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FEBRUA RY 2018 | 75 Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB) – Western University PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CANNONDESIGN Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB) – Western University by ROBIN BRUNET A ppearing as if it's soaring into the sky, Western University's Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB) is sleek and unapol- ogetically futuristic; a seven-storey structure of bold vertical lines with an elevated, horizontal extension sup- ported by impossibly tall, slender posts. The tower, transparent atrium, and the open podium are striking additions to an institution that is undergoing a variety of construction and renova- tion projects. More importantly, the 120,000-square-foot facility is the new home for the Research Cluster for Cognitive Neuroscience and the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, as well as five mixed-use general classroom spaces. Funding for WIRB was orga- nized in late 2013, and Janice Deakin, Western University's provost and VP (Academic), told the press prior to design work that the building "will significantly increase our capacity to support research teams that draw on the expertise of faculty, staff and stu- dents across campus." The design process was under- taken at an accelerated pace to meet a desired completion schedule for late 2017/early 2018. According to CannonDesign, the LEED Gold project was inspired by the building's disci- plinary program, a site that links and merges the natural and built land- scapes, and a material palette that shifts between the highly transparent and the densely opaque. Because the tower would house intensely focused laboratory, research, and meeting pro- gram elements, CannonDesign's former associate and lead architect for the project, Henry Chen, designed it to be "inherently inward looking," while the atrium would by contrast serve as a fully transparent front door. Extensive consultation with user groups not only enabled CannonDesign to create spaces that would serve a variety of different complex functions, it inspired creative decision-making. For example, when it was determined that two floors of "dark" labs would not require windows, Chen introduced a horizontal band of limestone into the facade. "This is unprecedented unless you're working on some sort of bank or safe, or something where you're a fortress," he told the press. "To have two floors where I can just do a swath of stone is fantastic." The stone would also satisfy the University's development requirements for natural elements on exteriors. Interior finishes consist of an array of different tiles, architectural block work, and rustic polished concrete floors. The exterior envelope is made up of different components that mimic the envelopes of the surrounding buildings: hence, WIRB'S curtain wall-covered south wall faces the curtain wall of the Robarts Research building; limestone on the west wall matches the limestone of the Science Buildings; and a mix- ture of curtain wall and architectural precast concrete panels on the north correlates with the University Hospital. Tender was released for construction in mid-November 2015, and EllisDon Corporation broke ground on the site in March of 2016. "Because we only had 18 months to complete the building there was quite a bit of overlapping on the trades, and the concrete and steel work was performed at the same time," says project manager Rob O'Neill. O'Neill adds that while the design team utilized 3D BIM technology, "EllisDon took it a step further and used the building model to incorpo- rate our structural, curtain wall, and mechanical/electrical fabrication drawings. In doing so, our team essen- tially built the project in 3D modelling prior to implementing on site. "Prior to them becoming issues in the real world, we worked out numer- ous interferences and issues that otherwise would have been costly schedule delays and unnecessary extras to the owner and subcontrac- tors. Our as-builts were essentially done before we started installation." Derek Vakaras, VP of Chorley + Bisset Consulting Engineers, points out that given the University's target of WIRB achieving a 30 percent energy cost savings relative to ASHRAE 90.1, "mechanical and electrical sustainable features included central VAV systems with energy recovery and enhanced outside air capability for fan energy use reduction through lower terminal unit minimum positions." LED lighting with 30 percent input power reduction versus ASHRAE 90.1 was installed throughout the facility, as were "high-efficiency chillers, low energy air distribution systems, dis- placement ventilation for assembly spaces, demand controlled ventilation for high occupant density spaces, variable speed hydronic systems, and numerous other features," according to Vakaras, adding that mechanical and electrical systems were chosen and arranged to provide high performance, indoor air quality, maintainability, and low noise levels at a reasonable initial cost. Although the building was designed to achieve LEED Silver, funding became available after construction com- menced to upgrade the design to achieve LEED Gold. "Through addi- tional documentation of design features already in place and the addition of a measuring and verifica- tion plan, LEED Gold was achieved without major additional cost to the University," says Vakaras. Because the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority was active in the preservation of trees and other greenery on the site, Martha Berkvens, lead landscape architect for Ron Koudys Landscape Architects Inc., and her colleagues carefully noted what had to be saved in addition to being mindful of underground utilities and creating a design that would accommo- date future uses. Berkvens says, "The University wanted an easily maintained land- scape with everything liability free, meaning non-slip sidewalks and other features." Taking a practical approach to her job yielded creative results, to wit: bands of landscaping and hard- scaping in the central courtyard that seemingly extend the building's facade of glass panels. "It's a wonderful effect, plus the bands make the grass easy to mow," adds Berkvens. Additionally, native, drought-tolerant vegetation and RTS sod "allowed us to bypass expensive irrigation systems," says Berkvens, who also eliminated what could have been an unsightly back- of-building garbage bin area by creating landscape buffering and underground garbage storage with side access. Peter Fragiskatos, MP for London North Centre, last year summarized the importance of the new facility when he visited the site and remarked, "This is not just a great story for con- struction and the local economy; it's a research story as well. If we want to attract global talent, this is the kind of investment that will draw people here and make a difference." A LOCATION 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario OWNER/DEVELOPER Western University ARCHITECT CannonDesign ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT Wasylko Architect Inc. GENERAL CONTRACTOR EllisDon Corporation STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Hastings & Aziz Ltd. MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL/ COMMUNICATIONS/IT CONSULTANT Chorley + Bisset Consulting Engineers LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Ron Koudys Landscape Architects Inc. TOTAL SIZE 130,000 square feet TOTAL COST $45 million

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