Welcome to this week’s edition of the News Round Up published by Construction Links Network. 

Top news this week includes testimony at the Grenfell Tower Fire public inquiry in the UK hearing that executives who sold combustible insulation for use on Grenfell Tower perpetrated a “fraud on the market” by rigging a fire test and making “misleading” claims about it.

Also, despite the challenges created with provincial shut downs and social distancing regulations, new research shows that 10 per cent of the construction professionals surveyed report being much more productive than before the pandemic struck; 17 per cent are edging ahead of pre-pandemic levels and 44 per cent remain as productive during the pandemic. 

There are more news items below to get you caught up with the latest industry news.

Thanks for reading and have a fantastic week!

Arnie Gess, President and Publisher Construction Links Network

Wood buildings should be a requirement of any climate change policy

Architects DCA Blog: Social Infrastructure and the Role Architects Play

New report builds on previous findings that Canadian hydrogen market has potential of $100 billion a year

Canadian home sales remain historically strong in October

Skills Ontario launches #SkillsToolsChallenge

Jonas Construction Software Blog: 10 Things Top Construction Companies Have in Common

Five industry leaders elected to the Vancouver Island Construction Association Board

Fire test for Grenfell foam cladding panels was rigged, admits ex-employee

Gap between National Building Code and accessibility standards risks human rights complaint

Let’s Talk Undercarriage

$18-billion LNG project projected to meet mid-decade start despite COVID-19 delays

Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot has been gathering data at a major construction site in London

Canadian Construction Association and KPMG in Canada launch Digital maturity assessment tool to gauge innovation

Procore research reveals that 70% of Canadian construction firms are as or more productive than before the pandemic

Minto Communities GTA wins six Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards

Report on Comments toward development of 2020 WE•Stand now available for download

Canadian housing starts trend higher in October

These Lego-like modular ICU rooms are turning hospital parking lots into COVID-19 units

IWSH connects with DigDeep, UA Local 400 and Milwaukee School of Engineering to design, deliver wash stations to Navajo Nation

IAPMO makes tentative interim amendment available for public comment

11 Yorkville groundbreaking marks start of construction for Toronto’s world-renowned address

Canadian company BrainBox AI Recognized by TIME as a Best Invention of 2020

How ‘net-zero’ and ‘passive’ houses can cut carbon emissions — and energy bills

U.S. home construction up 4.9% in October to 1.53 million

Excitement builds as Tresah project breaks ground in Victoria

Command Alkon and Libra Systems team up to boost efficiency for heavy construction materials suppliers

Region moves one step closer to building new transit hub in Kitchener

The Slow Revolution – Five Technology Trends In Construction 2020

Manitoba recognizes 2020 Construction award winners

Fastest 3D construction printer tackles 3-story apartment in Germany