AIBC Professional Development Series: Precast Sandwich Panels – Resilient Building Enclosures

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia’s (AIBC) Fall Professional Development Series is back, and we’re excited to participate! This year’s sessions will focus on innovative architectural case studies.

More information and registration here.

Session Overview: Precast Sandwich Panels: Resilient Building Enclosures

Simon Fraser University’s new Sustainable Energy and Engineering building is a state-of-the-art post-secondary facility at the Surrey campus. The landmark building is a five-storey structure of approximately 20,450 m2, purpose-built to house the new Sustainable Energy and Engineering program. The building façade features alternating strips of white precast sandwich panels and glazing, resembling a geometric pattern of electrical circuit boards. The project’s fast-track delivery requirements necessitated the use of prefabricated precast building components for the façade to not only allow the building to meet tight government funding deadlines, but also provide a high performance and sustainable building with reduced maintenance to meet SFU’s facility requirements.

This presentation provides an overview of precast panel assembly and its advantages and disadvantages over poured-in-place concrete wall. Design and construction challenges and solutions implemented will be discussed.

This session will be co-presented by Building Science Consultants Harold Louwerse and Loveleen Atwal.