INNOVATION July-August 2016

2015 ❖ 2016 Project Highlights

The 2015 ❖ 2016 Project Highlights showcase recent engineering and geoscience work by APEGBC members, in BC and elsewhere. Innovation thanks those who submitted project photographs and descriptions for consideration.

Audain Art Museum Stands Above the Floods The Audain Art Museum houses an impressive collection of BC art. Because the 56,000-square-foot building sits on a forested site within the Fitzsimmons Creek floodway in Whistler, BC, the architectural design could not proceed until the debris flood hazard risk was determined to be acceptable. Kerr Wood Leidal Associates was retained to assess the debris flood hazard and risk and to design flood-proofing measures for the site. The building is designed to withstand a 1-in-2,500-year debris flood event, and is elevated one storey above ground on a series of piers, with only about 10 percent of the footprint touching the ground. Debris floods would pass under the museum, thereby protecting the building, its precious collection, and visitors. Consultants: Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd. (flood protection); Thurber Engineering Ltd. (geohazard review); Equilibrium Consulting (structural); Creus Engineering Ltd. (civil); Spratt Emanuel Engineering Ltd. (building envelope); Integral Group (mechanical/electrical/LEED); LMDG Building Code Consultants Ltd. (building code)

R endering , C ourtesy of P atkau A rchitects

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