Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/177525
PHOTOS COURTESY NUMBER TEN ARCHITECTURAL GROUP Richardson College for the Environment & Science Complex – University of Manitoba by Bill Armstrong hat do the wooden loor from an historic, abandoned roller rink, the periodic table of elements and graphic displays of DNA patterns have in common? They are all prominent design elements in the University of Winnipeg's $66.6-million Richardson College for the Environment & Science Complex. How those elements came to be incorporated into this 150,000-square-foot educational laboratory building is a story of inspiration and imagination in action. The building consists of more than 30 research and teaching labs, including a vivarium, rooftop greenhouse and a four-storey atrium with nine ig trees. Richardson College represents a signi icant step forward for the University of Winnipeg, increasing its built facilities by 15 per cent, adding to its presence on recently purchased land west of the downtown campus. Laboratory buildings typically consume as much as ive times the energy of of ice buildings, but Richardson College is one of the most energy ef icient educational lab buildings in North America, and is expected to achieve LEED Gold. Doug Hanna of Number Ten Architectural Group, which designed the building, describes Richardson College as having two distinct program elements and building forms linked by a central atrium. The geometry of the building plan and the central atrium, he explains, was shaped by the con iguration of the surrounding streets, including a prominent entry plaza situated along Winnipeg's Portage Avenue. "The atrium serves as a public gathering area and student common space for the 2,000 students who pass through it every day," Hanna notes. The atrium's most prominent feature is a distinctive wood wall that reaches across its full height on its north side. The narrow wooden strips tell a unique story, as they once made up the loor of the Winnipeg Roller Rink that existed on the site from 1906 to 2008. After architects from Number Ten visited the abandoned rink they decided to salvage the loor to be reused in a meaningful way in the new building. "This was the genesis of the atrium feature wall," says Hanna, "representing the building's sustainable design and the site's rich history." The ends of the multi-coloured wood panels, he adds, were inspired by the microarray evident in DNA, the graphic representation of a cell's genetic pattern. The project used the integrated project delivery process, which enabled the completion of a very complex building on a tight budget. Murray Guy of Integrated Designs Inc. led the IPD process, representing the university and handling the LEED application. "We brought the team (owner, designers and W contractors) to Saskatchewan to show them that LEED Gold facilities can be built at no additional cost," says Guy. Justin Bova, principal with general contractor Manshield Construction, adds that in using the IDP process the key scopes for the mechanical, electrical, insulated metal panels, elevators, aluminum, glazing and building management systems trades were brought in as design-assist contractors during the design phase. "This resulted in numerous bene its," says Bova, "including mitigated potential for higher tender versus budget pricing, and mitigated risk of errors and omissions in the contract documents and extra costs during construction." Russell Lavitt of SMS Engineering Ltd., was the mechanical consulting engineer for the project. He explains the innovative strategies and technologies that contribute to the building's strong green performance. "Since 97 per cent of Manitoba's electricity is hydro-generated, the heating plant uses electricity as the primary energy source, and condensing natural gas boilers in the 90 per cent plus ef iciency range," he says. "A common condenser water loop with water-to-air heat pumps moves heat generated in one area to another, such as from a full lecture theatre to faculty of ices on the building's perimeter." The key technology, Lavitt continues, is a total energy heat wheel on the lab exhaust systems that responds to the need to properly ventilate labs. "Lab buildings typically use tremendous amounts of fresh air that is heated or cooled, and not re-used," he explains. "This facility uses a heat wheel coated with a high-tech ceramic that doesn't attract chemicals, that captures heat and humidity from the air leaving the lab hoods, to preheat incoming fresh air in the winter, and do the same with cooling in the summer. Special monitoring systems and routine tests ensure no cross-contamination occurs." In addition, Integrated Designs introduced a red/yellow/green light system that provides the volume of air changes suited to the lab's use, from unoccupied (red light mode) to fully occupied with full use of the chemical fume hoods (green light mode). Manshield Construction's Justin Bova adds that, "the sophistication and complexity of the mechanical systems and lab equipment of a state-of-the-art research and testing facility – speci ically the two SEMCO Energy Recovery Wheels and chemical fume hoods – isn't something we typically see in Manitoba construction. It was exciting to successfully execute that part of the project." Plans also call for a Green Corridor linking the entrance with a neighbouring student residence and daycare, and the Richardson College for the Environment & Science Complex – University of Manitoba p.68-69Richardson.indd 69 main university campus. Landscape architect Bob Somers of Scatliff Miller Murray notes that the planned corridor has been modi ied to re lect new developments, retro itted spaces and new programming ideas, and that process will continue as the corridor is completed in phases. "The intent," Somers explains, "is to provide a safe, comfortable, park-like setting showcasing the varied ecological zones within our province, where the surrounding community and the university can cohabitate, away from the hustle and bustle of Portage Avenue to the south," Somers says. ■ LOCATION 599 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba OWNER University of Winnipeg DEVELOPER University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation INTEGRATED PROJECT DESIGN COORDINATOR/LEED/ COMMISSIONING CONSULTANT Integrated Designs Inc. ARCHITECT/INTERIOR DESIGNER Number Ten Architectural Group GENERAL CONTRACTOR Manshield Construction STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd. MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT SMS Engineering Ltd LAB CONSULTANT Innovate Lab Systems LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Scatliff Miller Murray BUILDING AREA 150,000 square feet TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST $66.58 million FEBRUARY 2012 /69 1/23/12 10:42:24 AM