Building

Building engineers acquire knowledge in the planning, design, construction, operation, renovation and maintenance of buildings, together with an understanding of impacts on the surrounding environment. Building engineers explore all phases in the life cycle of a building. They identify problems and find appropriate solutions to improve the quality of living within the built environment.

Examples: 

Building engineers have helped to renovate the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, to design the Olympic village in Sydney, and to evaluate indoor air quality in Northern housing.

Building engineers are involved in: Designing and construction of new buildings such as homes, museums and hospitals Ensuring the health and safety of the built environment. Renovation and retrofiting of older buildings for today's needs. Designing the systems that make a building's living and working space comfortable.

In your community: 

How do people in your community feel when they spend a long time inside? The skills of Native building engineers are needed to solve problems related to the health and well-being of the community's buildings and the people who use them.

Do the homes in your community need better ventilation or lighting? Can the acoustics in the community centre accommodate a day care and visiting performers? These are areas where a local building engineer could contribute to the daily life in your town.

Aptitude: 

If you like...

  • Problem solving
  • Being creative
  • Working with tools
  • Making Models
  • Playing with Lego
  • Helping others

...you might enjoy Building Engineering.

Universities: 

Building engineering is a four-year programme. It is offered at:

Concordia University

We're always looking for more role models. Do you know an Aboriginal Engineer or scientist who should be featured here? Please let us know.