A Civil Engineer's Guide to Meaningful and Creative Work

The University of British Columbia | December 2024
Sameer Hasham, BASc, P.Eng., CPHD | Associate | Group Leader

"The building envelope plays a large role in the comfort and health of building occupants, and knowing that the decisions we make are contributing to the well-being of people is very rewarding."

Sameer Hasham

Tell us about your journey to engineering. 

After graduating from high school, I did a year in computer science at the University of Ottawa. I quickly realized it wasn’t the right field for me and ended up back in Vancouver where I completed a university transfer program at Douglas College. 

I then transferred to UBC where I began my studies in second-year civil engineering. Within a week of starting my engineering courses at UBC, I knew this was where I belonged.

My co-op experiences were also important in helping me determine my path. I initially thought I was interested in pursuing structural engineering, but while completing a co-op term at RJC, where I got to work on building envelope systems, I found a practice area that proved to be very exciting to me. It’s where I’ve worked ever since!

Tell us about your job.

I am currently an Associate and Group Leader at RJC Engineers in Victoria, with about 12 engineers, technologists and co-op students reporting to me. My team primarily collaborates with architects and developers on new builds, but we also work with them and strata owners on restoring or rehabilitating existing buildings, including heritage buildings. 

Historically, building codes were very prescriptive. That has shifted. With the introduction of the BC Energy Step Code and its performance-based approach, we design to specific targets and standards for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions. 

As engineers, we are empowered to be creative in our designs as we are offered greater flexibility in design and material selection, so long as we are meeting the minimum standards. 

Having said that, it is extremely important that we push the boundaries beyond bare minimum standards and try and design buildings that are durable, have a smaller carbon footprint, and are healthy for people to live and work in.

To do this, you need to take an interdisciplinary approach that considers mechanical and electrical systems. For example, the decisions you make about the building envelope and the amount of insulation directly affects the building’s energy use for heating and cooling. 

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