Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/255439
floor is open to the public), with wood decks, gardens, trees and benches, and are sited in such a way that they are sheltered from prevailing winds. According to Martha Lush of CSW Landscape Architects Ltd., the landscape architect for Performance Court, "In any urban landscape, the landscape around it is very hard; so first, the choices you make should soften that. We used a lot of native plants, and shrubs with softer outlines. Then we sup- ported that with non-native plants that were urban-tolerant and non-invasive, such as grasses. "The seventh floor includes a park that is open to the pub- lic with a balance of decking and green plant material, and a variation of heights and textures," Lush adds. "Built-in seating allows you to enjoy the outdoor environment. Because of the configuration of the tower on the west side, it is quite shel- tered from winds, and just feels wonderful. The fourth floor terrace is a smaller version of the seventh floor and is private for tenants of the building. The whole [landscape] is designed to require only minimal weeding and care, and not require a lot of maintenance once established." While the new building is beautiful, with its elegantly detailed glass and concrete facade, what makes it interesting is the way it brought together so many seemingly disparate requirements – from incorporating the historic buildings sympathetically, to meeting LEED standards, to infilling seamlessly in the heart of Ottawa's urban core – that makes it a success. As Tom Valente explains, "[Performance Court] is a beauti- ful building, inside and out, but it is also a very functional and energy-conscious building. But what makes me most proud is the collaborative way the building has been delivered. Every- one, from the owners, operators, architects and consultants down to the subtrades and workers have all worked hard to do their part to make this [building] a reality. It has been a very progressive and collaborative project." n Location 150 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario owner/DeveLoper Morguard Investments Ltd. project Manager J2 Construction Management Inc. architect NEUF architect(e)s heritage architect Barry Padolsky Associates Inc., Architects construction Manager PCL Constructors Canada Inc. structuraL consuLtant Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Ltd. MechanicaL/eLectricaL consuLtant Smith + Andersen Consulting Engineering LeeD consuLtant Enermodal Engineering LanDscape architect CSW Landscape Architects Ltd. totaL area 513,438 square feet totaL cost $163 million photos courtesy pcL constructors canada fEbruary 2014 /53 150 Elgin Street April 2014 issue ANNUAL INDUSTRY FEATURE: Precast Concrete Book your ad space now: Dan Chapman 604.473.0316 Alexander Sugden 604.473.0358 p50-53_150 Elgin.indd 53 14-01-22 11:04 AM