A call for a more holistic approach to construction and maintenance
The Canadian Funding Corporation reviews a report from the CMHC that calls for a holistic approach to constructing and maintaining residential building in Canada, in order to reduce warranty costs, as well as improve the overall health of buildings.
In all too many instances, repair costs for new buildings are being assumed by Warranty Programs, thus depleting their reserves. In Ontario alone, warranty claim payouts for high-rise buildings are approaching $20 million annually.
Researchers, architects and engineers in the field agree that better performing buildings can be constructed. They acknowledge that improving performance will require changes in the design and construction process, requiring more comprehensive and improved building detailing, enhanced quality control and building commissioning processes, improved building operation and maintenance procedures, and understanding the building construction and operation as a whole.
Over the last several years, building scientists, researchers and practitioners with considerable expertise have invested substantial resources and energy in identifying the causes of typical problems in high-rise residential buildings, and in developing improved design and construction procedures that could significantly reduce defects and improve building performance.
An improved understanding of all facets of high-rise design and construction is being developed relating to virtually every aspect of high-rise buildings. Upgraded parking garages, enhanced envelope durability through rainscreen and air barrier design, improvements to the building thermal envelope, better heating, cooling and mechanical ventilation systems, measures to improve the accessibility and functioning of buildings, and measures for improving the environmental performance of these buildings and the inter relationship between these systems have all been the subject of recent investigation by government and housing agencies.
Canada’s building design and research community has historically been at the forefront of innovation in the Canadian construction industry, maintaining our reputation for providing some of the best housing in the world. Until recently, much of the innovation was concentrated on the low-rise housing stock where we are acknowledged as world leaders in the provision of energy efficient, environmentally-responsive housing. It remains for the high-rise design and building industry to assume a similar leadership role.