Athletes Village

Additional Info

Award Winner : ATCO Structures & Logistics Ltd.

Architectural Excellence : Built to accommodate up to 3600 athletes, at 1800 athletes per rotation, during the 2007 Canada Winter Games, this permanent housing complex is located adjacent to Yukon College in Canada’s Yukon Territory. The 141 module, two complex facility will serve a dual purpose; providing safe and comfortable housing for athletes during the two week games, and afterwards, create permanent housing that will satisfy a current housing shortage for students and seniors in Whitehorse. Once converted to resident housing these large bright suites with wide corridors and open public spaces, surrounded by mountain vistas, will be a legacy from the Games.
Built for the Yukon Government, designed by Barr Ryder Architects & Planners, it was recommended, to meet tight timelines and avoid the local labor shortage, the facility be designed as modular units constructed off site, then shipped to Whitehorse for final assembly.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : With less than 12 months to complete, the tight timeline and local labor shortage determined the complex be manufactured in our Calgary facility and transported to site. This proved essential in meeting our aggressive timeline, as cement foundations were formed and poured on-site while the units were being manufactured. Using our manufacturing facility also ensured a consistent product was being manufactured by experienced workers. Once the finished units arrived on site, they were easily assembled ensuring adequate time for on-site finishing.
The arrangement of the modular units guaranteed superior sound isolation as it created double wall, floor and ceiling abutments between suites. Exceptional energy performance of the building was the result of double layers of rigid insulation. Insulation applied prior to shipping, as well as on-site, allowed for complete continuity of the insulation and vapor barrier over the entire complex. Triple pane windows also reduced heat loss.

Design Firm Name : Barr Ryder Architects & Planners

Occupied Date : 9/1/2006

Production Start Date : 9/1/2005

Project Location City : Whitehorse

Project Location State Name : YT

Technical Innovation : Initially designed to accommodate athletes, both facilities were manufactured to be readily converted to permanent accommodations.

The first structure, a three storey, 54 module complex built for student residence, consists of 12, 2-bedroom units and 12, 3-bedroom units. The second structure, a three storey, 87 module complex built for Yukon Housing, consists of 18, 1-bedroom units and 30, 2-bedroom units. Both structures include common lounge/laundry and recreation areas.

Located on one of the more seismically active areas in Canada, the complex required special features to be built into each module and across module joints allowing for deflection, shrinkage and seismic movement.

Despite the modules having identical dimensions, each unit had a specific location within the complex. Once properly arranged, module to module joint lines were eliminated and a full truss roof, terraces and finishes added additional elements not typically found with factory constructed facilities

Total Square Feet : 146000