Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/687429
J UNE 2016 | 57 180 Wellington Building Rehabilitation PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROY GROGAN/COURTESY PUBLIC WORKS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES CANADA 180 Wellington Building Rehabilitation by ZUZANNA WODZYNSKA P ublic Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has brought back to life a prominent and historic Ottawa building; a key rehabilitation project to the department's Long Term Vision and Plan (LTVP) for the Parliamentary Precinct. Designated as a recognized Federal Heritage Building in 1986, the Wellington Building was originally completed in 1927 and housed the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Having acquired the Wellington Building in 1973, PSPC has now undertaken the complete renovation and transformation of the building. "Originally an administrative office space, the building currently houses 10 committee rooms and 70 parliament office units," explains Sylvain Lepage, director of the Wellington Building renovation project at PSPC. "In total, approximately one third of the building was removed to implement the new design." The project's heritage Beaux- Arts facades feature monumental three-storey Corinthian columns and pilasters. "The granite and limestone cladding was fully restored while the cast steel and glass canopy that originally marked the entrance was reconstructed from original drawings and photographs," says Eric Stein, lead heritage conservation architect on the project from EVOQ Architecture (formerly FGMDA). The iconic parliamentary copper roofing needed to be replaced entirely. The old copper material was repurposed into a large decorative, modular wall treatment. Perforated and backed with acoustical absorbing material, it now provides a sound performance role for its new home in the satellite Library of Parliament, located on the top two floors of the building. "The main feature in the overall design was the creation of a void up through the structure that recreated the lightwell space that existed in the original building, but was filled in with the 1959 additions," says David Clusiau, senior principal at NORR Limited, the architectural, mechanical and electrical consultant on the project. "Into this vertical opening a number of public spaces were inserted." Further, the third, fourth and fifth storeys were designed to be removable for future consideration of an open atrium space from the ground floor up to the roof skylight. "What stands out most for me on the project, however, is the public circulation system," continues Clusiau. "It is an interconnected string of heritage and contemporary spaces that cascade up through the building, exposing and celebrating the underlying Beaux-Arts character." The heritage spaces, which include a marble-clad vestibule, arcade and lobby with decorative bronze features were carefully restored by the heritage architects. "Most notably, the highly ornate plaster ceilings, which were demolished in the mid- 20th-century were replicated from historic photographs," adds Stein. Restoring and modernizing the building was a complex feat. "Contaminated materials were removed, the building's core was demolished and its structure was then rebuilt and seismically upgraded," notes Lepage. The original building was constructed in two main phases in the mid 1920's and late 1950's. "During these times, consideration to seismic loading was limited and the lateral force resisting systems were typically governed by wind loading," explains Jean-Michel Carrière, lead structural engineer, heritage structural engineer and demolition structural engineer on the project from Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Limited. "As part of the modifications and upgrades to the building, the scope of work included a seismic upgrade to increase the lateral force resisting capacity to 100 per cent of the 2005 National Building Code of Canada." Lepage also explains that one of the challenges of this project was that mass demolition work took place very close to heritage spaces such as the beautiful ceiling mosaic in the lobby. The glass tesserae mosaic needed to be protected in order to be properly restored and stabilized by fine art conservators. "Vibration monitors were installed throughout the building to ensure that the demolition procedures wouldn't negatively impact the existing heritage elements that remain," says Carrière. "These elements were identified early on, including the mosaic, and all design concepts were developed around their protection." Precision was also required to completely update the mechanical, electrical and IT systems in the tight floor spaces. "Cable trays, ductwork, sprinklers, and hydronic piping were co-ordinated to locations within a fraction of an inch," explains Chris Pal, VP of engineering at NORR Limited. The final REVIT model containing all information was sent to the trades who produced direct sections for use on-site, and in the case of the sheet metal trade, was transferred directly into the fabrication system for ductwork creation. Other challenges arose from incomplete drawings of the original structure: what was in place did not necessarily match the drawings. "As a result, much of the final detailed design work ended up occurring later in the process, reacting to the site conditions as they became clear," notes Clusiau. "In the case of the Wellington Building, a clear design strategy was identified early on, allowing the many consultants, client groups, contractors and sub-contractors to develop solutions that were in line with that strategy as these challenges arose." Along with heritage conversation, PSPC rehabilitated the Wellington Building with environmental sustainability in mind. "We are really proud of the fact that we were able to divert 97 per cent of non- contaminated waste from landfills, surpassing our commitment of 80 per cent," says Lepage. "21,700 metric tonnes of material was recycled throughout the project." The Wellington Building earned four Globes according to the Green Globes eco-rating, the equivalent of LEED Silver standard. To help achieve this, solar panels pre-heat domestic water, recovery units recycle the heat generated from within the building to heat incoming air for more effective energy use, and room sensors regulate temperature and light levels preventing empty rooms from being overly heated, cooled, or lit. A beautiful green wall with a variety of plants was also installed to help absorb carbon dioxide, dampen noise, and clean and humidify the air inside the building. Of course, greenery always doubles its environmental benefits along with esthetic ones. "Outside, Liberty Elm street trees were planted, reflecting the historic images we have of Wellington Street, which was lined by mature elms on both sides," says Jason Biehn, lead landscape architect on the project at Dillon Consulting Limited. "It was recognized that this site holds significance as an urban edge to the parliamentary precinct and generally follows the Confederation Boulevard Guidelines as issued by the National Capital Commission." Overall, the $425-million project was completed on time and on budget, and its thoughtful rehabilitation is an investment in Canada's heritage and a legacy to future generations. A LOCATION 180 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario OWNER/DEVELOPER Public Services and Procurement Canada ARCHITECT/MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT NORR Limited HERITAGE CONSERVATION ARCHITECT EVOQ Architecture (formerly FGMDA) CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS PCL (Phase 1) EllisDon (Phase 2) STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Limited LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Dillon Consulting Limited TOTAL SIZE 487,000 square feet TOTAL COST $425 million