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Edward
Lim

Ed Lim is a professional engineer (P.Eng.)

Vancouver, Canada

As President of United Building Systems International Corp. in British Columbia, Canada, Ed Lim, a professional engineer (P.Eng.) and Timber Design Specialist, steers the company’s design, engineering, and fabrication processes. The company, formed when Permatruss Ltd., Cloverdale Truss Co. Ltd., and Lougheed Truss Ltd. joined forces, offers 50 years of combined experience, state-of-the-art design software and Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) fabrication technology. Ed Lim, P.Eng., who also acts as an engineering, management, and site reviewer, serves as a Timber Truss Retrofit Specialist and a Timber Truss and Frame Retrofit Engineer at United Building Systems. Wood trusses, materials that support the roof and main structure of many buildings has become an integral part of structural framing systems. Devoted to furthering this construction science, Ed Lim, P.Eng. joined the Board of Directors of the Western Wood Truss Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Wood Truss Association. He also served on the Provincial Steering Committee of the Canadian Wood Council since its inception. Ed Lim, P.Eng. is currently working on his Master of Business Administration. Previously, he has studied civil and structural technology at British Columbia Institute of Technology. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science with a Management Science option at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. The University received recognition 19 years in a row in Macleans annual university ranking as Canada’s most innovative institution. Using the knowledge and experience he gained in 20 years in the framing and construction business, Ed Lim, P.Eng. shares his expertise on numerous projects and publications. For instance, he assisted with the Engineering Guide for Wood Frame Construction and the Design and Costing Workbook series for the Canadian Wood Council. An active sportsman, Ed Lim, P.Eng. devotes the same energy he displays in his career to training and running marathons and participating in triathlons. Ed Lim, P.Eng. ran the 2007 BMO Vancouver Half Marathon, the 2008 and 2009 BMO Vancouver Marathons, and the 2009 Great Wall of China Half Marathon. In 2008 and 2009, he also competed in the the Vancouver Triathlon.

Please visit http://www.unitedbuildingsystems.com for more information.


Edward Lim's Schools

  		•  University of Waterloo , Class of 1991
    Bachelors

    Civil & Structural Engineering, Management & Building Science Emphasis

Edward Lim's Companies

Edward Lim's Publications

  • Some Highlights of Modern Chinese Architecture, Ed Lim, P.Eng
    April, 2011
    In May 2009, I traveled with the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii on an architectural tour of China. The Chinese government has placed a high priority on architecture in recent years and has commissioned some breathtaking buildings from some of the leading architects and engineers in the world.

    Architecture in China began moving away from the traditional style in the mid-nineteenth century. By the time the communist government took power, many cities featured Western-style office buildings, theatres, hotels, and restaurants. The communist government initially commissioned a style based on mixing traditional Chinese principles with Western design, though over time it has gradually expanded to incorporate new influences.

    Since the turn of the twenty-first century, Chinese officials have embarked on bold new designs. The National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, designed by French architect Paul Andreu, consists of an egg-shaped dome of titanium and glass surrounded by a lake. The entrance to the dome is underground, and the facility holds an opera hall, a music hall, and a theatre. The building opened in 2008 and quickly was nicknamed “The Egg.”

    Another major project, the China Central Television Headquarters (CCTV) consists of 2 giant L’s, 44 stories tall and connected at the top. The 2nd-largest office building in the world after the United States’ Pentagon, the CCTV Headquarters boasts 75 elevators, a hotel, and the capacity for up to 10,000 workers. The building is nicknamed “The Chair” by locals. This iconic structure was engineered by ARUP, an international engineering organization. The lead engineer gave us a detailed design and construction presentation.

    As a third example, the National Aquatics Centre in Beijing, built for the 2008 Summer Olympics, consists of a translucent Teflon cube. The panels on its exterior collect energy for heating, and the building also traps excess rainwater for use in its swimming pools. The design concept is based on the theory of soap bubble tension frame and a model was first tested in load tests and wind tunnel analysis. The “Water Cube” was also designed by ARUP and our group had a personal tour through the building with the design team of engineers.

    Although some of the designs have attracted controversy, anyone interested in seeing some of the most innovative buildings in the world should consider a trip to China.

    About the author: A professional engineer and veteran of the Canadian building industry, Ed Lim, P.Eng. serves as the President of United Building Systems International Corp.