INNOVATION May-June 2019

LARWILL PLACE To address the growing need of affordable housing, the Province of BC, the City of Vancouver and BC Housing partnered to provide more than 600 housing units through the Rapid Response to Homelessness initiative. Horizon North was engaged to manufacture modular buildings, designed with the function that in several years, these buildings could be taken apart, transported and re-assembled on another site. The units are built on a multipoint Triodetic foundation system that allow them to be constructed on parking lots or no dig areas with little disruption to the existing site. The buildings meet Step Code 3, BC’s new sustainability requirement. Through partnerships, support from utility agencies, and non-profit organizations, these sites were ready for occupancy in under six months. Participants: Steven Chan, P.Eng. (BC Housing Owner’s Representative), Bruce Candline, P.Eng., Blake Lawson, P.Eng., Eric Man, P.Eng., Christopher Owen, P.Eng., Neal Rogers, P.Eng., William Vangool, P.Eng. ST. MICHAELS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL SUN CENTRE Located in the heart of St. Michaels University School, the Sun Centre consists of two storeys and over 30,600 square feet (2,840 square metres). The ground level features the new Student Commons and adjacent university and Personal Counselling Services Centre. The upper level contains a modern and open dining hall and kitchen, able to seat more than 380 people. This space is designed to transform for special events into an elegant setting complete with lofty cathedral ceilings, natural light, and views of the fields and quadrangle. The new Sun Centre is the hub of St. Michaels University School’s community life. Project Owner: St. Michaels University. Architect: Merrick Architecture. Mechanical: The AME Consulting Group. Electrical: AES Engineering. Structural: RJC Engineers. Photo: Tristan Shouldice

RE-PURPOSING CONCRETE RAIL TIES TO SUPPORT MARINE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT

CN developed new techniques to re-purpose concrete rail ties. Instead of landfilling or stockpiling on its right-of-way, CN investigated alternative re-use methods to decrease environmental footprint and increase a tie’s life-cycle. Prince Rupert was chosen as a pilot study site to promote biodiversity in a waterlot with minimal marine life. An innovative program was initiated in 2014 with a feasibility study, biophysical survey, and target species selection. In 2016, prototypes were designed and land-tested, followed by an aquatic effects assessment and permit applications to Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans

Canada. The project included consultation with local stakeholders and First Nations, and culminated with deployment of 20 reef units in November 2018. Post-installation underwater monitoring will continue until 2021 to evaluate colonization, abundance and biodiversity. Owner: Canadian National Railway: David Brogliatto, Stella Karnis, Mike Linder. Primary consultant: Keystone Environmental: Dr. Francisco A. Perello, P.Eng., Richard Johns, P.Eng., Dr. Jamie Slogan. Primary contractor: Milestone Environmental Contracting: John Clarke, P.Eng.

I N N O V A T I O N

m A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 9

2 5