sustainable finance products forge way to 2050
Sustainable finance products, are expected to increasingly come into play as building owners/managers pursue decarbonization and look to bolster the climate resiliency of their properties.
CDM program hiccups logged in Ontario review
The COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions are frequently cited, but not the only reasons for uneven uptake of Ontario’s energy retrofit and performance incentives over the past two years.