INNOVATION July-August 2014

2O13 2O14 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Alhambra Formerly an opulent Victorian-period hotel constructed in 1887, the Alhambra, one of Vancouver’s oldest buildings, is located in the historic Maple Tree Square and is part of the two-storey Byrnes Block in Gastown. Designed to LEED Silver equivalent, the structure features existing masonry clay brick, heavy timber, glass and steel framing, consisting of 27,000 ft 2 of commercial space with retail dedicated at grade and office at the second level. A contemporary glass elevator and pedestrian bridge two storeys above Gaoler’s Mews Courtyard connects Alhambra with the historic garage development to the west. Working in this restricted and delicate space, Glotman Simpson developed flexible, sliding connections on the bridge—so well integrated they are almost imperceptible—which unite the buildings, yet allow them to move separately in the event of an earthquake. Owners: The Salient Group; Acton Ostry Architects. Structural engineers: Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers.

Exosuit Quadrant Electronics completed the Junction Box Power Communications and Control Distribution System for Nuytco Research’s Exosuit—the next generation deep worker hardsuit. QEI developed a reliable, highly integrated, deep-sea electronics package that receives all-suit power, voice and high definition video communications for distribution to the various subsystems. The Exosuit is developed and built in North Vancouver by Nuytco Research. The suit allows divers to operate in one atmosphere safely to a depth of 300 m with exceptional dexterity and flexibility to perform delicate work. The onboard Atmospheric Diving System maintains surface cabin pressure and a unique rotary joint, invented by Phil Nuytten, allows the operator to bend and move normally. Surface-level automation also enables remote suit operation.

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