Ducks Unlimited Canada
Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre
Project Description
MCW Consultants Ltd. provided mechanical and electrical design services for the construction of a 55,000 square foot environmentally friendly office and conservation centre located in a wildlife sanctuary.
Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North American’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. Ducks Unlimited Canada has been committed to wetland conservation for more than 65 years. Despite this, wetland loss continues across Canada. As much as 70% of Canada’s original wetlands have been lost in some areas of the country.
The Duck’s Unlimited Head Office and Display Building at Oak Hammock March required historical and green space design. The selection of mechanical and electrical equipment while it required energy conservation, all must be sympathetic to the natural surrounding. This was accomplished to the satisfaction of Duck’s Unlimited through our liaison with the Architect and Landscape Architect.
Mechanical Systems Description:
The Mechanical Design specifications included ground water cooling with no use of CFC’s, electric heating, heat recovery, silencers on all air intakes to reduce night time noise pollution, well water for domestic water consumption and fire protection and a roof earth covered with local vegetation.
Electrical Systems Description:
The challenge for the Electrical Engineers were to provide an exterior and interior illumination of the landscaping and building which would not disturb the migration and nature setting for the water fowl. For the landscape lighting a system of lower wattage energy efficient high pressure sodium luminaires were utilized such that one would be guided throughout the area from a pool of light to another pool of light ensuring light encroachment was eliminated from the nesting area.
The interior illumination was a combination of low wattage in wall floor lights with other controlled overhead luminaires which allowed the User to have setting for each time of day viewing requirement. Special power outlets were utilized throughout the public area to allow exhibits set up flexibility as well as special exhibits displayed on a one time basis.
