Department of National Defense-Interim Site Office and Accomodation
Additional Info
Award Winner : ATCO Structures & Logistics Ltd.
Architectural Excellence : In early 2010, the Canadian Government announced plans to focus resources on Canada’s northern frontier. As part of that initiative, Nanisivik, in the Canadian Arctic territory of Nunavut, was chosen as a new deepwater port on Baffin Island for Canada’s military forces. ASL was chosen to design a modular facility for the Department of National Defense to be used as a site office for six people to live and work. The office is being used in the initial phase of construction of naval facilities in Nansivik. This building’s unique characteristic is its self sufficiency to operate and be comfortable in temperatures that can drop to -27 degrees Fahrenheit. This facility has two modules for accommodation and office space and one service module that houses a generator set and a utility system that provides drinking water and waste management. Despite the isolated location, these temporary living quarters will provide its occupants with the basic conveniences of modern living.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : To provide a comfortable living environment and to protect the inhabitants from the dangerous Arctic temperatures in the most efficient way possible, ATCO used a high performance insulating foam spray that brought R-28 insulating value. Cost of transportation was a major consideration in the design. The modules were manufactured in Edmonton and trucked 2200 miles to the port of Valleyfield, Quebec. The units were then loaded onto a heavy cargo vessel, the Umiavut, and traveled 2,681 nautical miles to Nanisivik. The location in Nanisivik is so remote and inaccessible because of ice, that the Umiavut only makes the trip once a year.
Design Firm Name : n/a
Occupied Date : 9/2/2010
Production Start Date : 6/25/2010
Project Location City : Nanisivik
Project Location State Name : NU
Technical Innovation : Given the sensitive nature of this project, the client had many security requirements. The design also had to take into account that the site office and accommodation would be uninhabited for eight months of the year. With its remote location, all windows and doors had to be outfitted with security shutters. Additional security lighting and windows in the doors were required while the units were occupied so that potential dangerous wildlife - like polar bears - could be easily viewed from inside the unit.
Total Square Feet : 1808