Predictability in Extreme Building Conditions

Overview 

In Northern Canada's demanding climate, precision and planning are essential. Radius Track engineered and manufactured a prefabricated cold-formed steel truss system to form the building's doubly curved standing seam façade:

• 107 unique façade trusses maintaining high-performance thermal envelope
• Standardized connection details defining the building's sweeping geometry
• Highly coordinated installation enabling predictable progress in challenging winter conditions

Problem & Approach

During preconstruction, the Radius Track team collaborated with the architect, façade contractor, and structural engineer to develop standardized connection details for the 107 unique façade trusses. The system needed to maintain the high-performance thermal envelope required on the project while defining the building's sweeping geometry.

Using 3D modeling, Radius Track modeled the design surface to refine the geometry and ensure a smooth, continuous metal panel finish once installed in the field. Each truss was detailed and precision-fabricated in a controlled environment for installation using control point information from the fabrication model.

Solution & Results

Defined sequencing and clear installation instructions enabled the contractor to control installation rates with a minimal field team of three. The approach executed design intent accurately and predictably, even in challenging Canadian winter conditions.

Key technical achievements included:

• Precision-fabricated 107 unique cold-formed steel trusses in controlled environment
• Developed standardized connection details maintaining high-performance thermal envelope
• Provided X, Y, and Z information from fabrication model for accurate field installation
• Enabled minimal field team to achieve efficient installation rates in winter conditions
• Delivered smooth, continuous metal panel finish meeting architect's curved vision

The coordinated prefabricated façade system took the guesswork out of installation, minimizing field labor and simplifying the construction process for the doubly curved standing seam façade.

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Team

Architect: TBD Architecture + Urban Planning

GC: PCL Construction

Contractor: Flynn Canada Ltd

CFS Engineer: McClure