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Planning has continued for the new International Estonian Centre Despite the challenges that the COVID19 pandemic presents to all aspects of our lives, the International Estonian Centre (IEC) project team is charting good progress. The team is working steadily on next steps toward opening the new Centre in mid-2022. Project Manager David Kalm and architect Alar Kongats provided a look at the planning and work that is taking place. What is the status of the work underway for the IEC? In early March, the drawings required by the City of Toronto for the IEC’s Building Permit were completed. This was a mammoth task, representing literally thousands of hours of work by the project team. The permit submission shows the IEC from every conceivable angle and strata through to detailed drawings. It describes the building’s construction methods and proposed materials. Consultants who contributed to the permit process included geotechnical, structural, acoustic, mechanical and electrical engineers; the landscape architect; heritage architect and the kitchen/catering consultant. Another major task recently completed was another separate submission to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) since the building straddles subway tunnels. Why is the TTC approval so important? The TTC concern during construction is about impact on the subway tunnel and ensuring that the IEC’s foundation work is conducted safely, doesn’t impact transit and doesn’t
EESTI ELU reedel, 23. oktoobril 2020 — Friday, October 23, 2020
cause damage. The construction sche dule includes a site verification before the construction starts, and the structural, soil/geotechnical and shoring engineers have all provided impact calculations to ensure there will be no problems. As one would expect, the level of scrutiny is high to ensure public safety. The foundation of the IEC will be specially constructed to support its weight and impact, so that the vibration from the subway won’t be felt within the building. This is key, since many of the activities at the IEC will be musical and cultural performances. The firm retained by the project was the vibration engineering consultant for the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto, home to the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada, and this building also contended with subway tunnel considerations so the project is in experienced hands. The working relationship with the TTC is positive. Where are things at now with the permit process? The submission to the City was made before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Toronto. While the pandemic has slowed the permitting process, it has not stopped. The City of Toronto con tinues to review the submission, and we have been responding to comments from the various municipal departments as they come in. When there is mutual agreement that the process has been completed, then the permit will be issued. We are grateful to the whole team, and to City of Toronto and TTC officials, who are working diligently despite the restrictions. Everyone is being so cooperative in helping us make progress. How will the construction of the IEC be managed? The general contractor, who will be the “construction manager” overseeing
tailed description of the finishes proposed for the IEC. The quality of the finishes are to some degree determined by the success of the capital campaign, which will shortly be reigni ted. We are also intending to include a work stream whereby certain design components are put out for competition to invigorate the Centre’s aesthetic with artist input. How long will the construction take? the construction, will be hired shortly through a competitive Request for Proposal (“RFP”) process which has been underway and concluded over the last month and closed earlier this month. It will be their job to oversee all aspects of the IEC’s construction, and to conduct the tendering of all the sub-trades needed for the project. This includes a long list of experts including the contractors who will do the excavation work, shoring and preparation of the building site; build the foundation; install the sound and vibration attenuation; install the steel structures for the “frame” of the building; prepare and pour the concrete foundation; manage the waterproofing; install the mechanical systems for the HVAC (heating and cooling system); install the systems for plumbing, fire protection, electrical//technology, roofing and windows. There are also a host of contractors who will later work on the interior finishes such as drywall, woodwork and plasterwork. All hiring by the general contractor will take place in an open and transparent manner. The Project is working together with the Business Diplomacy Division of Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs [see https://www.aripaev.ee/arvamused/2020/10/16/nuud-eksportima-uus-keskus-ja-pop-up-digimissioonkanadasse] to ensure that where pos sible, Estonian materials and knowhow will figure prominently in the IEC. The IEC will be able to review the bids and have a say as to which sub-trades will be hired. We will also remain involved in all aspects of the construc-
Hand-crafted wooden boats from Nõva Vincent Teetsov Building a sea-worthy vessel requires a good sense of humour, because you never know what might come your way in the process. You might meticulously steam and bend a wooden bow for the frame of your spiffy new boat, put it in place, and then *snap*, your hard work has split in two. Paadimeister (boat mas ter) Anti Kreem of MTÜ Eesti Viikingid (Estonian Vikings) believes you wouldn’t accom plish anything if you took it too seriously. There is a palpable team
spirit involved in the building of these boats, too. In 2011, Kreem collaborated with MTÜ NordEstNõva, whose motto is “Ühtususes peitub jõud” (“there is strength in unity”). In fact, because Eesti Viikingid and NordEstNõva are non-profit organizations, it has become a very community-based endea vour. The Viking boats they have made are part of a broader mission to enrich Nordic com munities through involvement in hands-on activities, of which boat-building is one part. It was in the autumn of 2005 that Norwegians from the town
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of Risør visited Nõva, sparking interest in the idea of a commu nity association. This connec tion is also reflected in the deci sion to work with Anti to make boats similar to Norwegian Viking fjord boats from the 10th century CE. Between the Norwegian visitors, Eesti Vii kingid, and NordEstNõva, there was a mutual interest in seafar ing heritage and practical skills. Anti Kreem, Peeter Jõgar, and their team of boat builders may use power tools to help them make these fierce boats, but the designs closely resemble what would have been gliding
Photo: eesti-viikingid.ee
tion performed by the sub-trades as this is method most commonly used in project management to ensure a high-quality end result within budget. Are there special considerations for the heritage house at 11 Madison? Indeed. A valuable member of our team is the heritage architect, who is working with Toronto Heritage Con servation services as part of the building permit process. The 11 Madison property, which comprises part of the IEC, is a heritage-designated residence built over 100 years ago. It is a typical brick home found in this part of Toronto, known as The Annex. This is an historic neighbourhood with many beautifully preserved homes and buildings, and retaining the integrity of the 11 Madison house allows IEC to blend in with the area. Toronto homes built in this era had a lovely soft, red brick typically sourced from the Don Valley Brick Works. The brick on the exterior of 11 Madison was painted by a previous owner. The paint will be removed and the masonry repaired. The design of the IEC blends this historic property with the modern, Nordic-inspired elements of the rest of the Centre. When will the design finishes be finalized? The design team continues to refine the final choices of what materials will be used and who the suppliers will be. Please see https://www.estoniancentre.ca/post/march-10-2020 for a de-
around the coasts of the Baltic Sea back in the day. Viking boats were construct ed with heavy planks of wood, rather than opting for a craft like the light and maneuverable birchbark canoes of Indigenous Canadians. Allowing a heavy boat like this to float requires metal and dependable reinforc ing structure. First, local wood is milled and cut into planks. The planks are bent into precise curvature, fit together with cop per nails, and strengthened with bows that go across the width of the boat’s hull. One of Kreem and NordEstNõva’s creations, Thule, is 6.7 metres long, with oar ports that are fine-tuned to the movements of the oars, as well as a rounded and carved front stempost. A mast and sail were added, though this wasn’t a typical Viking feature, so it could move with the help of the wind. The final touches involve brushing varnish on the entirety of the boat and intentionally filling the boat up with water, so that any gaps in the wooden planks close tightly together. You must be humble and patient before you can glide proudly across the water. As with most Viking boats, this variety wasn’t intended for use on the open ocean or sea. The boats would usually hug
It’s estimated the building process will take the time of the Estonian House leaseback to complete. It’s important that we remain committed to the “one-move” scenario so activities, equipment and supplies can move right from the Estonian House to the IEC with as little disruption as possible. How does the inspection process work? There are a series of checks and balances throughout the whole process and lots of eyes on everything. The general contractor calls the appropriate city official to the site when they are ready for an inspection. In addition, a third party engineering firm will also come in at several key points during the construction. This takes place during tasks such as measuring strength of concrete for the foundation, the glass installation, electrical and plumbing systems, elevator operation, etc. When the project is complete, all the final details are in place and the building is safely and securely ready to operate, the building department grants the occupancy permit and the doors to the new International Estonian Centre can open! Keep in touch with project news • Visit our website www.estoniancentre.ca for regular updates • Sign up for our monthly email newsletter at www.estoniancentre.ca • Follow us EestiKeskus
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the coastline and come in and out of fjords, which was useful for rapid raids and skirmishes. The crews would row from place to place, taking turns every 8 kilometres or so. At times, they could have been rowing away under raining arrows from coastal defences. In 2008 and 2010, archaeolo gists on the coast of Saaremaa discovered Scandinavian ships with arrowheads embedded in their sides, presumably from arrows shot by the Oeselians of Saaremaa. A hand-crafted rowboat can work just as well for a leisurely paddle, too, just as the people of Nõva have enjoyed when some of these boats were finished. Their increased width allows for more stability, which would come in handy for fish ing. While there’s no store front for you to go in and buy a wooden boat like this in Estonia, you can learn boat building skills in a hands-on way from Eesti Viikingid’s workshops. Likewise, you can contact NordEstNõva at nen@ nordestnova.org to access more info regarding their boat expe ditions and community activi ties. They both welcome and encourage participants from all over to make fun memories... and boats!
