Integrated Well-Being

Karine Lalancette, B.Arch, M.ATDR, manager, real estate projects at Eddyfi Technologies, worked on the headquarters from the initial planning through all building construction phases after planning. Collaborating closely with architects and engineers to achieve Eddyfi’s building vision (schematic design, design development, construction phase), she calls the new headquarters, “[A] very well-thought project meant to combine many factors: our employees’ well-being, functionality, great aesthetics and design, sustainable construction and harmonious integration into the community. Our branding is really important to us, so our design and decoration had to be relevant to our business DNA. It was key that employees would feel comfortable in their new environment. Together with marketing, we conducted orientation meetings with representatives from all departments to get their input, ideas and wish list.”

The new building offers its occupants several amenities: gym room, beach volleyball court, collaborative work spaces, rest and relaxation, zones and active workstations for every single employee. It’s part of a larger complex that features a research center, training center and production unit.

WOOD, STEEL AND THREE BLOCKS

Eddyfi’s headquarters combines different types of building materials. “A hybrid steel-wood structure and steel structure [supplied by Quero Metal Inc., Lévis, Quebec, Canada; and Canam Buildings, Saint-Georges, Quebec] made it possible to meet the needs of load range that were very important in the internal transport of large pieces of infrastructure that Eddyfi must analyze,” says César Herrera, architect and director of design, Coarchitecture, Quebec City. “The structure was left visible throughout the building and the use of wood combined with steel creates an elegant and warm structure.”

The headquarters’ design is separated into three large blocks according to the company’s essential functions and activities: a production block, a socialization block and a research and development block. “These three functions are connected by a large atrium open on two floors, creating a bright space and open to the outside,” Herrera says.

This atrium formed by the functional and spatial organization of the building represents the headquarters’ hub. The spine that connects the three blocks between them, the atrium creates chance meetings between employees to generate discussions and exchange ideas helping create synergy and collaboration. Equipped with a large staircase and two overhead walkways, the atrium is completely transparent and double height.

DOUBLE ALUMINUM SCREEN

Resembling a high-tech graphics card and functioning as a second skin that veils interior space from southern sun exposure, a perforated double aluminum screen wall supplied by Vulcain Inc., Saint-Jerome, Quebec, envelopes most of the headquarter’s second floor. It reduces indoor overheating in summer and allows winter sun penetration.

“Eddyfi wanted an exemplary building in terms of energy performance; the perforated aluminum double skin is a measure of attenuation of solar gain on indoor spaces” Herrera says. “The perforation of the aluminum panels was made on a custom pattern specially developed for the project. This double skin also serves as a privatized screen to protect the research done on the building. [It also] contributes to the architectural character of the building.”

The installation of the aluminum double skin was a big challenge for the project. “To avoid thermal bridges, the use of wooden beams to support the structure of the double skin was used,” Herrera says. “The perforation pattern of the aluminum panels has been carefully studied to allow the outward visibility and the solar occultation toward the interior spaces.”

Karine Bourque, general director, with the general contractor Ronam Constructions, Lévis, Quebec, agrees installing the façade was a challenge. “We had to ensure a seamless coordination with all the stakeholders involved, whether to eliminate thermal bridges, ensure accurate fastening methods or to materialize the different angles of volume created.”

Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries Inc. supplied the coatings for the perforated metal wall. The metal wall is finished with three custom colors formulated specifically for the project. Most of the metal façade is covered in PPG Coraflon White Pearl powder coating, offset by a lesser amount of PPG Coraflon Gauntlet Gray powder coating. A small section of the cladding, less than 1,000 square feet, is finished with a beige-colored, metallic PPG DURANAR XL liquid coating.

“PPG Coraflon powder coatings were specified to help the building achieve LEED v4 certification,” says Scott Moffat, PPG architectural sales manager, industrial coatings. “According to Richard LeBlanc, vice president of coatings applicator Anacolor Inc. [Quebec City], Coarchitecture wanted all the colors to be formulated in powder because the firm and building owner were aiming for LEED certification.”

BIOPHILIC AND GREEN

The headquarters was designed with many biophilic components. “The abundant use of wood, the large triple-glass windows with outward views toward nature and the horizon, the use of natural stone, the fire of the central fireplace and the use of natural plants in indoor spaces are some biophilic measures oriented to increase the comfort and well-being of the occupants,” Herrera says.

The southeast façade orientation is completely cleared of obstructions to take advantage of the dominant view of the city. The irregular shape of the building creates an outdoor terrace protected from the winds and sun. In addition to the double skin filtering the direct light, second-level floors extend into cantilevered platforms to reduce direct sunlight. All work and meeting areas have views of the outside and controlled natural light. Natural ventilation in key headquarter locations is done via a large opening that provides direct access to the outdoor terrace. All of these qualities helped the headquarters attain LEED v4 Certification.

Eddyfi Technologies is happy with its new headquarters, and Lalancette says, “We had an incredible collaboration with all of our professionals, especially our architects and builders. Our vision was the same, which helps make a great project. Our visitors really like the building. It is sleek, modern, but still has a homey and warm feeling about it. It’s a building where it feels good to live in and where you can witness our team thrive. It is also an absolute delight to see theories and concepts that we had on paper—such as the planning and potential use of the collaborative workspace, the function that the atrium would play, etc.—be turned into reality and adopted so quickly by our team and visitors.”