SLCAN Toronto Chapter - Knowledge & Networking Event

Press "REGISTER" for more details.

Digital Twins & Sustainability

Abstract

Please join us for a dynamic discussion about Digital Twins and sustainability. Listen to perspectives from an owner, an academic and engineers on the components and maturity within the world of Digital Twins and how the technologies can help make laboratories more sustainable.

Digital Twin opportunities have increased dramatically given the advancement in technologies used to design, build and operate complex environments. The systems have matured from having simple digital copies of infrastructure, to integrated real-time monitoring technologies, to predictive tools, and finally evolving to real time performance evaluation and autonomous control. Be part of the discussion pertaining to what can we do to create new and more sustainable laboratories and what can we do to make our existing laboratories more sustainable.

Panellists:

Ian McDermott – Vice President, Facilities and Capital Development, Sinai Health

Jenn McArthur – Professor in Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University

Akira Jones – Director, Digital Services, H.H. Angus and Associates Ltd.

Krigh Bachmann – Design Technology Leader, H.H. Angus and Associates Ltd.

Bios:

Ian McDermott is the Vice President, Facilities and Capital Development for Sinai Health (www.sinaihealth.ca) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In his roles, Ian has worked with clinicians, service providers, design teams, constructors and all levels of government in managing and creating innovative environments for clinical and academic healthcare, research and education. Ian and his team are project, space and clinical/scientific interpreters, translating needs and concepts between the all the users and the design/operational teams. Effective management of space allocation and utilization underlines user needs, design principals and finally realistic builds. Ian was the President of Sustainable Labs Canada (www.slcan.ca) for 4 years and in currently an Interim Director of this national organization. He was honoured as an SLCan Fellow in 2021. Additionally, he is the Vice-President of the Toronto SLCan Chapter. Ian holds a Specialist Degree in Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of Toronto.

Jenn McArthur, Ph.D. is a Professor in Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University and Director of the Smart Campus Integration & Testing Hub (SCITHub), a living laboratory for digital twins, smart building analytics, and low-carbon operations. Her research integrates Cognitive (AI-integrated) Digital Twins, Smart & Ongoing Commissioning, and AI-enabled performance monitoring to improve the energy, carbon, and operational outcomes of complex buildings. Through partnerships with municipalities, utilities, and infrastructure owners, this work has translated real-time building data into decision-grade intelligence that supports operational energy savings, electrification, and net-zero retrofit strategies at portfolio and city scales.

Akira Jones is a mechanical engineer and Director of Digital Services at H.H. Angus, where he leads a national team focused on advancing digital transformation in the built environment. With over 15 years in the AEC industry, he specializes in applying smart building technologies – such as IoT-enabled systems, digital twins, and cloud-based analytics – to enhance asset performance, sustainability, and long-term resilience. Akira has deep expertise in integrating digital twins, IoT platforms, and cloud-based data models to support smarter decision-making across building portfolios. His recent work includes real-time space utilization analytics for ambulatory clinics. He also leads H.H. Angus’ internal research on efficiency-enabling technologies and regularly collaborates with academic and public-sector partners. Currently, Akira is working with Toronto Metropolitan University on a digital twin research initiative, helping building owners and operators future-proof their portfolios amid electrification mandates, rising performance standards, and evolving market demands.

Krigh Bachmann is the Design Technology Leader for HH Angus & Associates engineering firm. He is responsible for developing the firm's Digital Delivery Strategy and managing the design technology standards, resources and tools across the firm. With an understanding of both established and emerging technologies, he excels at translating complex concepts into practical, real-world solutions. Krigh's portfolio includes work in digital delivery contract language, generative artificial intelligence, BIM, smart buildings, prefab construction and digital twins

SLCan presentations are eligible for professional development credits. Certificates are available upon request.

If this event has to be cancelled, your fee will be reimbursed less the Eventbrite processing fees.

Timelines:

Presentation & Networking

5:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Cocktails, Networking & Exhibitor's Table

6:00 pm to 6:30 pm - Service of the Meal (please email john.alberico@rwdi.com with any dietary restrictions)

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm - Presentation and Service of Dessert

7:30 pm to 9:30 pm - Networking

Cost (no payment at the door):

You can register using Eventbrite.

Attendance:

1. SLCan Member: $ 120 (excluding HST and Eventbrite Fees)
2. Non-Member: $170 (excluding HST and Eventbrite Fees)

For any questions, you can contact us at: toronto@slcan.ca