Health Sciences B-Wing University of Saskatchewan

ADA developed and successfully negotiated a very complex equivalency with the City of Saskatoon for a situation that involved major nonconforming occupancies, fire separations, construction and life safety issues within the existing facility which became evident in our detailed code study. The nonconforming construction and systems could have had major implications on the project cost and use of the facility. Through extensive building code and renovation experience ADA was able to lead our team in the development, and acceptance by the authorities, of equivalencies that resolved the issues with minimal cost extras.

ADA was able to meet all program renewal requirements with state of the art laboratory and teaching solutions in an existing landlocked wing, covered in hazardous materials and surrounded by a fully occupied and operational teaching and research facility. An innovative solution of complex systems, spaces and finishes that together has successfully responded to the projects functional requirements while providing a modern environment that is very pleasing to its users. All of this being constructed with construction cost extras much lower than the industry standard for a project of this type and complexity.

While LEED certification was not required for the project, the Design Team implemented a “LEED shadowing” approach and followed LEED principles in the design and construction of the project. An example of the results of this approach include diverting 1,970,427 kg (or 78.82%) of waste from the landfill.