MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP (MEC) (2014)
1077 GREAT NORTHERN WAY, VANCOUVER, BC
OWNER/DEVELOPER
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC)
ARCHITECT
Design assistance, pre-construction, sustainable strategic planning and construction
AWARDS
2018 ASHRAE Technology for New Commercial Buildings – First Place, International
2017 AQME Énergia Award for Energy Efficiency
2015 Canadian Green Building Award
2015 Wood Design and Building Merit Award
2015 Canadian Wood Council Design Award
MEC’s LEED® Platinum® 125,000-square-foot, four-storey head office was designed under the company’s sustainability agenda, using timber sourced in British Columbia and innovative technology to minimize its environmental footprint and provide an enhanced healthy work environment for employees.
Built to exceed LEED® Platinum® specifications and estimated to be 70 per cent more energy efficient than a traditional structure of the same size, this landmark green building required more than 1.35 million board feet of lumber.
Structural steel, heavy timber and nail-laminated timber (NLT) panels were used in this unique construction and design. The NLT Floor System connects to braced steel cores at the stairs and mechanical shafts to resist lateral forces. The use of NLT was chosen over cross-laminated timber due to cost considerations and aesthetics.
Composite cedar panels were used throughout the interior. Reclaimed wood flooring salvaged from the building that previously occupied the site was used in the new structure.
Almost 600 lifts of kiln dried Douglas Fir (2x8 and 2x10 lumber) for the massive floor and roof panels were assembled in Seagate’s shop before arriving on site.
Extensive coordination was required between consultants to ensure integration of complex building systems and exposed wood structure. The building required the integration of three steel seismic cores and a surrounding wood structure.
The two trade scopes were coordinated early in the shop drawing phase and supervised on site for a seamless installation process. Within the timber scope, glulam components were ordered from one supplier and the mass timber floor from another.
All structural components were delivered to site in order of installation sequence. Once the timber frame was erected, back framing was installed by a second carpentry crew to create window openings, roof overhangs and other secondary components.
Ventana’s affiliate, Seagate Mass Timber Inc., provided mass timber procurement, prefabrication and installation of the wood structure for MEC’s head office.
MEC is a repeat Ventana client.
