Swing Space at LTDLC

Our Team was retained by Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions (BGIS) to prepare swing space for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) on the 3rd, 4th & 5th floors at Les Terrasses de la Chaudiere in Gatineau, QC. Each floor consisted of approximately 2,835 sq.m. of space. The project scope was a complete removal of existing: walls, doors, frame & hardware, ceiling system, mechanical systems (ducts, sprinklers, AHU, etc.), lighting, plumbing (minor) and wall & floor finishes. The project also entailed working with BGIS and PSPC with the procurement of new systems furniture and freestanding furniture, as well as, the coordination of furniture move and installation.

The design requirement was to integrate the Workplace 2.0 Fit-Up Standards while creating a space that would be functional and interesting for the occupants that would be moving in. It was essential to meet and/or exceed barrier-free accessibility codes, national and provincial building codes, Workplace 2.0 and fire codes.

A project constraint that was initially brought up during the design stage was the age of the existing building systems. There was concerns about how well the building could handle and support the design numbers. We had to work diligently with the Building Manager and the Engineers by meeting bi-weekly to confirm that any recommendations presented would result in the best use of the existing building systems and support the end users once they reside in the space.

A design challenge for this project involved the coordination of all the new mechanical, electrical, cabling work above the ceiling. There were areas where the congestion was too great to meet the specified ceiling height. In order to maintain the final deliverable date, we had to work closely with the Engineers and General Contractor to figure out the best solution without affecting the current construction schedule or changing the initial approved design concept of the space. This was done through on-site meetings to discuss the affected areas, and through effective communication with the Project Manager, General Contractor, and the Engineers.