Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/124234
13-03-20 4:23 PM The exterior is a combination of brick, stone, precast concrete, Hardie board, wood and stucco – the variation between distinct surface types called for meticulous craftsmanship. "When you bring two materials together, they have varying textures and dimensions," says Don Voth, owner of Metro-Can Construction (AB) Ltd., general contractor on the project. "It required a lot of on-site mock-ups to ensure the envelope works and is weatherproof." An extremely confined site with little storage also challenged the general contractor, who solved the problem with extra attention to logistics and coordination, and by ordering materials in smaller batches and immediately placing them in the vicinity of their use. Carlos Rios, project manager for Metro-Can, says, "Some precast and stone were specific for certain locations so the masonry contractor had to dismantle and open the bundles at his own yard to take what he needed to the right places when required." Extremes in the multiple componentry and materials meant the team had to pull together to solve design issues, says Voth. "We couldn't just use a general concept drawing. We had to mock up or detail expanded drawings to bring out the design and the method, and contemplate all the Oak Bay Beach Hotel p74-77Oak Bay.indd 77 Project Oak Bay Beach Hotel Location 1175 Beach Drive, Oak Bay, Victoria, B.C. Owner / Developer Bison Properties Ltd. project manager Durwest Construction Management Inc. architect Bas Smith Architect Inc. General contractor Metro-Can Construction (AB) Ltd. Structural consultant Genivar Mechanical consultant AME Consulting Group Ltd. Electrical consultant Applied Engineering Solutions Ltd. Civil consultant Stantec Consulting Ltd. acoustical consultant Wakefield Acoustics Ltd. Interior design Porada Design Group Canada Landscape architect Forth Land Planning Total building area 139,000 square feet Total construction cost $52 million different ways of getting the components to fit together." The owner also placed great emphasis on noise control. Walker wanted hotel guests and condominium residents to experience a high degree of acoustical privacy between units and to be exposed to minimal levels of intrusive noise. As a result, Wakefield Acoustics Ltd. worked very closely with the project team to assure that the owner's acoustical design objectives were met. The building meets Green Key EcoRating Program requirements and features a host of eco-features like a stormwater management system and high-efficiency heating and cooling. "The owners got the building they planned," says Kray. "They received lots of advice, but held true to their belief of creating a lasting legacy." "We wanted to be sure we did it right and came out with a successful business that impacted the community in a positive way," says Walker. "This community loved the old building, and after nine years of effort we have what will become one of Canada's leading destination hotels." n photo: mike smith april 2013 /77 13-04-05 2:20 PM