Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/175815
COURTESY METROLINX Metrolinx – GO Oakville Parking Facility by Don Procter t irst glance, passersby might mistake a six- loor because of increased customer demand, says Joanna Nicholparkade nearing completion at a GO Transit Station son, communications specialist, infrastructure projects, GO in Oakville for a modern of ice building. It looks like Transit – A Division of Metrolinx. Metrolinx, an agency of the anything but the traditional concrete box for which parkades provincial government, was created to improve the coordination and integration of all modes of transportation in the have come to be known. "We respected the surrounding multi-level residential greater Toronto and Hamilton areas. The parkade is more than a pretty buildings in size and appearance," face. It has smart features as well. A explains Jamie Van Dyk, project archicase in point is a car-counting display tect with WalterFedy. Precast concrete that updates drivers to locations of elements have been sandblasted to available stalls. Furthermore, a 'kiss expose aggregate "giving the buildand ride' component allows drivers to ing texture and depth." Additionally, drop passengers off without parking. the concrete has rust and white colour For architect Van Dyk, planning the pigments to accent the traditional gray placement of that feature was critical to shade of concrete. eliminate crossover between vehicular For good reason, the Oakville parkade and pedestrian traf ic. has a "higher architectural speci icaThe architect's design follows the tions" than usual, says Van Dyk. During principles of Crime Prevention Through the design process, the Town of Oakville Environmental Design (CPTED) to creand local resident associations were consulted to ensure the facade blended ate 'passive security' on the property, into the neighbourhood. he says. The stair cores, for instance, are Slated for completion late this fall, – Scott Hunter, enclosed in glass for 24-hour, two-way the parkade will contain nearly 1,400 project manager, visibility, while the elevators have glass vehicle stalls. It is being constructed EllisDon Corporation fronts and backs. A "Going with precast instead of cast-in-place allowed us to perform more tasks at one time on the site because the precast built off site was ready for quick assembly." Metrolinx – GO Oakville Parking Facility p.80-83 Metrolinx.indd 81 Although parkades don't qualify for LEED certi ication, the building includes many sustainable initiatives. In fact, the structure meets and exceeds the criteria for a minimum of 26 LEED points under the old rating system, says Nicholson. Among those features are: • a light-coloured thermoplastic polyole in roo ing membrane (TPO) to reduce the heat island effect; • LED lighting tied to a daylight harvesting system, reducing the lighting levels based on natural light and reducing the use of electricity in the garage; • a roof photovoltaic array producing 250 kW – enough to provide about 75 per cent of the building's electrical requirements; and • provisions for electrical car refueling. Cast-in-place concrete toppings installed over each parking deck are another key sustainable element. The toppings incorporate corrosion and rust OCTOBER 2012 /81 9/11/12 12:16 PM