TIME: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Description
Construction accounts for a large share of global carbon emissions and landfill waste, and much of a building’s embodied carbon is determined at the design stage. This webinar explores how Additive Construction (AC), the robotic, layer-by-layer printing of building elements from a coordinated digital model, has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions compared to traditional reinforced concrete construction, reduce construction waste and expand architectural possibility.
The session examines how printing places material only where it is structurally required, eliminates temporary formwork and allows wall geometry to follow load paths. It reviews lower-carbon mix design, including supplementary cementitious materials, recycled aggregates and current Canadian research on one-component and two-component (1K and 2K) printing systems, and distinguishes established practice from work still in development.
Participants will see how a printed, reinforced wall system integrates structure, thermal resistance, air barrier continuity and moisture management in a single assembly, and how removing the cost penalty of curved and irregular forms opens new options for human-centred and biophilic design.
The session draws on Canadian project experience, ongoing research and built examples from around the world, including housing communities, military barracks and schools in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The presenters explain how AC projects proceed under the Ontario Building Code’s Alternative Solution pathway and what changes for architects working with AC: BIM-based workflows, earlier collaboration with engineers and fabrication teams, and feasibility assessment at the outset.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the ways Additive Construction can reduce material waste, eliminate conventional formwork, and lower the labour demands of wall construction.
- Describe how Additive Construction can contribute to a lower-impact building process, including its potential to reduce the carbon footprint of construction.
- Explain how 3D-printed wall systems can deliver integrated building envelope performance, including improved insulation, thermal resistance, and reduced thermal bridging.
- Recognize the current permitting pathway for Additive Construction projects under the Ontario Building Code, including the Alternative Solution approval process, and the role of BIM-based workflows in early-stage project coordination.
Presenters:
Leigh Newman, CEO and Co-Founder, Aretek
Leigh Newman is CEO and Co-Founder of Aretek, a Markham-based engineering and construction technology company advancing Additive Construction in Canada. With more than a decade of experience in civil and multi-unit residential construction, he leads the commercialization of 3D printed concrete through engineering, applied research, and industry partnerships. Under his leadership, Aretek secured Ontario's first Alternative Solution Permit for a multi-storey 3D printed student residence in partnership with the University of Windsor.
Linda Francis, Director of Marketing, People & Culture, and Special Projects, Aretek
Linda Francis is Director of Marketing, People & Culture, and Special Projects at Aretek, where she helps bridge engineering innovation with industry adoption. With more than 30 years of experience in management consulting, marketing, customer experience, and organizational transformation, she specializes in translating emerging technologies into practical strategies that inspire change. Her work focuses on helping organizations, communities, and industry partners understand the potential of Additive Construction to create more sustainable, resilient, and human-centered built environments.
Gustavo Teixeira Mesquita, Robotics Engineer & Research and Development Lead, Aretek
Gustavo Teixeira Mesquita is a results-driven engineer specializing in robotics, automation, and additive construction. With a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a multidisciplinary engineering background, he has played a technical role in every 3D concrete printing project completed in Canada to date. His experience spans design, execution, troubleshooting, and workforce training, helping advance the practical application of additive construction.
Pricing:
Licensed OAA Members: $42.50 + HST
OAA Interns and Students: $32.50 + HST
Non-Members: $63.00 + HST
NOTE:
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