Heritage Building Conversions and Acoustics

Authors

  • Gregory E. Clunis Integral DX Engineering Ltd.

Abstract

The City of Ottawa has many heritage-designated buildings that have reached or passed the end of their service life for their most recent usage. This includes old schools and institutional and commercial buildings.

This paper will present several case studies of conversions to residential (condominium) usage. Each project is unique, and most include assemblies that are not in the available test data. Challenges encountered included original as-built deficiencies, introduced defects, major seismic weaknesses, and demanding architectural expectations.

Project one was an old, eight room school building, with high ceilings. Each classroom was cut in half to make two units, fitted with sleeping lofts.

Project two was a small site in the Byward Market, with old sheds, garages and a couple of century-old wood houses. The City of Ottawa was most adamant that the houses and old commercial building be retained. In hindsight, almost none of the original materials remain visible and so all the extra work to retain them seems rather pointless. In any case, it made for some splendid challenges.

Project three was also a school building, reworked with an ambitious plan for luxury condominiums. Post demolition of the old interior, many weaknesses were found in the masonry detailing, and substantial enhancements were required for seismic.

Additional Files

Published

2017-08-30

How to Cite

1.
Clunis GE. Heritage Building Conversions and Acoustics. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2017 Aug. 30 [cited 2024 Apr. 30];45(3):54-5. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/3129

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 3 (2017)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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