Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/549108
66 | august 2015 Camrose City Hall of the building. This is a far more effi- cient way to seal the building and also prevents air leakage," adds MacKinnon. On the east side of the building is the Council Chambers. "In this area, the roof features Westdek, a type of glulam wood product manufactured by Western Archrib, over top of sloped steel beams. The Westdek provides both the archi- tectural ceiling finish and acts as the structural element to support the roof loads. Westdek is also featured on the front entrance canopy, which is a free- standing steel structure," explains Hahn. Projected parking demands now and in the future for this facility were identified and so the building has under- ground parking for about 27 cars and 51 parking stalls outside. "This was an important step for the City Hall facil- ity and helps ease the parking outside," says Enarson. Head inside one of the two main entrances and you are greeted by a four- storey atrium with a feature staircase that further evokes the feeling of trans- parency. Again materials inside were chosen with lifecyle in mind. "The main f loor consists of slab and beam con- struction, with shallow beams to limit the overall excavation depth for the parking garage," explains Hahn. "The upper concrete floors are of two-way slab construction, which creates a flat soffit for a clean architectural look. A widely spaced column grid was used to permit a flexible, open office layout." MacKinnon adds that a raised access f loor system was used where the mechanical and electrical elements can be found, and that the interior also fea- tures operable walls to accommodate further expansion. "While this project was challeng- ing from the outset, we were fortunate to work with a very good team," says MacKinnon. "We had worked with Manasc Isaac Architects on a previous City project [City of Calgary Emergency Operations Centre]. Building on this suc- cess, the City, structural, mechanical and electrical teams all worked together successfully to bring this significant project to fruition." A photography By ian o'Donnell/courtesy manasc isaac architects ltD.; city of camrose