Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1320139
P R E S S R E L E A S E C A N A D I A N P R E C A S T / P R E S T R E S S E D C O N C R E T E I N S T I T U T E After compulsory self-separation and spending more time indoors, a new approach to indoor ventilation is important to improving health. Integrated Ventilation Design (improved HVAC systems) and new strategies like greater natural light, improved ventilation, fewer toxic substances, and incorporating plants and other natural materials is necessary (Constable, 2020; Lubell, 2020). In this context, is it critical to design buildings with skylights, windows that can be opened through integrated ventilation designs, rooftop terraces, balconies, and courtyards to avoid sick-building syndrome and enhance air quality, (Guy & Farmer, 2001; Roaf, Crichton, & Nicol, 2010). Could COVID-19 alter building techniques and should we adopt a more modular construction strategy? If so, will the future witness more prefabricated and standardized components? With the increase spread of COVID-19, many questions will certainly arise, and additional security layers should be added to update an antivirus- enabled paradigm shift within our built environment. You can learn more details about the broad benefits of Integrated Ventilation Design by watching the Integrated Ventilation Solutions Significantly Improve Air Quality and Reduce Airborne Disease Transmission video which can be found on the CPCI Learn on Demand website cpci-learnondemand.com. This session will substantiate the value of integrated ventilation design as a simplified design alternative to other more complex and expensive energy conservation measures. Learn about the applications and components of an integrated ventilation "Smart Floor Kit." Discover how to position precast concrete hollowcore slabs as a smart, sustainable building material for new construction and retrofits for low-energy or zero net energy intelligent buildings. For more information on Termobuild, visit termobuild.com. ■ COVID-19 is transforming our built environment because of the fear of infection spread. Therefore, architecture and urbanism during and after the pandemic will never be the same. This creates many challenges at all levels within the built environment and for our economy. Governments, building, and the construction industries are searching for ways to reduce the potential risks or stop the virus from continuing to spread. However, there is a unique and proven Integrated Ventilation Design system that specifically targets thermal capacity to significantly increase the efficiency and the air quality of a building. Air quality is improved because fresh air is constantly flowing into the building, while exhausting stale air to the outdoors. Termobuild technol- ogy and the thermal properties of the precast concrete condition the air before it enters occupied spaces. This technology works well especially in buildings like schools, libraries, clinics, and hospitals that benefit from less noise from the ventilation system and the much-improved air quality. Integrated Ventilation Design integrates the precast concrete structure systems with the standard HVAC system to achieve unparal- leled baseline performance for a building. Integrated ventilation feeds air through ducts created in the precast concrete floors to take full advantage of the thermal properties of concrete. It combines four systems into one: heating, cooling, fresh air ventilation, and thermal energy storage. The constant induction of fresh air within the system is a game changer and can drastically reduce the viruses from spreading. The pandemic is generating many questions for AEC professionals and city planners as to how to present antivirus-related ideas that can reduce how the pandemic affects our physical and built environment. Better air quality is necessary. HOW COVID-19 IS TRANSFORMING OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT by Tom Machinchick, mba Termobuild director of project acquisition and Brian J. Hall, b.b.a, mba, CPCI, managing director