Encana Christina Lake Thermal Project
Additional Info
Award Winner : Northgate Industries Ltd.
Architectural Excellence : The Christina Lake SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) project located in northern Alberta required a different type of crew accomodations. The 269 person facility met the growing trend in permanent workforce housing by leading away from institutional-type dormitories and heading toward a facility that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but offers amenities equal to any highly rated hotel. The occupancy demand of each 100 sq ft room was to have a three piece private washroom, a functional and modern office station as well as a bedroom with clothing and personal effects storage. Each room was deemed its own suite and was accesorized and color coordinated not only to please the eye, but to provide a functional and comfortable living space. By utilizing warm toned woods and leather furniture, an overall effect of 'home away from home' was accomplished.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : The workforce housing facility at Christina Lake is a prime example of cost effective and energy efficient thinking. The rule of thumb in Alberta is: $1.00 in the factory is $10.00 in the field. The factory built completion point is that all architectural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems are installed in each module, eliminating the need for basic system install in the field constituting 80-90% factory completion. The installation of the helix screw pilings not only eliminated the need to defrost the highly frozen Canadian ground, but also eradicated the traditional concrete foundation that was estimated at three times the cost. The fuel fired heating and hot water systems are all high efficient fixtures, generating 90% efficiency rating, whose importance cannot be understated as the LPG is bulk storage being trucked in weekly. All plumbing fixtures installed are low volume flush, and all lighting fixtures are energy efficient to reduce power usage.
Design Firm Name : Northgate Industries Ltd.
Occupied Date : 1/7/2006
Production Start Date : 11/1/2005
Project Location City : Foster Creek
Project Location State Name : AB
Technical Innovation : The Christina Lake accomodation facility project is structurally, mechanically and electrically advaced. The entire facility is structurally supported on a foundation of drilled helix screw pilings that were installed in mid-winter, and meant the omission of a concrete foundation. Steam pressure was used to penetrate four feet of frost in the ground, and the pilings were then screwed to depth and adequate tone. The entire heating system is a combination of fuel fired and electric technology that can be switched from one to the other should there be a disruption of either source. As the facility is on diesel generated power, the electrical system is designed with trip breakers that allow the camp to be powered down for maintenance and back up power switch over.
Total Square Feet : 52920
Category : Permanent: Institutional or Assembly: over 5,000 sq. ft.