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FEBRUA RY 2016 | 57 RENDERING COURTESY PATKAU ARCHITECTS Audain Art Museum assessment and mitigation for the museum. To establish design conditions, KWL conducted a hazard analysis, specialized hydraulic modelling and risk assessment for extreme flood scenarios. KWL developed innovative floodproofing measures and also established operation and maintenance measures that will ensure that the floodproofing remains effective for the life of the building. The company's involvement was an important aspect of the planning, design and permitting that enabled the museum to be safely constructed in a flood-hazard zone. At the floors, the long span floor beams are composite with concrete topping to cut down on deflections. Engineered wood was chosen for the roof to keep the weight down and keep erection fast. The physical form of the building has an outer skin that conceals a very high level of complexity of geometry and structure. "The basic structure is 3D steel frame made up of a series of longitudinal and transverse steel trusses, each one unique. The trusses are designed to accommodate the demanding internal program requirements. We used the German software RFEM by Dlubal to model and analyze the structure, and Revit to build our 3D CAD model. It was a huge asset having a 3D model both for structural analysis and for co-ordination. We worked in close co-operation with Patkau during design to fully integrate the structure with the elegantly sculpted architectural envelope," says Karsh. A bridge, 100-foot long and nine-foot wide that starts at Blackcomb Way, rises through the forest taking visitors up to the raised skylit museum entry porch. From there, visitors can either descend to the forest floor and central meadow to continue passage through the site, or enter into the museum lobby and event space. "It's as if you leave the forest floor and enter the arc in anticipation of the big flood, which is quite appropriate considering the building has been designed to stand a one-in-2,500- year flood," says Greening. A beautiful porch clad in hemlock boasts a glass canopy and features a piece of art by Squamish artist Xwalacktun which entails a large aluminum column that tells a story about the great flood. Walking in through the beautiful lobby visitors are welcomed by a 185-foot-long glazed corridor that looks out to the forest and sends you on your journey. The main and upper floor exhibition galleries total 20,000 square foot in size, while the administration, staff quarters and art preparation spaces will be situated on the second floor. While complications may have arisen due to its sensitive location, much like a tree that spreads it roots to become deeply rooted and at one with its surrounding, so too has the Audain Art Museum. "This was the most intricate and innovative structural steel project we have done to date," explains Karsh. "We are very proud of the results, although much of this intricate framework is now concealed. The spaces are dramatic, the cantilevers are spectacular and the building, which is quite imposing within its forest setting, appears to float effortlessly. The use of prefabricated timber roof panels also proved to be a wise choice given the short construction season in Whistler, allowing the contractor to complete the roof efficiently regardless of weather." A LOCATION 4350 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, B.C. OWNER/DEVELOPER Audain Art Museum Foundation ARCHITECT Patkau Architects GENERAL CONTRACTOR Axiom Builders Inc. STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Equilibrium Consulting Inc. MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL/ LEED CONSULTANT Integral Group LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT PFS Studio CIVIL CONSULTANT Creus Engineering BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSULTANT Spratt Emanuel Engineering Ltd. FLOOD PROTECTION CONSULTANT Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd. SNOW MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT Mountain Resort Engineering CODE CONSULTANT LMDG SURVEYING Doug Bush Survey Services STEEL FABRICATOR & ERECTOR George Third & Son / KWH Constructors TOTAL SIZE 56,000 square feet TOTAL COST $30 million 10:42 AM Proud Supplier of the Lighting Fixtures for the Audain Art Museum 5000 SQ FT Showroom • Multi Residential & Commercial Oce Lighting Hospitality and FF&E Lighting • Custom Decorative Lighting LED Retrofit • Leed Silver, Gold and Platinum LED lighting • Light Media & Facade LED Lighting • Controls & System Integration • 604-538-3511 oceanpacificlighting.com Ocean Pacific.indd 1 16-01-20 9:15

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