Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1274063
Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB. J U LY 2 0 2 0 | 15 Steel Building Systems P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E SY V I C W E S T CO R P O R AT I O N S teel buildings are in high demand in 2020, and manufacturers are even reporting a few milestones, along with improvements in technology. But 2020 is also a year in which representatives of the sector are compelled to promote the advantages of steel buildings to professionals in the construction trades. "All of our members are very busy, but the fact remains we still don't see as widespread an acceptance of our products as enjoyed by those who work in concrete or wood," explains Meredith Perez, marketing manager at the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute (CSSBI). Accordingly, the CSSBI this year is staging a series of lunch and learn events and webinars to dispel myths and provide guests with enough information to enable them to make responsible decisions about the fundamentals of their building projects. "We're trying to give architects and engineers the bigger picture about the benefits of steel buildings," says Perez. "For example, many of them wrongly assume they need to know the specifics of steel building construc- tion, when in fact that's the responsibility of the manufacturers." The CSSBI also relies on the sheer beauty of some of its members' completed projects to dispel the prevailing myth that steel buildings are utilitarian and not amenable to architectural creativity. This year, the CSSBI is showcasing the work of Vicwest on the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts at Mount Royal University in Calgary, designed by Pfeiffer Architecture. The visually stunning facility, featuring an 800-seat concert hall, was inspired by the geography and geology of the surrounding region. The entire building frame is structural steel and the wall cladding is roll-formed pre-painted steel. Steel was chosen for economic reasons and for its relatively light weight, plus the fact that the dramatic juxtaposition of angular and curved shapes throughout the interior were much easier to achieve with steel than other building materials. The American Buildings Company (ABC) is another company cited by Perez for its remarkable work, specifically the Irving Oil Field House YMCA in Saint John, New Brunswick: a 127,000-square-foot facility that includes two artificial turf surfaces, a walking track, a fitness centre, and child-care and after-school programs. ABC's insulated metal panels are part of the framing, roof, and wall systems that have enabled the company to lead the pre-engineered metal building industry in technology, design flexibility, and quality for over 70 years – and for the Irving Oil Field House, ABC installed 15-inch-thick insulation to ensure the facility would be comfortable during the harsh New Brunswick winters. The building also exhibits many noteworthy design elements such as a continuous standing seam roof assembly (no cap). Perez says, "We're definitely using the Irving Oil Field House this year in our lunch and learn series to showcase the efficiency of steel buildings." Like the CSSBI, Robertson Building Systems (whose building components include rigid frames, wall girts, roof purlins, bracing, many different panel profiles, insulation, and accessories including doors and windows) is helping to dispel the misconceptions about steel buildings by also staging lunch and learn sessions for architects. One of its seminars addresses versatility in design and retrofit capabilities as well as the durability, longevity, and other benefits, as well as the numerous structural framing members and architectural details necessary for proper design. A separate seminar pertains to the more stringent and closely regulated building energy standards and codes as they affect the building envelope for metal buildings. According to Genevieve Filteau, director of marketing for Honco, 2020 is "crazy busy" for the venerable Quebec-based company that provides everything from steel building and construction to engineering, architecture, building expansion, and project management. New projects demonstrate the versatility of steel building systems by ROBIN BRUNET All Shapes And Sizes