1.5 ConEd Learning Hours
1.5 AIA LU

The deep building retrofit at 60 Bloor Street West, a 1970s-vintage, 300,000-sf office building at the landmark intersection of Bay and Bloor streets in Toronto, is at the leading edge of a trend toward large-scale existing building retrofits in Canada.

Morguard, in partnership with Ledcor Renew and C3 SGS, identified the potential for real value growth through a retrofit that includes significant mechanical and electrical upgrades, installation of a modern building envelope with more than 35 per cent greater daylight openings, and major upgrades to the building’s retail podium—all while the building was fully occupied. The project achieved an energy use reduction of more than 25 per cent and LEED EB:O&M Gold certification.

This presentation focuses primarily on the building envelope considerations, including the design and installation of a bespoke curtain wall system. The upper portion of the existing metal spandrel panels and the structural aluminum fins were removed from the exterior prior to installation of the new unitized curtain wall. The new curtain wall was mechanically fastened to the existing glaze spline. Finally, the original vision glass was removed to the interior. The interior works also included a significant HVAC retrofit.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about and understand the different methods of retrofit and their relative advantages and disadvantages.
2. Understand the challenges of preparing for and implementing a retrofit on an occupied building
3. Understand the options for obtaining LEED certification on an existing building retrofit.
4. Understand new, innovative approaches that should be considered.

Speakers:

Rob Wood, P.Eng. (C3 Specialty Glazing Solutions, a division of C3 Buildings & Infrastructure Inc.)

Rob Wood is the president of C3 Buildings & Infrastructure, a leading provider of curtain wall retrofits on occupied commercial buildings. At C3, he has overseen the retrofit of high-rise office towers across Canada, including Toronto City Hall, 400 University Avenue, and towers in Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, and Sudbury. Rob is a graduate of the System Design Engineering program at the University of Waterloo and a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), and Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). He is an active speaker, having conducted seminars and presentations on curtain wall retrofit to the Ontario Building Envelope Council (OBEC), the OAA, and other organizations.