< PreviousAn example of Techno-Weld’s commitment to quality workmanship is exemplified through their recent long-term care facility project, 128 L.T.C Facility in Napanee, ON. The LTC facility houses 128 rooms and Techno-Weld has been involved in all aspects, handling the structural steel work as well as the miscellaneous steel aspects. They are also in the process of building a mega school in Parry Sound, ON in partnership with Vanhorne Construction. When complete, the school will house 5,000 students from junior kindergarten all the way up to senior high school. The Techno-Weld team is responsible for erecting the structural steel, steel joists, roof deck, miscellaneous metals and also providing design support to ensure a smooth project deliv- ery process. Techno-Weld also recently did work for Hamiton’s McMas- ter University campus. The team renovated and erected the steel for a cooling tower and are currently in the process of phase two of this project. Phase 1 steel was complete in partnership with G.S. Wark Construction and Phase 2 with Ira McDonald Construction. This project involved hoisting steel up 80 feet in the air with the support of a 200 ton crane. Given that these projects take place in locations densely populated with students and pedestrians, safety is of utmost importance. No matter the size and scale, safety on the worksite is always Techno-Weld’s utmost priority. When it comes to safety in the workplace, Techno-Weld Limited spares no expense. All Techno-Weld employees go through safety training before starting their role at the company. To ensure the highest level of safety at each work location, the company also pro- vides site specific safety plans and daily reports. The goal always remains the same: complete projects that prioritize health, safety, and a satisfied customer. As Techno-Weld and its team looks ahead to the future, growth continues to be the driving force behind the company. Plans are currently taking shape to move operations into a larger facility which will allow for additional investment in new machinery. The goal of this venture is to increase productivity by acquiring additional features such as state-of-the-art laser machines, beamlines, and robotic welders. This will allow the team to begin automating some of its fabrication processes to ensure the quickest turnaround times for clients. CONSTRUCTION & MANUFACTURING ACCOUNTING CROSSBORDER TAXES | AUDIT | FINANCIAL ADVISORY Making money feels good, but keeping it is the key to your success. deanandassociates.ca GTA: ( 647) 273-3094 – Ottawa: (613) 799-3094 – London: (519) 200-7518 | 30 APRIL 2024“Our clients are generally repeat customers who have worked with us for many years. New customers always return for other projects they have. When it comes to working with us, people are really in it for the long-run, and I think that’s because we maintain our relationships, provide the appropriate work- manship and always remain highly budget conscious.” If you are in the Ontario or Quebec region of Canada and looking for supply, fabrication, installation and/or welding of structural and miscellaneous steel for you upcoming project, submit a quote online at technoweld.ca. | 31 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY DAVID O’NEILL T he term ‘Upcycling’ is a relatively modern one. Coined in the early 1990’s, upcycling has been the vehicle for trending techniques and styles across multiple industries. Fashion, furniture, design, there are few areas in which upcycling has reached. In the con- struction world, it is a concept that is gaining traction also. Both materials and processes come with heavy energy requirements and novel ways of building are always high priority. Surprisingly, construction may actu- ally be the one of the first industries to adopt the concept of upcycling. Examples of this process can be seen in the Roman Empire as early as the fifth century BC. Spolia, which refers to the reuse of spoils, signified the reuse of old building materials in new edifices. Spolia involved the repurposing of stones and other elements from older structures into new ones. This approach, wildly innova- tive for its time, not only conserved resources but also breathed new life into discarded materials. | 32 APRIL 2024| 33 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONSince then, reusing materials —stone in particular— has been a technique that has run through the development of con- struction across millennia. With financial, cultural, historical, and ecological benefits, it seems as though the industry has been thinking innovatively about its materials for longer than people might realize. In a modern context, sustainability is one of the most important considerations in construction. Everything from energy usage to materials made from renew- able or ethically minded sources contribute to sustainable practices. The (re-)emerging market that sits squarely within the scope of this discussion is reusable materials —upcy- cling. Repurposed structures are currently attracting huge interest across various sectors but what if previously used materials could be repurposed to add value to communities and businesses alike? Canvus is a furniture manufacturer based in Avon, OH. The company designs benches, planters, picnic sets and other community seating out of retired wind turbines. According to the company, the overarching goal is to address systemic issues within the wind industry. There is a chronic need, it states, for this process. “5,000-8,000 wind turbine blades are | 34 APRIL 2024retired each year. The wind industry has struggled with recy- cling them due to their massive size, durability, and fiberglass material.” By upcycling them at scale into furniture designed for communities, parks, and schools, Canvus has created a solution using innovative techniques, forward thinking and sustainably minded tools. “We are a solution for every blade coming out of service and can process 100% of the blade by upcycling into furniture, aggregate for concrete products and building materials, then shredding the remainder material into fuel source for the cement-making process – making us the perfect partner for all projects throughout the United States.” The company offers a full-service process that involves field cutting, when the blade is being brought down from the turbine, movement and logistics, upcycling, and shred- ding. The seamless and fully integrated process ensures that from turbine to end use, the product is handled safely and sustainably. “The Canvus manufacturing facility in Avon, OH takes the blade sections - including difficult to process pieces like root ends - and upcycles them at scale into beautiful, impactful, lasting products for communities across the country.” | 35 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWhile this production method is inarguably a positive thing for the industry and the climate, the unfortunate truth is that it offers very little in isolation. So, how can these processes —and this mindset— further permeate the construction industry? It seems as though, in some quarters, it already has. Realdania Byg is a Danish foundation that promotes innovation and best practices in the building sector. Working with Lendager Architects, the foundation has developed and built a single-family house called Upcycle House. The aim, and success of the project, is to “convey the principles of upcycling in a tangible and clear example.” It uses completely upcycled materials and meets all building codes to be a safe and comfortable residential structure. The load-bearing structure consists of two prefabricated shipping containers, while the roof and façade cladding are, incredibly, made from recycled aluminum soda cans. “Façade panels consist of post-consumer recycled granulated paper, which is pressed together and heat-treated. The kitchen floor is clad in tiled champagne cork leftovers, and the bath tiles are made from recycled glass. Walls and floors are covered with OSB panels consisting of wood chips that are the by-products of various production sites, pressed together without glue.” According to Anders Lendager, owner of Lendager Architects, the results of using recycled materials were far in excess of the company’s highest expectations. “We initially thought that a reduction of 65% CO2 was unrealistic, but when we ran the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) on all materials throughout Upcycle House / Lendager Arkitekter © Jesper Ray / www.archdaily.com Upcycle House / Lendager Arkitekter © Jesper Ray / www.archdaily.com Upcycle House / Lendager Arkitekter © Polfoto / www.archdaily.com | 36 APRIL 2024“Why is it not included in everything we do as architects?” the entire project, it turned out that we had reduced the CO2 emissions associated with construction by 86% compared to a benchmark house. With that in mind, we are surprised that no one else is working on this. Why is it not included in everything we do as architects? Why is it not included in the building code that a certain percentage of building materials have to be recycled?” Not stopping there, Lendager and his team decided to expand the concept. Located in Copenhagen’s Ørestad district – a reclaimed wetlands that has become a showcase for urban design projects – Resource Rows uses walls from aban- doned rural dwellings as part of facades, reducing carbon consumption by 70% but also providing a weathered char- acter that sets the development apart from your average city new build. The buildings interact with nature by harvesting rainwater for toilet-flushing and irrigation, while green roofs and vertical gardens encourage biodiversity and enhance community. “The 92 flats and rowhouses in the Resource Rows demonstrates that it is possible to reuse bricks from new buildings and waste wood without compromising on costs and aesthetics. The result is a project that saves CO2 and materials and creates strong communities among the people living in it – and it doesn’t cost more.” Upcycling may be a new term, but the concept is rooted in the innovative techniques and strategies of the construction industry. While many are still getting to grips with the reuse of materials, construction is one step ahead. Companies like Canvus and Lendager Architects demonstrate a simple yet fundamental truth: if the desire to reuse materials exists, the industry will find a way. | 37 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY RAQUEL FARRINGTON W hile many elements of society have changed over the past century, one consistency has remained in the business world. Providing a skilled service that is customer-focused and based on experience gives a com- pany the best chance of longevity. Founded in 1910, Jones Sign is the epitome of this belief. As the go-to provider of signage, lighting and architectural solutions across multiple sectors, Jones Sign has built a reputation of expertise that is based on a solution-orientated approach. The company was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Wisconsin. It has production facilities in Green Bay, Rich- mond, Virginia, and Mexico. While its name may suggest that signage is at its core, Jones Sign has developed its skill-set consistently over the years to provide a turn-key service. “The name is a bit of a misnomer,” says Rich Ongirski, Senior Vice President of Jones Sign’s sports division of the company’s moniker. “We do so much more than signage. Various acqui- sitions plus a reputation for quality and customer service have contributed to our continued growth over the years.” This growth has seen Jones Sign rise to become a nationally recognized company, offering in-house services to its clients in everything from project managing, installation and fab- rication, to design, drafting and engineering. “We provide a turnkey service, and handle everything from the design phase to manufacturing to installing and to servicing,” says Laura Myers, Director of Marketing at Jones Sign. | 38 APRIL 2024| 39 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >