OLD DOGWOOD, NEW TRICKS Repurposed space shows benefits of adaptive renewal

The Dogwood Auditorium at Royal Roads University (RRU LTA) gives a dilapidated former swimming pool a new lease on life as a flexible gathering space for celebrations, assemblies, and day-to-day teaching. Initially built in 1959 for cadet training by the Royal Roads Military College, the demand for the swimming pool dropped when the University took over the site and it was decommissioned in the early 2000’s.

A shining example of adaptive reuse, the design of the multi-purpose presentation space was rooted in efforts to transform, rather than replace.

While most buildings on RRU’s Colwood campus are of English Edwardian architecture, the pool building sat alone in the woods but stood out for its international architectural style. The renovation left the familiar forested site largely undisturbed.

Inside, a six-lane lap pool with bleacher seating took up the main room, with an adjoining squash court and changing facilities. The RRU decided to repurpose the building rather than tear it down, resulting in a flexible auditorium for hosting graduations, conferences, and convocation ceremonies.

g Prevent interior condensation and mould g Streamline balcony design by eliminating the need for bulky wrapped insulation g Improve overall thermal transmittance (U-value) at structural penetrations by up to 50% g Meet annual Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) targets for better building energy efficiency

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The front entrance features an art piece by Kwakwak’awakw artist Carey Newman, titled ‘All My Relations’, symbolizing relations between the land, air, water and spirit worlds and inspired by conversations with Asma-na-hi Antoine, the university’s Director of Indigenous Engagement.

The large-scale renovation reused the concrete structure, allowing a large portion of the embodied carbon of the existing building to be retained. However, new HVAC systems were required in which the bulk of the ductwork serving the larger spaces was run in old pool corridors located below the large multi-purpose room. This led to displacement plenums that were concealed behind the interior architectural wood slat finish. Some buried ductwork was also included to work around the existing building structure. The result of this is an effective system that is discrete, quiet and not directly visible to the occupants.

A single air handler serves the building and provides ventilation throughout all occupied spaces. A dynamic filter achieves a MERV-15 level of filtration to provide exceptional air quality to the building occupants. The HVAC system was sized to provide 100% outdoor air in the summer to further enhance the ventilation quality during these periods.

Project Credits

Client Royal Roads University

Architect hcma Architecture + Design

Construction Durwest Construction Manag3ment Inc

Civil Engineer ONPOINT Project Engineers Ltd

Electrical Engineer AES Engineering

Mechanical Engineer AME Consulting Mechanical Engineers

Structural Engineer RJC Engineers

Landscape Architect Associated Engineering Ltd

With a vision of creating a sustainable showcase, the mechanical systems incorporate a ground source heat pump in which the heat pump loop ties indirectly to ground water that flows beneath the building. By using this water as a cooling and heating rejection source we were able to heat and cool the space efficiently with significant reductions in energy use.

The ground source heat pump also provides preheating of the domestic water via indirect water heaters. The bulk of the temperature rise can be achieved through these tanks. The low temperature heating system is supplemented by a high efficiency condensing gas-fired boiler during times when the ground-source heat pump cannot provide sufficient heating capacity. The boiler is also used to top-up the pre-heated domestic water to sufficient temperatures for storage and distribution.

Extend acoustic batt 16mm GWB fire blocking/thermal barrier

Gravel stop beyond transitions to parapet as roof deck slopes down

Fire block to separate exterior wall cavity from ceiling space

Ceiling suspension grid (seismic restrained)

Preformed metal reveal column @ ceiling

Exposed steel column

Prefin. mtl cap flashing Vapour barrier Strip v.b. from roof thru break in sheathing, and lap over with avb from exterior wall

HSS support structure at cw infill steel with structural steel studs suitable to carry loads of stone anchors

Lap wall avb over thru-wall flashing Flashing w/ end dams and flat lock seams

Rod & sealant

Align Deflection mullion anchor to structural steel at header

Line of curtainwall jamb beyond

Lobby - Window Head / Parapet @ Stone

Wall cleat for roof membrane - sealant

Line of parapet to lower canopy roof Cont. wd. corner.

Thru wall scupper drain at east parapet to lower canopy roof

Cavity to vent and weep through mitre joint. min. 6mm gap c/w insect screen

Cavity wallfor diffusion vent.

Steel beam

Concealed space above ceiling

Prefinished metal t&g ceiling angle along edge

Large Multipurpose Room Lobby

Existing conc. struct. beam

Slat Wall - Lobby / Large Multi-purpose Room

Upgrades to the existing building structure and finishes were completed throughout the building to extend the life of the existing structure. Large heritage clearstory windows light up the newly renovated multipurpose spaces while new floor-to-ceiling windows provide large amounts of natural light to the new expanded welcome area.

The flexible nature of the multipurpose spaces will allow for future program changes to occur without requiring renovations to the new spaces. The large mechanical equipment, housed in the basement of the building, is arranged to allow convenient servicing. The nature of the ground-source loop means it has very little maintenance required to run it long term. The other equipment is expected to maintain its current level of operation with typical maintenance.

Adaptive reuse can offer benefits over building new. It preserves the existing building stock thus reducing the need for demolition and landfill, protects the site’s trees, and reuses existing materials.

From a functional perspective, the university has retained the heritage of its existing building stock, doubled the capacity of event space on campus, and created an opportunity to rent the space out for public events.

The Dogwood Auditorium follows in the footsteps of the neighbouring Sherman Jen building by modifying the existing building supply to suit the new needs and demands of the university. By breathing new life into old buildings, we can provide a valuable like-new space while minimizing the impact on the natural space around these buildings and avoiding new embodied carbon that would typically be required for a similar new building. Both buildings are prominent representatives of the University’s greater green initiatives.

This month, hcma is pleased to announce that RRU Dogwood Auditorium has been recognized by the BC Heritage Awards in the Conservation category. What was once a place of spirited competition is now a dynamic venue on the thriving Westshore.

By Stuart Rothnie, Architect AIBC, Principal at hcma Architecture + Design.