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Sudbury R&D projects aim to advance green construction

Collège Boréal partnering with industry to make homebuilding more efficient

Collège Boréal is collaborating on a pair of applied research projects to advance techniques in green construction.

The Sudbury-based college announced the partnerships – with Construction La Ray and Tooketree Passive Homes – on Oct. 7.

With Québec-based developer Construction La Ray, the college will be studying the energy performance of insulated window shutters, with the goal of reducing heat gains in the summer and heat loss in the winter, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are thrilled to be in a position to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of construction, in partnership with Collège Boréal,” said Raymond Larouche, president at Construction La Ray, in a release.

“I have no doubt that we will succeed in developing a new product which will result in better energy performance and we hope to put the results to work in our future construction projects.”

Under the Tooketree Passive Homes project, Boréal students will study the Muskoka residential builder’s eco-digital wall with the aim of improving the fabrication process for homes.

Specifically, students will develop a structural insulated panel that uses renewable materials, digital fabrication, and construction that prioritizes the continuity of thermal insulation and vapour and wind barriers, according to the school.

Each project is being supported by a $25,000 grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. 

The work is being done through Recherche & Innovation Boréal, the school’s newly created applied research division.

Launched in March, its aim is to assist clients in innovating new ways of doing business, while also providing enriched learning experiences for students.