Could the tiny homes market have a big future? American essayist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau is credited with popularizing the tiny house concept in 1845. As documented in his famed work Walden, Thoreau took less than four months to fashion his 150-square-foot log abode from rugged land owned by his friend and fellow influential […] ... Read more

With the building industry so vulnerable to ransomware attacks, you need to take preventative measures Last March was a tough month for cybersecurity, with both the municipalities of Hamilton and Huntsville attacked and held ransom. Even the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), the federal watchdog agency that oversees terrorist and organized […] ... Read more

Lessons in Architecture and Waterfront Development In May, a delegation from the Ontario Home Builders’ Association embarked on a four-day tour of Oslo, Norway, as part of the eighth OHBA International Housing Tour. The mission: to glean insights into the Scandinavian capital’s renowned architecture, innovative urban design and exemplary waterfront development. The delegation explored how […] ... Read more

In search of pedestrian-friendly communities In May, participants on an Ontario Home Builders’ Association four-day study tour visited Oslo, Norway, one of the world’s most sustainable cities. They saw a city increasingly putting pedestrians and cyclists before cars in its core, prioritizing connections to greenspaces and waterways, and transforming former industrial lands into vibrant, mixed-use […] ... Read more

Seven solutions to the trades shortage (including some that can start from within) We’ve all heard the numbers, but here’s a quick refresher: According to the Ontario government, at least one in three workers in Ontario with an apprenticeship certificate as their highest credential is nearing retirement, and almost 500,000 additional workers are expected to […] ... Read more