Sign, Harlingen, Texas. 1939. Photographer Lee Russell Photo courtesy of The New York Public Library on Unsplash
New buildings constructed using innovative techniques are springing up all over Canada.
These structures only exist because someone tried to push the boundaries of what was possible ? and quite often it?s an architect who was responsible.
But what many architects don?t realize is that tax benefits exist for all kinds of innovation through the Canadian government?s Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program, and their work can qualify too.
These incentives are not just for scientists. Examples of R&D conducted by architects in the past include:

incorporating renewable and sustainable technologies into designs improving thermal capabilities or airtightness in the build
innovations that allow for a new development to take place at a remote or particularly challenging site
working on historical or period buildings
developing ways of building energy-efficient homes on a budget
innovations that improve the fire performance, acoustic performance or waterproofing on new builds and refurbishments

?and many more.
Not all types of innovation qualify ? there are specific criteria that have to be satisfied first.
The government looks for any activity that involves ?systematic investigation or research that is carried out in a field of science or technology by means of experiment or analysis.? It must involve experimental develop...