b"COMMITTEE CORNERINTRODUCING THE ICT COMMITTEE WCAs new sub-committee is propellinginnovation and proposing integrated technologyBy Twila DriedgerIf COVID-19 catapulted anything in construction over the course of the past two years, it was the importance of innovation and technology. While already a valuable development in the industry, a global pandemic identified the significance and necessity for embracing modernization.In mid-2020, the Winnipeg Construction Association pressed play on a plan to move forward with a sub-committee that would drive innovation within the industry and propose current and future integrated technology initiatives.Build Manitoba caught up with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Committee Co-Chair Peter Bernatsky to discuss how the committee came to be, what the group has already accomplished and their objectives moving forward.BUILD MANITOBA: What is theBM: Who is on WCAs ICTpurpose of the ICT Committee?Committee? Are you looking forPETER BERNATSKY: The role ofmore representatives?technology and construction at a veryPB: We have representation from high level is twofold. One is usingarchitects, engineering firms, general technology to develop constructioncontractors, electrical contractors who plans and to design and managehave IT expertise, and then me, being construction projects more efficiently.the low voltage contracting integration So thats one purposeto highlight andsector. It's a very, very broad industry, so focus in on some of those importantthere are a lot of silos of expertise that technology items, things like drones,that wed be happy to include in our modeling software and all types ofcommittee. Weve got a good mix rightThere are very hard costs and3D photography that can be used tonow, but theres room for a few more.help manage a project, plan a project, efficiencies to be gained by bringingestimate a project, so forth.BM: I understand that developing in building technology as part of theThe secondary role is to bring attentiona best practices document was top base building design very early into the importance of technologypriority for the committee.the process. If we can bring greaterconsiderations for the actual functionPB: As a committee, weve talked about awareness to the various stakeholdersof the building itselfin other words,various aspects of the role of the Internet in the construction chain, startingthe role technology plays for the ownerof Things (IoT) for smart buildings, with architects, engineers and generalof a new building and bringing thoseartificial intelligence and buildings, and better result for owners.design elements early in the constructionthe role of technology for design and contractors, I think itll produce a project, as opposed to when the bricksrunning a project. And I think out ofPeter Bernatsky, and mortar portion of the project our first few meetings we arrived at the ICT Committee Co-Chair is completed.agreement that we should focus our efforts on a best practices document. BM: Tell us about the bestpractices document.PB: The document is there to define what best practices are for ICT. Its there to help contractors understand the importance of technology and production. [Technology is] no longer just a nice add-on, it plays a critical function in the building. [The document is] there to highlight that everything technology-related in a modern building is network-driven. Therefore, theres a Structural very close relationship or intermingling Mechanical of disciplines between what we do Electrical and ITinformation technologyand the importance of having those two towereng.ca 204-925-1150 403-235-2655 disciplines work off of each other. 30 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca"