Award

FEBRUA RY 2018 | 45 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY MCFARLAND MARCEAU ARCHITECTS LTD. Trades Training Facility – Northern Lights College These alternative materials con- tribute to the architectural intent, environmental footprint, economic competitiveness and flexibility. "Wood has the ability to change an otherwise utilitarian, austere working or teaching environment into a rich and inspiring one," adds Karsh. "It's relatively rare nowadays to see the material used in an industrial application, but I have no doubt teachers and students will enjoy using this building all the more because of the use of wood." Deina Albrecht, senior project co- ordinator at Ledcor Construction Ltd., continues, "The combination of differ- ent wood types in the laminated veneer lumber, glulam and cross-laminated timber [CLT] creates different colours that work together perfectly and cre- ate a great atmosphere that you'll even be able to smell." The new Trades Training Facility was built over the course of two win- ter seasons and one summer. "Building during the winter in Northern B.C. is always a challenge," notes Albrecht. "By prefabricating the wooden roof panels, we were able to close the build- ing up in a very short time and keep the snow out." The wall structure was partially preassembled in the shop and com- pleted on-site with CLT panels, while the roof was designed to be pre-pan- elized in the shop and shipped to site with the roof membrane on. "We knew there was a good chance that sig- nificant parts of the structure were going to be erected in minus degree weather," says Karsh. "I expect crews on-site are glad they're covering large portions of the roof with every crane lift, instead of framing the structure one small stick at a time." Making the specialized 50,000- square-foot building energy efficient in the northern climate and with very demanding performance specifications proved challenging. These specifica- tions include very high ventilation rates to control dust and fumes. Meeting LEED standards starts dur- ing construction as well, as Albrecht explains: "Ledcor prepared and con- trols the Indoor Air Quality plan, which goes hand in hand with good house- keeping practices. We are especially focused on dust control and volatile organic compound contents of materi- als, and ensure all HVAC equipment is sealed before entering the building." "I am excited that our staff and stu- dents will have an amazing facility to work in," states Heartt. "I have some of the best faculty in the province that have had to work in out-of-date facili- ties, and now we'll have a facility that reflects the quality of our faculty." A LOCATION 11401 – 8th Street, Dawson Creek, B.C. OWNER Northern Lights College ARCHITECT/LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT McFarland Marceau Architects Ltd. GENERAL CONTRACTOR Ledcor Construction Ltd. STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Equilibrium Consulting Inc. MECHANICAL CONSULTANT Rocky Point Engineering Ltd. ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Jarvis Engineering Consultants Ltd. GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT Northern Geo Testing & Engineering TOTAL SIZE 50,000 square feet TOTAL COST $33.02 million Electric.indd 1 2018-01-04 10:54 AM E N V I R O N M E N T & E N G I N E E R I N G Matrix Solutions Inc. Matrix Solutions.indd 1 2018-01-26 8:26 Point.indd 1 2018-01-18 11:08 AM

• Cover