< Previous20 www.westernexteriorsmagazine.ca PROJECT SPOTLIGHT ALBERTA Built in 1891 at the cost of $5,000, Edmonton’s beloved Strathcona Hotel has stood witness to much of the city’s storied past. Now, thanks to local developer Beljan Development, this grand old building is receiving a new lease on life, one that will allow it to better match the trendy vibe of the surrounding Old Strathcona neighbour- hood that is home today to many of Edmonton’s arts, shopping, and cultural activities. The Strathcona Hotel is set direct- ly across the street from the Canadian Pacific railway station that was, in the late 19th century, the “end of the line” or “end of the steel” for those heading out west via the Calgary and Edmon- ton Railway. As such, the hotel was often the first welcoming sight for many newcomers to Alberta and was a central hub for the myriad of activities going on in the region. Even today – almost 130 years later – the Strathcona Hotel rep- resents a point of arrival for many who drive down Gateway Boulevard to the city’s downtown from the south and those who arrive daily from the Edmon- ton International Airport. The Strathcona Hotel is one of the last Victorian, commercial-style wood frame buildings that remains stand- ing in Alberta, and is the oldest in the region. Apart from a period of time dur- ing the Prohibition era when it oper- ated as a Presbyterian girls’ college, the Strathcona Hotel – or the “Strat” as it is often called today – has been a favou- rite watering hole among the locals. It also has a significant heritage status, playing an important role in maintain- ing the historic character of Whyte Ave- nue’s streetscape. “Anytime that you receive an opportunity to work on a historical building such as this, it makes for a unique opportunity,” says Ivan Beljan at Beljan Development. “When you look at the historical photos of the building with patrons and hotel guests around it, you receive a real sense that these peo- ple were here to build a new city. We want to capture that exact same spirit with the rebranded “The Strathcona” and invite people to come and experi- ence the new energy we hope to bring to Edmonton.” Beljan Development, which owns other historic Old Strathcona proper- ties, such as the nearby Crawford Block Edmonton, Alberta’s 130-year-old Strathcona Hotel is undergoing renovations, bringing in the new while still preserving the old, to keep its story and spirit alive for the next 100 years. A NEW LEASE ON LIFE ABOVE The Strathcona will be a modern-day hub for the community by showcasing several restaurants, cafes, wine bars, and retail spaces that will act as a focus for new development. TOP RIGHT The old exterior of the Strathcona is going to be entirely updated while still preserving the historic elements of the building. BOTTOM RIGHT When Edmonton was still a young city, the Strathcona acted as a fixture point of welcome for those coming into the city, and as a hub for the community itself.WESTERN EXTERIORS Fall 2019 21 and the Dominion Hotel building, pur- chased the Strathcona Hotel in the sum- mer of 2018 and plan to transform the entire three-storey building into a multi- purpose, commercial space that faces in on an internal atrium, or “winter gar- den.” A new elevator will also be added, and the building will receive substan- tial upgrades in order to achieve com- pliance with modern national building codes. “The main challenge for the rede- velopment of the building has been in deciding how to connect this project so that it fully engages with the surround- ing streetscape in a way that invites people inside,” says Ian Evans, Principal at Hodgson Schilf Evans Architects Inc. “To address this, we chose to internal- ize the function of the space and cre- ate a new internal focus in the form of the three-storey ‘winter garden’ space. Obviously, this public space would be functioning year-round but, in the win- ter, it will become a warm retreat from the cold air outside and allow visitors to be surrounded by unique, boutique-y, character-driven retail and hospitality choices.” When it is complete next year, the new Strathcona will showcase a num- ber of restaurants, cafes, wine bars, and retail spaces that will act as a focus for new development. In addition, this newly renovated building will also carry on the proud tradition of the old Strathcona Hotel in housing a pub, just as it has for more than a century. With the Strathcona, Beljan Devel- opment strives to walk the fine line between embracing the new and preserving the old. And while there is a strong desire to maintain the origi- nal atmosphere and ambience of the old Strathcona Hotel, the company recognizes that the patrons of today demand modern day infrastructure and convenience. “People love being in old buildings, but they don’t love old plumbing, old faulty electrical, or old leaky windows,” says Beljan. “People want occupant comfort while still being in the compa- ny of a building that has many stories to tell. This is why we are working closely with stakeholders and heritage groups – both at the provincial and municipal level – to find the right formula that will capture the essence of the building and build it to what today’s market requires.” As with any project of this type, the exterior building envelope is the main element of what needs to be renewed and restored from a heritage perspec- tive. Because of this, modernizing the interior of the building, including re- insulating the walls, ceilings, and roof, as well as improving upon the outdat- ed building infrastructure and dealing with structural issues, has given the development team a significant chal- lenge in ensuring that the shell of the building is not compromised during the renovation work. The project’s proposed building design will be energy modelled to ensure compliance with the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings, and a HVAC system has been includ- ed as part of the Strathcona to reduce the building’s heating and cooling demands. An earlier renovation of the building has previously added energy- efficient windows, and the existing exterior envelope cavity was increased to accommodate an increase in insu- lation depth. In addition, the design team also looked at new ways to bring more natural light into the building. “Because we were limited with the exterior façade, which featured smaller windows of older design methods, we utilized a space in behind the build- ing that created an indoor / outdoor space and opened up the backside of the building to bring in more natural light,” says Beljan. Any urban restoration project will often present a certain set of challeng- es, and this project is on a busy pedes- trian street where public safety is front and centre. The layout of the Strath- cona Hotel tends to take up most of the worksite space and there is lit- tle-to-no room to lay “People want occupant comfort while still being in the company of a building that has many stories to tell.”22 www.westernexteriorsmagazine.ca down or hoist materials while the building is under construction. This has necessitated that the logistics of sched- uling deliveries and drop-offs is extremely well coor- dinated and organized. The single largest challenge to date that has threatened this project happened earlier this year and was completely unexpected. At the end of March, sparks from an electric grinder ignited insulation in the hotel’s attic space, and, even though one of the contractors used an extinguisher to stop the smouldering, the insulation reignited later that night and sent flames up through the roof of the building. Edmonton Fire Rescue Ser- vices was called out, and more than 40 firefighters worked for more than five hours to put out the blaze. Beljan Development was initially concerned about the impact this fire had on the building, as well as the neighbouring properties and businesses, but they remained committed to working with all their stakeholders to ensure that the Strathcona remained as an Edmonton fixture. And while the result could have been much worse, the fire’s damage certainly set the project back. “The fire – of course – has added a whole other level of complexity to the project since we needed to now replace a lot of the building structure that was damaged in the fire and do it gently, as the build- ing exterior had to be maintained and restored,” says Beljan. “In the months since the fire, there have been many hours of meetings among our project teams that has allowed us to find a path to do it in a safe and effective manner.” Change is often difficult and, with the Strathcona Hotel, there have been naysayers who would rather things remain the same. To help soothe any opposi- tion, Beljan Development has worked closely with all project stakeholders to accomplish something truly special with the Strathcona, and the response to the project has been genuinely positive. Within the City of Edmonton and the neighbourhood of Old Strathcona there is a recognition that – if this cherished building is to have another 100 years of life – it will require signifi- cant reinvestment and a new purpose. The goal for Beljan Development now is to ensure that this cherished part of Edmonton’s legacy is not lost and that the Strathcona Hotel remains to continue its story; but does so going forward with convenient and efficient, modern-day infrastructure running behind the walls, under the floorboards, and above the ceilings. “For me, the achievement will come when we have created something that has people living and breathing in it; whether it’s a residence or a place of commerce,” says Beljan. “Our objective, as with every project we do, is to create something special for the neighbourhood and to build a new community with- in the walls of our buildings. We hope that, when everything is all said and done, we will have achieved that with the Strathcona.” Beljan Development’s makeover of the Strathco- na Hotel represents a bright future for other significant historic buildings within the City of Edmonton. It is a blueprint forward in how to best reposition these rel- atively-tired property assets into exciting new enter- tainment and retail opportunities, while still highlight- ing and protecting Edmonton’s rich architectural past. “Everyone has memories of one time being in the tavern on the main level at some point of their life,” says Evans. “The building has occupied a significant corner on Whyte Avenue and represents a bygone time. It has been exciting and fulfilling to be part of its rejuvenation project and continuing the building’s landmark status on that historic corner.” The new interior of the Strathcona is going to feature modern lines and natural light, while keeping the atmosphere and ambiance of the old Strathcona. It will also still have a pub, keeping the old traditions alive.24 www.westernexteriorsmagazine.ca PROJECT SPOTLIGHT SASKATCHEWAN For many parents of people with dis- abilities, there is a very real concern about what will happen to their children and their ability to live independently when the parents are gone. Fortunately, Regina’s Input Housing Corporation – a volunteer-operated non-profit – is build- ing a one-of-a-kind condominium proj- ect that will go a long way in alleviating some of that concern. Breaking ground last May in the city’s beautiful Harbour Landing neighbour- hood, construction officially began in what will become a semi-independent home for 10 young adults with intellectu- al disabilities. For Input Housing, this is the end of a five-year journey and an exciting new start to a new chapter. kitchenettes, full baths, and in-suite laun- dry in order to provide as much freedom and independence as possible. The main floor is comprised of a large dining area equipped with a full kitchen, a living room / relaxation area to watch television, and a recreation room where the tenants can be more active and socialize with each other. “I live with my parents now so I am a little nervous about the move, but I’m excited for the change,” says future resi- dent, Bree Warsaba. “I’m most excited being with my friends – most of whom I have known since my school years – and living like a normal 31-year-old; just like everybody else.” In addition to the shared space, the main level will also contain a two-bed- room caretaker suite where an older cou- ple or a young family will function less as caretakers, but more in helping ensure the overall wellbeing of residents. Gov- ernment-funded services and programs for individual tenants, based on their needs, will be similar to the level of sup- port they would expect living at home or in a group home setting, but amalgam- ated into one location. “The overall design of this build- ing came about based on how we The brand-new Input Housing condominiums going up in Regina, Saskatchewan, will give future residents a one-of- a-kind chance to live just like everybody else. ONE-OF-A-KIND INDEPENDENCE Since the beginning, the idea for this project was focused entirely on the chil- dren of Input Housing and their desire to live somewhere together. Unfortunately, it became apparent that existing group home settings lacked the ability to provide its residents with control over such basic things as who you live with, where you live, or how long you live there – because someone else makes all the decisions. “But what scared us most about the current system is that you are complete- ly at the whim of the government,” says Input Housing parent / member, Greg Popowich. “This became the driving idea behind the Input Housing project: that the people living there would actually own the condominium – either by themselves or through a proxy – and, in doing so, would have the security of knowing exact- ly where they are going to live for the rest of their lives, should they choose to stay.” When complete in March 2020, this three-storey building will feature 10 self- contained condominium units; five on each of the top two floors. Eight one- bedroom units, averaging 740 square feet, and two two-bedroom units, about 1,000 square feet, will be specifically designed with the individual tenant in mind, and outfitted with amenities such as WESTERN EXTERIORS Fall 2019 25 envisioned our kids living inside it,” says Greg Popowich. “Some of the people liv- ing there might have a tendency towards spending a lot of time alone, and we wanted a space where they could come together for at least a couple of hours each day should they choose. We wanted a building that would encourage some daily interaction.” The Input Housing project empha- sizes the quality of construction, ener- gy efficiency, and resident comfort, as is expected in a permanent home for the residents. Input Housing will continue to manage the property, and, as such, a durable, easy to maintain, and efficient building made sense. There is special emphasis on building envelope features, such as airtightness and an increased level of insulation. The building will showcase a robust building envelope with a high-quality air barrier, spray foam insulation in the stud cavities, and exterior mineral fibre insulation. The roof has a higher insulative value through the use of blown-in cellulose insulation and deep truss heels. The windows are high-quality triple glazed units, and there is in-floor radiant heat to warm the interi- or spaces. Ventilation is provided through a central system. “Another major consideration in the design was the acoustic separation of the living spaces,” says Dylan Elliott, Archi- tect at SEPW Architecture Inc. “Some of the residents might be less tolerant of noise, so special attention was given to the selection of floor and wall assemblies, and to where these assemblies meet, in order to minimize sound transmission through the construction or through flanking paths. The mechanical system was also selected to minimize sound.” Presently, crews are completing the structural underground portion of the building and using the warm sum- mer months to get a head start where possible. Once the foundation is down, the remaining exterior structure should come together quickly. The exterior of the building is anticipated to be complete by mid-October 2019, at which point work will commence on the interior. “So often in the construction indus- try we work with clients to construct to their needs, but we rarely get to see what the new building really means to them,” says Paul Whelan, Senior Project Manager at Westridge Construction Ltd. “But since the outset of the Input Housing project, we have truly felt the warmth and excite- ment surrounding the project and what it represents, not only for the future resi- dents of the project, but also to the larger group of family and friends. As time goes by, we know that this excitement will grow beyond belief as the building takes shape.” Financing has been the ongoing and primary challenge in the development of this project. Since the Input Housing building model is so unique, it does not fit cleanly into or qualify for any existing capital grant programs, such as the Sas- katchewan Housing Corporation funding for low rental development. This has put a considerable financial burden on the shoulders of parent / members of Input Since the beginning, the idea for this project was focused entirely on the children of Input Housing and their desire to live somewhere together. LEFT MAIN Construction is underway! ABOVE TOP This image shows 3-front elevation. FLOORPLAN A rendering of the main floor plan. continued on page 2626 www.westernexteriorsmagazine.ca Housing Corp, who have stepped up to the challenge. “Before we even turned a shovel full of dirt, we had eight families com- mitted to this project,” says Input Hous- ing Corp. parent / member Elizabeth Popowich. “At one point, we didn’t know where or when we would build or how much it would cost, and fami- lies still said that they were in. To be fully committed in a very real and sub- stantial monetary way to a project this early in the process is a testament to the need for something like this in our community.” The project also faced a minor challenge during pile installation. When crews experienced soil condi- tions that varied somewhat from what the geotechnical report initially indicat- ed, these sand lenses necessitated that understanding what this building seeks to accomplish. “We were required to go in front of council to request a small change to the zoning bylaw, changing it from Seniors Assisted Living to simply Assisted Living,” says Elizabeth. “We made our statements to council, responded to a couple of con- cerns, and when it came time for coun- cil to vote on the change to the zoning bylaw, they not only voted in the affirma- tive but also stood up and applauded our efforts.” When complete next year, the fin- ished Input Housing building will give its residents the ability to live a certain way of life that many of us take for granted, pro- viding such basics as the pursuit of mar- riage and a committed relationship. “For many people with intellectual or physical disabilities, you may not be guaranteed to have anywhere to live. The idea that a lack of housing could stand between my son and his girlfriend get- ting married was heartbreaking,” says Elizabeth. “In providing the best that we can – which should be the goal of any parent – it gives me a great deal of reas- surance for Nick’s future and for the future of the other nine young people that will live there.” “It will be watching all of their growth and excitement,” adds Greg, “that will be the most exciting thing for me, even with the bumps along the way. This building is a giant step in a long process that we – as parents – have thought about for years and years, in how we can provide the best lives possible for our children.” The Input Housing project rep- resents a potential for its model to be adopted elsewhere. The very fact that a group of committed and caring parents can make something like this happen, entirely through perseverance, should give hope to others that projects like this are both feasible and viable. “I am grateful for this opportunity to work with a group of people that stuck to a vision despite untold obstacles,” says Elliott. “As an architect, the hope you have for your project is that is realizes the ambi- tion of the clients’ vision, and I am look- ing forward to – and maybe even getting invited to – Christmas parties or Canada Day barbeques at the building when it’s complete.” Everyone gathered for an official sod turning in May 2019. the design team quickly step up and modi- fy some of its pile designs. “The structural engineers were fantastic and did the work immediately at no cost,” says Greg Popowich. “Westridge Construc- tion and the sub-trades sprang into action so that we didn’t lose any time on the proj- ect. It was a great example of the high level of collaboration this project has going for it; where everybody believes in what we are doing and is willing to help out.” The response to this project from the surrounding community has been very positive. Regina, Harbour Landing in par- ticular, has a reputation of being diverse; it is expected that the future Input Hous- ing building will only add to that reputa- tion. The councillor for Harbour Landing, as well as the Mayor and Regina city coun- cil, have all been tremendously support- ive of this project, with everyone involved 28 www.westernexteriorsmagazine.ca PROJECT SPOTLIGHT MANITOBA Canada’s leading agribusiness, Rich- ardson International, has invested more than $30 million to develop a new innovation centre in the heart of Win- nipeg. Located at the corner of West- brook Street and Lombard Avenue, the Richardson Innovation Centre (RIC) will be near the company’s head office at Portage and Main and will feature state- of-the-art technology and equipment for research and product development. When completed next year, this world-class facility will perfectly com- plement Richardson’s food and ingredi- ents division and provide an extensive opportunity for industry collaboration, as well as helping to invigorate the Win- nipeg’s downtown and serve as a last- ing legacy for the city. Designed by Number TEN Archi- tectural Group, this four-storey, 5,800 square metre facility will house Richard- son’s food development team, product development suites, analytical labora- tory, and a culinary test and demon- stration kitchen. To support Richard- son’s quality assurance and food safety teams, the centre will also showcase an advanced microbiology lab and an extensive quality analysis area. The strategic positioning of these core departments within the same multi-level space will optimize research, analytical, and education- al activities, as well as facilitate the effi- cient development of the truly inno- vative products that Richardson has become known world-wide for. “RIC will consolidate everything we need, from internal laboratories, to product development suites, to a com- mercial demonstration kitchen area; everything that is currently spread out in bits and pieces across our company in North America and the U.K.,” says Chuck Cohen, Richardson’s Executive In the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Exchange District, a building of cutting-edge design is on its way up. Soon, the RIC will dazzle pedestrians and employees while acting as a hub for agri-food research and product innovation. BUILDING A LASTING LEGACYWESTERN EXTERIORS Fall 2019 29 Vice President, Food and Ingredients. “It will be exciting to have a build- ing that is not only beautiful but also functional, and one that lets us do the things that we want to do under one roof.” The RIC’s façade incorporates the largest Tyndall Stone (dolomitic lime- stone) panels that Manitoba’s Gillis Quarries could produce. At 1.8 metres high, the panels are pinned to the façade rather than stacked, and their scale will help to visually connect the building to many of the historically sig- nificant Modernist buildings in the city, such as the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Cen- tennial Concert Hall, and City Hall. The smooth Tyndall panels will be broken up aesthetically with a random pattern of rustic Tyndall accent pieces which are quarried from the natural sedimentary planes of the stone and will be comprised of a variety of deep colours, ranging from grey to orange. Because the Tyndall Stone is not cut and instead uses the natural face of the stone, there are some significant variances in depth which will – in turn – cast shadows on the façade and cre- ate unique patterning that stands out along the wall. In order to create a dynamic urban edge at the street intersection, as well as to achieve the required floor areas for the two levels of office space on the third and fourth floors, an impres- sive 6.5-metre cantilever was intro- duced. The adoption of the cantilever was uniquely achieved by suspend- ing the two floors from projected roof beams. “The large cantilevered box along the north side of the building is clad in full curtain wall with fritted glass,” says Brent Bellamy, Creative Director and Architect at Number TEN. “The pattern of the frit is a gradient from 100 per cent opaque at top and bot- tom, moving to 10 per cent in the cen- tre. This helped to control solar gain in the office spaces while also provid- ing the feel of a transparent wall from the inside. The frit also provides the appearance of a floating white box above the more solid limestone base.” The back of RIC utilizes an eco- nomical six-inch Insulated Metal Panel system by Kingspan in order to increase R-values and reduce con- struction times. The project also incor- porated an innovative new 3M exterior vapour barrier – a first for contractor Bockstael Construction. “Instead of the more tradition- al ‘Blueskin,’ which we couldn’t use because of winter temperature restric- tions, this 3M product allowed us to just peel and stick it onto the exterior drywall no matter how cold it was,” MAIN Digital rendering of the future RIC, highlighting the modern façade and dynamic urban edge of the building. UPPER RIGHT Digital rendering of the interior concept of the future RIC’s atrium. LOWER RIGHT Outside the construction on the RIC, showing the in-progress cantilevered box on the north side of the building. Next >