McGill Awarded $1.7 Million for an Innovative Retrofit Project to Address Housing Crisis and Climate Change

McGill's Pioneering Retrofit Project: As Canada grapples with a housing crisis and the escalating impacts of climate change, innovative solutions are more crucial than ever. In a significant stride toward addressing these twin challenges, McGill University's Professor Daniele Malomo has been awarded $1.7 million by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This funding will support a groundbreaking project that aims to retrofit existing buildings, enhancing resilience, reducing emissions, and mitigating unnecessary demolitions.

A Dual Solution: Energy Efficiency and Structural Safety

Professor Malomo, an Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering at McGill, spearheads an initiative to retrofit low-rise unreinforced masonry structures using modularly designed timber panels. This approach improves the buildings' insulating properties and enhances their structural integrity. Preliminary experiments conducted in the summer of 2023 revealed impressive results. Thermal testing indicated a 400% improvement in insulation, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of these buildings. Structural testing demonstrated an astonishing 100-fold increase in after-cracking lateral displacement, crucial for saving lives during earthquakes and other natural disasters while ensuring compliance with current building codes.

Sustainability at the Core: Timber Panels as a Retrofit Solution

"Our retrofit solution aims to facilitate the reuse and conversion of Eastern Canada's existing masonry buildings in a sustainable, affordable, and scalable manner, increasing energy and life-safety building performance," said Professor Malomo. “Reusing under-utilized or vacant existing buildings is the fastest and most effective option available, and these funds from CMHC will help us make it an even more attractive solution.”

Using timber as a primary retrofit material presents several advantages. Timber is more affordable than steel, concrete, or textile alternatives and is easier to install and remove. Moreover, the retrofitting process can be carried out while the buildings are occupied, minimizing disruption for residents. This proposal is mainly focused on the urban centres of Eastern Canada, a region characterized by low-to-moderate seismic activity and home to 61% of Canada's population.

Transforming Vacant Spaces: A New Hope for Montreal

The potential impact of this retrofit system is immense. Applying this method at scale could significantly increase the rate and volume of building conversions for residential use. This strategy saves energy by repurposing existing structures and expanding housing options in urban areas, bolstering the economic viability of cities in Eastern Canada. In Montreal alone, approximately 3,000 vacant buildings could be transformed using this retrofit method, thereby enhancing the available housing stock without incurring high demolition and new construction costs.

Collaborative Effort: A Multidisciplinary Team

Professor Malomo has assembled a diverse team of researchers from prestigious institutions, including the University of California (Berkeley), Carleton University, and the University of Toronto. Various industrial partners are also involved, ensuring the project moves swiftly toward practical application. The City of Montreal, through its Service de la gestion et de la planification des immeubles (SGPI), directed by Ing. François Buteau, is a supporting partner, providing essential data on existing masonry structures typical of Eastern Canada.

A Competitive Edge: The Housing Supply Challenge

This innovative retrofit project is part of the Housing Supply Challenge, a $300 million multi-round funding competition launched by the CMHC in December 2022. The competition, known for inviting groundbreaking solutions to Canada's housing issues, is currently in its 4th round, titled "Building for the Future," with the 5th and final round set to open later this year. The Challenge is a critical component of Impact Canada, led by the CMHC in collaboration with the Impact and Innovation Unit in the Privy Council Office and Infrastructure Canada.

About McGill University

Founded in 1821, McGill University is a world-renowned institution of higher learning, home to exceptional students, faculty, and staff from across Canada and around the globe. With a commitment to sustainability that spans several decades, McGill consistently ranks as one of the top universities nationally and internationally. The university's research activities span three campuses, 12 faculties, 14 professional schools, 300 programs of study, and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students.

McGill's sustainability initiatives affirm its role in shaping a future where both people and the planet can thrive, aligning perfectly with the goals of Professor Malomo's retrofit project. By addressing the pressing issues of housing shortages and climate change, McGill continues to lead the way in innovative research and practical solutions.

Conclusion

McGill University's innovative retrofit project represents a significant step in tackling Canada's housing crisis and climate change. By improving the energy efficiency and structural integrity of existing buildings, this initiative provides a sustainable solution and enhances the safety and livability of urban centres. With the support of the CMHC and a dedicated team of researchers and partners, this project promises to transform vacant buildings into valuable housing resources, setting a new standard for sustainable development. Keep visiting Education Post News for more updates.