Shaping our Shared Future – Richard Annett

Richard Annett is a Senior Structural Engineer based in our Whitehorse office. He has over 30 years of consulting engineering experience on a wide variety of structural and civil projects in Canada and overseas. His structural expertise encompasses a variety of building materials, including timber, masonry, steel, and concrete.

Richard began his career in the UK, after earning a degree in civil engineering from the University of Birmingham. While working to become a chartered engineer, Richard became the youngest person (at the time) to pass the structures exams required to become a member of the Institution of Structural Engineers!

Later, Richard moved to Lusaka, Zambia where he spent six years learning about engineering in developing countries. His next move took him to Papua New Guinea to work as a deputy project manager on an European Union-funded road paving project. Richard then returned to the UK to complete a masters degree in construction management. After his studies, Richard moved to South Wales where he focused on a personal project: designing a deep water, floating wind turbine, with hydrogen as the energy source. He subsequently patented the device.

After working in many hot climates, Richard decided that relocating to a cold climate would be an interesting challenge. In 2012, Richard joined Associated Engineering, and moved to our Whitehorse office. With the company, Richard has worked on projects across the Yukon and Northwest Territories, including design, structural assessments, and rehabilitation of commercial, industrial, municipal, institutional, and residential buildings.

Outside of work, Richard has volunteered with the Yukon Science Institute and helped organize lectures and "bridge breaks". He also assisted with adjudicating school science projects and the Yukon Quest raft race from Whitehorse to Dawson.

Notwithstanding his professional achievements, Richard tells us his biggest accomplishment is building his house, off the grid in a boreal forest. Living in a cold climate without the convenience of municipal services comes with unique challenges. Richard shares that six kilowatts of solar energy that is more than enough in the summer is insufficient for three months of deep winter, and thus a generator is required. A two kilowatt wind turbine helps to keep the batteries topped up over the winter months. Other low power adaptations are needed, such as high efficiency pumps; heat pumps are being used. Super insulated 600 millimetre thick walls keeps the energy demand low and a grey water system helps minimize water deliveries.

For his contributions to the community and his profession, and living life off the grid in the North, Richard is shaping our shared future.