KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence 

Architect: Meiklejohn Architects

It’s not every day the shape of a building foreshadows what’s inside.    

The KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence is shaped like an airplane, with a central two-storey hub (or “fuselage”) and two “wing-shaped” hangars on either side. The building includes exhibition spaces, aircraft displays, an airfield viewing gallery, a cafeteria area, and conference rooms. 

Smith + Andersen was engaged as the electrical engineering team for this project. Our design draws attention to and enhances, rather than competes with, the wood features within the space. 

For example, the lighting fixtures are strategically located to highlight the many airplanes in the exhibition areas. Consistent with all Smith + Andersen projects, we minimized visible electrical wiring wherever possible, but this was even more important when working with wood. The Centre incorporates prefabricated mass-timber components, and uses local wood products that were made in BC. The design features dowel-laminated timber for the roof and floor decking, as well as cross-laminated timber panels for load-bearing walls in the hangars and the curved staircase. The building is all tied together with the structure’s timber struts and trusses, which are placed in a way that is heavily inspired by aeronautical engineering. 
 

Churchill Meadows Recreation Centre

Architect: MJMA Architects

 Virtual planning and early coordination? We totally wood. 

The Churchill Meadows Recreation Centre includes a triple-gymnasium, a 25-metre pool and a therapy pool, a teaching kitchen, as well as various meeting and gathering spaces. The two-storey community centre and sports park primarily serves the western Mississauga area. The recreation centre is bathed in natural light, with striking wood edges. The entirety of the building is composed of mass timber framing, which reduces the carbon footprint of the building, while also providing a deep overhang on the west facade to reduce solar heat gain. 

Smith + Andersen worked alongside the architect during and after the virtual design process. Revit coordination played a large part in the success of this project, due to the extensive amount of service infrastructure and unique wood design. The result of our collaborative efforts is a building that complements its surrounding landscape, not only aesthetically but also functionally. 
 

Neil Campbell Rowing Centre

Architects: MJMA Architects and Raimondo + Associates Architects

A space that flows, like the water around it. 

Located on Henley Island in St. Catharines, The Neil Campbell Rowing Centre (also known as the Henley Rowing Centre) consists of a rowing pool, ergometers, a lifting gym, a meeting space, and provisions for regatta days. The Centre was created as an off-water training support facility for the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course in Port Dalhousie. It was built for the Canada Games, further distinguishing Niagara as the leading rowing destination for regional rowers.

Smith + Andersen worked with the architectural team to design systems that maintained their desired clean look. The floor-to-ceiling glass mimics the horizontal flow of the lake and contrasts with the Centre’s wood elements. The Neil Campbell Rowing Centre is largely made up of two slabs of cross laminated timber with a mass timber composite structure. A polished concrete floor with perimeter grade beams hides many service systems, such as the mechanical supply, to maintain the architect’s vision. We also designed an underfloor air distribution system beneath the concrete, allowing the Centre’s wood ceiling to remain exposed.