b'NEW TECHIn 2022, Nexii partnered with PEG Companies to produce the exterior building envelope of a new Courtyard by Marriott hotel location in Nanaimo, B.C. The company constructed nearly 750 envelope panels using Nexiite, their sustainable concrete alternative that significantly reduces carbon emissions. Photo courtesy of Nexii Building Solutions.THE CHANGING LANDSCAPEOF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALSTAKING ADVANTAGE OF NEW AND RENEWED TECHNOLOGY BY WARREN HEELEYhe construction industryare being questioned about their role inNexii panels are simply a new way T has used many of the samenew sustainable building norms. Expertsto construct building envelopes, says basic materials for decades.forecast that current building materialsLaurenz Kosichek, Vice President Adoption of new technology has beenwill either disappear when replaced byof Architecture at Nexii. They a lengthy process or has not happenednew technologies or will have to beare prefabricated in our plant in at all. This has changed in the lastre-engineered into more sustainable, eco- Abbotsford, B.C. and shipped to the 10 years as construction has beenfriendly options.jobsite for assembly. The panels have inundated with new and an insulation R value in the high 30s, re-engineered materials.To be competitive, contractors need toand our plant is the first one in North embrace these new material technologiesAmerica with zero waste; 100 per cent According to the United Nations 2020and make them part of their day-to-dayof the materials used in production can Global Status Report for Buildings andwork. Here are just a few innovativeeither be reused or recycled.Construction, building constructionsolutions to keep an eye on:and operation is the worlds largestThe cost of the panels compares well to source of carbon dioxide emissions.SUSTAINABLE traditional concrete or steel and reduces Many recent material changes havethe length of a construction project been a response to environmentalCONSTRUCTION PANELS by reducing on-site assembly time regulations on climate change andCanadian company Nexii Buildingcompared to traditional construction the demand for more eco-friendlySolutions has a new technologymethods. Kosichek adds, With products. Reduction of greenhouse gasconstruction panel that is used for apolymer curing in only four hours, (GHG) emissions by reducing fossilbuildings envelope. The Nexiite panelit takes only one shift of workers to fuel use and increasing electrification ofis a sustainable exterior panel made ofcomplete the process.energy needs is impacting polymer concrete that is an alternative to every industry. traditional concrete and steel. Polymer concrete eliminates cementthe largestTRANSPARENT WOODBuilders and contractors must becomecarbon emitter within standard Transparent wood completed testing greener. Traditional building materialsconcrete production. in 2020 and is five times stronger 30 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'