Engineering joint venture selected for Laboratories Canada Ontario projects
The federal government has selected a joint venture of three major engineering companies to design projects for its Laboratories Canada initiative.
Known as Canada First, the joint venture consists of Architecture49, HOK and WSP. The companies will work together to modernize existing and build new federal science facilities in multiple Ontario cities over five years.
“As this last year has made even more clear, the future health and well-being of our society is intimately linked to scientific research,” said Randy Kray, director of HOK’s Science + Technology practice. “We are excited and proud to work with Laboratories Canada to help create a national infrastructure of the highest order that aspires to put Canada on the international research map and improve the lives of all Canadians.”
The firms will support Laboratories Canada in its mandate to modernize existing facilities with the target of establishing a national network of modern and multipurpose federal science and technology labs that promote collaboration, multidisciplinary research and innovation.
“Laboratory buildings are designed with sophisticated infrastructure that help drive scientific achievement. We are fueled by resolving the complex interplay of building components and space to support the advancement of our Canadian scientists,” said Kevin Humeniuk, national director science and technology for A49. “Working alongside HOK and WSP, we are committed to the design and delivery of world class laboratories for Canada.”
All three companies boast has significant experience in delivering design for major science facility modernization projects. Members of the joint venture have worked extensively on both science mandates and large-scale program execution around the world.
“We have also felt honoured to apply new, rigorous federal ‘greening government’ standards to this first wave of lab projects,” says Antoni Paleshi, WSP’s sustainability project director for Canada. “In many ways, we feel like a team of scientists, exploring and experimenting to find the unique pathway to zero-carbon, resilience and broad sustainability best-suited to each facility.”