10 Awesome Projects in 2023 | Canada

What was the challenge? Designing and building North America’s first Passive House, Zero Carbon Building, and LEED Gold certified fire hall.

How did we meet it? Our team incorporated several design synergies to achieve the project’s ambitious sustainability goals, including a geo-exchange system that provides 100% of annual heating and cooling. At the same time, our project leads championed high-performance building design practices to help the owner, architect, general contractor, and subcontractors appreciate how we will need to adapt to the new norms of designing and constructing the buildings of the future.

Learn more about the Fire Hall #17 project.

What was the challenge? To future-proof the building for the adoption of smart building technology by using cutting-edge mechanical and electrical systems that enhance efficiency and improve the experience for occupants.

How did we meet it? Our team supplied many services, including mechanical, electrical, fire protection, sustainability consulting, energy modeling, lighting design, and technology, for this landmark Vancouver project. We were delighted to see The Stack become Canada's first large-scale commercial office tower to obtain the Canadian Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon certification. The Stack has set a new benchmark for sustainable design and construction practices in the city.

Learn more about the Stack project.

What was the challenge? Our client aims to achieve Passive House certification for what will be the largest Passive House project in Canada. Even with dorm rooms that accommodate 750 students, the biggest design challenges are the dining hall and kitchen, plus the domestic hot water load that became more dominant because the building envelope was so well insulated.

How will we meet it? We held meetings early on with the Passivhaus Institut in Germany to work out how our design team could approach the design of the kitchen and mechanical systems. We introduced various systems, including heat recovery from kitchen exhaust systems, incoming fresh air, and sewer heat recovery to recharge the domestic hot water tanks, to meet the PHI requirements.

Learn more about the University of Toronto Student Residence project.

What was the challenge? Revitalizing an important Vancouver heritage landmark and transforming it into a thriving, mixed-use complex.

How did we meet it? The Post is now a 1.5 million sq-ft, mixed-use complex that includes two office towers (21 and 20 stories), four stories of retail, and two levels of underground parking. At the same time, by keeping its heritage façade, we eliminated 25,000 tonnes of carbon that would have otherwise been produced in demolition and construction. The Post stands as a symbol of Vancouver's dedication to preserving its heritage while embracing a greener future.

Learn more about The Post project.

What was the challenge? To create a residence that could meet Passive House & LEED V4 Gold certifications while also meeting Step 3 of the BC Step Code.

How did we meet it? We provided mechanical engineering consulting and energy modeling services to help deliver the largest Passive House building in western North America and the first to have a commercial kitchen and in-floor domestic water piping within the Passive House boundary. The development also includes a new dining facility, conference spaces and classrooms.

Learn more about the University of Victoria student residence project.

What was the challenge? High-resolution climate data is available across Canada from a range of sources but can create issues with comparability across large building portfolios when accessed through a piecemeal approach. The most meaningful opportunity to embed climate resilience into design is to start early in the planning and design process.

How did we meet it? By developing a comprehensive toolkit of climate change profiles for health facilities across the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Coastal Health is streamlining the process to embed climate considerations early and efficiently in the design process.

Learn more about the Vancouver Coastal Health climate project.

What is the challenge? To establish a collaborative platform for biomedical research and healthcare delivery at the new St. Paul's Hospital and health campus.

How will we meet it? We will provide comprehensive mechanical, fire protection, and LEED consulting services for the Clinical Support and Research Centre (CSRC). Once complete, the CSRC will be a hub of collaboration, helping translate research into clinical practice as part of Providence Health Care’s position in leading innovations in care, research, and teaching.

Learn more about the St. Paul’s Hospital project.

What is the challenge? Just like any other museum, the biggest challenge is keeping a steady indoor temperature and humidity level so that artifacts are not compromised. The more tightly controlled the environment, the more expensive the mechanical systems.

How will we meet it? We have worked closely with the architect to understand the environmental conditions for the various spaces in the building. We have proposed to have the humidity levels seasonally controlled, allowing for gradual changes between winter and summer. As part of the Revitalize NBM project, we will help transform this institution into a modern, world-class landmark.

Learn more about this New Brunswick Museum project.

What is the challenge? Existing buildings in BC’s Lower Mainland are not designed to stand up to the extreme heat and smoke conditions we are increasingly seeing due to climate change. There are significant barriers to retrofitting existing buildings: local government policies and building restrictions, limited familiarity among contractors and suppliers, and technical difficulties implementing impactful measures in a cost-effective way.

How will we meet it? By bringing together the substantial body of work that is being done in this area and leading technical analysis to fill gaps, including modelling the cost and impacts of different retrofit options for a range of building typologies. Once we have identified the optimal combination of retrofit strategies for each typology, we will work with project partners to develop a roadmap of policy and program next steps to enable implementation of optimal climate-ready retrofits across North Vancouver’s existing building stock.

Learn more about the Zero Emissions Climate Ready Buildings project.

What is the challenge? To redefine urban living and commercial vibrancy in a mixed-use development.

How will we meet it? We are taking a leadership role by placing innovation and sustainability at the heart of this project. The design adheres seamlessly to the City of Scarborough Green Standards, which also align with our dedication to environmental excellence. Our expertise ensures that the project will not only meet but surpass industry standards, showing our commitment to crafting spaces that transcend conventional norms, fostering dynamic communities and contributing to sustainable urban landscapes.

Learn more about the Kennedy Road project.