A new professorship in the Faculty of Applied Science at the University
of British Columbia will help prepare future architects and engineers
for the challenges in modern design and construction of building
envelopes.
The Polygon Adjunct Professorship in Building Science will build
on existing strengths at UBC and is aimed at forging closer ties
with the activities and research of professionals in the provincial
building industry. It is funded by a partnership between UBC, Polygon
Homes Ltd., and Forintek Canada Corp. Both industry partners have
been active in helping to seek solutions to the envelope failure
issue that affects so many B.C. homeowners.
“The creation of this professorship marks a commitment to help
address some of the daunting challenges facing the building industry,”
says Applied Science Dean Michael Isaacson. “We now have the resources
in place to start meeting the education and research needs of industry,
and to help guide practice and policy development for government.”
“We saw an excellent opportunity where we could partner with UBC
and help build its research and teaching capacity in an area of
importance to the development industry. It’s a good investment,”
says Michael Audain, managing director, Polygon Homes Ltd.
“We’re pleased to join forces with Polygon, one of B.C.’s largest
home builders, in tackling some pressing issues of interest to the
Canadian forest products industry – that is, improving the use of
wood by building industry practitioners,” says Ian de la Roche,
chief executive officer, Forintek Canada Corp.
The initiative will be led by the Civil Engineering Dept. and
the School of Architecture in the Faculty of Applied Science. The
Dept. of Wood Science in the Faculty of Forestry will also be involved.
Polygon donated $135,000 and Forintek provided $60,000 to establish
the position.
Polygon Homes Ltd. is a Vancouver-owned and operated company.
Since its inception in 1980, Polygon has built more than 9,500 homes
throughout the Lower Mainland. Forintek is Canada’s wood products
research institute and has a long history of supporting education
and research programs at various Canadian universities, including
UBC.
For more information on Polygon visit www.polyhomes.com.
For additional background materials visit www.durable-wood.com/wood_solutions/moisture_control.php3.
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