Trinity Western University Jacobson Hall - Student Housing Facility

Additional Info

Award Winner : Metric Modular

Architectural Excellence : TWU needed to increase on-campus housing capacity as enrollment had been growing over the past few years without additional housing facilities being built. TWU was pressed for time as they needed the new building to be ready by September 1, 2018. The solution: using modular construction to build a five storey, 220 bed, wood framed housing facility – the tallest in Canada at the time of construction. Metric Modular created a design that was suitable for a tight space, would enhance the overall campus community and would respond to the lifestyle of the student population. With exterior panels of Hardie-panel and Alura plank cedar mill siding resembling wood, and a combination of materials the building has a modern and natural look creating a visually pleasant structure. The interior offers a space that reflects the student’s lifestyle with spacious and well-laid out suites, common areas on each floor for socializing/studying and laundry facilities on each floor for added convenience.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : Building the main components in the factory while foundation and site work was being done simultaneously allowed the project to be completed much faster than conventional construction. Additionally, building the majority of the components offsite reduced the need for trades creating efficiencies for the project: all areas, including main floor common areas, were modularized to minimize site works. Utilizing a factory installed exterior cladding system, required minor site finishing. Services such as sprinkler systems and plumbing were pre-installed, as well as all fixtures, electrical and flooring. All furnishings and finishes were completed and installed in the factory prior to delivery to site, meaning the units contained beds, desks and even the mattresses reducing the potential for move-in damage. Also, factory installed roofing membrane reduced the work required on-site.

Green Building Description : The extensive use of wood for Jacobson Hall not only increased the degree to which more sustainable materials were used but also provided the building with higher energy efficiency and noise control, since both the space between the modules as well as the walls floors and ceilings themselves were insulated. The double walls and ceilings provide additional soundproofing to reduce external noise as the railway is about 100 feet away from the building so it was very important to create a quieter living space. By TWU testimony, this is by far the safest and quietest building on campus.

Air quality and comfort has been addressed through the introduction of roof top units to regulate the common areas. Furthermore, an ERV system for better indoor air quality was installed in every suite along with supplemental baseboard heat.

Jacobson Hall was built to meet the General BC Building Code – Part 3, including Energy Efficiency under ASHRAE 90.1-2010.

Occupied Date : 9/1/2018

Production Start Date : 3/14/2018

Project Location City : Langley

Project Location State Name : BC

Technical Innovation : At five storeys, Jacobson Hall is the tallest wood-framed modular building in Canada. Even with the increased height of the modular structure, Metric Modular was still able to design the building to meet seismic, wind, structural and other performance requirements. Designers tightened wall stud spacing on the bottom two floors and used select Douglas fir dimensional lumber, dried to a lower moisture content than typical to minimize framing impacts from shrinking. For seismic requirements, Metric installed Anchor Tiedown System (ATS) rods that ran from the concrete foundation up between the modules to tie the entire building to the foundation. Also, the number and length of seismic straps was increased and the straps were installed with a heavier nailing pattern. A Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panelized elevator shaft was utilized as both a structural diaphragm for the building and provided the required fire rated shaft necessary for a site installed elevator system.

Total Square Feet : 55378