The fall issuu by Canada's Elite Construction

FALL ISSUE 2013

CONSCIOUS BUILDING IN A GREENER CANADA by: Angel Anthony Construction in present day Canada has had to help shoulder the responsibility of the green movement to be a part 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 as environmentally conscious as possible to remain competitive in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 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 regulation and customer demands and had to abandon building techniques and materials of the past for a 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 Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 optimum cost to the customer. Considerations that are taken for a green construction project will be as follows:

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•Life-Cycle Assessment of materials and how long they are potentially good for •Efficiency of the building site for the best use of space and natural resources •Efficiency of the building, layout and spaced or best use for the customer •Water and energy efficiency for general conservation •Green building material to reduce waste and increase recycling •Indoor environmental quality which is a standard that can be certified by CaGBC Criteria such as these will aid not only the overall good 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 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 cannot be avoided during a project, proper maintenance of the equipment not only helps cut down on pollution and excessive fuel usage also 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. NCR 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.

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contents / fall issue 2013

3. CONSCIOUS BUILDING IN A GREENER CANADA

Construction in present day Canada has had to help shoulder the responsibility of the green movement to be a part of conserving resources, recycling materials and lowering pollution to aid in a better tomorrow for all its citizens.

Niagara Tunnel Team Wears through Tough Rock in Creating a Historic Source of Power It was September 2005 when Toronto-based Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced the start of

construction on what it expected would be a $985 million, 10.4-kilometre long tunnel to increase the output of hydro power from Niagara Falls.

14. Striking a Chord - CANA’s Crews Hum as Construction of Mount Royal

Conservatory Gets Underway

The 102-year-old Mount Royal University in Calgary prides itself on the fact that students receive personalized attention from their professors in small classes.

17. A HEALTHY START - New Hospital Sets Its Sights on Green Construction

20. From Take-Off Drawings to Preparing for Take-Off. Construction Teams Work to Double Calgary

International Airport’s International Terminal Calgary International Airport’s East Concourse has been teeming with the noises of coming and going from thousands of people each day—although the concourse isn’t scheduled to be fully constructed until October 2015.

30. Head in the Clouds - Appia Development's New Multi-Use Project

Reaches Toward the Sky

The first two phases of the new SOLO District development in Burnaby, B.C., are off the ground and moving closer toward the clouds and the opulence that general contractor Appia Development has signed up to provide.

34.

Energy in Motion: The Vantage Pipeline Crosses Borders to Bring Ethane Supply to Alberta. In 2010, NOVA Chemicals signed a memorandum of understanding with the global energy company Hess Corp. and Vantage Pipeline Canada ULC,

39.

NOVA SCOTIA POWER - LEEDing The Way In Building Design

46.

The University of British Columbia Gains a A Tree Grows on the a Unique Pharmaceutical Sciences Building 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 medications physicians.

50.

Expanded Edmonton International Airport Powered by an Upgraded Central Utilities Plant. Edmonton International Airport is wrapping up an expansion that will make it easier for travelers to enjoy their stay in and rapid passage through the airport terminals.

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A POWERFUL PROJECT

Niagara Tunnel Team Wears through Tough Rock in Creating a Historic Source of Power

By Megan Headley

It was September 2005 when Toronto-based Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced the start of construction on what it expected would be a $985 million, 10.4-kilometre long tunnel to increase the output of hydro power from Niagara Falls. Before its completion in March 2013, and before water capable

of generating 100 years of power began to fill the addition to the Sir Adam Beck Generating Complex, the project would face tremendous challenges. However, the construction crew persevered and the project objectives were achieved. “I am proud of the chance to complete this project,”

says Bernhard Mitis, project manager with general contractor STRABAG Inc. in Niagara Falls. More than simply being a part of a historic project, Mitis says that one of the greatest parts of this project was being part of a “very good team working together.”

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Moving Underground

A Rock and a Hard Place

The project required STRABAG Inc. to bore a tunnel 14.4 metres in diameter at a depth of up to 140 metres below the city of Niagara Falls. To do so, the GC employed the world’s largest hard rock tunnel boring machine (TBM), lovingly nicknamed “Big Becky.” Becky began her more than 10 kilometre trek beneath the city in September 2006. At 14.4 metres in diameter, Big Becky was more than 2 times the diameter of a typical Toronto subway tunnel and more than 1 ½ times the size of the English Channel tunnels. The TBM employed fifteen 325-kilowatt electric motors to spin the cutterhead. A trailing series of conveyor belts carried excavated rock back out of the tunnel. More than 1.6 million cubic metres of rock, were removed to OPG property including about 500,000 cubic metres of Queenston shale for later use by Ontario’s clay brick industry. The team expected an average advance rate of 12 to 15 metres a day from Big Becky and predicted she would emerge at the other end of the tunnel within two years. What wasn’t expected was the difficult strata through which the TBM was to bore. “A significant issue with the rock conditions – thin horizontal bedding, high horizontal stress and excess crown over break ended up taking the project longer than originally anticipated,” explains Rick Everdell, project director for OPG.

Almost from the beginning it was apparent that the boring would be slower than anticipated. The Queenston shale proved to be unpredictable and unstable, requiring slow, careful progress on the part of Big Becky’s operators. By March 2008, the GC was looking to change the route to avoid the delays caused by over break, or loose rock that would fall from the tunnel’s roof as the TBM passed through. By charting a new course, both vertically and horizontally, the team sought to find more stable rock and safer conditions. Even after the course was changed, however, tunnel boring had to be halted at several spots for repairs to the tunnel and maintenance for Big Becky. Cracked steel beams and falls of small portions of the tunnel crown support challenged workers throughout the project. The 2009 deadline for tunnel completion quickly became unrealistic as the team faced setback after setback. OPG and STRABAG agreed to a revised schedule and plugged ahead, as carefully as possible.

Lining the Tunnel In May 2011, Big Becky finally finished her now 10.2 kilometre journey beneath the City of Niagara Falls and the long process of dismantling the massive machine—a several month-long undertaking in itself—began. As Becky moved out, concrete kept moving in.

Installation of the tunnel’s concrete lining had actually gotten underway in 2010, and continued through 2012. The tunnel lining consists of a layer of shotcrete installed at the time of boring, followed by a waterproofing membrane and

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a permanent concrete liner made of unreinforced, cast-inplace, concrete 600-milimetres thick and poured in 12.5-metre sections. The permanent liner was installed in two stages: the bottom portion of the tunnel, or invert, and the arch lining of the

upper two-thirds of the tunnel. Arch carriers, designed and fabricated by STRABAG subsidiaries, moved along ledges cast in the invert concrete, carrying the heavy components needed to complete the top section of the tunnelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liner.

Operators with portable controls moved the various carriers. Two of these carriers moved the two 12.5-metre long steel forms known as arch shutters that were used to hold and shape the concrete for the upper two-thirds of the permanent concrete liner, 9

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while others were used to pump concrete into the forms and install and test the waterproofing membrane. Meanwhile, work proceeded on either end of the tunnel as well. Workers built a reinforced concrete intake structure on the upstream side of the International Niagara Control Works. In addition, a reinforced concrete outlet structure measuring approximately 30 metres long, 20 metres wide and almost 40 metres high incorporates an emergency closure gate. The outlet was designed to provide a smooth transition for water to flow out of the tunnel and into the canals that feed the water to the hydroelectric stations. Work on the complexly shaped structure had to proceed slowly, with the placement of formwork, rebar and concrete in several stages. The work was further complicated by the movement of construction traffic in and out of the tunnel while the outlet structure was being built.

Safety First When two earlier tunnels were constructed along this route in the 1950s, safety was hardly front and centre in the minds of the contractors. Incomplete records indicate that 8 to 20 workers died as a result of accidents during the construction of those early tunnels. That provided additional motivation to the GC to keep the project safe, but in truth, safety was a top priority for OPG and the contractor long before this project. Mitis takes pride in the fact that the project was “completed in a safe manner, with no deadly or bad injuries.” In fact, at the peak of construction, 580 workers could be found onsite, and yet the workers’ safety record was twice as good as the industry average. Plenty of danger existed, but was managed carefully by STRABAG. For example, in July 2011, about 1,000 cubic metres of shotcrete, steel ribs,

wire mesh and loose rock fell from the tunnel crown about 6 kilometres from the outlet portal. No one was injured, and the contractor went to great lengths to ensure no one would be by similar events. An investigation by STRABAG’s engineering consultants turned up the cause as a thin layer of brittle power glen shale, unique to that portion of the tunnel, that buckled under the high horizontal stress and overloaded the rockbolts. After monitoring for other areas of possible concern, the GC beefed up some of the initial supports to prevent another accident and work continued uneventfully. Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind In the end, the project did not go as originally planned due to the challenges with the rock. But given the unexpected difficulties posed by the rock, it went better than one might have imagined. In fact, the project cost ultimately was $100 million lower than the revised $1.6 billion budget, and

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the in-service date was nine months sooner than projected when the design build contract was revised in 2009. The July 2013 water flow test showed that the tunnel successfully meets the design capacity of 500 cubic metres per second. By August 2013, the intake site, landscaped with grass, trees and a bicycle path along the river, was returned to the Niagara Parks Commission. The only remaining trace of the eight years of work put in by hundreds of workers is the rapid flow of the water and the lights glowing across the province.

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Striking a Chord By Megan Headley

CANA’s Crews Hum as Construction of Mount Royal Conservatory Gets Underway The 102-year-old Mount Royal University in Calgary prides itself on the fact that students receive personalized attention from their professors in small classes. So when the university decided to construct a new concert hall, it sought an intimate venue where its audiences would always be subject to superb acoustics. However, the 92,000-grosssquare-foot Bella Concert Hall is only a part of a much broader project, which upon completion will include not only the concert hall but also flexible teaching rooms, instructional spaces for private lessons, rehearsal halls for ensembles, a suite for the school’s Early Childhood music 14

instructional program, a student lounge and board rooms, a multilevel lobby and a rooftop terrace. According to project architect Pfeiffer Partners Architects Inc. in Los Angeles, the center is part of a six-phased expansion program for the university meant to accommodate nearly double the nearly 14,000 students enrolled at the campus today. The multi-story concert hall will be the flagship of the expansion and a laudable gateway for this quickly growing campus. “This project is the result of twelve years of work and it affords the conservatory the opportunity for expansion of its community and outreach programs,” says Paul

Dornian, director of the Mount Royal Conservatory. “It is exciting for us and the community.” As the university is quick to point out to applying students, it also considers itself a team player, and this is a characteristic the university sought when it selected its design and construction team. Collaborative Design Because the five-story performance facility is meant to benefit the entire community, it has received approximately $90 million in funding from federal and local government; in addition to private donors

FALL ISSUE 2013

such as the Taylor family (the concert hall takes its name from Mary Belle Taylor). That spirit of collaboration continued with the design of the project when Pfeiffer Partners teamed up with building envelope consultant Sahuri + Partners Architecture Inc. in Calgary to create a concept that matched the university’s vision. The concept for the concert hall is a 774-seat space with 10 theatre boxes and an 89-seat

choir loft, all designed to reflect Alberta's rural heritage. Upon its completion by spring 2015, the university reports, it will include structural and design elements as well as coloring meant to invoke the weathered barns that are a familiar view across Alberta’s prairie landscape. In the concert hall, that image will be evoked through heavy timbers and an abstract depiction of the Alberta Rose on the acoustical canopy, according to Pfeiffer Partners.

Clearing the Ground Today, however, the conservatory’s color scheme remains the grey of poured foundations as construction is fully underway. In December 2012, Calgarybased CANA Construction, the general contractor led by project manager Stewart Coulter, officially broke ground on the conservatory. Since then, the project has moved at a steady pace toward completion. By 15

CANADA’S ELITE CONSTRUCTION

mid-May 2013, the foundations had been completed and the performance facility began to clear the ground. Even as the upper stories began taking shape, CANA’s crews worked to lay the plenum under the concert hall’s main floor. Much has yet to be done as the building continues to take shape. While the interior of the concert hall may be made cosy by the rich, dark coloring and textures of the wood, the façade will benefit from expansive glazing meant to maximize the building’s solar exposure and provide plenty of natural lighting. Ultimately, the massive windows are expected to be one factor in the building’s LEED Gold certification.

A Final Note Although the performing arts program is original to the Mount Royal University’s curriculum, the school certainly is not holding onto the past in every aspect. The new building is looking forward as a beacon to budding musicians and the local community alike. “Mount Royal brings music education to thousands of people every year,” says Heather Klimchuk, Alberta culture minister. “The new Mount Royal Conservatory will make it possible for many more students to share that experience, and the Bella Concert Hall will be a joyful place connecting Calgarians and all Albertans to musical culture.”

FALL ISSUE 2013

New Hospital Sets Its Sights on Green Construction By Megan Headley

A HEALTHY START

Toronto’s Humber River Hospital is one of Canada’s largest acute care hospitals. Upon the completion of its new facility, slated for opening in the Fall of 2015, the hospital will also be North America’s first fully digital hospital. As well as being on the cutting edge of technology integration, the new Humber River Hospital “will be a lean, green building, incorporating the latest in environmental sustainability concepts,” says Dr. Rueben Devlin, president and CEO of the hospital. “It will be patient,

family and community-friendly, bringing a new way of thinking to hospital design in Canada.” Breaking Ground General contractor PCL Constructors Canada Inc. broke ground on the new facility on December 2nd of 2011. Since that day, work has moved quickly, with cranes moving onsite in February 2012 and the first pour for the concrete foundation taking place by the end of March. Final concrete was poured on the North and South Podiums just over a year later in April of 2013.

Developer Plenary Health Care Partnerships estimates that, at the peak of construction, more than 1,200 workers will be onsite on any given day. Healthy Building Sustainable construction was a focus for the new hospital from day one. The design team of HDR Architects and C.F. Møller Architects set their sights on achieving LEED Silver certification and meeting Tier 1 requirements from Toronto’s Green Standard, and introduced a number of features to meet that goal. 17

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According to the hospital, the focus on “green” began with the selection of a site that would transform unused vacant lots into a much-needed project for the surrounding community. The facility’s design makes the most of the site’s orientation, taking advantage of seasonal climate conditions as well as surface water drainage and solar gain. Construction teams also hit the ground with a focus on being gentle with the environment, keeping 75 percent of construction waste out of the landfill.

In addition, hospital officials note, patients will benefit from 100% fresh air – no air is recirculated in the building - and low Volatile Organic Compound emission finishes. On completion, the site will feature native, drought-resistant plants in a landscaped area intended

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As the walls go up, PCL has been working with recycled and locally sourced building materials. The building’s highperformance shell embraces the use of glass to not only connect patients, staff and visitors with expansive views of the outdoors, but to make the most of natural daylighting in interior spaces.

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An emphasis on natural lighting is but one way the building is expected to reduce energy usage over the current facility by as much as 40 percent. To top it all off there is reflective roofing specially designed to minimize solar heat gain and reduce the work of the 80 air handling units to be installed within the building. Fifty percent of the building will feature a green roof. On the inside, the building will see installation of low-flush toilets, faucets and showers to reduce the use of water by 35 percent compared to the previous facility.

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to promote healthy physical activity. Staff will be encouraged to take advantage of alternative means of transportation, including biking, carpooling and ridesharing, through the hospital’s partnership with Smart Commute Toronto.

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Meeting Regional Needs Upon its completion, the new Humber River Hospital will span 1.8 million square feet and still manage to see savings of roughly 20,000 tons of CO2 thanks to green initiatives from both construction and operation. The green facility is simply setting the stage for further innovation, since hospital officials note that Humber River will be North America’s first fully digital hospital. Plans call for such innovations as automated guided vehicles to deliver supplies, to bedside computer screens allowing patients more control over their room environment, to online access to their patient record. The community couldn’t be more eager to see the finished product.

“I am thrilled to see construction underway on our community’s new hospital,” says Laura Albanese, MPP for York SouthWeston. “This project is creating jobs and demonstrates our government’s commitment to serve the healthcare needs of families in their time of need.”

“The new Humber River Hospital is a shared goal for a modern, high-quality hospital,” adds Mario Sergio, MPP for York West. “With construction started, the reality of a new hospital providing continued, quality healthcare and treatment to residents in our community is closer than ever.”

Head in the Clouds

By Megan Headley

FALL ISSUE 2013

Appia Development's New Multi-Use Project Reaches Toward the Sky The first two phases of the new SOLO District development in Burnaby, B.C., are off the ground and moving closer toward the clouds and the opulence that general contractor Appia Development has signed up to provide. Led by project manager Ron Strik, Appia is turning the six acre site into a multi-use space intended to bring new residents to an area that the entire local community will be able to enjoy. Notable Height The SOLO District at the corners of Lougheed and Willingdon is expected to be more than a project—it’s the beginnings of a neighbourhood. SOLO, an acronym for South of Lougheed, is slated to include 1,400 condos within four residential towers, as well as 500,000 square feet of shops and office space. Of the four planned residential phases, Stratus and Altus are under construction today, with Cirrus and Aerius slated to follow soon. Chris Dikeakos Architects Inc. designed the towers in a style the developer calls “downtown elegant,” a sleek mix of limestone, wood, glass, concrete and steel. Although today only the concrete and steel is on view for passersby, the district already is making news. Upon its completion at a height of 550 feet, Altus will be the tallest structure in Burnaby. In British Columbia, the 55-storey tower will be second in height only to Vancouver’s Shangri-La. “We’re very proud to be building the tallest tower in Burnaby,” says Jim Bosa, president of

Appia Developments. Bosa adds, “The development of Altus is proof that Burnaby is growing into a ‘livable urban community’ that is not only a great place to live, but an excellent place to do business as well.” Stylish and Sustainable In addition to stylish amenities to match the panoramic views, the towers are being built for sustainability inside and out. Ultimately, Appia is aiming for LEED Gold certification for the project. As construction moves apace, the building envelope will incorporate such features as double-glazed Energy Star windows with low-E glass designed to provide insulation from the elements as well as UV protection. Inside, the towers will incorporate geothermal heat exchange systems. Appia is working with FortisBC to provide renewable thermal heat for water as well as heating and cooling the towers. In addition, each residence will feature individual natural gas meters that will allow residents to control their use of natural gas, and pay only for what they use. Finally, each condo is being outfitted with high-efficiency Energy Star appliances. SOLO District, sited just across from the Brentwood Town Centre SkyTrain station, will provided a quick commute to downtown Vancouver, and will be integrated with pedestrian paths, a cycling route, Modo car sharing vehicles and electric car charging stations for some residents. Taking the “green” focus a step further,

the city’s first Whole Foods, an organic-focused supermarket, has signed up to occupy some of the district’s retail space. “These lessons of sustainable community development will serve as a blueprint to fundamentally recreate Brentwood Town Centre into a model green community that will be another legacy for future generations,” says Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan. Community Space Because the SOLO District is intended to create a new neighbourhood community, the construction team is engaging the surrounding community with promises of exciting new amenities. These will include wide, pedestrian-friendly boulevards lined with shopping and beautifully landscaped green areas for gathering. As part of Burnaby’s density bonus program, Appia Developments is contributing $32 million in community amenities, including a 4,000-square-foot community space to be owned by City Hall and $30 million in cash to be used for off-site amenities. Residents, however, will gain the most in terms of community gathering. “Aside from the height of the building, we’re very excited about the rooftop entertainment space that will be offered to residents of Altus,” says George Wong, principal of Magnum Projects, which is handling sales for the project. “The top floor will be home to ‘Club 55’ a luxurious indoor-outdoor clubhouse 31

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offering residents more than 5,000 square feet of recreational space. Simply put, Altus will have the best views in the Lower Mainland.” Coming Soon The first tower, Stratus, is slated for completion in early 2015. Residents are eager for that date, as space in the under-construction towers is already selling fast. “We firmly believe that SOLO District is poised to change the way we live in the Lower Mainland,” Wong says. “SOLO District will have everything anyone needs within a short distance.”

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Energy in Motion The Vantage Pipeline Crosses Borders to Bring Ethane Supply to Alberta By Megan Headley

In 2010, NOVA Chemicals signed a memorandum of understanding with the global energy company Hess Corp. and Vantage Pipeline Canada ULC, a Calgarybased developer of energy infrastructure, to purchase and transport ethane produced in Hess’ Tioga Gas Plant in North Dakota via a proposed pipeline to Alberta. The pipeline would link North Dakota’s growing ethane supply to demanding markets in Alberta. Today that pipeline has been realized. The Vantage Pipeline is a high vapour pressure (HVP) pipeline that extends 700 kilometres from a source near Tioga northwest through Saskatchewan to its final destination near Empress, Alberta.

“The ability to transport ethane for use in the plastics industry will provide an important new revenue source for gas producers in North Dakota and will also allow producers to reduce flaring,” explains David Schmunk, chief operating officer of Vantage Pipeline Canada ULC. 34

Pipeline Capacity Ethane gas is a component of natural gas that is used as a feedstock by the petrochemical industry to produce plastics, rubber, detergents and other products. North Dakota’s Hess Co. in Tioga is now producing ethane at levels that make it economically feasible to sell it to consumers.

“This is an exciting opportunity for NOVA Chemicals and Alberta, as it is the first time liquids from the Williston Basin will flow north and tie into existing Alberta infrastructure,” says Randy Woelfel, chief executive officer of NOVA. Vantage Pipeline has managed the design and construction of the approximately $300 million ethane pipeline, overseeing

roughly 400,000 man hours of construction. With an outside diameter of 273 millimetres, the HVP pipe features a maximum operating pressure of 9,930 kilopascals. Early on in the construction process it had the capacity to transport 6,300 cubic meters of liquid ethane per day, although this was bumped up to 9,500 cubic meters per day with the addition of two new pump stations: one at the midpoint of the pipeline, between Lafleche and Assiniboia in Saskatchewan, and a second pump station near Empress. These 1,000-horsepower, electrically driven pumps are located in buildings specially designed to minimize the noise produced by the operation of the pipeline. For all that it is providing for Alberta, only 3 kilometres of the new pipeline actually are located within the province, since as it nears Empress the Vantage line ties into existing infrastructure. The lion’s share

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and cultural and heritage sites. In addition, the pipeline’s path required close negotiations with nine Native American tribes, the North Dakota State Historic Preservation Office and the U.S. Advisory Council for Historic Preservation. In the U.S., tribal monitors were present for the August 2013 groundbreaking activity and throughout the North Dakota construction work in order to submit weekly reports and alert construction crews as to the possible presence of cultural sites of note along the pipeline’s pathway. - 570 kilometres - has been constructed in Saskatchewan, with an additional 130 kilometres in North Dakota. Numerous Approvals Because the pipeline crosses the Canadian-U.S. border, construction depended on gaining numerous approvals from regulatory agencies in both countries. The Canadian National Energy Board granted approval in January 2012. In July 2013, after several years of work, U.S. Senator John Hoeven announced the Presidential-approved permit to build the North Dakota leg. In his announcement, Hoeven called it “another major piece of infrastructure that will help us build our North American energy security partnership with our closest friend and ally Canada.” Years of delays in getting this approval meant a big push from the Vantage Pipeline team to have construction

not only underway but rapidly completed in time to meet Hess’ fourth-quarter 2013 construction deadline. These weren’t the only parties from whom approvals were required, however. The project owner had to undertake an environmental assessment along the route to ensure it would not impact endangered wildlife species, habitat, water crossings

Safety First The pipe itself has undergone a number of measures to ensure it can stand the test of time. All welds have been tested using nondestructive examination methods. Upon passing this first inspection, the steel pipe was given a corrosion-resistant protective coating. The pipeline then was buried to a minimum depth of 1.2 meters beneath the soil.

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Prior to being made fully operational, all sections of the pipeline are being pressuretested with water to at least 125 percent of the pipeline’s maximum allowable operating pressure to further ensure the pipe’s operational safety. Once the pipeline goes online at the end of 2013, it will be monitored and controlled around the clock from a central control facility. Among other things, the pipe will be monitored by a leak detection system that, upon the detection of any anomaly, will automatically shut block valves to isolate that portion of the pipeline. These automated block valves have been situated approximately every 25 kilometres along the pipeline. A Rapid Construction Although planning groups might feel the project has been in the works for eons, construction crews were able to pull together the full pipeline - including adjacent pump stations and valves- in only two years. The long, snaking pipeline also provided an opportunity for businesses to crop up along the route to provide services to the project, and an increase in public revenues through taxes paid to local municipalities and counties along the route. Today, the land reclamation is underway along the pipeline’s route while high-tech production in Alberta is undergoing a boost from the influx of this new ethane supply.

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NOVA SCOTIA POWER

LEEDing The Way In Building Design By: Angel Anthony 39

CANADA’S ELITE CONSTRUCTION

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Setting an example for energy conservation and greener practices can be a daunting challenge for any organization. Ideas have to be created, previous thought processes need to be changed and funding have to be carefully planned out. Nova Scotia Power was able to manage these challenges, allowing them to march forward full force into the 21st century for the betterment of their customer base and the organization by creating an efficient, environmentally-conscious head office in Halifax, Nova Scotia. With the expertise of WZMH Architects of Toronto and with associate architects, Fowler Bauld & Mitchell of Halifax, Nova Scotia Power was able to create a modern day functional monument to set as a shining example of what being “green” is and as well as moving forward in the future. Most people, businesses, and/or public entities might have typically opted for creating an entirely new state of the art building to house their headquarters in. The $53.4 million dollar project was proposed as a renovation as opposed to building a new headquarters. In the spirit of keeping a “green” theme going for this project, the designers and Nova Scotia Power decided to use a former coal burning power plant that was out of service. The out of service power plant sat along the waterfront in Halifax, was deteriorating and created an unpleasant view 41

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along the city’s boardwalk. The skilled architectural team retrofitted and completely renovated the existing structure to approximately 14,600 square meters of state of the art LEED Platinum certified office building which would house around 600 employees who will aid in running Nova Scotia Power for many years to come. Nova Scotia Power named the building “1H,” recognizing the historic name of the substation adjacent to the former power plant. Nova Scotia Power has led by example by not only being LEED certified but managed to attain LEED Platinum certification which is the highest green building rating. It is the first LEED Platinum certified building in Atlantic Canada. The Canada Green Building Council uses a 100 point system to rate the building seeking LEED certification. Areas that will be evaluated will consist of the building’s materials and resources used, water efficiency in regard to the building, the sustainability of the site, the environmental quality within the building and design innovation. Currently there are four levels of accreditation that are awarded when achieving LEED certification: certified from 40 to 49 points, silver from 50 to 59 points, gold from 60 to 79 points and platinum at 80 points or more. 1H has received several awards. The most recent award is the 2013 CUI Brownie Award in 43

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Project Development, which recognizes leadership and innovation in urban renewal. WZMH, along with the expertise of Enermodal Engineering, was able to help the Nova Scotia Power headquarters achieve these accomplishments. In order to achieve such an endeavor, new innovative technologies were used to create a new environmentally friendly standard in building design. Great attention was paid to reducing artificial lighting, landscaping design that reduces irrigation, Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) to allow fresh outside air indoors for climate control, improved plumbing with rainwater collection to aid in reduction of waste water and a chilled beam system which is used to aid in cooling processes via the harbour water which 44

is pumped through the piping throughout the building. All of these “green” designs, along with environmentally friendly building materials, have allowed Nova Scotia Power to lead by example and show there are other ways to design a building while being environmentally conscious. When most building projects are conceived they generally will be designed around a brand new structure. Nova Scotia Power should be proud of themselves for going the extra mile in creating a new headquarters from an existing structure that was not intended for its current use. It’s commendable that this project came from recycling and repurposing the old forgotten power plant and making it a state of the art modern facility. Retrofitting can be a tedious and expensive process and Nova

Scotia Power saw this project through to its completion with the aid of WZMH, Fowler, Bauld & Mitchell Ltd. and Enermodal Engineering. Not only was the standard for green building design raised in Atlantic Canada but Halifax has a magnificent monument that its citizens can admire as they look upon their magnificent city’s waterfront. Nova Scotia Power has ultimately taken great strides in setting an example to the community with their efficient building design. With the new facility, Nova Scotia Power reduces approximately $650,000 annually in costs to its customers. With all these environmentally friendly innovations and cost saving benefits, Nova Scotia Power has created a new standard for other companies to follow for many years to come.

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The University of British Columbia Gains a

e h t n o s w o r G e A Tre

a Unique Pharmaceutical Sciences Building By Angel Anthony

Photos by Marc Cramer

s u p m a C UBC

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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 medications 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. 48

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 awardwinning 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 eyecatching 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 lowlevel 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

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two full-height atria that provide both ample natural daylighting and passive ventilation. In addition, heat recovery from the large data centre in the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basement provides another major energy saving measure. For water conservation, an on-site infiltration system was installed as a means of managing 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 FSCcertified 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 campusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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.

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A POWERFUL PROJECT:

Expanded Edmonton International Airport Powered by an Upgraded Central Utilities Plant.

By Megan Headley

Edmonton International Airport is wrapping up an expansion that will make it easier for travellers to enjoy their stay in and rapid passage through the airport terminals. According to an April 2009 news release issued by the airport, a number of diverse expansion projects were launched to provide some much needed relief to a facility that was, at the start of construction, operating at 20 percent over capacity. When the airport was substantially renovated in 2000 it was able to accommodate up to 5.5 million passengers annually. However, by 2008 the airport was seeing well over 6 million passengers pass through its gates. Thus was born the Expansion 2012 plan, a terminal expansion that would include 50

additional gates, more efficient technologies and a host of new amenities for travellers moving through one of Canada’s fastestgrowing airports. Powering the expanded terminal would be significant upgrades to the airport’s central utilities plant. At the Heart of It All Stuart Olson Dominion handled the design and construction of the airport’s upgraded central utilities plant. According to a 2009 news release issued by Stuart Olson parent company The Churchill Corp., the central utilities plant was one important part of the overall $1 billion dollar construction program that lasted between 2009 and 2012. Stuart Olson's scope of work for the plant entailed providing construction management

services to ensure the adequate installation of mechanical, electrical, storm, sanitary and water services to support the increase capacity associated with the terminal expansion building as well as a new control tower. Pre-construction services began for the contractor in 2009. “Relationships are important to us, particularly the opportunity to once again work with the Edmonton International Airport Authority,” commented Jim Houck, president and CEO of the Churchill Corp., in the news release. “The central utilities plant is one of the most critical initiatives of the proposed Edmonton International Airport Expansion Program and this project award is an example of our ability to execute on the strategy to grow our social infrastructure backlog.” According to information from the Calgary-based construction manager, the project included upgrades to all of the utilities’ plant’s power generators as well as to the current fire loop, plus the installation of a new UPS and fire alarm, new chillers, boilers, controls and lift stations. That new chiller would see an increase in capacity up to 1,200 tones, improving the airport’s ability to cool its expanding facilities. In addition to the powerful upgrades within the plan, Chris Chodan, the airport’s director of

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communications, explains that the expanded utilities building now has 22,000 square metres of roof surface, which will increase storm runoff compared to the former plant. That storm water is being collected and reused, making the airport a little greener while preventing sediment and contaminants from entering the local water systems, Chodan reports. To house that water, the contractor built a 2,000-cubicmetre concrete cistern beneath the terminal. The cistern is able to store enough water to nearly fill an Olympic-size pool. In addition, Stuart Olson was responsible for introducing 25

KVA substations that support the terminal expansion and surrounding tower buildings. Completing the Master Plan Following completion of the utilities plant, Stuart Olson reports that it took on construction of storm, sanitary, water and road works, all part of the airportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s master plan to service and house aircraft hangar developments, as well as some rental car facilities. While the facility projects were completed in 2012, the airport hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stopped yet. This international destination continues to pursue additional

improvements in the way of new runways, while remaining on the lookout for new ways to improve its passengersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; traveling experience.