Villagers
I'm Bill Neher
Principal, Neher & Associates, IBGSE Consulting
Regina, Saskatchewan
What is your current job role and building code experience?
For over 40 years I have had the privilege of designing and managing a wide array of residential and commercial projects. This includes almost a decade spent working at the Corporate Head Office of IPSCO Inc. in Regina as the project administrator and cost controller for their capital projects across North America. I also acted as the Y2K Coordinator for all Canadian and US-based operations.
In 2013 I started Neher & Associates, a building design & development consulting firm, completing numerous successful residential and commercial projects.
Early in 2022 I launch IBGSE Consulting, a comprehensive green consulting firm, to provide businesses, corporations, cities and municipalities a resource to help them achieve more sustainable and healthy outcomes.
What are the biggest challenges facing safety code practitioners today?
The biggest challenges facing the building code industry today is communication and education. I believe these go hand in hand.
A lot of time is spent enforcing the code by telling people what the code states. Unfortunately, very seldom do people hear an explanation of why the code addresses an issue the way it does. Understanding through education can go a long way toward changing what is often seen as an adversarial relationship to one of a partnership to creating a safe environment.
What project or initiative have you heard about lately that really inspires you?
Through my studies with Passive House Canada I became aware of the International Living Future Institute including their Living Building Challenge and Just programs. Together their 11 different programs create the most comprehensive approach to green and sustainable living I have ever researched. I was so impressed by organization, that I studied and obtained my Living Future Accreditation. I look forward to sharing these great programs throughout the country in the coming months and years.
What are you passionate about outside the office?
Since childhood I’ve always loved being a maker and a woodworker.
Growing up I spent many hours working beside my father learning how to repair and build just about anything. From appliances to electronics he taught me the joy of being able to diagnose and repair almost any problem.
I find great satisfaction from repairing an item or creating something new from stuff just lying around my shop.
How can the industry contribute to global solutions for environmental, social and economic stability?
It’s impossible to address climate change and social equity without looking at the built environment. From the environmental impact of the individual building, to the modern day versions of redlining through restrictive zoning bylaws, we must do better as an industry.
It will not only be large global movements but grassroot action at the neighbourhood and civic levels to make this changes a reality. Everyone in the industry has a part to play.
What impact do you hope to have at Kilo Lima?
I hope to help demystify the National Energy Code and the concepts of passive house construction. I want to help people look beyond the code requirements and see to the broader impact on our environment and health that the built environment has.