Innovative Vehicle Institute
Innovative Vehicle Institute
2023
Educational
The construction project of the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI) stands out for its use of energy-efficient materials, as well as its educational purpose. The Institute is a College Centre for Technology Transfer affiliated with the Cégep de Saint-Jérôme, a recognized leader in Quebec in the fields of electrification and transportation automation.
The mandate entrusted to gbi’s structural engineering experts was to design a high-tech building with a wood-framed office area and a steel-framed laboratory area. To prevent the transmission of noise and vibrations generated by heavy vehicles throughout the building, the structural design was developed to decouple the dynamo structures from the main building. The laboratory section is connected to the office section solely by two walkways.
Engineering Beyond Limits
The gbi team implemented a set of new strategies to strengthen the effectiveness of its actions.
To completely conceal the anchoring of the CLT walls to the foundations, an innovative anchoring solution, one not explicitly addressed in current design standards, was developed. Numerous calculations were carried out to ensure its viability. Fundamental engineering principles and the similarity of behavior to more conventional assemblies served as the basis for the design.
Another innovative structural solution was the use of curtain walls with glulam mullions that also act as load-bearing columns, meeting two needs with a single structural element.
% of the wood comes from Quebec
inter-storey anchoring
walkways connecting the buildings while limiting noise and vibration from the laboratory
Ensuring Quality of Life for Users
The building is a research facility that hosts researchers, professors, and students. It includes a laboratory and office spaces. gbi’s engineers consistently prioritized the integration of certain WELL™, LEED®, and energy-efficient criteria throughout the IVI project.
A Solid and Durable Design
Most of the wood structure panels arrived on-site as massive, single-piece elements. Since these components also serve as architectural finishes, special attention and awareness efforts were made to ensure their protection by the workers.
Given that the Innovative Vehicle Institute is unique in Quebec, there were few references available for integrating a structure that addresses both acoustic and vibration concerns. These factors were taken into account in the material selection and design process.
Environmental Benefits
What sets the IVI project apart from similar projects in terms of environmental performance is the integration and use of wood in the entire structure of a building with a partially industrial function. This material significantly reduces the building’s energy footprint.
It’s worth noting that the wood species used in the project are spruce and pine, 90% of which come from Quebec. These local purchases help reduce transportation distances between harvesting, suppliers, and the construction site.
Collaboration with All Stakeholders
The integrated design process fostered continuous collaboration and dialogue throughout the project. This approach made it possible to propose optimal solutions that combined the client’s needs with the creativity of the professionals involved.
