Canadian Property Management | November 16, 2022
Peter Machnee, MEng., P.Eng. | Regional Manager

As society evolves, codes change, and exterior forces like climate change and global economics impact the way buildings are designed and constructed, it’s critical to have an eye on current and future trends. While no one could have foreseen a years-long pandemic shuttering the world’s offices and storefronts, developers today are well-aware that anything is possible. Meanwhile, climate change has increased the likelihood that a major weather event could strike at any moment, whether you live in PEI, Ontario, or BC. Factoring in these once “doomsday-esq” considerations has become central to a building’s ability to stand the test of time.

So, what are the “Big 3 Forces” currently shaping building design? Peter Machnee, Regional Manager, RJC Engineers, gives us his expert opinion:
Canadian Consulting Engineer | Nov 15, 2022

Scott Wallace, until recently an executive principal with Canadian firm RJC Engineers, received the Ed Keate Award at the recent Canadian Parking Association’s Trade Show and Conference in Quebec City, Quebec.
The Canadian Parking Association (CPA) was founded in 1983 to unite interested parties to form a cohesive national voice for the parking industry.

The Founder’s Awards, the Ted Seeberg Award, and Ed Keate Award, recognize and celebrate those who make a valuable contribution. The Ed Keate Award is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to advancing knowledge in the parking industry.
Passive House Canada | Oct 31, 2022

This month, we spotlight a group of RJC Engineers employees and Passive House Canada members who are passionately committed to high performance buildings.

  • Terry Bergen, Managing Principal: 27 + years with RJC, Passive House Canada member for 5 years
  • Tiffany Sun Dela Cruz, Project Engineer: 4.5 years with RJC; PHC member for 4 months
  • Brandon Gemme, Project Engineer: 4 years with RJC; received CPHD designation in April 2021
  • Sameer Hasham, Project Engineer: 12+ years with RJC, PHC member for 3 years
  • Leslie Peer, Principal: 24 years with RJC; PHC member since 2017
  • Maddie Reid, Project Engineer:  5 years with RJC; PHC member for 2 years
  • Duncan Rowe, Principal: 15 years with RJC; PHC member since 2018
Urban Toronto | October 28, 2022
John Kooymans, BSc, P.Eng. | Principal

30 years ago, if you were to look out at the skyline of Downtown Toronto, you would see the hints of what was to come. The high-rises, the bright lights, the density, all of these things that define the perpetually evolving Downtown core we know today were already there, just in an early adolescent state. In 2022, one looks out at the skyline to see a kaleidoscopic medley of textures that shine, reflect, and dance in the light. While concrete, brick, and stone is also there, a revolution has taken place; a revolution in glass engineering.  
Canadian Propety Management | Oct 25, 2022
Kevin Vogt, BSc, P.Eng., LEED® Green Associate | Project Engineer

As sustainability mandates and the high cost of utilities continue to drive commercial property owners to seek out innovative solutions, those looking to reduce overhead and save on energy should consider harnessing the power of the sun. Photovoltaic solar panels have come a long way in recent years, and the benefits are steadily growing.

“Solar panels continue to come down in cost, and they’re more economically favourable thanks to a range of eligible subsidies and grants,” said Kevin Vogt, Project Engineer with RJC Engineers. “Standardized modules and mounting solutions have made it possible to install them on a greater variety of roofing and standalone structures, including flat roofs, peaked roofs, and vertical surfaces, so the opportunities for this technology have opened up considerably.”
The Globe and Mail | October 25, 2022

The architects and builders redeveloping Cambridge Suites Hotel at the edge of Toronto’s financial district say their plan is going to take construction techniques in the city to a whole new level. It looks like they’re not exaggerating.

The development proposal for the 21-storey property on Richmond Street East near the city’s soaring bank towers starts with the removal of the 1990 postmodern building’s peaked roof.
Construction Business - AB & Alberta's Construction Mazazine | Sept-Oct 2022
Roger Steers, MEng, P.Eng., LEED® AP | Executive Principal

Roger Steers has been practicing structural engineering in B.C. for almost three decades, and is a well recognized expert in the evaluation, restoration and repair of structures.

Recently appointed as executive principal of RJC Engineers, Steers has been involved in restoring many parking structures in Western Canada. “There was the old Woodward’s Cordova Street parkade, work for the City of Vancouver and lots of parking structure work for mall owners including Oakridge, Metrotown and Pacific Centre,” he says.
Daily Commercial News by ConstructConnect | Oct 5, 2022
Eric Wilson, EIT, B.Eng, MASc, PhD Candidate | Indigenous Projects Liaison

A conference held on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation explored how engineers, architects and construction professionals can be better allies to Indigenous Nations and honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action by supporting Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA).

Building a Foundation for Reconciliation 2022: The Interconnections between Infrastructure, Culture, and Environment was hosted by RJC virtually Sept. 30.
Canadian Consulting Engineer | Oct 3, 2022

On Sept. 30, RJC Engineers hosted its second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation webinar for engineers, contractors and architects, drawing nearly 600 attendees.

The two-hour mini-conference, ‘Building a Foundation for Reconciliation 2022: The Interconnections between Infrastructure, Culture and the Environment,’ was organized in partnership with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation, Tsawout First Nation, Halalt First Nation and the Roots to Roofs Community Development Society. By exploring how Canada’s architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals can honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission‘s Calls to Action as allies to First Nations, it expanded upon last year’s inaugural session.
Advantage Steel | Summer 2022
Geoff Kallweit, BSc, P.Eng. | Associate

Completed in 2019, the Westbrook Pedestrian Bridge was built to replace an existing bridge as part of Calgary’s Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP), which envisions a safer and more walkable neighbourhood surrounding the Westbrook LRT Station. It was erected by general contractor Graham Construction based on designs by RJC Engineers.

“We blurred the line between the span and the support and integrated those elements aesthetically so that one flows into the other,” says Geoff Kallweit, Associate with RJC Engineers. “The result is that it doesn’t look like a steel span perched on a concrete base, but more like the span and the base flow into one another.”