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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. NSPI – Nova Scotia Power Corporate Headquarters in Canada by WZMH ArchitectsJanuary 10th, 2013 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: WZMH Architects The project is located on a 5-acre site at the southern end of the Halifax downtown waterfront with access from Lower Water Street. The site steps down approximately 7.5m from Lower Water Street to the harbour, east of the site. To the south there has been significant redevelopment of some of existing harbour buildings including the NASCAT, and Pier 21. To the north and west vacant lots exist that will be subject to future development.  Image Courtesy © Greg Richardson
 Image Courtesy © Greg Richardson An existing decommissioned power plant currently occupies the majority of the site; the Water Street Coal Fired Generating Station began with the installation of its first generator in 1911. Construction of the current building took place progressively with a series of modules beginning with the northerly most one in 1944 and finishing at the south end of the site in 1959.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban The plant operated from 1944 to 1986 and was finally decommissioned in 1999. The existing building is comprised of a concrete clad steel structure that encloses several high volume spaces that originally housed equipment for generating electricity. The site contains a substation with switchgear and transformers that serve downtown Halifax. A tower supports transmission lines that feed the substation.  Image Courtesy © Greg Richardson The project involves the retention and adaptive reuse of the former generating plant to become the headquarters for the provincial electrical utility, Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI). The facility will house over 500 staff in approximately 18,000 gross m2 and provide onsite parking for 150 cars.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban Public access From an entry court on Lower Water Street, visitors will cross a bridge to the main entrance and lobby of the building. There are three public entries from the boardwalk level.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban Early visits to the site were inspirational: soaring interior spaces with an exposed latticework of steel framework were reminiscent of the imagery of Russian Deconstructivism design. Investigation of archival photos of the site uncovered the image of a line of 4 chimney stacks.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban The design retains a memory of, and celebrates, the original structure. The free-standing structure in the Atrium frames interesting views to the waterfront. Transparent stairs and bridges that thread their way through the structure provide connectivity within the building. The memory of the chimneys is recalled in the Galleria – their bases becoming skylights. Interior finishes recall an industrial aesthetic – the polished concrete floor in the atrium and expanded metal mesh on the balustrades.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban On the exterior, the new envelope is expressed as a layer applied, and floating out from the original volume. Connecting the City to the harbour  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban A large transparent volume carved through the mass of the existing building, the Atrium, will form not only the main entrance to the building on Lower Water Street, but will provide a visual link through the building so that the water will be visible from the street.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban The building and site design reinforce the visual and pedestrian connections from city streets to the water. A portion of the existing structure at the north was demolished to allow a connection from Morris Street to the harbour. On the south the beginning of the boardwalk is reinforced at the termination of a view and pedestrian corridor from Perimeter Road.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban Sustainability  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban The stated objective for the project is to achieve Gold Level LEED certification as a minimum, with a target of Platinum Level certification, subject to a detailed analysis of cost and feasibility. Sea water cooling (and heating) is being provided utilizing existing piping from the Halifax harbour originally used to cool power generating turbines.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban The building will represent the first major use of “chilled beam” technology in Canada. Located within the ceiling space, the system, more efficient than conventional systems, utilizes (low energy sea) water rather than air to transport cooling thereby lowering energy consumption.  Image Courtesy © Greg Richardson Additional energy saving strategies include the provision of heat recovery on HVAC, daylight and occupancy sensors for lighting and supplemental heating for both the building and hot water with the use of solar thermal panels.  Image Courtesy © Greg Richardson The “reskinning’ of the existing building shell will result in an energy efficient tight building envelope that will minimize energy loss/gain at the building perimeter.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban Most of the demolition residue will be reused: steel will be recycled off site, and the concrete rubble that is saw cut to make window openings will be used as fill to adjust site grades west of the building.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban ADDRESSING PROGRAM AND CLIENT NEEDS Accessibility  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban Engaging the user with the waterfront  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban Sense of collegiality  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban The Galleria is the main route of internal horizontal travel – the building’s central circulation spine. In the winter, when the harbour environment is harsh, the Atrium becomes a key employee amenity for lounging, meeting or having lunch.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban Objectives for the Project:  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban Cost was a major component on the decision to renovate the former Water Street Coal Fired Generation Station and relocate the employees of the NSPI’s head office groups to this site. Renovating an existing NSPI building is the optimal solution to the Company’s post 2010 space requirements.  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban  Image Courtesy © Tom Arban
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Tags: Canada Categories: Headquarters, Offices |
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