Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/124234
courtesy Cannon Design Architecture Inc. surrounding new athletic precinct that 'we are here.'" The interior esthetic of modern anodized aluminum, glass, walnut and polished concrete carries through the facility. "A truly modern medical, therapeutic, analytical performance and sport-training facility lies within, along with sport and medical-related offices and retail, planned food services and community soccer program," says Kensick. The general contractor for the project was Stuart Olson Dominion, headquartered in Richmond, B.C. As project manager, Houman Rounaghi is pleased to say his company received the Vancouver Regional Construction Association 2009 General Contractor Award for a project of more than $50 million. "Construction was tough due to the extensiveness of the changes from the original start to the final building," says Rounaghi. "We were responsible for meeting our deadline, while still meeting the owner's requests for changes. It was a challenge." Mehrdad Jahangiri, a senior structural engineer with Vancouver's Fast + Epp, says the concept of the two-storey podium structure with what is essentially three floors of hotel on top for athletes is new to North America, but well known in Europe. Location 3713 Kensington Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. Owner/developer Fortius Sport & Health Architect Cannon Design Architecture Inc. General Contractor Stuart Olson Dominion Construction Structural Consultant Fast + Epp Mechanical/electrical Consultant Stantec Consulting Civil Consultant Vector Engineering Landscape Architect Durante Kreuk Ltd. Total area 144,240 square feet Total construction cost $61 million "This was one of my first projects in Canada," says Jahangiri. "Before coming to Canada I worked in Germany as a structural engineer. We designed the whole project, basically, in three main parts: the podium structure, a gymnasium attached to the ground floor and then three floors of hotel on top of the podium." "This building typology has never been seen before in North America to our knowledge," says Kensick. "It is a huge accomplishment achieved by a charitable organization, the Fortius Foundation. And it's mainly due to the commitment and dream of the main benefactor, Scott Cousens, who provided $23 million to the project. This is a unique accomplishment." Working with the team as landscape architect was Pawel Gradowski, partner with Vancouver-based Durante Kreuk Ltd. "The project was nice and smooth, after it was restarted," says Gradowski. "We worked on the esthetics of the entry and the surrounding grounds, including a catch basin to collect rainwater coming off the building and parking area." As well as using native plants, Gradowski placed boulders and river rock in various locations to create play and rest areas. "There's a fenced area at the back for employees to go outside, to eat lunch or take a break," says Gradowski. "We used boulders to make it interesting. In the north part, adjacent to nearby playing fields, is a kids' area where they can congregate and hang out. There's a certain 'cool factor' there." "The Fortius Athlete Development Centre is the crown jewel of the new, innovative and visionary City of Burnaby sports precinct, zoned to include all sport-related facilities," says Greg Kensick. "It will deliver a game-changing, lifechanging experience." n Professional Architectural & Interior Design Photographer • Colour Correct Process www.LumicPhoto.com 92/ april 2013 Fortius Athlete Development Centre Reuben Krabbe.indd 1 p88-93Goodes_Fortius.indd 92 604.698.6414 13-01-10 12:19 PM 13-04-05 2:28 PM