Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/137453
renderings Courtesy CANA Group of Companies CANA Group – New Headquarters Building by Laurie Jones hen the CANA Group of Companies decided to amalgamate its four divisions in a new head office in Calgary, the creative team went to work to design a four-storey building that would showcase the company's wide range of construction skills under the ownership and guidance of sister company, Shepard Development Corporation. "Shepard is excited to be working with our sister companies on the development of a new head office for the CANA Group," says Christie Simpson, VP, Shepard Development Corporation. "The site has been owned by the Shepard shareholder group for more than 45 years. This development represents Shepard's move into the suburban W office building market in Calgary, which will be further asserted at the Shepard Office Campus at 130th Avenue and Deerfoot Trail in the near future." Simpson adds that working with the CANA Group as both tenant and general contractor has allowed the team, including GEC Architecture, to work together in an extremely collaborative manner. " CANA Group – New Headquarters Building p66-69CANA HO.indd 67 "BIM (Building Information Modeling) has been implemented more fully on this project than on any other CANA has executed to date," says Simpson. The objective of the redevelopment of the head office site is to allow for all companies within the CANA Group – CANA Construction, CANA Utilities, CANA High Voltage and Shepard Development Corporation – to be housed under the same roof, enhancing the ability to work collaboratively with one another. "This will provide an excellent employee experience and will maintain CANA's brand, image and reputation as a Calgary-based construction group. With a 70-year heritage in Alberta, we want to provide the highest and best possible use for the site," says Simpson. Work on the new building began in August 2011 with the demolition of an old shop area. "During the construction, the existing two-storey office was maintained, but it will be taken down once the new structure is completed," says Tyson Bolduc, architect with GEC Architecture. "The main challenge we were given at Christie Simpson, VP, the beginning of the project was incorShepard Development Corporation. porating all of the business units under one roof, with ample room to grow. This meant creating more space for offices, a larger yard and more shop space. Although it is a big site we quickly realized we were going to run out of room. The L-shape of the building configuration – with the warehouse on one leg and the office forming the other – was the best way to accommodate everyone." When the project began the GEC team came up with a series of design options, including incorporating the company's yellow and black signature colours. "A yellow ribbon feature wraps around the cantilevered light-box spaces on the third and fourth floors, which is where the executive offices and boardrooms are located," says Bolduc. "The building's exterior features black-tinted glazing on all levels, but the executive offices simply have clear glass." The footprint of the floors features an open-concept interior with meeting rooms in the centre spaces and offices around the perimeter to maximize the access to natural light. "Each floor has approximately 15,000-square-feet of office space and an access-floor system was incorporated throughout the building, allowing for maximum flexibility for electrical, data and air systems," says Joe Reynolds, construction manager, CANA Construction. "We've created 20,000 square feet of shop space and a 5,000-square-foot BIM (Building Information Modeling) has been implemented more fully on this project than on any other CANA has executed to date." june 2013 /67 13-05-30 2:32 PM