Atomic Energy of Canada

Additional Info

Award Winner : ModSpace

Architectural Excellence : Over the last few years Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) encountered rapid growth and needed to quickly increase their office capacity with larger buildings. ModSpace met with the facility and planning group at AECL and designed a new office building complex that would deliver 25,000 square feet of office space. ModSpace provided AECL with three independent two story modular buildings spanned across three different locations inside a controlled area. Each modular building consisted of twelve modules and each module measured 12’ x 60’. The modules were place side by side for a total building footprint of 60’ x 72’ and the subsequent six second storey modules were stacked over the first floor. The buildings were also designed to be handicap-accessible. The entire project was constructed and operational in only four months.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : All of the first floor modules were constructed with fully finished sloped roofs. This slightly prolonged the installation in order to counter act the roof slope but the pay off will come when the buildings are reused as single storey complexes. Due to increased hiring rates, it was vital that AECL was able to provide facilities to accommodate their new employees. However, the nature of the Chalk River facility did not allow for permanent buildings to be constructed in a timely fashion. It was estimated that a typical permanent building could take up to 30% more time to construct due to all the regulatory approvals that AECL had to comply with. The use of modular buildings allowed AECL to comply with regulations while the modules were being constructed off site. Site prep was also accomplished during this time to further reduce the time required before the buildings could be occupied.

Occupied Date : 2/25/2009

Production Start Date : 10/20/2008

Project Location City : Chalk River

Project Location State Name : ON

Technical Innovation : Each modular building was equipped with a "stay in" system. AECL requires that, in an emergency situation, any building on their property must have the ability to keep outside air from entering the building. ModSpace designed such a system for the modular buildings. HVAC units and exhaust fans were equipped with air dampers relayed back to a low voltage electrical system. Panic buttons were installed at the assembly location inside each modular building. This allowed the occupants of the building to seal off the building and keep any air born contaminants out – with the simple push of a button. Also, the roof sections of the modular buildings were constructed using a truss system. The open webbing of the truss system allowed the manufacture to blow the insulation in place instead of using batt insulation.

Total Square Feet : 25920