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8 | DECEMBER 2018 IBI Group "At IBI we only have so many resources, which means there is a limitation as to how we can innovate ourselves. So we came up with this idea. A private sector initiative that is self supporting, not driven by public policy funding. This would allow us to deliver without requiring government engagement. This ensures that if we see a good idea, we can move quickly on it," says Stewart. "What was fascinating was that from our first conversation with a potential partner, it immediately gained traction. Within four weeks all the partners had signed an MOU. It turns out they were all facing the same challenge and saw the same opportunity." Stewart adds that while he doesn't anticipate seeing unicorns like Uber or Airbnb that have transformed the landscape we live in today, instead he envisages around 20 successful com- panies emerging from the Smart City Sandbox that deliver services, systems, and technology on a global basis. "I would expect the partners will have a carried interest in those start-ups and that includes IBI, and IBI will be beneficiaries of the software not just in the solutions, but in carrying their brand to market." In a world where it can sometimes be tough to keep pace and navigate the cur- rent exponential technological advancement, the team at IBI is excited and have their feet firmly on the ground and their head in the cloud. Whether that's with the master-planned smart city projects in Toronto, Los Angeles, and Dubai, or innovative and futuristic technologies such as 3D printing, AI, and robotics. "We are engaged in proactive conversations, so the order of the day is agility and to be able to look to the future and imagine how technology has the ability to change what we do and how we do it, and be at the forefront of that," says Kazerouni. To which Thom adds, "We are in an industry where if you don't change you will become obsolete. We are at the beginning of a tsunami and we need to ensure we get ahead and see it as an opportunity and not a threat, and ride that wave. It's an extraordinary time to be in the business." A "I feel we are doing this once again in Mississauga where we are involved in the master planning around the LRT and city centre core, as well as the architectural design of many of the towers there including the 81-storey M3 Condos that has captured everyone's imagination over the past few months since the design was presented. Creating complete communities is what we do best," explains Kazerouni. Even in the early years, benchmark projects such as the Lake Athabasca proj- ect, where IBI was hired to develop modular construction that had to be taken up on barges across the frozen lake, proved that anything is possible. "It's thanks to projects like these, which combined technology, constructional logistics, and designing a town, that resulted in us gaining recognition for doing innovative work. We were able to grow quickly because our story was resonating with a lot of people," says Thom. It's not just design however where IBI shines. The City of Toronto has been using IBI's BlueIQ intelligent, real-time software solution since 2015. It uses predictive analytics to determine the most cost effective and energy efficient way for water utilities to operate their water distribution systems. "It's unique to the water distribution market and benefits water utilities by conserving energy and reducing operating costs, with an associated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, while assuring the level of water quality and service to customers. At IBI we are very involved in deploying technologies for effective outcomes," explains Kazerouni. No matter who you speak to at IBI, technology gets them fired up. It makes sense then that the latest pivot at the company has technology at its core. Under the new strategic plan, one initiative in particular promises to take the construc- tion and design sector into a whole new realm, and that's the Smart City Sandbox. This initiative is a partnership between IBI, EllisDon, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), The Weather Network, and Slate Asset Management, as well as technol- ogy provider Microsoft. It is focused on bringing innovative new products and systems to urban environments that improve the quality of life for residents. SMEs and start-ups are being invited to participate in specific cohorts related to mobility, living, energy, health care, and other urban themes, with the goal of creating solutions focused on the needs of the community. Each cohort will run for a term of three to 12 months to incubate their ideas, concluding with a demo day for investors. [Clockwise from left] M3 Condos, Mississauga, ON.; BlueIQ real-time energy management for water distribution software; 3D visualization VR; Liberty Village, Railway Lands, Toronto, ON.; the IBI Group Strategic Plan; [bottom] CEO Keynote and Smart City Sandbox Launch. RENDERING BY BINYAN STUDIOS/COURTESY IBI GROUP

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