NICOLA VALLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY |
Merritt - British Columbia |
The innovative use of glue laminated columns to support two levels of concrete construction. |
Inspired by the traditional pit house of the interior, the three-storey structure emerges from the sloping site over a 120m (400 ft.) length. Thermal mass is achieved with 250mm concrete floor slabs, and a tapered roof slab, providing drainage while eliminating the need for costly tapered insulation. The lower roof is sodden. High fly ash concrete was specified throughout, except where de-icing salt exposure prohibited its use. The roof and second floor slabs are supported by 256 facetted glue-laminated timber column. Elegant steel castings, shaped by the architect and designed by Equilibrium Consulting, were used to connect the timber columns to the concrete slabs. The column installation procedure presented a logistical challenge and required careful planning. The design specified that the columns be installed after the concrete slabs were cured and stripped. The forming contractor was quickly convinced that this was the preferable approach. The column installation was a success, with an average installation time of about 20 minutes. The four-storey open atrium over the lobby is fully glazed above the roofline and framed with glue-laminated log columns that cantilever past the roof slab to carry lateral loads. The partially exposed atrium roof structure consists of carefully laid out wood frame construction on glue-laminated perimeter beams. |
Client - Nicola Valley Institute of Technology |