Canada's Elite Construction Winter Issue 2013

CANADA’S ELITE CONSTRUCTION

Construction in present day Canada has had to help shoulder the responsibility of the green movement to be apart of conserving resources, recycling materials and lowering pollution to aid in a better tomorrow for all its citizens. Being green in the construction industry has come quite a distance to what it is presently. In an ever changing world it is important for Canadian design and construction to keep their customers environmentally conscious as possible to remain competitive in today’s market.

During the late 19th into the 20th century, conservationism began to take root throughout the world. There has always been some thought towards the environment in some form or another but those tended to be lone voices of small groups that would not garner the attention of the masses. To the layman the green movement in the late

WINTER ISSUE 2013

CONSCIOUS BUILDING IN A GREENER CANADA

by: Angel Anthony

19th century was simply worried about issues pertaining to oil or something of that nature. But to those of us in the construction industry saw that the green movement would mean much more as time moved forward. The construction industry was faced with both government regulations and customer demands and had to abandon building techniques and materials of the past for a more modern and efficient approach. The Model National Energy Code of Canada mandated that building designers and construction companies meet specific requirements by law in order to erect new structures or retrofitting other projects in Canada. Further evidence of the green building movement relevance could be found in 2003 with the founding of Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). This is another example of an organization that helps keep green building standards high by certifying a project independently. The green movement may

have slowly taken root in Canada but it is now here to stay and it has become one of the keys for any construction company to remain alive and competitive in Canada’s current economy.

As previously stated, the goals to the layperson as far as the green movement was concerned was to do something in the vein of saving gas or trees as an example. The goals of the green movement overall are much more complex then something that simple. One paramount concern to the customer after they have a fully constructed building is what the potential utility costs will be. The building designers and contractors have to come together to assemble all possibilities to achieve the greatest efficiency at the most optimum cost to the customer. Considerations that are taken for a green construction project will be as follows:

• Life-CycleAssessmentofmaterialsandhowlongtheyarepotentiallygoodfor

• Efficiency of the building site for thebestuseofspaceandnaturalresources

• Efficiency of the building, layout andspaceorbestuseforthecustomer

• Waterandenergyefficiencyforgeneralconservation

• Greenbuildingmaterialtoreducewasteandincreaserecycling

• IndoorenvironmentalqualitywhichisastandardthatcanbecertifiedbyCaGBC

This criteria will not only aid the overall well-being of Canada environmentally, but the customer’s long-term cost in operating the building at its greatest efficiency possible. As great as all these strides in green design and construction are, they are truly only as effective as the person who is using the building. It is always a nice touch, especially in high end projects, to make it clear to the customer of the extra features of their newly constructed or retrofitted building and how to properly use them to gain the greatest efficiency possible.

The other side of creating a green building is the actual construction of a given building itself. It should be noted during any project that reducing the environmental impact standards from a department such as Environment Canada (EC) should be observed and followed in order

to keep a project going and not be subjected to fines against the construction company. A company will want to cut down on disturbing as much of the surrounding environment as possible when considering a green project. The use of construction vehicles obviously can not be avoided during a project but proper maintenance of the equipment not only helps to cut down on pollution and excessive fuel usage but extends the life of the equipment which will save any construction company money over time. Proper disposal of any trash or by products will need to be taken into account to maintain a green standard which might also potentially save a construction company and the customer money through various forms of recycling. So as you can see there are many avenues that a green building project must consider when trying to conserve for the good of the customer, the construction company and the community as a whole.

The green building movement shows no sign of slowing down in Canada. The National Research Council Canada (NRC) has concluded that building trends in a green direction will only increase as we march into the future. NRC experts have consistently cited that cost is the biggest factor at the moment which holds green building in Canada from becoming a much more common phenomenon throughout the country. It is likely that legislation will become much stricter as the conservation of natural resources needed to build with becomes scarce. It’s hard to gauge the progression of the green movement off of legislation alone due to the nature of politics and politicians themselves. The last trend to note is the actual performance of green technology itself. In a nutshell, a lot of the technology that we would like to use to replace traditional energy sources with just isn’t efficient or cost effective yet.

There is so much that can still be done to truly push the green movement to the next level where the customer willingly accepts that the green method of building design is the future. Canada is on the precipice of that movement and construction should reflect that. As Canada progresses forward it will be in a contractor’s best interest to embrace the green building movement for the good of their company as well as the environment of Canada.


CONSCIOUS BUILDING IN A GREENER CANADA

contents / winter issue 2013WINTER ISSUE 2013

CoNsCIous buIldINg IN A gReeNeR CANAdA p3-p4Construction in present day Canada has had to help shoulder the responsibility of the green movement to be apart of conserving resources, recycling materials and lowering pollution to aid in a better tomorrow for all its citizens.

RyeRsoN IMAge CeNTRe p6-p9diamond schmitt Architects wins Architectural lighting Magazine’s 2012 Al light and Architecture design Award for best use of Color with the Ryerson Image Centre.

HoMe oF HoCKey p10-p13

Introducing Home of Hockey. Canada’s New Athletic and Ice Complex

MovINg A RIveR To CReATe eNeRgy p14-p21After more than a decade of economic planning, environmental impact discussions, excavation, and construction, the Wuskwatim Generation Project has been completed.

CoNsTRuCTINg A MIssINg lINK p22-p26Contractors create a massive tunnel beneath Calgary’s International Airport Runway.

WHAT TyPe oF INsulATIoN Is RIgHT FoR youR PRojECT? p26-p27

HAIRy HIll gRoWs ReNeWAble PoWeR p28-p31upon completion of its massive renovation and expansion, the growing Power Hairy Hill (gPHH) Integrated bioRefinery will be the world’s first large-scale carbon neutral biofuel plant.

PuTTINg THe PIeCes TogeTHeR p32-p37eye-Catching Pedestrian Peace bridge becomes Calgary’s Newest landmark.

A TRee gRoWs oN THe ubC CAMPus p38-p41The university of british Columbia gains a unique Pharmaceutical Sciences Building.

THe ResIdeNCes oF sPRINg HIll p42-p45A GC’s Green Thumb -Solar Energy, Geothermal Heat and Site Planning Make New Retirement Home an efficient Proposition

CoNTRollINg THe ClIMATe IN youR PRojeCT P46-p47Choosing The Proper HvAC system For your Project

TRuMP RedeFINes luxuRy IN ToRoNTo p48-p55Talon International Development helps bring an incredible new stan-dard of luxurious lodging and living to Toronto.

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Amongst the night sky of Toronto’s bustling city a new structure can be found brilliantly illuminating the sky, the Ryerson Image Centre. Within Toronto, Ryerson university has created a place where their students and the community can expand their artistic horizons. The Ryerson Image Centre will focus on the photographic arts from within but viewing it from the outside is a work of brilliant visual art in and of its self with the use of lighting throughout the exterior.

Renovation Transformation

In April of 2008 Ryerson university had PCl Constructors limited break ground on a design that diamond and schmitt Architects limited had created to enhance the presence that the Ryerson university campus has within the city of Toronto. The talent of Diamond and Schmitt took what was once an old brick building in need of a renovation and created a marvel among this concrete Canadian jungle. With a budget of $70.95 million for the entire project all the contractors involved brought together a monument to display quality art to the public. This project spanned just under three and a half years, and in that time a monument that once was brick was recreated into walls of towering glass and light to not only house some of the finest examples of photography but to create art within the building itself through color and lights.

The main purpose of the Ryerson Image Centre is to house photography, display art and teach the student body about the photographic arts. The Ryerson Image Centre interior was designed using the Canadian Conservation Institute standards set up for museums that operate throughout Canada. one of the highlights of Ryerson’s collection is the Black Star photo collection that was anonymously donated to the university prior to the building of the Ryerson Image Centre. The Black Star photos are a photojournalistic collection from the black star Agency of New york that was in business throughout the 20th century. The collection was the inspiration for the Ryerson Image Centre, a place that could house the Black Star collection as well as many other artistic installations that could be presented

Diamond Schmitt Architects wins Architectural Lighting Magazine’s 2012 AL Light and Architecture Design Award for Best Use of Color with the Ryerson Image Centre.By Angel Anthony

Ryerson Image Centre

Diamond Schmitt Architects wins Architectural Lighting Magazine’s 2012 AL Light and Architecture Design Award for Best Use of Color with the Ryerson Image Centre.By Angel Anthony

Photos by Tom Arban / Diamond Schmitt Architects.

to the student body and the city of Toronto. The Ryerson Image Centre gives the student body a place to learn the art of photography but also allows the public to learn and view photography as well. Giving the general public a chance to expericence something they normally would never get the chance to see..

Illuminating the sky

Expanding the artistic endeavors of students is the main purpose of the Ryerson Image Center but the focal point of the entire project is the dynamic lighting system that is displayed throughout the building. Behind the towering walls of glass that line the Ryerson Image Centre lays an elaborate led lighting system. These lights are present through a sizable amount of glass panels with the exception of entrances and walk ways along some of the parameters where patrons would be walking through. The glass that covers the led panels are opaque which by day gives them a light soothing frosted appearance. At night the led lights illuminate through the glass into the night sky. The led lights consist of various colors that are visable throughout each of the panels. The various combinations that the leds can create when being used together equal over 16 million different lighting possibilities. The led lights are set up so that they can be programmed in a particular sequence to create a unique display for the community. Ryerson university will commission students, citizens and artists to create light displays at the Ryerson Image Centre. This is all possible though a specially designed application that allows the full control of the lighting system to program their artistic design for patrons to see. This key feature has allowed Diamond Schmitt Architects to win Architectural lighting Magazine’s 2012 Al light and Architecture design Award for best use of Color with the Ryerson Image Centre.

Ryerson university not only renovated the interior and exterior of the former brewery warehouse but they invested in the surrounding landscaping to complete the new and improved Ryerson Image Centre. The centre will be not only a great addition to the university and the students and the people of Toronto but it is an excellent asset to the art community.


The centre is fully equipped to not only show photographic art but to also store and preserve it for future generations. The Ryerson Image Centre is not only a structure but an entity that the student body, staff and the citizens of Toronto can take pride in as it lights up the night sky of this wonderful and dynamic city.

WINTER ISSUE 2013

Ryerson Image Centre

HOME OF HOCKEYIntroducing Home of Hockey. Canada’s New Athletic and Ice ComplexBy Pierre DuPont

Winsport Canada

There is no doubt that Canada will indeed become the number one winter sport nation after the full completion of WinSport Canada’s vision of building a spectacular multi-functional facility - The Canadian Winter Sport Institute. The collaboration of WinSport and their partners in sport to fulfill their vision for Canada, which is one that will promote a more prosperous nation, is quickly becoming a reality. located at Canada olympic Park, The Canadian Winter Sport Institute with its top-notch winter sport facilities will certainly be a gateway for welcoming international athletes and allow for globally televised competitions annually. Furthermore a facility of this caliber will be beneficial to all Canadians from an athletic and economic standpoint. Canadian athletes will be pushed to their best in competing with international athletes that will be attracted to coming to our country, and therefore increasing tourism and boosting Canada’s global image.

- FACILIty INFORmAtION -

There is nothing more fitting to be the home of Hockey Canada, and the future head offices of national and provincial winter sport organizations, then the extensive 500,000 square foot athletic and ice complex of The Canadian Winter Sport Institute. This is a truly unique facility because it is one of the only training facilities that unifies athletes and sport organizations of all different backgrounds in a positive light through sharing of successes. It has become a sport institute model because this facility merges athlete support services and revolutionary facilities with sport sciences. let’s take a closer look at what the facilities have to offer.


HOME OF HOCKEYIntroducing Home of Hockey. Canada’s New Athletic and Ice ComplexBy Pierre DuPont

WINTER ISSUE 2013

- OFFICE tOWER -The office tower consists of five floors with each floor spanning 18,000 square feet. The floors are broken down so that the main floor will be the quarters for pharmaceutical tenants as well as radiology and x-ray services. Then on the second and third floor we have Hockey Canada and other national sport organizations. The fourth and fifth floors are available for lease. All floors have been poured and the structural steel for the mechanical penthouse have been completed.

- ARENAS B, C, D -located adjacent to the International Arena are the three North American sized arenas, which are now currently complete. Heated seating for approximately 220 spectators, four large dressing rooms and one referee’s room is offered in each arena. Additionally, there is one flex room that can accommodate the needs of co-ed teams, which can also convert into two individual changing quarters. These arenas are also used for public skating and sports camp events.

- INtERNAtIONAL ARENA -The International Arena is the largest of the four arenas and is currently completed. It has the capacity to seat whopping 3,800 spectators. The international arena can conveniently convert from its original size to a North American arena size. The sound and broadcast system allows media coverage and the recording of hockey tournaments or games. The data can also be saved and reviewed upon request. on each end of the arena there are scoreboards with fully equipped video screens. The International Arena will generate nothing but an impressive spectator experience.

HIGH PERFORmANCE CENtER The high performance training centre is in the midst of becoming complete with the goal being early 2013.

The Centre has been designed to aid high performance athletes attain their personal bests


with such services as:

It is now obvious that this facility is unmatchable, but no one knows better than WinSport Canada’s Chief operating officer jim younker who stated, “Winter sport Institute blends recreation and sports. ours is unique because it is fully sustainable within itself. It is a smart building.” The one aspect that he was most proud of is the fact that this project is a leed silver environmental facility. just a few examples he gave were that the weathered ice water from the rinks were recycled and used for the water in the bathrooms, and heat generated from the refrigeration were also used to heat the facility. The heat that comes in through the floors also provides better air quality, and the zambonis are all hybrid electric powered.

With this very brief overview of the very vast facilities and opportunities that The Canadian Winter Sport Institute offers, it is clear that the WinSport mission to provide world-class winter sport facilities through a sustainable business model where Canadian athletes can discover, develop and excel is off to a staggering start.

• Sport medicine clinic and officeS • Sport Science laboratory

• HigH performance weigHt training centre and workout Space • Sport development programS

• Specialized State-of-tHe-art cHange room

Winsport Canada

WINTER ISSUE 2013

MOVING A RIVER by Megan Headley

The WuskWaTIm GeneRaTIon PRoJeCT

After more than a decade of economic planning, environmental impact discussions, excavation, and construction, the Wuskwatim Generation Project has been completed. The powerhouse on the banks of the Burntwood River has since begun its task of generating 200 megawatts to feed Manitoba’s growing demand for energy.

In 2006, the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) signed a partnership agreement with Manitoba Hydro to manage the production of the generating station at Taskinigup Falls on the Burntwood River in northern Manitoba. The Wuskwatim generation Project would be completed in 2012 at an ultimate cost of $1.3 billion, and would require a multi-faceted project team able to take in stride major challenges from excavation to construction.

The team that was awarded the $289 million general civil works contract for the project was the o’Connell-Neilson-ebC (o-N-e) Partnership. H.j. o’Connell Construction ltd., headquartered in st. john’s, Newfoundland, would serve as the managing partner for a consortium that also included Neilson Inc. of saint-Nicholas, Quebec, and ebC Inc. of l’Ancienne-lorette, Quebec. Together, this group would have responsibility for the work leading up to and ultimate construction of all of the generating station’s concrete structures.

CommittedCoordination

The complex relationships among the power station’s developers and managers would stand out as distinctive factor on this project for all players involved. “Wuskwatim is a unique project which is serving as a model for future project development, in Manitoba and in other parts of the country,” says bob brennan, Manitoba Hydro president and Ceo. “There is a lot of interest in the partnership model from other jurisdictions.”

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TO CREATE ENERGY

like brennan, Hj o’Connell project manager Donald Strickland says that the relationship with the NCN First Nations group was an aspect of this project that proved particularly rewarding. Among other coordination aspects, more than $80 million was spent on materials and services purchased from local First Nation businesses. In addition, the construction team would incorporate aboriginal workers—more than 60 percent at the project’s peak. Training initiatives that put young members of the NCN to work on this project truly utilized the region’s resources and made this a project of which the Nation could be proud.

As jim Moore, chief of NCN, comments, “[our members] have a lot at stake in this project, which is intended to provide us with long-term benefits from resource development within our traditional territory.”

ARIvERRunsARoundIt

There would be significant challenges to overcome in the years it would take to create the powerful generating station. Ironically, one of the biggest challenges would come from the very reason for the plant’s creation: the Burntwood River. “diverting that big river,” strickland recalls, would be a major challenge requiring a methodical approach. To tackle the river, the diversion was divided into two stages. Stage one involved construction of an upstream cofferdam that diverted water over Taskinigup Falls, thereby allowing the contractor to get to work on blasting and excavating in the dry riverbed. A massive trench within the riverbed was cleared to serve as the foundation of the station. Excavation for the structure began in December 2007. During that winter and into the following spring, the project team removed approximately 650,000 cubic metres of soil and bedrock. Although excavation was a task the crew knew well, Strickland recalls the tough climate faced during wintertime construction as another challenge that the committed team had to face.

A second phase of excavation began in the summer of 2008, during which the team removed a further 525,000 cubic metres of bedrock from the areas surrounding the principal structures


and channels. During the summer, work would take place in two ten hours shifts each day. By February 2009, excavation was complete and the project team was ready to start filling in the trench with tons of concrete.

thEBIGPouR

More than 120,000 cubic metres of concrete were poured in construction of the site’s spillway, intake, powerhouse and main dam. First,

WINTER ISSUE 2013

however, rows of steel rods would be anchored into the rock face of the riverbed’s trench to better secure the concrete that would be poured. up first was the intake structure, the rectangular passageways through which the river soon would flow before running into the electricity-generating powerhouse itself; this intake channel would take more than 29,000 cubic meters of concrete to fill. The powerhouse would comprise another 34,200 cubic metres of concrete. Water would be discharged from the powerhouse through

a tailrace made up of 19,075 cubic metres of concrete.

Elaborately formed draft-tubes were another significant part of the pour. Three of these curving, flared passageways were created from layers of rebar and concrete. These passages required extra care, as their circular, snail shell-like shape was specially designed to draw water through the massive hydroelectric turbines and create the suction that would get the turbines moving.


Soils and Materials TestingEnvironmental EngineeringQuality-ManufacturingRoofing and Building Science

Making pRojEcTSwoRk

Health & SafetyOHSAS 18001

WINTER ISSUE 2013

AnEWdIvERsIon

It wasn’t until the fourth year of construction that the powerhouse itself was ready for its structural steel and cladding. once this crucial project component has been erected, the river had to be diverted once again. The project team removed a portion of the temporary cofferdam that had been constructed upstream, allowing water to flow through the spillway. by diverting the river flow through this completed spillway, the team could continue construction of other concrete structures, including the main dam. Impressively, the diversion process would ultimately involve less than half a square kilometre of flooding, the contractor reports.

By the summer of 2011, more than 145,000 cubic metres of granular and rock fill materials had been placed in the construction of the main dam. The shell had been completed and it was now up to project teams to install the infrastructure that would make this concrete structure become an electricity-generating beacon. There was only one factor now missing: water.


Diverting the river through the powerhouse would be a slow process. on october 31, 2011, the spillway gates were slowly lowered, reducing the water flow through this channel. According to the project team, each of the three spillway gates would be adjusted daily to control the steady increase rate of the water to 0.5 metres per day. After more than two weeks, the water reached its maximum elevation on November 16.

InfRAstRuCtuREInPLACE

While the excavation and concrete pours involved the movement of mind-boggling amounts of material, a number of detailed pieces were required to complete this power-generating puzzle. From laying down the initial all-weather access road and creation of a huge construction camp, to the installation of power lines, communications and other infrastructure, it took a big team to bring power to this site on the Taskinigup Falls. by june 2012, the first of the three turbines had been commissioned and the powerhouse began its intended work.

Sodexo is a proud partner of Manitoba Hydro and the aboriginal community on the Wuskwatim Hydro Generating Station Project. Sodexo managed day-to-day maintenance and operations at the Wuskwatim Project camp. From catering and housekeeping to fire fighting and road maintenance to managing and organizing entertainment and leisure activities at the recreation centre, Sodexo promoted healthy living and leisure for the camp workers and helped Manitoba Hydro achieve its goals of delivering tangible benefits to the local communities.

Sodexo effectively partnered with the NCN First Nation to deliver the On-Site Services for the Wuskwatim Project – Sodexo trained and hired Aboriginal people, purchased goods from local small businesses and achieved the four key objectives of the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program: business development, employment, individual capacity development and community relations.

Sodexo looks forward to continuing our partnership with Manitoba Hydro and the Aboriginal Communities throughout Manitoba.

www.sodexo.ca

MOVING A RIVER TO CREATE ENGERY

While it took a highly coordinated effort to move the river, the tools are now in place to keep that water flowing throughout an impressive new structure on the falls.

Onward/ The City is strategically building up its road network to make travelling easier while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

calgary.ca | call 3-1-1

For more information on the airport tunnel project, visit calgary.ca/airporttunnel

A I R P O R T T R A I L T U N N E L

W W W . C A L G A R Y . C A / A I R P O R T T U N N E L

UPDATE 12 - NOVEMBER 2012

AIRPORT TUNNEL STRUC TURE POURED

The City of Calgary has completed pouring the Airport Trail tunnel structure. The last section of the tunnel was poured on October 30.

The walls and roof of the tunnel shell were poured in sections—50 in total. For each section it took 80 trucks delivering a total of 850 cubic metres of concrete in a 12-hour period. More than 42,000 cubic metres of concrete has been poured on the tunnel structure since the first section was completed earlier this year.

“This is another major milestone as we move toward the completion of the Airport Trail tunnel,” said Gordon Stewart, Director of Transportation Infrastructure. “The project managers and work crews have done an outstanding job to meet the tight deadlines.”

October 31 was a key “turn over” date from The City to the Calgary Airport Authority, allowing the Authority to continue its runway construction. The first portion turned over on August 31 was the section immediately beneath the runway while this second section is under the taxiways that connect to the terminal area.

Along with waterproofing and backfilling the concrete sides of the tunnel walls, other elements that need to be done prior to full completion include electrical and mechanical work, installation of lighting and road construction inside the tunnel and to adjacent connecting roadways.

Airport Trail between Barlow Trail and 36 Street N.E. is expected to open in May 2014.

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R U N W A Y

T A X I W A Y T A X I W A Y

S E C T I O N S P O U R E D

The last section of the tunnel was poured on October 30.

Aerial photo - September 2012

Compacting backfill over tunnel roof View looking SW over the tunnel roof Compacting fill for the north wallWorkers laying out waterproofing on

top of the tunnel

Aerial photo - October 2012

Onward/ The City is strategically building up its road network to make travelling easier while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

calgary.ca | call 3-1-1

For more information on the airport tunnel project, visit calgary.ca/airporttunnel

A I R P O R T T R A I L T U N N E L

W W W . C A L G A R Y . C A / A I R P O R T T U N N E L

UPDATE 12 - NOVEMBER 2012

AIRPORT TUNNEL STRUC TURE POURED

The City of Calgary has completed pouring the Airport Trail tunnel structure. The last section of the tunnel was poured on October 30.

The walls and roof of the tunnel shell were poured in sections—50 in total. For each section it took 80 trucks delivering a total of 850 cubic metres of concrete in a 12-hour period. More than 42,000 cubic metres of concrete has been poured on the tunnel structure since the first section was completed earlier this year.

“This is another major milestone as we move toward the completion of the Airport Trail tunnel,” said Gordon Stewart, Director of Transportation Infrastructure. “The project managers and work crews have done an outstanding job to meet the tight deadlines.”

October 31 was a key “turn over” date from The City to the Calgary Airport Authority, allowing the Authority to continue its runway construction. The first portion turned over on August 31 was the section immediately beneath the runway while this second section is under the taxiways that connect to the terminal area.

Along with waterproofing and backfilling the concrete sides of the tunnel walls, other elements that need to be done prior to full completion include electrical and mechanical work, installation of lighting and road construction inside the tunnel and to adjacent connecting roadways.

Airport Trail between Barlow Trail and 36 Street N.E. is expected to open in May 2014.

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R U N W A Y

T A X I W A Y T A X I W A Y

S E C T I O N S P O U R E D

The last section of the tunnel was poured on October 30.

Aerial photo - September 2012

Compacting backfill over tunnel roof View looking SW over the tunnel roof Compacting fill for the north wallWorkers laying out waterproofing on

top of the tunnel

Aerial photo - October 2012

As the City of Calgary has grown over the past few decades, there have been significant rumblings from travelers through the city’s international airport about extending a connector road between the airport and Métis Trail in order to ease congestion for Calgary’s commuters. Since july 2011, the source of that airport rumbling has been the noise of contractors and equipment working around the clock to excavate and construct a tunnel that will extend the existing Airport Trail from barlow Trail to 36 street N.e. In February 2011, the City of Calgary and the Calgary Airport Authority (CAA) agreed upon a plan that would get the ball rolling on a 620-metre long tunnel running approximately 12 metres beneath Calgary International Airport’s planned fourth runway, taxiway and service roads. The finished tunnel would be a 36-metre wide structure, able to accommodate up to six lanes of traffic on opening day, with the provision for transit in the future.

A SeA of CoordinAtion

There’s more to this mammoth $294.8 million project than months of heavy-duty excavation and strenuous road construction: more than 2.5 kilometres of water and storm water utilities have been installed since the start of construction in 2011, with roughly 45 kilometres of electrical conduit scheduled for installation. Approximately 12,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel will make up the tunnel structure—40-percent more rebar than is contained in your average office tower.

Given the large number of components on this project, the tunnel has required a large number of subcontractors to oversee accurate and timely installation, and a general contractor that is able to see the project safely, efficiently and affordably to its scheduled completion date of May 2014.

CONsTRuCTING A MIssING LINKContraCtors Create a massive tunnel beneath Calgary’s InternatIonal aIrport runway. by Megan Headley

“There is a significant level of coordination involved,” says Henry Wong, project manager of the City of Calgary. In fact, Wong cites that coordination as one of the chief challenges expected of a project of this magnitude.

That coordination is largely being overseen by a joint venture of PCl Construction Management Inc., Parsons Canada ltd. and dufferin Construction Co.; the PPd joint venture is performing construction management of the tunnel project. CH2M Hill is serving as the project’s prime consultant, with Associated Engineering and Thurber Engineering as sub-consultants.

StAying on trACk And on time

eric ostfeld, project manager of the PPd joint venture, agrees with Delaney that coordination can pose a challenge—the more components involved, the tougher it gets to stay on schedule, not to mention on budget.

“This project has a very tight schedule for both design and construction,” says ostfeld. “Additionally, there are many components that overlap and have direct impacts on subsequent operations … Responsiveness of all players—from the owner, consultants, PPD and all of the trade contractors—are critical in making this project successful.”

“This tunnel will contribute significantly towards improving Calgary’s transportation

network, particularly in the movement of goods and people to and from the airport,”

comments Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

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Since beginning excavation in july 2011, that planning and foresight has kept the project running like clockwork. even then, at the project’s start, crews were working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to excavate what would amount to more than 400,000 cubic metres of rock and common material. As the excavation progressed, other contractors came on board to begin setting concrete footings, forming the tunnel walls and installing 12,000 tonnes of steel reinforcements for the tunnel’s first section. utilities also were laid in place before the tunnel’s concrete surface was poured.

A tunnel this big demands a lot of concrete, and pouring the material into place constituted much of the project work for the winter, spring and summer of 2012. Each 12-metre section of the new airport tunnel required approximately 850 cubic metres of concrete. To achieve this, 80 concrete trucks lined up one after another at the top of a given section, emptying their loads nonstop in 12-hour blocks. Contractors will have overseen 50 such continuous pours by autumn, until a total of 58,000 cubic metres of concrete had formed the solid structure of the tunnel.

mAintAining A foCuS on SAfety

With concrete nearly complete, the project team is turning its attention to installing critical utility components. Among other systems, the construction team is overseeing installation of a communication and surveillance system within the tunnel for oversight of future safety issues. In addition, standard fire detection systems, emergency egress accommodations, ventilation, an electrical system with emergency and back-up support, and a traffic control system are being planned for as the tunnel structure is completed. In addition, tradesmen are installing underground access to utilities such as water for firefighting purposes, as well as storm drainage pipes to manage excess water.

Safety within the tunnel is frequently on the mind of the construction management team, and not just as it relates to the numerous safety systems installed to protect the tunnel’s future users. Keeping a project of this scale and scope running on time is challenging enough; ensuring that work is performed safely can be a monumental task.

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According to ostfeld, “Health and safety on this project is our first and most important priority. It is a core value of the PPd joint venture and a personal commitment from project management to provide a safe worksite for all of the workers contributing to this project.”

A ProjeCt finAlly reAlized

Drivers through the future tunnel may have eyes for only one thing—the roads that are slated for construction in 2013. For the individuals involved from excavation to paving, there’s a deeper appreciation of the time and effort put into the extended link from terminal to town. These individuals are acting on a project that has been discussed since the early 1990s, bringing this tunnel finally to fruition.


CONsTRuCTING A MIssING LINK

Insulation by its very nature improves a building’s efficiency. The right insulation will help keep the heat that your selected climate control system has generated from escaping during those cold winter months. This will save you thousands in the long run as well as help the environment by running your heating system less frequently. The right question isn’t whether or not to add insulation to your building but what type of insulation is best for you. There are many more options today than the standard bales of thick, bright pink, fluffy insulation that you might be accustomed to seeing. Countless other options are available and knowing the difference can mean finding the best insulation for your project.

AnewLevelofGreenWith our society moving toward increasingly greener communities, one factor to consider is whether or not your project should use eco-friendly insulation materials. you know that insulation by its nature is eco-friendly in that it greatly improves the overall efficiency of your structure. However, you can get much greener than that by using environmentally-friendly components. There are many insulation products that are composed of natural ingredients on the market today.

Some insulation options available, including Cotton, Cellulose and Icynene, are common alternatives than more traditional insulations such as fiberglass. Cotton insulation usually uses the material leftover from the denim manufacturing process. Cellulose consists of shredded paper products. Icynene, which is a versatile spray-on insulator, is made from castor oil, a nice alternative to manufactured insulations that include ingredients such as formaldehyde. These natural insulations not only feature very eco-

What Type of Insulation is Right for your Project?By Angel Anthony

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friendly materials, but offer possible federal & provincial compensations or tax incentives for buildings that use eco-friendly components to offset the higher cost.

KnowYourComponentsjust because an insulation product is created through a chemical process, doesn’t necessarily mean the product is dangerous to one’s health. Some types of older insulations however, are potentially dangerous. In some cases, the danger might stem from a retrofit or addition to an older existing structure. This can present a whole new set of potentially dangerous and costly problems for anyone taking on renovation projects.

The use of asbestos is of primary concern when dealing with older projects. It’s widely known that asbestos is the cause of many health problems, including Mesothelioma and lung cancer. However, if your existing building does have asbestos insulation, and the asbestos insulation is still in good condition and sealed off from areas occupied, chances are there is no potential harm. You should have a professional evaluate the space to see if it is safe to use until you are prepared to do your renovation and can replace it with something that is much safer.

Asbestos is not the only insulation component that needs to be taken into consideration; others, such as zonolite, can cause serious harm to anyone that comes in contact with it. Similar to asbestos, zonolite has a crystalline structure that can also get into the lungs and cause serious heath damage to anyone that is exposed to it over time.

AskingtheRightQuestionsThere are many more types of insulation than this article could mention. When choosing your insulation, it would be wise to spend some extra time to determine what is right for your project based on costs, possible health concerns and environmental reasons. No one answer will necessarily be right for all applications. You have invested so much time and effort into what you are building; focusing on details such as proper insulation help will convey your project’s efficiency and safety in the long run.


Hairy Hill Grows Renewable

Power

By Megan Headley

ICM Helps ConstruCt net-Zero BIofuel plant

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upon completion of its massive renovation and expansion, the Growing Power Hairy Hill (GPHH) Integrated bioRefinery™ will be the world’s first large-scale carbon neutral biofuel plant. Serving the village of Hairy Hill, Alberta, and surrounding region, the updated refinery was designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the original plant by 932,078 tonnes over ten years, according to the Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCeMC) Corp., one of several organizations supporting this unique green project.

The more than $100 million upgraded plant also is unique in that it is able to achieve net-zero energy by using waste and other renewable power options to run its system, and by selling its by-products for agricultural purposes.

AN eFFICIeNT PlAN

ICM Inc. served as the general contractor on this extremely energy-efficient project, providing its expertise in ethanol plant production. According to project manager dusty King, “The integrated anaerobic digester plan is by far the most unique aspect of the project.”

The gPHH Integrated bioRefinery™ uses patented waste-to-energy technology created by Himark biogas Inc. “IMus™” is Himark’s proprietary process for creating fuel from agricultural and organic products, including human sewage or food waste. According to information from the company, the Integrated bioMass utilization system (or IMus) destroys any potentially harmful components through its processing. In the IMus system, organic products are fed into a patented high-solid in-feed system and then processed in a complex digester core. That digester core includes three levels of custom constructed digesters that, the manufacturer says, were specially designed to maximize energy yield while keeping production costs low. The output comes in three forms: renewable energy, reusable water, and plant nutrients.

upon its completion in 2012, the world’s largest Integrated bioRefinery™ began using the first of what ultimately will amount to 4 million bushels of local high-starch, non-food wheat supplied

each year by project investor Providence grain Solutions. That locally-sourced grain will lead to the creation of a clean ethanol end-product, as well as a by-product rich in nutrients that will go back into the earth as fertilizer—30,000 tonnes of fertilizer each year—for future crops of wheat.

CoNsTRuCTIoN sCHedule sHuFFle

Construction began on the expansion of an existing refinery on the gPHH site in 2009. To get started on the intensive construction schedule meant first shutting down the existing anaerobic digestion plant for several months, a necessary requirement that ultimately made the construction timeline even more important. The update was intended to expand the plant on the existing site by 400 percent, in the process adding all the latest bells and whistles to the gPHH refinery process.However, it wasn’t until january 2012 that the final piece of the puzzle could be fit into place, due to the dragging economic climate that impacted construction on this and other construction projects around the country. It was in November 2011 that construction finally began on the ethanol plant that would be built next to the earlier-completed bioGas facility expansion. In the end, the facility built the capability of producing 40 million litres of ethanol fuel each year.

Among the bells and whistles supplied: the plant would be powered by nearly 100 percent renewable energy sources, much of it derived from the nearly 500 tonnes of cattle manure supplied daily from a local cattle feedlot, as well as human waste from nearby municipalities. That waste all goes into the production of “biogas” at the refinery, a process through which it is converted into the electricity and steam that runs the ethanol production facility.

According to information from GPHH, so little non-renewable energy is used in running the plant—from the transport of materials to the production of ethanol energy—the Hairy Hill refinery is set to become the world’s most energy-efficient and lowest-carbon biofuel production facility, creating a product that qualifies as an “Advanced” biofuel under the most stringent definitions.


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Hairy Hill Grows REnewable Power

Adding to the “greenness” of the construction process itself is the fact that many of the project workers, in addition to supplies used on the project, came from surrounding locales ranging from Fort saskatchewan-vegreville to vermilion-lloydminster and lac la biche-st. Paul. More than 5,000 person-months of employment were demanded by the intensive construction period, including jobs for tradesmen, engineers and corporate personnel.

long-Term lookout

long-term, the plant was planned in a way that would not only keep the environment healthy but keep maintenance costs low. To reach this goal, the IMus system includes Himark's Clean Slate technology, a proprietary process designed to efficiently handle the material that can’t be processed into energy unlike other systems that are crippled by “non-contributing” feedstock. When maintenance is necessary the system’s Active Access technology allows for maintenance without stopping production the way that other technologies may require.

end-users of this unique new bioRefinery’s ethanol and other products can rest assured that the plant is letting no component go to waste. IMus’ nutrient recovery system ensures that each by-product is free of pathogens and weed seeds, and is ready to go back into the earth in the form of water ready for pump irrigation and solids that can be pelletized as fertilizer for farming future crops of wheat.

In the end, gPHH, and its significant number of local investors, know that the integrated plant is producing products people need in a way that positively contributes to the province’s tough greenhouse gas reduction goals, Alberta being one of the few jurisdictions in the world to impose a tax on carbon released by major emitters.

theoutputcomesinthreeforms:renewable energy

reusable waterplant nutrients


PuTTINg THe PIeCes TogeTHeR

eye-CAtChing PedeStriAn PeACe Bridge BeComeS CAlgAry’S neweSt lAndmArkMore than 6,000 of Calgary’s commuters and outdoor enthusiasts are reaping the benefits daily of the city’s new Peace Bridge, which opened on March 24, 2012. The bridge, designed by award-winning architect and bridge designer Santiago Calatrava, spans 130 metres over the Bow River, just west of Prince’s Island Park. With its unique shape and cheery red color, as well as the benefits of specialized lighting and a glazed canopy, the bridge is a welcome beacon to commuters, joggers, bicyclists and pedestrians seeking to enjoy the outdoors at any time of year.

limits upon design

Santiago Calatrava had built a reputation on the celebrated designs of bridges such as the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay in Redding, California; the light Rail Train bridge in jerusalem; the Quarto Ponte sul Canal grande in venice; and the liège-guillemins Tgv Railway station in belgium. When commissioned by the City of Calgary to design the new pedestrian bridge, Calatrava drew inspiration from the site itself. He set out to create an enclosed walkway that would allow determined bicyclists and pedestrians protection from the elements, featuring a design that would brighten the harshest of winters. However, the site also brought with it a number of constraints that helped to determine the end design. The low-lying, single-span format was a necessity because of a no fly zone above the bridge, due to a nearby heliport, and the high water and ice levels of the Bow River beneath. This left Calatrava with only 7 meters of leeway in which to create the bridge. Another challenge: to minimize the impact of construction on the environment, the bridge would be built with no supporting piers in the riverbed itself. on top of these challenges, the bridge had to meet design criteria capable of withstanding Calgary's one-in-100-year flood cycle and reach a minimum 75-year lifespan.From these constraints, the plans for a tubular steel truss bridge emerged.

“Although the design concept for the Peace Bridge is very challenging, it is one that I am extremely proud of,” Calatrava commented in a press release issued by his firm.

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eye-CAtChing PedeStriAn PeACe Bridge BeComeS CAlgAry’S neweSt lAndmArk

By megan headley


Creating the HelixIt was Graham Infrastructure, headquartered in Calgary, that won the task of bringing the bright red twisting helix design to rest over the river. Stantec Consulting in Calgary supplied technical support, while the city’s transportation department offered its management expertise for the $24.5 million project.

In the spring of 2010, fabrication of the steel began in Spain, while Graham Infrastructure began to prepare the construction site back in Calgary. That preparation included the construction of a temporary bridge that would help move the final 1,050-metric-tonne structure into its final placement. Graham also began work drilling piles and constructing the abutments that would provide support for the hefty structure. Meanwhile, once the spanish fabricator had twisted the steel into its unique form, an independent company hired by the City of Calgary arrived to inspect the welded steel to ensure the strength of the single-span bridge met all required standards.

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“There are thousands of metres of welds in this project because it is a single-span steel structure,” commented Mac logan, general manager of transportation with The City of Calgary, in a city news release that explained the importance of these inspections. It wasn’t until fall 2010 that the modular steel components began to arrive on-site for placement on a temporary assembly pad adjacent to the area where the temporary bridge had been constructed. The 16 steel segments were enveloped in an enclosure that provided some degree of protection from the elements, giving Graham’s workers space to fully weld the tubular bridge in an environment that allowed for quality control checks. by the following summer, the final structure had undergone a full four coats of what would become its trademark red paint, and the curved glass panels had been installed in place.


Rolling Across the RiverIn November 2011, the Peace bridge began its long move across the bow River to its final location. graham Infrastructure used a hydraulics jack system mounted on a rail to push the bridge across the temporary bridge over the course of two long days. once fully spanning the river, the bridge was moved downriver and lowered into its permanent location. just because the river had been crossed, however, did not mean the bridge work was complete. From that point, the general contractor continued on the installation of the pre-cast concrete pedestrian deck and a cast-in-place cyclist deck. Also installed were handrails, four different types of lighting and a security system, as well as connections into the existing pathway system.

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A Clear Pathupon completion, the city had a 6.2-metre wide pathway that offers double the width of other pedestrian bridges in the area, leaving a clear separation between pedestrians and wheeled traffic. The glass roof allows for year-round use, while letting in plenty of natural sunlight on any given day. Ample electric lighting encourages night time use, as well.

The City of Calgary’s more than 30,000 residents and 120,000 employees now have new encouragement to keep their cars parked at home as they commute across the city. The new bridge’s protection from the coldest days and embrace of natural light, wrapped within the brilliant red crisscross of support beams, makes the new pedestrian bridge an eye-catching new landmark in the city’s growing downtown.



A Tree Grows on the UBC

Campus

The University of British Columbia Gains a Unique Pharmaceutical Sciences BuildingBy Angel Anthony

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A Tree Grows on the UBC

Campus

The University of British Columbia Gains a Unique Pharmaceutical Sciences BuildingBy Angel Anthony

Photos by Marc Cramer


The university of british Columbia in vancouver has produced some of the country’s finest medical professionals and researchers in its mission of developing the most effective medication physicians. However, with an increasing number of aspiring medical students applying and the school’s growing participation in government research, university officials saw that the department would quickly lack the classroom size and research facilities necessary to meet demand. To solve this dilemma, the university set out to create a new Pharmaceutical Sciences Building on its Grey Point campus that would allow for an expansion of its medical programs. The university’s new Pharmaceutical Sciences Building offers roughly 246,182 square feet of space to further the department’s academic and research endeavors. This building has provided larger classroom sizes, allowing the department to increase the number of graduates by approximately 47 percent and expand the space used for innovative drug research. As a result of this expansion several other research organizations, both private and government, have come to work on the premises. In addition to the undergraduate pharmaceutical and research studies, the department now has space for growth in masters and doctoral pharmaceutical programs, thus further boosting the university’s prestige.

Inspiration from the Land

The $133 million budget for the project included a sizable contribution of $86.4 million from the province of British Columbia, which considered the project an investment into the betterment of the region’s medical field. With a budget set and a goal in mind, university officials needed a design team that could draw inspiration from the existing campus while fitting all of its space needs onto a pre-selected site. The Pharmaceutical Sciences department hoped that by neighboring the life Sciences Centre collaboration would be more readily accomplished in the future. To turn the dream into a reality, the university brought on board the award-winning architectural firms saucier + Perrotte Architectes (www.saucierperrotte.com) and Hughes Condon Marler Architects (www.hcma.ca).

The inspiration for the growing pharmaceutical program’s new home would come from the campus, but a very specific part: two trees growing beside one another. The architects created a structure that would not only exceed the requirement to grow the department’s educational and research space, but visually pay homage to the two eye-catching campus trees through a unique design that mimics the aesthetics of a tree.

The bottom floor of the building, which serves as the entranceway to the atrium and exhibition space for students, faculty and visitors to the campus, represents the trunk of a tree. To further the tree metaphor, the bottom levels ultimately would be clad in a combination of wood and textured concrete that is intended to afford a warm, organic feel. These low-level floors are recessed into the façade of the structure at particular points, much like a tree trunk whose supporting branches reach far out from its core. lecture rooms, offices and labs on the upper five floors are modeled on a tree’s canopy. As the designers would note, the foliage of a tree doesn’t generally grow to form a smooth surface. As the branches of a tree grow, some will stick out further while others will be shorter. True to this model of life, the designers strategically placed some of the rooms further outside of the building’s core, while others were recessed inside of it. The result was a structure that could have been built by Mother Nature herself.

Respect for Nature

Given the design’s respect for nature, it would seem only logical that the Pharmaceutical Sciences building would be built to attain the u.s. green building Council’s leadership in energy and environmental design (leed) gold certification. To achieve the certification, the designers focused on energy and water conservation and specified sustainable materials. To make the most of natural resources, the building includes two full-height atria that provide both ample natural daylighting and passive ventilation. In addition, heat recovery from the large data centre in the building’s basement provides another major energy saving measure.For water conservation, an on-site infiltration system was installed as a means of managing

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stormwater runoff. The design also is anticipated to reduce potable water needed for building operations by more than 20 percent.

In addition, the materials used to build the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, including steel and flyash concrete, contain large amounts of recycled content. Whenever possible, materials were procured locally and priority was given to environmentally friendly components such as FsC-certified wood and voC-free materials. In addition, general contractor ledcor group was able to divert approximately 75 percent of waste from the landfill during the construction phase.

A Rewarding Endeavor

Since the opening of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building on September 18, 2012, the new campus’ addition has served as an asset not only for students and researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences, but also as a new resource for community outreach for the city of vancouver. The unique design makes a statement among other buildings on campus and within the city and, ultimately, gained the designers the honor of receiving the 2012 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence. The Pharmaceutical Sciences Building was created to stand the test of time and will serve as a fitting stage for future generations seeking to make their own medical advancements in the years to come.

These low-level floors are recessed into the façade of

the structure at particular points, much like a tree trunk

whose supporting branches reach far out from its core.

A Tree Grows on the UBC Campus


The Residences of Spring Hill

A GC’s Green Thumb Solar Energy, Geothermal Heat and Site Planning

Make New Retirement Home an Efficient Proposition

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When Rossbro Development Corp. began to plan for the Residences of Spring Hill, the developer envisioned an elegant gateway into King Township, ontario. When the now-completed retirement home opened in the fall of 2012, the community’s targeted audience of active adults found a resort-inspired home that not only blends into the aesthetics of the picturesque landscape, but aims to protect that land for future generations through a number of notable green features.

green guidance

design-build general contractor buttcon ltd., headquartered in Concord, ontario, served as the construction manager for what would turn out to be a not only chic but impressively green retirement community. The contractor is known for its combination of high-quality operations and ability to keep projects moving on schedule. This project’s schedule was only made more intense through the introduction of several unique features that the developer hoped would eliminate over the course of 20 years approximately 25,000 tons of Co2 from the atmosphere.

Guiding the development and construction process was the owner’s goal of achieving Green Globes certification, ensuring that the built condominium would be among the greenest in the region. Green globes is a green building certification program, managed by the Green Building Initiative, that is intended to “advance the overall environmental performance and sustainability” of buildings. Throughout the construction process, from site planning to the building’s launch, the project team would use the guidelines supplied by Green globes for New Construction. While technological innovation would help improve the building’s efficiency compared to its neighbors in a big way, a little bit of careful pre-construction site planning would help ensure the Residences of Spring Hill would not disrupt the local environment in the long-term. When the retirement community was being planned, the developer took into account such factors as the site’s use of already-serviced land within a planned 86-acre subdivision to minimize the impact to the surrounding countryside, as well as the location’s easy access to public transportation to reduce the amount of driving needed by residents. The


Helping to further optimize the building’s performance, Buttcon oversaw the installation of a complete building automation system that monitors all of the residence’s mechanical systems, checking that the building is operating at its most energy-efficient. Additional features work to ensure the building is consuming only as much energy as necessary. variable frequency drives on the rooftop fan units optimize the amount of air circulating, while a building control system determines when to turns its CFl and led lighting on and off based on use in common areas such as hallways and the parking lot.

three-acre site selected would sit adjacent to 20 acres of conservation lands and an existing pond, making for a beautiful view that would be protected long into the future.

buttcon ltd. would take this green focus further as materials were selected for the construction process. The general contractor sourced locally fabricated brick and other necessary exterior materials, as well as low-E coated and insulated windows and doors from nearby companies. using largely ontario-based manufacturers would support the local economy, while also reducing transportation and contributing to the project’s end greenness. Another factor that played a big part in material selection: low toxicity and renewable materials. Finally, the general contractor implemented a plan for the control, separation and recycling of debris from the jobsite.

Optimized OperatiOn

Among the fully-functioning building’s greenest features, however, was one that james Byck, senior project manager with buttcon, noted made the project particularly unique: its first-application power plant that uses solar and geothermal energy for heating and cooling the building.

The high-tech residences were designed and constructed to generate solar energy using rooftop-mounted photovoltaic panels. Excess energy from the panels is delivered back to the grid. To make the most of the sun’s power, the panels incorporate a unique feature that helps them to move in coordination with the sun’s rise and fall, boosting the amount of energy they are able to provide by 20 percent over traditional stationary panels. A nice side benefit: the solar panels should extend the roof’s life expectancy by protecting the roof membrane.

In addition, the condominium uses a central ground source geothermal system to heat and cool the building. The contractors were able to incorporate on-site aquifers for domestic hot water and pool heating needs. Condensing boiler technology also was incorporated into the complex HvAC system to serve as a backup source for domestic hot water.

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reaping the benefits

upon its completion in the fall of 2012, the Residences of Spring Hill would be more than an example of how green construction should be done; it would be a stylish and charming place to call home. visitors and future-residents are greeted with the brick and stone façade of the formal entrance, topped by cedar shingle roofs and a scattering of cupolas. Native species of plants grace the landscape, stretching out to a pergola with lovely views of a water feature. Plants also roll across the garage rooftops, adding to the structures’ insulation and aesthetics.

Inside the 14,000-square-foot amenity space residents will find access to everything from a fitness centre to computer room, library to billiards and game rooms. Clearly the high-end, resort-style community made an impact on the general contractor: buttcon ltd. chairman and Ceo Michael A. butt, P. eng., and his wife already have purchased a suite within the condominium and are making plans to enjoy the details that make their future a home both environmentally responsible and entirely comfortable.

The Residences of Spring

When owners are planning their buildings design one aspect arises no matter what the project is, keeping a comfortable climate while the building is being used. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (also known as HvAC) is one of the primary ways that most people keep their buildings at a consistent comfortable climate. As with many other aspects of the design and building process, the HvAC selection process can be much more involved then you might initially think. Most people don’t know what to ask their HvAC sales associate, what conditions dictate the proper choice for HvAC equipment or what tests their HvAC representative will need to conduct to design the correct ventilation system for your application. Great care should be taken to select the proper HvAC unit that is right for your project.

When planning to build your project, the consistent comfort of the climate is an important matter which will need to be addressed. If you have a project that is going to be newly constructed then you will have a great opportunity to easily install all aspects of the HvAC system of your choosing. various aspects of the building’s HvAC system can be easily adjusted as it is installed if need be. It will be much easier and quicker to install which will likely aid in the system’s installation costs overall. The other major condition will likely come from a renovation or addition of a structure you are interested in. Depending on the age of the building you could possibly run into issues that would not allow your HvAC system to perform at its maximum efficiency. There are still many older buildings that weren’t initially designed with any kind of HvAC system in mind. some buildings that might be newer could already have a HvAC system however; it may have been poorly designed or outdated since originally being installed. An addition to the structure may be too taxing for even the best system that was originally in the structure. This means that the current HvAC system may need to be updated in one way or another. All of these issues will

accrue additional costs where the HvAC system is concerned; you should always take this into consideration before taking on any project you might have in mind.

hvACvariations

When the time comes to actually purchase the HvAC system of your choosing you likely won’t be selecting something off the shelf that simply fits no matter what the application is. Throughout Canada’s various provinces and territories the climate will vary drastically, making it one of the first considerations that you and your system’s designer will have to consider when picking the initial HvAC components. The HvAC system is made of multiple components that are placed together to create one complete unit. The heating unit could be possibly a furnace, boiler or a heat pump. The air conditioning unit is generally a heat pump that is designed in a process that expels heat to the outside and cools the interior of your building. There are different methods that are used to cool heat pumps; your HvAC designer can aid you in choosing the system that works best for your climate. The other major piece to an HvAC system is the ventilation which consists of the ducting which will allow the heating and air conditioning unit to supply air to the desired areas. Ducting can be evaluated to determine what kind of supply of air is needed. Generally each building’s ductwork will be custom fitted and needs to be evaluated to determine exactly what is best for your situation.

PerformingthePropertests

To aid in figuring out what particular type of HvAC system your chosen technician will eventually install, he or she will need to evaluate your building. There are standard tests that are performed by your technician that are used to evaluate your project in order to find the proper system that best meets your needs. The manual j test will be conducted by measuring each room, evaluating

Controlling The Climate In Your ProjectChoosing The Proper HVAC System For Your Project

By: Angel Anthony


the walls, doors and windows to see how much air will move in and out of the room that will be treated. once the manual j test is conducted your HvAC representative will conduct what is referred to as, a manual S test which matches up the data collected for the manual j to determine the proper size of the heating and air conditioning equipment to install. The manual D test is used to determine the design of the duct system. The size of the duct, the material, number of bends and general layout are necessary to maximize the movement of air when the system is in use. The manual T test is used to determine best types and locations for the registers and grilles. The test also determines the optimal location for the registers to eliminate any drafts or spots that might not get a proper flow of air from the HvAC system. The manual j test is the key to determining the proper outcome while each of the other manual tests is determined.

Even though each of these tests may sound simple, this is almost never the case. The layperson isn’t necessarily going to be equipped to do a detailed evaluation as the HvAC representative you’ve chosen will be. A Balometer will be used to test the air being taken in and expelled from any of

the registers or grilles that was designed into the system. This is a specialized and expensive piece of equipment that only a certified HvAC technician should have access to. It would not be to the advantage of the owner who is looking to have a new or updated HvAC system installed, to get the equipment needed to do each manual test on their own. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure you get a competent HvAC representative and contractor that can perform all these tests for you correctly.

selecting the right HvAC equipment is only part of what is needed when installing an optimal system for your project. The proper design which fits the layout of your building is necessary to ensure your system is performing at its most efficient capacity. Whether your structure is big or small your HvAC representative should always perform each of the manual tests in order to maximize cost and efficiency. getting a second opinion for the design and installation of your HvAC is always a good idea. Any customer installing a new HvAC system should demand that the proper fundamental tests be conducted in order to properly control the climate in your project.

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Trump

redefines

Luxury

in

ToronTo

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talon international helps bring an incredible new standard of luxurious lodging and living to

toronto. by pierre dupont

The doors of Trump’s newest luxury $500 Million Residence and Hotel Tower opened on january, 31 2012. Torontonians will now have the opportunity to witness an incredible new standard of luxurious lodging and living. This grand spectacle is the tallest residential building in Canada and is located in the heart of Toronto’s financial district at 325 bay st. The building will be over 60 stories with access to amazing views of the Toronto skyline. While in the proximity of high end shopping, museums, theaters, restaurants, nightlife, and concert halls along with historic neighborhoods, the demand for high end residential living makes Trump Toronto the perfect retreat for travelers and the city’s most affluent dwellers.

We asked Alex Shnaider, Chairman of Talon International Inc. (who partnered with Mr. Trump in the construction) what makes this project unique compared to other skyscrapers in Canada and here’s what he had to say:“Trump Toronto’s location, neighboring the city’s most prominent office buildings, is indisputably better than all other hotels and residences in Toronto. It’s the centre of everything this great city has to offer. Business travelers in particular could not ask for a better location. Pairing the corner of Bay and Adelaide with the stunning cosmopolitan design, the amazing views, a great restaurant (STOCK), Quartz Crystal Spa and the award-winning attentive service of the Trump Hotel Collection, it’s pretty easy to distinguish this property from others. It all comes down to the details. There is a reason Trump properties make the best-of-lists for travelers in North America, and Toronto is now finding that out.”

CoNsTRuCTIoN FeATs ANd HIgHlIgHTs

The aesthetic beauty of the project was created by Zeidler Partnership Architects and the interior was designed by the award winning II by Iv Design Associates. Talon International Inc. is the developer and the construction manager overseeing the assembly of the building is brookfield Multiplex. The 65 storied luxury giant is composed of structural steel, glass and stone façade crowned by a slender spire will be an instant landmark of the city. lifting and crowning the spire was one of the largest lift in North America, weighing over 90 tons and taking over 12 hours to lift 65 stories was truly a major construction feat. The wall mosaic in the porte-cochere consists of 500,000 handmade cut tiles which took over 15 artisans to make. viewing up close the work will disclose a pattern of porcelain, glass, stone and gold while standing from a distance the mosaic displays a stadium filled audience. The lobby consists of a three-dimensional cherry blossom branch composed of over thousands of imported crystals from the Czech Republic and suITs lobby lounge gracefully greets all guests. on site dining includes the five-star restaurant sToCK on the 31st floor with views of lake ontario and CN Tower. Residents will have the opportunity to witness a sunset at the luxurious 32nd floor sky lobby. After a long day of meetings and shopping, one can relieve their stress by exercising at the wellness facility equipped with top of the line gym equipment and swimming pool or indulge in getting pampered at the 15,000 sq. ft. world class Quartz Crystal spa.


“This is a complicated project on a very small, tight site and the amount of coordination and logistics are astronomical. There has to be an exacting attention to details. For all of us, it has been a growing, life-changing experience. We successfully weathered the economic crisis when others couldn’t and ensured crew safety was our number one priority as we endured some particularly harsh winters that resulted in many lost construction days. But, we never lost our focus. Our focus has always been on delivering an unbelievable experience for our purchasers. It has been extremely rewarding to see everyone’s efforts, including our own, come to life on the corner of Bay and Adelaide, no matter the adversity we have faced. I’m very proud of our collective achievement.”

Val Levitan (President and CEO at Talon Development) on Trump Toronto

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER TORONTOResidential Sky Lobby

WINTER ISSUE 2013

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER TORONTOResidential Sky Lobby


The Hotel Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto consists of 261 luxury guest rooms and suites ranging from 600 to 4,000 square feet and offering the largest accommodations in the city. The hotel rooms will occupy the lower portion of the building, on levels 11-29. Guests will have the option of picking a deluxe studio, one bed room and two bed room suites, ranging from 600 to 1,700 square feet. Each room is adorned with high end furniture and customized fixtures that are designed to enhance a sumptuous experience and meeting the expectations of a guest’s most discerning taste. For guests who are seeking a

spacious feel, the 29th floor will offer Five Trump grand deluxe suites starting from 900 square feet with nine foot high ceilings, oversized windows and magnificent views of the city skyline. The Presidential suite is located on the 30th floor and it measures at 4,000 square feet, which is the largest and highest suite in Toronto. Along with the elegant and modern design, the suite is soundproof and includes a projector screen and plasma display for presentations and screenings. The suite also includes its own boardroom and a lounge suitable for meetings and social events.

WINTER ISSUE 2013

WINTER ISSUE 2013

Luxury in ToronTo

The ResidencesTrump Toronto has 118 exquisite residential suites sitting up at levels 33-54 setting new standards for luxury living in Toronto. Each unit is enhanced with panoramic views of the city, spacious floor plans, 11-13 foot high ceilings, upscale fixtures and private elevators. A Trump Toronto resident will have the best of both worlds, the comfort of luxury living and five star hotel services. Residents will have access to the hotel’s 24 hour amenities including housekeeping, a 10,000 square feet business center, in room dining service, valet and concierge. each floor is restricted to 4-6 suites, maximizing space and privacy for the residents. Residents have a separate entrance and elevator from hotel guests. Remaining residential suites are for sale starting from $2.3 million.

Toronto Canada is a cosmopolitan destination with a respective demand for luxury goods and services. Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto will meet these demands while redefining luxury on a whole new level. one of the most elite developments in the world, Trump Toronto will act as a catalyst for Toronto’s commercial and high end hospitality for years to come.

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Canada's Elite Construction Winter Issue 2013

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