Strong showing for inaugural Buildings Show

All areas of the international building industry were on display at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from December 3 to 5, 2014 for The Buildings Show. Produced by Informa Canada, the show is North America’s largest annual exposition, networking and educational event for design, construction and real estate. The show featured more than 500 speakers 1600 exhibits and over 35,000 attendees.

Seven individual shows – IIDEX Canada, Construct Canada, PM Expo, Concrete Canada, Home Builder & Renovator Expo, Construct International and The Real Estate Forum – were houseD under one roof to fill both the MTCC’s north and south buildings. For years, these independent building expos have provided meeting places for international architects, designers, builders, contractors, engineers and many others to share the latest information, best practices and innovative products.

The Buildings Show’s educational seminars were broken down into five main categories: green buildings, building environment and performance; legal, regulator and risk management issues; new products and technologies, professional and personal skills; and project delivery and best practices.

During the kitchen and bathroom trends seminar, Anastasia Rentzos, a certified master kitchen and bath designer, emphasized the increased role of technology in both key areas of the home.

From automation and efficiency to smaller appliances and tap or touchless features, the industry is undergoing a significant transformation and there is more demand than ever for high-end plumbing products. “Hands free faucets used to be a luxury, now they are in both the kitchen and bathroom,” she said. “Consumers want more comfort in their homes and are willing to pay for it.”

In his seminar on building harmony between the HVAC system and the building envelope, Peter Adams, a senior building envelope designer for Morrison Hershfield, said the better the building envelope is at preventing heat, air and moisture flow, the less work the HVAC has to do to condition the space. Adams also explained the importance of planning and thinking, and the need to engage mechanical and envelope designers early on in the building process.

Other highlights of The Buildings Show included the Construct Canada architecture roundtable, the IIDEX Canada interior design roundtable, and a state of the built environment industry panel discussion. In addition, a seminar on the Humber River Hospital, North America’s first fully digital hospital, described how technology has enhanced all aspects of quality care delivery and improved efficiency, accuracy, reliability and safety.

The Buildings Show 2015 will take place from December 2 to 4, once again at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For more information visit www.thebuildingsshow.com