| Work Detail |
Concrete Ontario, during an event held in Vaughan, on Dec. 11, presented the 2024 Ontario Concrete Awards.
The Ontario concrete industry has been acknowledging excellence and innovation for the past 20 years through these awards, and this year saw a total of 14 projects earn top honours.
The 2024 winners were:
ARCHITECTURAL HARDSCAPE: GREAT CANADIAN CASINO RESORT
Location: Etobicoke, Ontario
Owner: Great Canadian Entertainment
Architect of Record: PMA Landscape Architects Ltd.
Engineer of Record: RJC Engineers
General Contractor: Great Canadian Gaming
Material Supplier: Dufferin Concrete, A CRH Company
Hardscape Contractor: UCC Group Inc.
Additional Participants: Ash Grove, A CRH Compan; Euclid Canada; Nucor Rebar Fabrication
The Woodbine Casino is an entertainment complex offering something for guests of all demographics, along with one of the most well-known horse-racing tracks. The scope of work included extensive concrete projects designed to appeal to the senses. Pleasing styles and textures blend to create a modern atmosphere that compliments the contemporary feel of the building. A variety of concrete textures and finishes were implemented across concrete feature walls and paving using 1,500 m³ of concrete. These finishes can be seen throughout the coloured concrete paving, broom finish concrete paving, concrete sidewalks, and concrete curbs all around the complex. The strength and durability of concrete produces lasting results that ultimately reduce our carbon footprint.
ARCHITECTURAL MERIT – Cast-in-Place: ESCARPMENT HOUSE
Location: Honeywood, Ont.
Owner: Cityzen Group (Prefer no owner listed)
Architect of Record: architects—Alliance
Engineer of Record: Entuitive
General Contractor: The Cityzen Group
Material Supplier: Lafarge Canada
Additional Participants: Master Builders Solutions Canada, Inc.
Escarpment House revisits a fundamental strategy of modernist architecture: the precise deployment of a minimal palette of stone, glass, and metal to make a statement about the relationship of building to context. This project inserts a singular built form into an extraordinary landscape to encourage contemplation and allow one to appreciate both more clearly. Escarpment House sits slightly below the brow of a dramatic 30% slope overlooking a spring-fed pond set into fields of native grasses, shrubs, and trees. A multigenerational retreat for a couple, their adult children, and grandchildren, the 1,022 m² bar building is programmed with multiple interior and exterior family gathering spaces, private bedrooms and ensuites. The house is rendered in a restrained palette of locally quarried Algonquin limestone, honed and cleftfinished, narrow anodized aluminum fascia, and fully glazed walls that merge interior and exterior space and frame views through the house and into the surrounding landscape.
ARCHITECTURAL MERIT – Precast Project: ALMA COLLEGE SQUARE
Location: St. Thomas, Ont.
Owner: Patriot Properties
Architect of Record: Agar Architect Inc.
Engineer of Record: Rizz Engineering
General Contractor: Sierra Construction Group
Material Supplier: Stubbe’s Precast
Additional Participants: Sika Canada Inc.
The project Alma College is an ambitious redevelopment endeavor that centers around a historic college site established back in 1878, comprising of three buildings with 430 units. Designed by Agar Architects and owned by Patriot Properties. The architectural design gracefully blends Victorian-inspired brick facades with sleek contemporary elements, resulting in a harmonious and captivating ensemble.
INFRASTRUCTURE Project: LONG POINT CAUSEWAY BRIDGE
Location: Long Point, Ont.
Owner: Norfolk County
Architect of Record: Parsons Corporation
Engineer of Record: ELLIS Engineering Inc.
General Contractor: Sierra Bridge
Material Suppliers: Stubbe’s Precast
Additional Participants: Sika Canada Inc.
Long Point Causeway Bridge over Big Creek was replaced, and a new roadway was constructed in Long Point, Ontario. Originally this bridge was built as a single lane wooden bridge to connect the mainland and Long Point Provincial Park, in the late 1920’s; later in 1957 it was replaced as a two-lane version. In 2022 the bridge underwent construction into a 3 span 35 m two-lane precast bridge. Long Point Causeway Bridge is located in the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve which contains critical animal habitats; therefore, it was of importance to set environment controls. As well as receiving required approvals and coordination between several services and government ministries.
INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING–Precast Project: JARVIS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Location: Jarvis, Ont.
Owner: Jarvis Community Christian School
Architect of Record: Invizij Architects Inc.
Engineer of Record: Kalos Engineering Inc.
General Contractor: Schilthuis Construction
Material Supplier: Stubbe’s Precast
Additional Participants: Sika Canada Inc.; Stubbe’s Redi-Mix
In 2023, Jarvis Community Christian Building celebrated the completion of a significant addition that expanded its facilities to better serve the growing needs of its students and staff. The new wing was thoughtfully designed to enhance the school’s educational environment, featuring modern classrooms equipped with the latest technology, flexible learning spaces, and upgraded amenities. This addition provides ample room for both academic and extracurricular activities, creating a more dynamic and engaging learning experience for students. With a focus on sustainability, the design incorporates energy-efficient materials and natural lighting, fostering a welcoming and environmentally conscious atmosphere.
INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING – Ready Mix: ONTARIO COURT OF JUSTICE – TORONTO
Location: Toronto, Ont.
Owners: Infrastructure Ontario Ministry of Attorney General
Architect of Record: NORR Architects and Engineers Renzo Piano Building Workshop General Contractor: EllisDon
Material Supplier: St Marys CBM Forming
Contractor: Premform
Additional Participants: Master Builders Solutions Canada, Inc.; Nucor Rebar Fabrication
NORR, in partnership with Renzo Piano Building Workshop as part of the EllisDon Infrastructure Team, were selected to design the new Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto, the largest courthouse in Ontario. Situated in Toronto’s downtown core, the new state-of-the-art LEED Gold facility amalgamates several existing facilities to become a key element of the downtown civic precinct.
The collaborative design process has produced a strong architectural vision for the site by maximizing exterior public space, improving the streetscape and strengthening the links and relationship between the courthouse and the City’s downtown core. In particular, a 20 m tall atrium enclosed by a highly transparent glazed façade creates an immediate and strong image which extends the public realm into the building and expresses the public nature of the courthouse within the city’s downtown core.
The project includes 63 courtrooms, as well as 10 conference settlement rooms. In-custody transport, prisoner holding facilities and security provisions are in accordance with provincial ministry standards. The Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto design meets high standards of barrier-free accessibility and achieved the Gold Accessibility Certification from the Rick Hansen Foundation. It includes a number of specialty courts including drug, mental health, Indigenous and youth courts. The grade level public realm of the project displays archeological discoveries as well as noteworthy aspects of the history of the site. The top levels feature a two-story landscaped courtyard surrounded by the judicial chambers, all under a roof of photovoltaic panels.
MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION: OPTA GROUP – ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE
Location: Hamilton, Ont.
Owner: OPTA Group LLC
Material Supplier: Heidelberg Materials
General Contractor: Cor-Tuf UHPC
Additional Participants: Sika Canada Inc.
Opta Group is a globally integrated processor, distributor, and seller of industrial minerals. They strive to be the leading provider of innovative steelmaking reagents, slag conditioners, and metal remediation materials consumed in the North American and European markets. Opta Group has recently diversified into high value recycled glass products and is building a $20 M high tech facility in Hamilton, Ontario to harvest waste container and pane glass, converting both to a series of high performance glass pozzolans with exceptional concrete properties.
The project demanded high-performance concrete for the structural slabs and columns to support a 400-ton mill. This concrete had to achieve early compressive strengths exceeding 70 MPa, outperforming conventional designs. This innovative approach not only minimized the steel required, but also accelerated the overall project timeline.
Heidelberg Materials partnered with Cor-Tuf to produce and deliver Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) tailored to meet these challenging requirements. Utilizing EcoCem®PLC, Heidelberg Materials’ Portland Limestone Cement (Type GUL), ReAct 4, OPTA Ground Glass, Sika Admixtures, and Cor-Tuf’s proprietary material and design, we successfully delivered a groundbreaking RMX concrete in Ontario. This innovative concrete achieved 4-day breaks exceeding 118 MPa (17 000 psi) and surpassed 180 MPa at 28 days.
MID TO HIGH RISE RESIDENTIAL – Cast-in-Place: SUNSEEKER
Location: Innisfil, Ont.
Owner: Friday Harbour Mid-Rise (Phase V) Inc.
Architect of Record: Rafael + Bigauskas Architects
Engineer of Record: Stephenson Engineering – A Salas O’Brien Company
General Contractor: Unified Project & Construction Management
Material Supplier: Champlain Ready-Mix Forming
Contractor: Resform Construction Ltd.
Additional Participants: Euclid Canada
Sunseeker is a residential condominium and newest addition to the Friday Harbour Resort along the shores of Lake Simcoe in Innisfil. Formwork activities were wrapped up in May of 2024 on this expansive midrise structure. Two tower cranes were erected to construct the project starting in early 2022. The ground floor, with plate area of over 11,000 m², has two courtyards each consisting of extensive landscaped curbs, pool, hot tub, and cabanas. Rising up is two 6 storey towers housing 250 suites.
MID TO HIGH RISE RESIDENTIAL – Precast: BELL TOWER RESIDENCES
Location: Mississauga, Ont.
Owner: Canahahns Company Limited
Architect of Record: Fryett Turner Architects Inc.
Engineer of Record: Thornton Tomasetti
General Contractor: Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc.
Material Supplier: Stubbe’s Precast
Additional Participants: Sika Canada Inc.
Bell Tower Residences, located at 2340 Confederation Parkway in Mississauga, exemplifies modern urban living through its innovative use of total precast concrete construction. The 10- storey building, with 82 spacious units, addresses the city’s growing need for high-quality residential spaces. The mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, paired with contemporary finishes and expansive layouts, caters to a wide range of residents, from professionals to families.
The building’s structure was designed with precast concrete walls, floors, and balconies. Hollowcore slabs were utilized for the flooring, providing both strength and flexibility in the layout design. Additionally, the use of precast columns and beams allows for larger, open interiors that create a bright and airy environment. Large windows contribute to this by flooding the units with natural light and offering impressive urban views.
The installation of Bell Tower Residences used a crawler crane, a specialized solution to navigate the challenges posed by the neighboring taller buildings, which required increased tower crane heights. This crane choice allowed for efficient, precise installation of the precast elements despite the site constraints.
SPECIALTY CONCRETE APPLICATION–Cast-in-Place: JANVEEK MODEL 1000
Location: Woodstock, Ont.
Owner: JanVeek Concrete Homes
Engineer of Record: Van Harberden Consulting Inc.
Tilt-Up Contractor: Tiltwall Ontario Inc.
Material Supplier: Lafarge Canada
Additional Participants: Master Builders Solutions Canada, Inc.
The JanVeek Model 1000 is an innovative tilt-up home project located at 585032 Beachville Rd in Woodstock, Ontario, designed to address the region’s housing crisis by offering a new approach to affordable, energy-efficient residential construction. As the first tilt-up home of its kind in Ontario, the project demonstrates the potential for this building method in the residential market. With a footprint of 1,000 sq ft, this single-story home was built in just six weeks for under $300,000, making it a model for rapid, cost-effective construction.
The Model 1000’s design features fully insulated tilt-up wall panels and insulated metal panels (IMP) for the roof, ensuring excellent energy efficiency. These elements not only help maintain a comfortable internal temperature year-round but also significantly reduce energy costs for homeowners. The tilt-up panels were cast on-site, minimizing waste and transportation costs. This method reflects a commitment to sustainability, reducing the project’s environmental impact while maximizing efficiency.
SPECIALTY CONCRETE APPLICATION–Precast: HAGERSVILLE STUBBE’S REDI-MIX PLANT
Location: Hagersville, Ont.
Owner: Stubbe’s Redi-Mix
Architect & Engineer of Record: DesignLogix Engineering Inc.
General Contractor: Stubbe’s Property Development
Material Supplier: Stubbe’s Precast
Additional Participants: Sika Canada Inc.
The Hagersville Stubbe’s Redi-Mix Plant is a state-of-the-art facility that exemplifies innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in concrete production. Strategically located in Hagersville, Ontario, this cutting-edge plant is a key component of Stubbe’s Redi-Mix operations, supplying high-quality concrete to meet the demands of Ontario’s construction industry. Recently, the facility expanded with the addition of a new building, further advancing its capabilities and reinforcing its commitment to excellence.
The newly constructed building at the Hagersville plant is a testament to modern industrial design, utilizing precast concrete produced by Stubbe’s own operations. This energy-efficient building supports the growing production needs of the plant while prioritizing sustainability and worker comfort. The structure features advanced insulation and ventilation systems, ensuring a controlled environment that enhances productivity while minimizing energy consumption. Designed with durability in mind, the new facility also highlights the versatility and strength of precast concrete, setting a new standard for industrial construction.
SPECIALTY CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION: ROGERS CENTRE
Location Toronto, Ont.
Owner: Toronto Blue Jays
Architect of Record: Populous Design Build
Engineer of Record: Entuitive
General Contractor: PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
Material Supplier: Prestressed Systems Inc.
Additional Participants: Crawford Metals; InSteel Wire Products; Lafarge Canada; Master Builders Solutions Canada, Inc.; Nucor Rebar Fabrication; St. Mary’s Cements
Phase II renovation of the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays began October 13, 2023. Field excavation created below ground space for the new player facilities and premium clubs. Removal and replacement of lower bowl precast bleacher seating to better align patron viewing of sporting and entertainment events being held at the Rogers Centre. With a three-month window for installation of the new bleachers, installation started in December 2023 and was completed before the end of January 2024.
The original 100 level seating bowl and structure (from foul pole to foul pole) was fully demolished, excavated, redesigned, and rebuilt to introduce a modern ballpark experience with sightlines designed specifically for baseball viewing, bringing Blue Jays fan even closer to the action, along with adding world-class player facilities and premium clubs and amenities.
Interface between supporting structural steel girders and precast bleachers, rise / run requirements and new precast having to be installed under existing seating structure created some very unique challenges from a design standpoint, a connection standpoint and an installation standpoint.
Due to the extremely tight schedule, precast was chosen as the preferred product to allow for offsite precast production while site activities continued without interruption. Once the site was ready precast was fully installed in under 2 months with 2 cranes and 2 crews working 6 days a week, 12 hours per day. A total of 679 precast members were utilized on this project.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING: LANTERRA ARTISTS’ ALLEY
Location: Toronto, Ont.
Owner: Lanterra Developments
Architect of Record: Hariri Pontarini Architects
Engineer of Record: Jablonsky, Ast & Partners
General Contractor: Lanterra Construction Management
Material Supplier: Innocon Inc.
Additional Participants: Master Builders Solutions Canada, Inc.
Artists Alley is 3 Towers nestled downtown between St. Patrick St and Simcoe St, just south of Dundas. The project has 899 residential units, 6 Ground floor retail units and over 15 commercial units.
The 3 towers which share a 4 level below grade parking garage, sit on a 1.2 m raft slab. Due to the design complexity the towers have various transfer slabs ranging in depth from 1.2 m to 3.9 m thick. The project has large cantilever’s and deep transfer slabs. To aid in achieving the design, various complex engineered concrete mix designs were required.
There are columns that are 2 m in diameter and 5 m in height. These columns have a concrete design strength of 80 MPa. With a strength that high placement can be extremely difficult depending on the outdoor temperature that the concrete is being cast in. For this project, we placed 1 column per day when required to combat the quick set time of the concrete.
Adding to the complexity of the project was the fact that all 3 towers were constructed concurrently. Over an 18 month period, 3 concrete placement pumps operated daily. With different access points, different concrete strengths, and different elements being placed daily, a great logistical execution was required.
SUSTAINABILITY: WEST 5 CANDELA & SPEKTRA BUILDINGS
Location: London, Ont.
Owner: Sifton Properties
Architect of Record: Architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson Inc.
Engineer of Record: VanBoxmeer & Stranges Engineering Ltd.
General Contractor: michael + clark construction
Material Supplier: Lafarge Canada
Additional Participants: Hayman Construction Inc.; Master Builders Solutions Canada, Inc.; Middlesex Concrete Forming Ltd.
Through 2022 and 2023 Lafarge Canada supplied concrete to the construction of two new buildings in the unique Sifton Properties West 5 Net-Zero Community in London. West 5 is a trailblazing community in Ontario as a true Net-Zero community and upon learning that Lafarge Canada could supply ECOPact Low Carbon Concrete to the construction of the Candela & Spektra buildings they immediately implemented the ECOPact mixes into their sustainable construction designs. Lafarge Canada supplied approximately 16,500 m³ of concrete to the project including approximately 12,000 m³ of Ecopact Low Carbon Concrete. The ECOPact mixes accounted for an approximate C0 reduction on the project of approximately 1,250 tons. |
