Buildex 2011

If you had the good fortune to attend Buildex Edmonton 2011, you probably picked up some great ideas. Intended mainly for construction industry, the session focuses on building rather than buying commercial real estate - but there was still a wealth of information for buyers, sellers, and their agents.

Since the conference is construction oriented, I only attended two sessions (I registered for three but the schedule of a REALTOR® doesn't always cooperate and so I could only attend two). Fortunately I was able to attend the two I really wanted to attend.

LEED Construction

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system is a program dedicated to improving the sustainablility of our building design and construction. LEED certified buildings are beginning to appear in greater numbers and I certainly enjoyed this session. I must admit I was not prepared for the level of sustainability that goes into the construction of a LEED building. The seven priority areas that are monitored and points are awarded for are; 1) Sustainable Sites 2) Water Efficiency 3) Energy and Atmosphere 4) Materials and Resources 5) Indoor Environmental Quality 6) Innovation and Design, and 7) Regional Priority.

Remembering that Buildex is for contractors, the seminar focussed on Materials and Resources, but that in itself was an eye-opener. All materials used in construction must be accounted for from the point of manufacture, ingredients, use and re-use, and disposal. Wow. This went right down to the smallest components. Extrapolating that out to all seven priority areas, it takes great commitment to produce a LEED certified building.

Good Retail Design

I guess I have to profess a weakness for good retail design. There are not too many man-made things more pleasing to the eye than a well laid out retail centre. The seminar host pretty much summed it at the beginning of his talk. He said "with good design, you don't know why it feels better, it just does". That has to be one of the most succinct statements I've heard in a while; a few words said so much. If a retail centre has good design, it makes you want to walk around, stay awhile, enjoy your experience and come back again. That takes so many components working together like character, quality, textures, colours, and comfort. But those are only components of good design. Great design includes sidewalks, seating, planting, fireplaces and water, washrooms, and signage. Appropriate music is always an added attraction as well as playgrounds for kids.

So many components that, if done right, just make it feel better yet you can't pick anything out. A sign of great design; all these components working in synergy so that they blend into one experience.

Next time you're out enjoying a shopping experience and you just, well, feel good, stop and look around. See if you can pick out some of the elements listed and see how they blend into an overall experience.

Commercial Real Estate Agencies

What surprised me was the lack of my peers present. I didn't see a single commercial agent that I recognized other than a friend who was one of the speakers. I would have thought that they would relish the opportunity to learn more of these great initiatives. I guess, as you will recall me saying in my previous two blogs, opportunities often come in disguise. Indeed.