The McEwen School of Architecture at Laurentian University has received $750,000 from three sources to help establish its new Institute for Northern Housing Innovation. The Sudbury school announced the funds on Aug. 28.
Of the funding, $450,000 comes from FedNor, through the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative; $150,000 comes from the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC); and $150,000 comes from Desjardins, through the Community Development Fund.
That's in addition to the $500,000 allotted to the project earlier this summer through the provincial Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.
Announced in July, the institute will focus on developing practical, affordable housing solutions for Northern Ontario.
Dr. Steven Beites, an assistant professor with the McEwen School of Architecture, will serve as director for the institute.
Beites’ work looks to integrate emergent design, robotics, material science, and advanced fabrication to make housing affordable.
A recent project involves the development of a cable-directed parallel robot (CDPR) designed to build homes in remote northern communities where labour and traditional build techniques are costly.
The funding announced Aug. 28 will be used to purchase new equipment and technology for community outreach and training activities, including acquiring software licences and subscriptions, training, lease-hold improvements, and the expansion of existing space at the McEwen School of Architecture to accommodate the new institute.
“Once fully operational, the Institute will share knowledge and innovative solutions, while bringing communities and industry together to make housing more accessible, sustainable, and affordable,” a federal government news release said.
“This will be achieved through community outreach, training for industry professionals and local builders, and online publications and seminars.”
