Located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island, Port Hardy isn’t the easiest place to source standard construction resources you might find in more populated areas….

Located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island, Port Hardy isn’t the easiest place to source standard construction resources you might find in more populated areas. So replacing two out-dated work and living accommodations on the waterfront of Port Hardy provided its own unique set of challenges. The solution incorporated traditional West Coast design featuring cedar cladding, wood post and beam construction with some traditional Coast Guard red.

The result? A warm contemporary expression for a modern facility. Using local participation in the construction process, the building was designed using wood frame construction. Costs were reduced by not having to bring in trades from the mainland. Use of wood frame, wood siding, and easily sourced products allowed for future maintenance by local trades. Being a Fisheries building, views of water were incorporated into all rooms, including the Officer-in-Charge’s bedroom. The view from the water was the primary driver of the layout and placement of the buildings within the site.

The project achieved the maximum rating for Green Globes, (a score of 88%) for its integrated design process, integration of environmental purchasing, a commissioning plan and an emergency response plan. The design also scored 100% for energy consumption by integrating day-lighting, along with a robust building envelope and the use of energy efficient lighting, HVAC, hot water, and building automation systems. To top it off, there’s a green roof.

The Sinclair Centre has housed upscale retail outlets, a food court, and various Federal services offices since 1986. No major renovations have been done since then.

This project is the first phase of the Federal Government’s plan to revive the civic identity of the Sinclair Centre while maintaining its main function as housing for the Federal Services Centre serving the people of Greater Vancouver.

The revitalization project relocates and consolidates the Passport office. It upgrades the overall signage in the public space, and provides seismic upgrades to all major public areas including the atrium and galleria. The interior and exterior lighting has been improved and the interior updated. The project aims to enliven the currently underused public space while increasing public awareness of its heritage and historical values.