Queen's University

Biomedical Research Facility

HH Angus was engaged to upgrade the Queen's University Biomedical Research Facility (BRF). We have been providing consulting engineering to Queen's for well over two decade and, over that time, have developed an intimate knowledge of the systems infrastructure throughout the campus.

The BRF project involved a three-phase renovation, upgrade, and fitout of an existing 39,000 ft2 research facility. The aging facility needed additional space for increased research initiatives and a complete upgrade of its lighting, HVAC, and processing systems.

Facility components included systems for biosafety labs, autoclaves, glass washers, new cage washers, procedure rooms, and telemetry rooms across two floor plates. Phase 1 included relocation of a 15,000 ft2 rodent facility within an existing science building. Phases 2 and 3 included a full upgrade and renovation of the 24,000 ft2 vivarium.

HH Angus was involved with the project since its inception in 2009. The approval process lasted over seven years to secure funding, plan for the migration of the labs, and achieve user group consensus on the facility redesign.

The project included some interesting challenges associated with the upgrades:

Operational Continuity: The facility operates 24/7. New space had to be developed and commissioned before decommissioning old spaces. Our team performed detailed planning and site reviews to ensure there would be no disruptions to ongoing research or adjacent HVAC systems.

Aged Infrastructure: The older building lacked up-to-date ‘as-built’ drawings. To mitigate this, we used Revit for BIM modeling and interference drawings to prevent clashes during construction.

Spatial Constraints: Floor-to-ceiling heights were approximately 11 to 13 feet, which is significantly below the modern laboratory standard of 15 feet. We solved this by moving services out of the ceiling space into more spacious areas such as the penthouse, roof, and lower floors.

Infrastructure Renewal: The team designed the complete replacement of all air handling and exhaust systems in the active building. Through creative design, we achieved N+1 redundancy in the air handling systems at the same cost as a standard like-for-like replacement.

SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Lighting Design | Security & Communications Design | Vertical Transportation Consulting

PROJECT FEATURES
Phased renovation, upgrade and fitout of existing facility | 24/7 operations | 39,000 ft2 facility over two floors | Completed 2020

LOCATION
Kingston, Ontario

KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Enable 24/7 operations to continue during entire phased renovation | Design, build and commission new laboratory space before decommissioning outdated laboratory | Solve spatial challenges in new lab site due to low ceiling height | Replace all air handling units

Schroeder Ambulatory Centre

Healthcare Facility

The Schroeder Ambulatory Centre is a transformative healthcare facility in Richmond Hill that has been developed to help address growing demand for outpatient surgeries, diagnostic imaging, and other ambulatory care services across Ontario.

As one of the largest non-profit multidisciplinary ambulatory care centres in Canada, the facility was created to improve access to publicly funded healthcare, reduce wait times, and relieve pressure on hospitals by shifting high-volume, lower-complexity procedures into a purpose-designed community setting.

The project involved the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of an existing 200,000 ft2 medical office building into a modern healthcare environment focused on efficiency, patient experience, and clinical excellence, including base building upgrades to HVAC and power systems to meet CSA Standards and the fitout of 8 operating rooms, 5 procedure rooms, and associated support spaces. HH Angus provided comprehensive mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as communications and security consulting services, throughout the design and construction phases of the project.

Mechanical Scope
Our mechanical consulting services included a comprehensive review and coordination of all building systems. We assessed existing installations through 3D scanning, verified load calculations, equipment sizing, and code compliance. The scope included retrofitting existing systems and infrastructure to suit healthcare standards as well as adding new ventilation, steam and heating systems.

Electrical Scope
The electrical scope involved a thorough evaluation of existing electrical systems, ensuring compliance with design standards and regulatory codes. We prepared tender packages using existing documentation and Revit models. During construction, our team reviewed electrical submissions, attended site meetings, and interpreted contract documents as needed. We oversaw progress inspections, managed change notices, and supported commissioning coordination.

Award-winning* Lighting Design
The human-centric lighting design encompasses all types of spaces, including parking garage and site lighting, canopy illumination, transitional spaces, back-of-house support areas, and task-specific medical environments. The lighting strategy balances visual comfort with clinical performance, carefully calibrating luminaires to provide appropriate illuminance for procedures, circulation, and patient care.
*The project was honoured with a 2026 IES Toronto Section Award lighting design.

By combining technical performance with thoughtful, patient-centered design, the Schroeder Ambulatory Centre establishes a benchmark for outpatient healthcare facilities, delivering an environment that is safe, accessible, and adaptable to the evolving needs of the community.

SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Lighting Design | Communications, Audio-visual and Security Consulting

LOCATION
Richmond Hill, Ontario

KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Adaptive re-use and redevelopment of existing 200,000 ft2 medical building

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

C-Arm Renovation

Sunnybrook's advanced C-arm technology is integrated into their state-of-the-art hybrid operating room. This mobile X-ray system provides surgeons with high-resolution, real-time images during complex procedures.

The mobile C-arm systems are built into the hospital’s specialized surgical and imaging suites, allowing for real-time visualization of blood vessels, bones, and organs. Because these systems use fluoroscopic X-rays, they reduce the need for multi-step procedures, significantly lowering patient recovery times and anesthesia requirements.

HH Angus provided mechanical, electrical, and sprinkler engineering services for the renovation of Room AG-34 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to support the installation of a new Siemens ARTIS zee MP Tilting C-Arm imaging system. The project formed part of a broader redevelopment within the Imaging Suite and included renovations to adjacent support spaces, relocation of existing functions, and upgrades to accommodate advanced imaging technology.

The renovation involved replacing legacy imaging equipment with a modern Imaging Suite, including upgrades to HVAC systems, medical gases, power distribution, lighting, controls, infection prevention measures, and communications infrastructure. The completed installation included a new control room, equipment infrastructure, patient lift, shielding, and upgraded medical gas and electrical systems, all delivered within the constraints of an active healthcare environment.

The project was completed within an active hospital environment with limited available space and significant dimensional constraints identified following demolition. Careful coordination was required to relocate existing functions while maintaining ongoing operations within adjacent Imaging Suites. The design team collaborated closely with clinical staff, equipment vendors, contractors, and project stakeholders to integrate the new imaging technology into the existing facility infrastructure.

SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering

PROJECT FEATURES
Upgrade equipment infrastructure to modern imaging suite | New control room | Completed 2025

LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario

KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Replacement of legacy imaging equipment | Upgrades to HVAC systems, medical gases, power distribution; lighting controls, infection prevention measures, and communication infrastructure | Word delivered within an active hospital environment

Quinte Health

Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Redevelopment

The new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) will be a leading-edge healthcare facility designed to met the current and future capacity needs of its local communities.

HH Angus was engaged by Quinte Health to provide the new hospital with mechanical and electrical engineering services, lighting, audio-visual, and security systems design, as well as energy modeling and ICAT digital strategy.

The project includes the construction of a new hospital with improved equipment and facilities, including a 24-hour emergency department, acute inpatient unit, helipad, surgical suite, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, dialysis unit, and other specializations.

Significantly, the PECMH will be the first acute care hospital in North America with an all-mass timber structure. Unencapsulated mass timber is faster and more accurate in construction compared to steel and concrete and sequesters carbon better than any other structural material.

Use of mass timber is estimated to be saving the project over 9 million kilograms of embodied carbon dioxide compared to a conventional steel and concrete structure. Other sustainable aspects of the new building include energy-efficient windows, selection of sustainable materials and use of natural light in the building’s atrium.

Our systems design included a hybrid plant comprising a geo-exchange heat pump, gas-fired heating, domestic hot water generation and humidification elements. A six pipe, 200-ton geo-exchange heat pump has been designed to allow simultaneous heating and cooling to maximize efficiency performance. The geothermal system is expected to provide 50 percent of the hospital’s cooling and 90 percent of its heating. The new building will feature a solar panel installation on the roof, which will lower electricity operating costs and avoid the use of 2,000 tons of carbon during the panels’ lifespan.

Engineering for a mass timber building requires a substantial amount of coordination early in the design phase to identify service openings, since, unlike drywall, wood openings cannot be adjusted once cut. The design also provides less ceiling space, so all services located there must be closely coordinated with architectural and construction partners. The same applies to the geofield. Mass timber buildings are very lightweight compared to traditional concrete structures, and their technical requirements differ significantly.

Our ICAT team assisted in the development of a Digital Strategy to support the project. This included a current state assessment, visioning, implementation roadmap creation, and budget cost estimate. The ICAT scope of work also included systems integration design involving development of a comprehensive integration use case list through user engagement sessions, as well as developing the construction documents, consisting of an integration matrix, integration concept model / diagram, and integration specification.

The project was featured in Canadian Architect Magazine in April 2025, and in a 1-minute YouTube video.

Image courtesy of Quinte Health

LOCATION
Picton, Ontario

KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Replacement of existing facility | Enhanced clinical capabilities | Geothermal energy exchange, building integrated photovoltaics | Preparation of building for future electrification and net-zero carbon status

Cadillac Fairview

The Interchange - End-of-Trip Bike Facility

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the TD Centre attracts many occupants who commute or would like to commute by bicycle. Cadillac Fairview wabted to create a secure, amenity-rich facility that would encourage and support sustainable, two-wheeled commuting for their tenants.

The resulting facility has proven highly successful and was recognized for interior design excellence with a 2025 ARIDO Award.

The Interchange supports a shift toward sustainable mobility by making cycling a more convenient and appealing option for building occupants. The facility contributes to reduced traffic congestion, lower emissions, and improved occupant well-being, reinforcing the TD Centre’s position as a leading Class A office complex focused on sustainability and tenant experience.

HH Angus provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for The Interchange, a 9,385 ft² end-of-trip facility located in the TD South Tower at Cadillac Fairview’s Toronto-Dominion Centre. Supporting tenants who commute by bicycle, the facility delivers a high-quality, wellness-focused experience that promotes active transportation and enhances tenant amenities.

The Interchange includes 375 bicycle parking spaces, 260 full-height lockers, and 11 showers, along with secure 24-hour monitored bike storage. Premium features such as hair dryers, clothing steamers, and irons elevate the user experience, while the design prioritizes accessibility, inclusivity, and comfort for a diverse range of occupants.

HH Angus’ scope included the design of all heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, and sprinkler systems within the facility. The team also provided electrical engineering services to support wayfinding improvements in the underground parking garage, ensuring safe and efficient cyclist access.

A key feature of the project is the integration of the Eddy smart leak detection system, an IoT-enabled water management solution that uses sensors, automated valves, and real-time monitoring to detect leaks and mitigate potential damage. This system enhances operational resilience while supporting the client’s sustainability objectives.

The facility’s HVAC system incorporates a high-efficiency, 100% outdoor air-handling unit with heat recovery and an integrated heat pump. By capturing heat from exhaust air to precondition incoming air, the system maintains strong performance even in extreme winter conditions while improving overall energy efficiency. The compact, integrated design enhances reliability and simplifies installation within the constrained retrofit environment.

Retrofitting the facility within an active underground parking structure required careful coordination and design precision to maintain safe cyclist circulation and meet tight project timelines. HH Angus worked closely with the client and contractors throughout construction to ensure successful delivery.

SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering

LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario

KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing and sprinkler systems, and wayfinding improvements

The sustainable choice

By making cycling a more practical and appealing choice, The Interchange contributes to a cleaner urban environment and a healthier workforce, while advancing the client’s sustainability goals.

Universal amenities

The amenity spaces had to meet high standards for quality, accessibility, and inclusivity, ensuring that all facilities were gender-neutral, universal, and welcoming to a broad user base.