mechanical engineering
DIALOG
passionately collaborative collectively creative DIALOG is the language of collaboration. The name conveys the firm’s uniquely collaborative approach, founded upon engagement of clients and communities by multidisciplinary teams in an interactive planning and design process that encompasses architecture, engineering, interior design, planning, and urban design services. It is an approach that has garnered international recognition for the firm’s outstanding contributions to the public realm and the design of cities. At DIALOG, our philosophy is to deliver outstanding solutions that leave a lasting, positive mark on the community. Our people are unabashedly client-focused and passionate about their work – and our culture embodies talent, energy, creativity, integrity, tenacity, problem-solving ability, teamwork, and a sense of fun. We are a fully integrated multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers, interior designers, urban designers, landscape architects, and planners with a special culture and spirit. It springs from our longstanding commitment to a collaborative approach to design and community building that permeates every aspect of our work.
Left to right: PCL Learning Centre Centre Revelstoke Elementary School Calgary International Airport North Processor TELUS Spark University of Calgary Energy Enviornment Experiential Learning
University of Calgary, Energy Environment experiential Learning
making a difference our people We have talented people in all of our disciplines. They are client-focused, team oriented and unabashedly passionate about their work.
our portfolio Our portfolio spans from cities to building interiors. What unites it is a commitment to design excellence that transcends scale and traditional boundaries. Our team has tackled the planning of entire communities, the design of institutional and commercial facilities, as well as the design of unique structures such as bridges and sculptures.
our philosophy Open, innovative, intense collaboration with clients to deliver outstanding solutions that make a lasting and positive contribution to our clients, their communities, and the environment.
our way of working Our drive to do great work, to make a difference, to enjoy the journey, and create success informs everything we do. For every assignment we establish a close-knit multi-disciplinary team, carefully aligned to what the project needs. All work also reflects our commitment to an interconnected world and regenerative design.
our culture We look for talent, energy, creativity, integrity, tenacity, problem-solving ability, and a sense of fun.
building green
Our mechanical team is designing buildings with innovative green mechanical systems using low energy offthe-shelf technologies that concentrate on simple operation and maintenance, extremely low energy use, and maximized indoor environmental comfort for the occupants. We concentrate on designing buildings with great lighting and acoustics, superior indoor air quality, and temperature control that meet occupants high expectations. Our expertise includes the design of all building services including HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection but has expanded to include energy modeling, thermal comfort analysis, commissioning, natural ventilation design and storm water/grey water reuse. The majority of our designs support LEED® Certification and we implement mechanical system approaches that support low energy design such as displacement ventilation, radiant heating / cooling slabs and panels, chilled beams, heat recovery, and evaporative cooling. We implement smart design principals and consider renewable energy and water conservation opportunities. We have also been using post occupancy surveys to fine tune operations with owners and provide us valuable feedback on our designs in operations. Sustainability is a way of thinking — it’s our way of thinking about design, building and the impact we make today which will echo for years to come. DIALOG exercises environmental responsibility in all aspects of its integrated design approach, recognizing the immediate and long range environmental effects of our work. In a world of increasing challenges in the way Canadians live, move and work, DIALOG is a strong voice for innovative thinking and sustainable leadership – a discussion that benefits from the collaboration of people with unique perspectives and skills. One of our firm’s core values is sustainable design, and we bring that value to all of our projects. We typically examine a project’s impact on its physical environment, on energy sources and occupants, and its consumption of natural resources. In support of sustainable design, the firm employs 130+ LEED® accredited professionals in all disciplines.
TELUS Spark Science Centre
core performance Dialog’s Mechanical Engineering Group has been quietly reborn over the last few years into a group of professionals with excellent depth in all facets of mechanical engineering. Our group totals over 35 staff, with 10 professional engineers, located across our studios. Our teams work seamlessly together to provide mechanical engineering to clients from coast to coast. Our mechanical engineers are relentless in finding optimal solutions. We are staffed with individuals that provide the technical excellence in building systems, energy and systems analysis. In addition to our core services, we will undertake thermal comfort modeling, natural ventilation modeling, and design phase energy modeling to optimize our design. We also scour the globe for the next technology, and are among the first in North America to use some of the most innovative and effective systems. As a result, our buildings perform better. They are more efficient to operate and maintain, and better for the environment. As an integrated design firm, DIALOG has provided in-house mechanical engineering services for over 45 years. Our team has contributed to many of Canada’s landmark buildings. As a team and as individuals, we strive to achieve the best possible level of professional service - the service that produces excellent buildings. We aim high.
Image Westmount Corporate Campus
who we are Our Mechanical Team has over 35 staff with exceptional depth of experience on a wide range of building types including complex institutional, industrial, high-tech research, education, and commercial projects. The diversity of our experience is unmatched and compliments the firm’s overall service offerings.
tim mcginn Tim, PEng, LEED®AP, is an experienced project manager and mechanical designer having been involved in major new building projects and significant renovations and planning projects for over 24 years. He has extensive experience in designing mechanical and electrical systems for complex projects but his real passion is a specialization in designing low impact/ low energy systems for green buildings. His design expertise includes passive evaporative cooling, indirect evaporative cooling, displacement and underfloor air system, natural and mixed mode ventilation, solar chimneys, solar air preheating, grey water reuse and passive solar heating.
mark wallace Mark, PEng, LEED®AP, is a recognized industry leader in the mechanical engineering of public institution buildings, particularly healthcare and postsecondary education facilities. He is a results-driven business leader who has consistently delivered high margins while ensuring high quality client service. Mark recently joined the DIALOG team, bringing with him over 25 years of practical experience in the design of sustainable and energy efficiency mechanical building systems.
grant kidd With over 20 years experience in the mechanical engineering industry, Grant, PEng, LEED®AP, has focused his extensive experience on large institutional and commercial projects including health care and laboratory projects, postsecondary facilities and airports. Grant is experienced in system design concepts, life-cycle costing and best practices, mentoring and guidance, quality control, and commissioning. With his extensive knowledge he continually pushes the envelope of sustainable design concepts that have practical application for efficient energy utilization and meet the needs of the client.
project experience
YYC ATB | NORTH PROCESSOR
creating a viable, sustainable
and livable community, is the belief in integrating the design of public spaces with a focus on people, place and form.
sense of place The following projects demonstrate our skills at developing innovative yet elegant solutions to complex project requirements for our clients. This sampling of some of our projects underway and recently completed, demonstrates our depth of experience in projects from commercial to high tech research, education from elementary to post secondary.
Award of Excellence: Building Engineering, Showcase Awards, Consulting Engineers of Alberta, 2012 Alberta Construction Magazine Top Projects 2011, Finalist Award of Merit, Prairie Design Awards, 2012 ASHRAE Technology Awards - New Educational Facilities, 2nd Place, 2014
university of calgary energy environment experiential learning
Photography by Tom Arban
The Energy Environment Experiential Learning (EEEL) is a five storey building located at the University of Calgary. The building responds to the necessity for modern, high calibre undergraduate learning environments at Canada’s premier university campuses. The facility, which opened September 2011, is student centric, providing opportunities for hands-on and experiential learning in both individual and collaborative settings. The 26,200 square metre five storey building provides instructional space for expanded programs in energy and environments, new laboratories for biology and chemistry, as well as space for the administrative centres of the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy and the School of Policy Studies. EEEL was designed as a facility that interacts with the visitor through a “science on display” theme that attempts to illustrate the concepts of energy use, sustainability, and their effect on the environment. Our mechanical approach for this design was to showcase off-the-shelf cost effective technology, melded with advanced energy reduction features, to enhance the indoor environmental quality and the owner’s operational flexibility. Advanced energy modeling was used to simulate energy use, daylighting effectiveness, and optimize the design of the energy systems. Thermal comfort modeling was used to optimize the façade design and mechanical heating and cooling systems. Full commissioning will verify that the building operates as designed.
The mechanical system consists of 100% outdoor air variable volume fan array air handlers drawing intake air from ground coupled earth tube pre-heaters. Energy is recovered from the building exhaust for reuse. Air is delivered displacement style to much of the building through low wall mounted air distribution. Radiant cooling slabs allow the building to behave as a Thermally Active Building System (TABS), this system is augmented with overhead radiant cooling panels in high cooling loads areas. Radiant heating provides heating to perimeter spaces. Cooling water for the building is generated at night using evaporative cooling towers and stored in a stratified thermal storage tank for use during the next day. Storm water reuse for cooling tower makeup and toilet/urinal flushing and grey water reuse for acid waste neutralization is utilized to reduce domestic water demand. Our contribution to the integrated design process helped yield a building that is architecturally innovative, environmentally progressive, and that possesses a superior indoor environment. EEEL is LEED® registered, targeting LEED® Platinum certification.
university of calgary ccit in-situ expansion
In 2008 DIALOG was engaged to design an expansion for the original CCIT building on the campus of the University of Calgary. The main purpose of the expansion was to provide high bay laboratory space for advanced in-situ oil sands research. During design development, a critical data center need was identified. Working with University IT and Architecture staff, DIALOG developed a feasibility plan for a small but very high density Academic Computing facility, suitable for grid computing. We subsequently designed a 400 KW, 20 rack high density data center for fit-up on the 4th floor of the expansion space. While small in size, the room uses a wide array of key sustainable technologies including active rack heat venting and free cooling loops. It also successfully addresses numerous routing and distribution challenges that exist in such a small space. DIALOG’s mechanical design centered on providing a safe indoor environment for the researchers that provided a high level of indoor air quality and thermal comfort. Displacement ventilation was used for high ventilation effectiveness and low operating cost, heat recovery was used to ensure large exhaust system volumes did not adversely impact operating costs.
Alberta Construction Magazine Top Award, Institutional Category, 2011
Playing host to an anticipated 500,000 visitors per year, the TELUS Spark houses the Creative Kids Museum, four themed pavilions, a touring exhibit gallery, and science visualization and presentation theatres. One of the most challenging aspects of this 13,500 sq m project was to provide a facility that is memorable, youthfully exuberant, and dynamic, both from a distance and up-close, within a limited budget. To this end, the building was conceived as an exhibit platform where the usual boundaries of inside and outside are blurred and the building itself takes on new, colourful forms as exhibits come and go. The building skin is layered. The envelope itself is simple; a neutral, high-performance building system that acts as the canvas for the exhibit platform. The scrim, in front, is peeled away in different places around the building, revealing temporary exhibits, graphics and artwork. When viewed from a distance it will provide a rich patina of colour and movement and when viewed up close a detailed framework of identifiable objects and images. Extensive energy modeling assisted in optimizing the building envelope and scrim.
telus spark
With a goal of LEEDŽ Gold certification and keeping with the science centre’s core values they will aim to educate and inform its visitors on the importance of protecting the earth. Porous paving, bio-swales, on-site water retention/reuse and wetland areas are integrated with a high performance building envelope that uses solar shading, natural light and has a solar ready roof. Rather than a typical, forced-air ventilation and cooling system, the building incorporates displacement ventilation and radiant panels to distribute fresh air and highly effective heating and cooling for visitor comfort. The atrium and extensive lobby areas are heated and cooled with a radiant chilled/heated slab system for a non-intrusive but highly effective conditioning system. Underseat displacement ventilation is provided in the theatre for optimum thermal comfort and ventilation effectiveness.
calgary zoo penguin plunge
The Penguin Plunge project consists of a new indoor and outdoor penguin habitat and a gift shop. The partially earth buried structure for the penguins (capable of simulating the Antarctic winters) contrasts with the open and day-lit gift and coffee shop facility. Waste energy from the penguin life support systems are used to heat the gift shop. The gift shop is cooled using thermal radiant slabs and a cooling tower. A tight budget challenged the team to closely integrate all aspects of the design and develop design synergies to increase value without affecting cost. The resultant design is remarkable in its integration of building with landscape. Building elements transition and transform from pure architectural forms to natural forms, which have a greater affinity to natural landscape than to the man-made. Textured glass, natural stone, raw concrete and weathering steel combine to help ground the building in the landscape.
This project demonstrates our team’s capabilities to provide LEEDŽ and sustainability consulting services with a diverse design team on a very tight time frame. The schematic design was delivered in less than four weeks by using a series of intense design team / owner workshops. Strategic green building initiatives and opportunities were incorporated into the design. Preliminary energy was used to optimize building orientation, massing, and envelope performance. Heat pump technology will be used to move energy between the various energy producing systems and energy using systems. Environmental considerations influenced the site design, building massing, selection of materials, selection of systems for water and energy consumption and construction methods. The project intent is to meet LEEDŽ Gold requirements.
Silver Award – renovation and expansion of an existing project, International Council of Shopping Centers, 2010
kingsway mall renovation
Kingsway Mall, originally built in 1976, has undergone an exciting expansion and renovation. Completed in 2009, the fully integrated project team included architectural, interior design, structural, mechanical, and electrical. The design approach, with its strong urban feel, was built on the mall’s proximity to Edmonton’s core. The renovated interior features exposed steel members juxtaposed with warm wood and natural flooring. The exterior elevation is transformed with a dominant west entrance obelisk. The west entrance is offset by a fully glazed food court structure, which is oriented to greet the mall’s principal visitor access route and intersection adjacent to the site. A phased mechanical system rejuvenation was undertaken during the continued occupancy of many of the spaces. The new system provides cost effective and efficient common and tenant space ventilation and cooling to the mall, integrating seamlessly into the new architecture.
Photography by Tom Arban
westmount corporate campus
The Westmount Corporate Campus is a phased development of six mixed-use office towers in a suburban business complex in Calgary. The Phase One Tower is a four storey structure offering 81,700 sq ft of tenanted office and retail space. The building is tied into a system of pedestrian walkways and lies in close proximity to two bus stations. The building exterior uses simple, clean details to achieve a very contemporary look. Phase One construction was completed in 2007. The Phase Three Tower is an eight storey structure offering a total of 173,000 sq ft tenanted office and retail space, and is the second of the six buildings to be developed on the Campus. The design concept for the building and adjacent development areas remain consistent with the overall concept for the Campus. Mechanical design consists of penthouse mounted variable air volume air handling systems serving the occupied spaces. Generous thermostatically controlled zones controlling airflow and perimeter radiant heating systems provide optimum indoor air quality and thermal comfort for the occupants. In keeping with DIALOG’s commitment to environmental stewardship, Phase Three was built according to design principles and standards that promote sound environmental practice and sustainability. The Phase Three Tower represents a new breed of facility providing higher quality working environments with lower energy costs and environmental impact. We anticipate LEEDŽ Silver Certification.
ernest manning high school
The design concept for Ernest Manning High School integrates a commitment to environmental sustainability with a LEED® Silver certification target. Through the use of regional building materials, compact building massing, orientation, solar shading strategies, water and energy management and integration with the landscape, the project sensitively and respectfully engages the community.
Thirty-six classrooms are contained in three wings which open onto the street; smaller learning communities are accommodated in three academic colleges. Additional spaces include one full size and one smaller gymnasia, a 230-seat multi-purpose theatre space, and career technology study areas.
The school houses 1,800 students in a two-storey permanent structure with accommodation for an additional 150 students in portables should the need arise. The heart and soul of the school is the centrally located student gathering area; immediately above is the traditional icon of learning – the library information common. The student gathering space and cafeteria has significant windows on the south façade which are shaded in the summer months by the overhang from the library above while providing natural daylight into the space and views to the exterior. A two-storey central street provides an organizing structure and circulation focus.
The mechanical design utilizes a low velocity displacement ventilation design to economically provide higher air quality. This system utilizes less energy than current conventional air delivery systems and will contribute significantly to the efficient, effective operations of the building. Classroom lighting levels were design to be below .9watts/sqft to utilize less energy, while lighting to all IES classroom lighting levels. Exterior site lighting meets LEED® light pollution criteria with full cut off and no infringement of light on adjacent sites.
Alberta Construction Magazine Top Projects 2011, Finalist
In July 2008, the fully integrated DIALOG team was awarded the $24M modernization of Western Canada High School, a prominent landmark on Calgary’s 17th Ave with a long and rich history. Though the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) developed a preliminary scope list, the first task of the design team was to review the existing infrastructure to prioritize needs, and ensure that the project would provide good value for all stakeholders. At each critical step of the schematic design process the CBE, the school, alumni, local community and press, who had all been waiting for action on the historic school, were engaged to ensure that the project’s goals and challenges were well understood.
western canada high school modernization
The 8,000 sq m modernization included an upgrade to the masonry and windows of the historic exterior facade, major mechanical, electrical, and IT renovations, and a rework of the primary entrance/lobby with an emphasis on accessibility. The majority of the spaces are served by new ventilation and cooling units, primarily rooftop mounted with heated service corridors. Remaining existing ventilation units were revamped with new digital controls to match new controls on the new units. Radiant overhead cooling panels augment displacement ventilation in much of the renovated areas while in some areas, overhead variable air volume systems and perimeter radiant heating panels control room temperature. New hot water and chilled water plant equipment were added to augment the existing steam boiler plant. Based on the extent of scope across the school, and the requirement that the facility remain operational, the project was broken into phases and completed the fall of 2011.
revelstoke schools
The integrated design-build team has worked together, from the first stages of these projects, to maximize the efficiency and flexibility of the buildings and deliver two, highly sustainable schools, which reflect the unique community of Revelstoke. Stakeholders, including students and community members, have also been actively engaged in the design process, fostering a sense of pride and ownership of the schools, and helping the designers understand and meet the needs of these groups more effectively. The elementary and secondary schools are located on a central campus adjacent to existing parks and recreation facilities. Both are oriented on an east-west axis to optimize use of natural daylighting, ideal for a learning environment. The building massing minimizes solar heat gain in the summer months, while capitalizing on passive solar heating in the winter. Indoor environment quality issues such as daylighting, ventilation, acoustics and thermal comfort, were a major consideration, as these have a proven impact on staff retention, occupant health and student achievement.
In designing schools, it is important that spaces are flexible, in order to maximize their functionality and the useful life of the building. Interior walls and mechanical and electrical systems for the Revelstoke schools, were designed for easy re-configuration to accommodate changing needs. Future expansion options have also been incorporated into the planning. Critical design decisions for the mechanical system selection included cost, maintenance, ability to deliver optimized indoor environmental quality and low energy use. Ventilation is provided by dedicated outdoor air systems delivering highly effective, displacement-style air distribution. Space heating and cooling is provided by overhead radiant cooling/heating panels. Heat pump technology is used to recover exhaust air and cooling energy, for reuse in the heating system. Heating is provided by district heating fueled by lumber mill waste product. Evaporative cooling technology is used to cool the industrial arts wing. The project is LEED速 registered with a target of Platinum certification.
kelowna international airport Kelowna International Airport has embarked on a phased expansion to the existing ATB to accommodate a projected 1.6 MAP demand for 2016. DIALOG was commissioned for architectural and engineering services to develop a concept plan that would allow the terminal to expand and continue operating during four phases of development, and to prepare the final designs and contract documents for each phase. Mechanical design elements for this project include many elements that establish capital life cycle and operating costs efficiencies.
Environment Award, The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, 2011
Included in the mechanical design are HVAC systems that are designed for stand alone operation from existing systems for continued operations. Systems are low energy, simple and pragmatic. Displacement ventilation, coupled with radiant chilled slabs and perimeter hot water heat are responsive to variable passenger loads with the ability to use space CO2 monitoring to vary conditioned outdoor air levels to suit passenger flow peaks and valleys. A low energy building envelope allows for smaller, simpler HVAC systems with heat recovery, variable speed fans and pumps, yet provides a high level of thermal comfort, superior acoustics, and high ventilation effectiveness. Water efficiencies include low flow fixtures, an analysis of storm water reuse possibilities and low maintenance costs. A central building management DDC system backbone is integrated into the site, dovetailing the existing control infrastructure and providing a cost effective central backbone to facilitate expansions well into the future. The system facilitates central monitoring and control, energy management and maintenance.
CBSA PIL/ TRANSBORDER HOLDROOM Expansion for a new CBSA PIL to bring the terminal in alignment with CBSA screening protocols. OUTBOUND BAG MAKE-UP HALL AND AIRSIDE CORRIDOR RETROFIT Expansion for a new Outbound Baggage facility that will allow for drive through pick up of bags.
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DOMESTIC ARRIVALS FACILITIES The provision of a new domestic arrivals facility takes YLW to a new point in its evolution with separate domestic and international arrivals facilities located at opposite ends of the terminal. INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS FACILITIES Expansion to provide for a new and dedicated international baggage claim hall and renovation of the previous baggage claim hall to expand of the international meeter greeter area. CHECK-IN HALL/INTERNATIONAL MEETER GREETER RETROFITS/CLAIM HALL EXPANSIONS
edmonton international airport combined office tower
The Edmonton International Airport Combined Office Tower project encompasses five operational facets that are being developed to provide operational and functional improvements to the airport. The project includes improved airside ground operations; expanded existing retail, food and beverage; a new HBS (Hold Bag Screening area; a new multi-storey office building, and replacement of the NAVCanada Air Traffic Control Tower. This is a challenging envelope design in that the architectural design incorporates flowing metal spandrel elements that mimic grass blowing in the wind. The actual interior to exterior envelope is straight forward; however, the special nature of the cladding and the proximity to the Air Side apron elements means that the cladding side of the envelope has to be designed to shed water and snow in a manner that does not create ground conditions detrimental to the air side operations.
Mechanical system for the office building consists of 100% outdoor air variable volume indoor air handlers drawing intake air from high above the airport apron. Energy is recovered from the building exhaust for reuse. Air is delivered displacement style to the building through raised floor plenum air distribution. Cooling is provided with overhead radiant cooling panels in all areas. Radiant heating provides heating to perimeter spaces. Storm water reuse for toilet/urinal flushing to reduce domestic water demand. Optimized building envelop in the terminal expansion utilizes existing system capacity extended into the new areas. The unique nature of this project is such that the Owner has a requirement for LEED速 Certified designation, but their design guideline dictates durable materials and triple glazed vision elements to meet airport maintenance and sound control requirements. The project is currently in SD and a PPD is being prepared that will highlight these unique LEED速 elements.
signal hill library
DIALOG provided architectural, engineering and interior design services for this major expansion and renovation project at the Calgary Public Library’s Signal Hill Branch in the city’s southwest. This 1,095 sq m project explored some innovative models of service and patron experience With the renovations and new addition, the remodeled facility is now over 1,711 sq m. New mechanical systems include high efficiency gas fired rooftop ventilation and cooling units with heat recovery. Demand controlled mechanical ventilation with C)2 control is augmented with natural ventilation from automated windows. Perimeter hot water heating is provided by a hybrid condensing and high efficiency boiler plant with variable speed pumping. New water conserving plumbing fixtures have been designed for retrofit in the facility, significantly reducing water use. The Signal Hill expansion project is LEEDŽ NC Gold Certified.
suncor mine equipment maintenance 6 Bay expansion
The expansion and renovation of the Mine Equipment Maintenance (MEM) facility consisted of six new maintenance bays and four renovated bays. The high bay spaces are equipped with heavy travelling cranes and significant structural slabs to support the massive heavy haul mining trucks. Support systems for the facility consist of new compressed air supply and bulk lube oil/grease/waste oil system expansions. Ventilation consists of direct fired gas makeup air delivered to the space displacement style with high level exhaust.
DIALOG
University of Calgary, Energy Environment experiential Learning
for more information please contact tIM mCgINN, PEng, LEED®AP principal T. 403. 541.5462 E. tmcginn@designdialog.ca Mark Wallace, PEng principal T. 403. 541.5466 E. mwallace@designdialog.ca grant kidd, PEng principal T. 780.665.4426 E. gkidd@designdialog.ca
designdialog.ca
Calgary 300, 134 – 11 Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2G 0X5 T (403) 245-5501 F (403) 229-0504
Edmonton 100, 10237 – 104 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5J 1B1 T (780) 429-1580 F (780) 429-2848
Toronto 2 Bloor Street E, 1000 Toronto, ON M4W 1A8 T (416) 966-0220 F (416) 966-0223
VANCOUVER 406 - 611 Alexander Street Vancouver, BC V6A 1E1 T (604) 225-1169 F (604) 225-1790