Designed by one of Canada’s renowned architects, Ron Thom the Bata Library has been iconic landmark on the Trent University Campus since it opened in 1969. The new Bata Research and Innovation Cluster consist of multiple centres dedicated to research and innovation, interactive student spaces and Giizhigaatig Room, a Indigenous Learning Space. The new hub combines the university’s commitment to importance of the library’s architecture with its needs to evolve and incorporate digital infrastructure and sustainable design. The university’s commitment to sustainability included the using river water for the water cooled condenser associated with the existing base building chiller plant. Upgrades to the lighting system also assisted in the reduction of the library’s energy load and consumption. The total construction cost was approximately 13.5 million.

The HIDI Group supplied mechanical and plumbing design for the 111,235 ft² multi-story academic facility and included updates to the current building automation system (BAS), controls, HVAC systems, upgrades to the indoor air handling units, terminal units and chilled water and hot water piping. Upgrades also included plumbing, fire protection, and noise control and vibration isolation systems.

Challenges

The replacement of the air handling units posed a challenge due to lack of access to the current mechanical room. The solution was to modify the air handling units by replacing the heating and cooling coils, control and isolation valves, fan motors and MCC. A section of the main exhaust duct and access hatch steel grate was removed to provide access to the mechanical room for delivery of the new equipment.