Addition and renovation, office & foundry

Group Eight was responsible for the structural, mechanical and electrical engineering services for the plant expansion and office addition at the Brantford foundry of Wescast Industries Inc. The assignment included planning, design, specifications, contract administration and general site review.

A new 16,000 ft² semicircular office facility was designed with high ceilings, open areas and a raised roof with clerestory windows utilizing natural light. This addition, plus 13,000 ft² of renovations within the existing foundry plant, provided expanded office areas, locker rooms, change rooms, and washroom facilities.

Some aspects of the mechanical design include a centralized DDC of the mechanical systems with remote modem monitoring providing efficient use of Energy. A night time, warm air, drying system is provided in the lockers in the expanded change room areas. An overhead slot diffuser system in the exterior office areas reduces window drafts and conserves energy.

To accommodate a time constraint of 10 months, a construction management process was used. Work was scheduled so the operation of the plant was not interrupted.