Editor's viewpoint January 2016 The day after Christmas, as this issue of Canadian De- sign and Construction Report neared publication, I was many miles away, touring Hebron in the West Bank near Jerusalem. As I stepped past military checkpoints, I ap- preciated the importance of construction and conflict. The centerpiece of history and current conflict there is the longest standing religious building in the world, the Tombs of the Patriarchs, where according Jewish and Muslim faiths, and perhaps in reality, Abraham and Sarah are buried. The ancient structure coexists with modern Israeli and Palestinian communities with truly different narratives of the same story. You won’t find any easy answers, except perhaps in the historical structure itself where religious leaders have figured out a compromise about access. Each faith has a separate entrance (with appropriate se- curity) and members can only enter their own part of the building. The Jews have a smaller, 20 per cent share, a big improvement from the many years before Israel occupied the area in 1967, when they had no access. However, on 10 of the holiest days of the Jewish religious calendar, Muslims are barred from the entire structure. In reciproca- tion, the Muslims have their own “10 days” when the Jews are banished. It isn’t a perfect compromise, but at least it solves both religions’ spiritual needs with a degree of equality. Obviously, Canadian construction disputes rarely reach the level of physical violence and war, but things certainly reached a boiling point in Ontario last year when employer groups and the Labourers Union discovered problems with the newly created Ontario College of Trades (OCOT). Tony Dean has suggested compromises, which the government has decided to implement. On a more military level, former Canadian soldiers have discovered new careers in the con- struction industry through the Helmets to Hardhats pro- gram. There are stories in this issue about happiness and chaos, technology and BIM, environmental initiatives and the Passive House concept, as well as business profiles and celebrations. Overall, the stories have a positive trend. Sure there are disputes, conflicts, and tensions, but there also is progress, growth and co-operation. I think 2016 will, in the end, be a truly great year. Table of Contents Dean Review leads to Ontario College of Trades reforms . . . . 5 Column: Financial advice “We live too short and die too long” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Constructing a zero-energy hotel: Air conditioning without electricity or fans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Canada BIM Council prepares for 2016 CanBIM Awards, introducing discipline based awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Happiness and chaos: Some ideas on workplace management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Helmets to Hardhats program succeeds as hundreds of vets each year make the transition to skilled trades careers . . . . . 18 Carpenters Union training system creates opportunities for thousands across Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 A few words about hiring (And firing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 News Briefs: Construction Across Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SPECIAL FEATURES BOMA BC leads in program development and advocacy . . . . 32 Lean construction: Efficient, client centric business approach can increase profits and reduce costs . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Canada’s Top Contractors: Aquicon Construction Co. Ltd. thrives through growth, diversification and partnering with clients and sub-trades . . 38 Chamberlain leads with lean Integrated Product Delivery model, integrating collaboration and communication throughout the building process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Magazine and Newsletter Design Online or Print – Big or Small It can always be simple www.memoproductions.ca 819-827-3802 info@memoproductions.com MCA of Canada expands members’ services and leads in advocacy as Canada’s largest trade contractor association . . 44 Win.door fenestration show updated with new and progressive changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Dodge upcoming project reports . . . . . . . . . .ONLINE ONLY - 51 The Canadian Design and Construction Report — January 2016 – 3