Award

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 65 North Cowichan RCMP Detachment P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y M U N I C I PA L I T Y O F N O RT H COW I C H A N NORTH COWICHAN RCMP DETACHMENT by JESSICA KIRBY A new North Cowichan RCMP Detachment marks a signifi- cant milestone for the region, bringing to the district a policing facility that has a strong emphasis on sustainability and efficiency. Not long ago, the detachment was operating out of an aging and cramped building with a windowless basement that was never designed to be an occupied space but had been ret- rofitted with offices some time ago. That's one element that makes the new three-storey steel office building and one-storey detention facility, which integrate seamlessly into the surround- ing environment, such a game-changer for the region. Another is the innova- tive, aesthetic design that sets a new standard for municipal facilities. "RCMP buildings are extremely technical buildings with robust secu- rity requirements that are most easily met by creating bunker-like inflex- ible and austere buildings," says Kate Lemon, principal with KMBR Architects Planners. "The RCMP is seeking to create a more friendly and open atmosphere for visitors and members working in the building, and the municipality also sought a building that would contribute to the urban environment and was envi- ronmentally responsible and inviting to the public. The challenge for our team was to create an open, bright, and inviting building that also met the functional and security needs of mod- ern-day policing." The design team spent countless hours working closely with the client in space planning and the development of details to ensure that security and functionality were never compromised. "We kept detailed spreadsheets of various design requirements and invested the necessary time researching products and solu- tions that allowed a higher degree of visibility and openness than you would see in older detachments," Lemon says. "This was achieved by gaining the trust from our client that their security needs would not be compromised in the process." Mark Frame, project consultant for North Cowichan, says the dis- trict required a functional space for a police building, containing mul- tiple units each, with specific needs. "A space analysis was done based on the officers and civilians projected to be employed in the building and what the specific space and equipment requirements were for each section," he says. "We also wanted to have a net zero building, which dictated the ori- entation of the building on the site and required three storeys to accommo- date the square footage required in the space analysis." Nearly every aspect of the build- ing's design was chosen with sustainability in mind. This began with siting the three-storey build- ing with optimal solar orientation. From there, KMBR designed a robust building envelope with enhanced insulation. On the exterior, the facade comprises several components includ- ing glass curtain wall and two types of composite panels chosen for durability and weatherproofing. On the interior, a three-storey atrium brings light deep into the cen- tre of the building, increasing natural daylight and reducing reliance on elec- trical lighting systems. "This feature creates an elegant, light-filled space at the heart of the building, which serves the client's desire to retain members and works toward their sustainability targets," Lemon says. "A beautiful mass timber stair is the central feature in the atrium, creating a warm and invit- ing atmosphere." Wood slat ceilings are employed in the common circulation areas to bring warmth to the corridors, create a comfortable acoustic environment, and a connection to nature and West Coast architecture. The wood slats are echoed in the lobby and the protective panels that line the corridor walls. CLT mass tim- ber structure is used for the entry canopy roof and is exposed on the exterior and interior vestibule soffit. A high-performance glazing sys - tem and solar shades complement a 100kW solar panel system and all- electric heating and cooling systems, which reduce the need for cooling in the summer. A heat recovery system tempers the building, and additional solar panels make up for most of the remaining energy needs. "The design team sought design solutions that would serve multi- ple functions or design goals, which ultimately led to an efficient and cost- effective building design," Lemon says. "The result is a building that is comfortable, functional, and elegant." Even the landscape fits into the local site with undulating hills, nearby watershed, and adjacent agricultural land. Retention ponds and swales retain stormwater run-off and allow it to naturally percolate into the ground, replenishing aquifers. Wally Mansell, senior project manager for Unitech Construction Management Ltd., says the company was the construction manager on the project, which meant they acted as the owner's builder and owner's agent, looking after the process from esti- mating through to the tender period and throughout construction. The building envelope, HVAC, and electrical systems help the build- ing meet the owner's net zero carbon goals. The building is constructed with a post-disaster design meant to withstand a significant seismic event. The foundation is built on micropiles, complete with the necessary concrete foundations, and the building is struc- tural steel framed with a composite metal deck. "The building is framed using a moment frame design, which means it uses full penetration welds on a brace bay design," Mansell says. "This technique involved a three-storey erection of 22 brace bays, which com- prise vertical columns plus horizontal and diagonal cross-bracing and floors between. There is composite concrete topping on each floor, plus the metal decking and concrete." Through an Integrated Project Delivery method, consultants and major trades were paired and included in the design team to facili- tate accurate pricing and cost-effective decisions among the team as the design process progressed. "It also led to a collaborative con- struction process with the architect, engineers, construction manager, and trades all working together toward creative solutions," Lemon says. "Time that is normally spent arguing over the wording of contract documents in a traditional design-bid-build project was instead spent working on elegant collaborative design solutions." The project's biggest challenge was COVID, which occurred just as the project was getting off the ground. This triggered a global supply chain issue, and some of the steel members had to be substituted. "The new com- ponents met the requirements, but some sizes were not available, so we did minor substitutions," Mansell says. "There were also issues with the labour force, with workers falling ill and not showing up to work. We did drop a bit behind on the schedule, about a month or two due to labour and global supply chain issues, but all things considered, it turned out very well." A LOCATION 6430 Ford Road, Duncan, B.C. OWNER Municipality of North Cowichan ARCHITECT KMBR Architects Planners Inc. CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Unitech Construction Management Ltd. STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Fast + Epp MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Smith + Andersen L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Maruyama & Associates TOTAL SIZE 50,000 square feet TOTAL COST $50 million

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