Matthew Reid's List: Structural Engineering

• Open Source Building is a strategy for the cross-industry mass-customization of environments.
• Mass-customization requires a modular component-based approach, which creates a pathway for new players to enter the $852 billion/yr market.
• The alliance will bring together a broad range of academic researchers and industry leaders to develop strategies and technologies for creating high-value, responsive, mass-customized, "net zero energy" buildings.   It will focus initially on multi-family urban-infill housing, targeting the baby-boomer generation - but the concepts can be applied to any building type and market, including single family, detached residential homes.
• Special interest groups, with members from academia and industry, will be formed to concentrate on aspects of the problem.

• 1.       <!--[endif]-->Open Source Building System Architecture

    

  <!--[if !supportLists]-->2.       <!--[endif]-->Chassis and Infrastructure

• 3.       <!--[endif]-->Integrated Interior Infill Modules (I³) and Related Technologies

    

  <!--[if !supportLists]-->4.       <!--[endif]-->Integrated Exterior Finish Components

• During the first year, the OSBA will engage in two parallel activities:

    

  <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

    

  <!--[if !supportLists]-->1)       <!--[endif]-->Form special interest working groups from industry to focus on system architecture for Open Source Building.  They will map out industry-wide guidelines.

    

  <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

    

  <!--[if !supportLists]-->2)       <!--[endif]-->Test selected concepts that can be employed immediately in market-rate condominium projects - both new construction and adaptive reuse of existing loft buildings.  Currently under development are volumetric "loft" modular chassis concepts, reconfigurable cabinetry-like interior modules, exterior "rain screen" façade panels with photovoltaics, integrated HVAC/ lighting/ communication systems, and web-based design and configuration tools for apartment fit-out.

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• A long-time advocate for the use of timber in construction has been officially recognised as a "wood champion".
• The Canadian Wood Council, through its Wood Works! programme, has awarded Dr Pierre Quenneville of The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Engineering with its Wood Advocate - Wood Champion award.
• Dr Quenneville leads the Timber Design Programme in the Faculty of Engineering. Through research and innovation, it aims to increase the use of wood in commercial structures, and to add value to New Zealand’s timber industry and export markets.

• The Chair in Timber Design is supported by a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry initiative to substantially enhance education and research in timber structural design.

   

   

   

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• The International Code Council (ICC) voted to adopt structural insulated panels (SIPs) into the International Residential Code at their Final Action Hearings, May 22, 2007.  The prescriptive specifications and installation details submitted by the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) and APA –The Engineered Wood Association will be included in the 2007 supplement to the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC).

• Jim DeStefano presented at the Wood Solutions Fair in Toronto on SIP Enginneering.  This is his works website.  It's atypical of most websites.  There are a lot of links and technical information.
  - Matthew Reid on 2007-12-10