b'BEST OF THE BEST AWARDSand lighting equipment, upgrading theabove and beyond those of a typicalEllisDon is proud to contribute to Massey Halls fire egress requirements, creatingrenovation project. Halls renewal, which it believes will new performance and event spaces inbreathe new life into the local music the South Addition Tower, and restoringWorking in a high-traffic area with heightscene without sacrificing its historic the heritage wood, metal, terrazzo,restrictions also required extensiveheritage value and charm. The company and stained-glass elements to theirplanning between EllisDon and its teamis also honoured to be recognized by TCA former condition as per the Heritageof specialized trades. So did incorporating Conservation Plan. the projects new south addition portionfor its success, noting, We would like to with the old hall. thank The Corporation of Massey Hall and As with any renovation, dealing Roy Thompson Hall for the opportunity with existing conditions is a challenge,Overall, says Daniel Sousa, seniorto be the constructor on the project. notes Zyad Arous, construction manager.superintendent at EllisDon, The finalWe would also like to thank Turner & On this project, the age of the results were extremely positive, andTownsend, as well as KPMB Architects building and having to deal withbeing able to work through them duringand the rest of the consultant team, and designated substances and existingthe pandemic, which posed its own set conditions due to historic constructionof supply-chain and manpower issues wasof course all of the subcontractors that methods and tolerances were challengesespecially rewarding. were a vital part of the project.PROJECT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD | MEDIUM PCL CONSTRUCTION | KEN SOBLE TOWER PASSIVE HOUSE ENERPHIT RETROFITsocial housing transformations inshows the role the constructor can play in the country, says Marc Pascoli, vicemitigating the impacts of climate change.president and district manager, PCL Constructors Canada Inc. What makesRetrofitting the 80,000-square-foot this project special is that it is constructedtower to Passive House standards was and modelled to Passive Housesa fitting challenge for PCL. It required internationally recognized EnerPHita comprehensive quality program that program for buildings that meet ultra-lowincluded rigorous testing, measuring energy standards. This included creatingand addressing issues throughout the a high level of insulation in opaqueproject, as well as meticulous planning, wall and roof systems, well-insulatedcommunication, and oversight to maintain glazing assemblies, having a thermalthe budget and schedule. bridge-free design and construction, an airtight building envelope, and ventilationScheduling and budgeting were two systems with highly efficient heat orimportant challenges because Passive energy recovery. House retrofits have a higher overall The affordable seniors housing complexconstruction cost as they are driven by has benefited greatly from the retrofit.specific materials and processes that are The building has achieved a staggeringnot typical to regular construction, says 94 per cent reduction in greenhouse gasJonathan Rodrigues, PCL Constructors emissions, a 91 per cent reduction inCanada Inc.s lead project manager on heating energy demand and 0.235 airthe Ken Soble project. The schedule changes per hour (ACH) at 50 pascalswas also challenging since the building pressure (Pa), which is well under therequired exterior cladding improvements, projects requirement. At its peak, theincluding materials and products that had It was a landmark Passive Housetotal energy required to heat and cool atemperature limitations.retrofit that brought PCL Constructionunit would be equivalent to the energy into the TCA Awards spotlight. In 2021,needed to power three incandescent Nevertheless, PCL overcame these the company completed its EnerPHitlight bulbs. hurdles thanks to the support and transformation of Hamiltons 18-storeycollaboration from the buildings owner Ken Soble Tower, marking the first retrofitThe construction on the project showedCityHousing Hamilton, as well asof its kind in North America and thethat high-performance building envelopesERA Architects and the firms skilledlargest residential building retrofitted toon large-scale tower retrofit projectssubtrade partners.the Passive House standard in the world. are achievable when following the best constructional practices, says LoriThis project was a great team effort, and The 500 MacNab (Ken Soble Tower)OMalley, PCLs inhouse building envelopewithout their collaboration, this award project is one of the most ambitiousengineering specialist. Moreover, itwould not be possible, adds Pascoli. BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 1 202217'