BC Hydro - Powertech

BC Hydro engaged Omicron to rehabilitate this key building on their Surrey Campus. The building is over 40 years old and had significant deficiencies, including building envelope failure (walls, window and roof). It was not universally accessible and had years of piecemeal internal renovations, which left the building in poor condition and poorly laid out.  

Omicron prepared a feasibility study which proposed restoring the original clarity of the internal planning while proposing many important building envelope and building code upgrades. Though functional, the building is rather unappealing and, as part of the accessibility upgrade, Omicron greatly improved the appearance of the building while addressing the accessibility requirements by adding a vertical, glazed service tower at the building entry. This not only provides an attractive, new, legible entrance but greatly improves the overall aesthetics of the building.

The long term building renewal includes a complete building envelope replacement, a new 3-storey front entrance and elevator to make the building accessible and allow for multiple tenants, a seismic upgrade that includes strengthening of the stair cores and foundations and localized strengthening of the floor and roof diaphragms, major re-work of the building sprinkler system, reconfigured exits at the ground floor, new mechanical systems and controls and new lighting.