SAIT’s Alternative Construction Technologies (ACT) hub, which has already begun work to revolutionize materials and constructions technologies in Calgary, got a near-million dollar boost on July 25.

The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund announced a $996,000 investment into ACT over the next three years, in order to move the hub towards a full opening in late 2025.

ACT, which had already begun working on multiple research projects, was created to develop technologies in robotics, prefabrication of houses, and the 3D printing of structures.

“This will look to accelerate innovation in the construction and manufacturing sectors, and the investment will look to support 23 companies as well as help train over 24 individuals,” said OCIF CEO Brad Parry.

“This is another step for us to understand that industry and that sector for construction and manufacturing, and by putting this combustible capital into that, we’re going start training the future leaders in our city in our sectors, and above, make sure we apply technology to it.”

The hub previously received investments from both the Government of Canada and Invest Alberta in 2023, with the goal of developing a space for companies to connect the construction industry to researchers.

Parry said that the funding would be provided based on a milestone system, and that the funding wasn’t based on a year-by-year allocation.

Dr. Hamid Rajani, Chair for the Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials at SAIT, which houses ACT, said that the hall housing the hub had been undergoing a build out process for the past two years.

He said that in addition, SAIT had been recruiting talent to staff the hub as well as filling it with cutting edge technology.

“Now we will be able to finish the project by the end of 2025, and that’s when the hub is going to become fully operational,” Dr. Rajani said.

The investment into ACT was the 30th made by OCIF.

Investment critical to solve construction industry issues

Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who also serves as a board member for OCIF, said that the investment was a critical one to solve issues that Calgary was facing in the housing and construction sectors.

“When we think about housing situation that we find ourselves in right now in Calgary, we’ve got the equivalent of one of those accordion buses of people arriving in our city every day. There’s over 200 people on average coming to Calgary every day, and those folks are going to need a place to live. They’re going to need jobs. They’re going to need health care. And they’re going to need education,” she said.

“So, from the perspective of the [City of Calgary] and the things that we can assist with, it is incredible to make an announcement like this that allows us to build more homes quicker, and allows us to educate students and get them trained for the careers that they will hold.”

She said that the partnership between SAIT and the tech sector was unbeatable, and that the combination would assist Calgary’s construction industry but that more work needed to be done to help trades.

“It is yet another tool that we can use to deliver housing in a sustainable and affordable manner, but it does not resolve the issue of trades,” the mayor said.

“One of the biggest things we have to do in this country is elevate the role that trades play and especially construction trades. For a very long time we have focused on professional careers, and I think it’s time to revisit the idea that trades have a huge role to play in carrying our society forward. So the trade shortage will not be alleviated by this program, but this program allows us to combine technology with those trades folks that we need.”

Aman Aditia, CEO of Epok Enterprises and a member of the ACT advisory board, said that he has seen first hand the way the hub has already begun to transform local industry.

“Time and time again, we’ve heard that technology and critical [intellectual property] have a hard time thriving in our country because we’re too risk averse. This initiative bridges a crucial gap in research and development to mitigate those risks by fostering a triple helix model of innovation,” Aditia said.

“This means that industry leaders, academic pioneers, and public sector champions all work hand in hand to fast track groundbreaking product ideas, elevate workforce skills, create high paying jobs and fuel economic growth.”