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AUGUST 2017 | 51 National Arts Centre (NAC) Redevelopment PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROY GROGAN COURTESY NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE Luckily, the rest of the panels went in almost like clockwork and the sleek, clean-lined roof was installed in two weeks. "When you look up, you see the lovely architecture, with no evidence of any mechanical systems," says Greg Gebert, mechanical engineer with Crossey Engineering Ltd. "To provide that clean look throughout the building, we had to have the mechanical systems disappear." That included using a radiant floor system, which utilizes slab embedded tubing carrying both radiant heating and radiant cooling. "We have a switchover mode when we go from heating to cooling, but it is more challenging because you have to be careful for condensation by controlling slab temperatures and monitoring space humidity levels, for example. Also, the solar heat hitting the floor can be removed directly through the radiant floor system." The large windows prevent any visible mechanical systems as well, requiring stealth placement of systems designed to not only be invisible, but to provide safety for patrons. In case of fire, a smoke exhaust 100,000 CFM system was installed to exhaust smoke from the main gallery space. Mechanically actuated windows and doors that open automatically on fire alarm signal provided makeup air to this system. On the electrical side, the original building housed a main electrical "heart," with six substations. The renovations mandated an seventh substation, and a new main electrical "heart" which will facilitate future expansion to replace the old electrical system. Lighting controls for the new spaces are through an integrated, programmable architectural lighting, theatrical lighting, occupancy and shading system interfaced with the NAC's audio visual system. "It is a system of comprehensive lighting control incorporating DMX technologies for public spaces," Yilin Liu, electrical engineer with Crossey Engineering Ltd. says. "We have one lighting control system for both architectural lighting and stage lighting, which is very powerful and flexible, the DMX control technology applied to general lighting in public spaces allows each individual DMX controlled luminaire to be dimmed differently to create various scene settings that is very user friendly. There is a very high level of audio visual systems that require huge infrastructure of conduits, and required extensive co-ordination with the construction manager. It's all part of making the patron experience seamless and welcoming, so while a patron may not be aware of the bells and whistles that trick out their new NAC, they will no doubt enjoy an experience that speaks to the way they wish to experience the arts, whether it is taking in a performance or exhibit, or simply drinking in the views of Parliament, the Chateau Laurier, the National War Memorial and the Rideau Canal from the new grand stairway. "The view of the Parliament Building from the NAC's new Elgin Street entrance is our Champs- Élysées, our Washington Mall," Martin says. "I hope many Canadians come through here and enjoy it, just to read a book or work on their laptops, and share in this transformation." A LOCATION 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario OWNER/DEVELOPER Government of Canada ARCHITECT Diamond Schmitt Architects GENERAL CONTRACTOR PCL Constructors Canada Inc. STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Fast + Epp MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Crossey Engineering Ltd. PERFORMANCE SOUND/ VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS/ DIGITAL SIGNAGE CONSULTANT Engineering Harmonics Inc. TOTAL SIZE 60,000 square feet of new space TOTAL COST $110.5 million Congratulations PCL Constructors Canada for their work on the National Arts Centre Redevelopment. We are pleased and proud to be your structural steel partner on this project. Benson Steel.indd 1 2017-06-28 2:31 PM

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