Sector: Cultural
Arapahoe Library
Smoky Hill Library Occupancy Data
Understanding how patrons interact with library spaces is essential in creating an exceptional customer experience. Thanks to ARMS, Arapahoe Library was able to gain a clearer picture of how their visitors engage and navigate the Smoky Hill Branch.
Arapahoe Library wanted to better understand how patrons use its spaces, services, and collections. While circulation statistics and visitor counts provided valuable information on library activity, they did not offer insight into how patrons move through and engage with different areas of the library.
Areas of particular interest included child and teen spaces, service desks, collection areas, study zones, and other amenities. Understanding usage patterns would help support decisions around space allocation, collection placement, and the delivery of library services.
To provide the needed visibility, the ARMS team deployed 3D stereoptic occupancy sensors and used security infrastructure to provide detailed occupancy analytics throughout the facility. The solution was designed to capture occupancy levels, movement patterns, and dwell times across key library zones while maintaining patron privacy.
The resulting insights provided Arapahoe Library with valuable information on patterns in visitor behaviour, space utilization. how patrons engaged with collections and amenities, how long they spent in specific spaces, and which spaces experienced high or low levels of activity. The data analytics contributed to a stronger foundation for operational planning and helped guide decisions around resource allocation, collection management, and future space improvements.
SERVICES
Data analytics | Occupancy insights
PROJECT FEATURES
Patron behaviour insights | Dwell-time analytics | Privacy-focused occupancy analytics | Data-driven space planning Status: Ongoing
LOCATION
Centennial, Colorado USA
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Deployed ARMS throughout key library zones | Installed 3D stereoptic occupancy sensors | Integrated existing security analytics | Developed interactive dashboards | Delivered real-time and historical patron analytics
CN Tower
Lower Observation Level
The CN Tower's Lower Observation Level was completed and unveiled in January 2026, as part
of the attraction's 50th anniversary celebrations.
The refurbished area comprises 10,600 square feet, including both indoor and outdoor viewing areas, a
glass floor, stairwells, washrooms, and the SkyPod elevator lobby. The project won an IES Toronto Section Award for Excellence in Lighting.
The project was designed to seamlessly extend the recently renovated Main Observation Level 3 aesthetic down to Outdoor Observation Level 2, creating a cohesive and elevated visitor experience.
This renovation marked the first major upgrade to Level 2 since the Tower opened in 1976. HH Angus provided comprehensive mechanical, electrical, lighting, and communications engineering services as part of the transformation.
The project has been shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival awards, in the 2026 'Interiors, Public Buildings' category.
Mechanical
Scope included the complete refurbishment of existing washrooms, the addition of a new fully accessible washroom, and modifications to the HVAC systems to accommodate the new slatted ceiling design and updated spatial configuration.
Electrical
Work included upgrades to electrical distribution systems and coordination of power requirements for sophisticated new audiovisual installations. LED linear lighting was integrated along the perimeter core walls, and major infrastructure upgrades were implemented to accommodate a future perimeter heated glass system.
Lighting
A new lighting design was developed throughout the space, including exterior colour-changing LED ceiling lighting at the Outdoor Observation Level. Perimeter lighting creates the Tower’s signature exterior glow, enhancing its nighttime presence. Emergency lighting systems were also upgraded as part of the project. The lighting design was recognized with an IES Toronto Section Award.
Communications
The project included new horizontal cabling infrastructure to support enhanced IT, AV, and security systems. Security enhancements included the deployment of new fixed and PTZ cameras to improve interior and exterior monitoring and support life safety objectives. New fibre optic cabling was installed, along with perimeter Color Kinetics lighting controls that contribute to the Tower’s distinctive exterior illumination.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | LIghting Design | Communications Design
PROJECT FEATURES
Size: 10,600 ft2 | Status: Completed January 2026 as part of the Tower's 50th Anniversary celebrations
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Refurbishment of client amenities, HVAC, spatial configuration, electrical distribution system including future capacity for heated glass, new cabling infrastructure to support IT, AV, security, new lighting design throughout, perimeter lighting; exterior illumination
The visitor experience
The renovation creates a cohesive and elevated space, enhancing the new visitor activity options.
City of Toronto
Nathan Phillips Square Spirit Garden
The Spirit Garden in Nathan Phillips Square — recipient of the 2025 Canadian Wood Council Wood Design & Building Award, as well as an Award of Excellence from the Toronto Urban Design Awards — is part of the City’s revitalization of its landmark civic space at New City Hall. As part of the improvements, a new Teaching, Learning, Sharing, and Healing space was designed and constructed to recognize and honour the experience of Indian Residential School Survivors.
The Nathan Phillips Square Spirit Garden responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s ‘Call to Action 82’, establishing a permanent monument in Canada’s largest city. Spanning 20,650 ft2, this living memorial honours Indian Residential School Survivors and the children who never returned home, creating a powerful civic space for education, reflection, and healing. The project integrates Indigenous knowledge, ceremony, and storytelling into a new Teaching, Learning, Sharing, and Healing space, signifying Toronto’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation.
HH Angus played a central technical role in the cultural and contemplative space, providing mechanical and electrical engineering, security systems consulting, IMIT design, and commissioning. The project included new landscaping, a water feature, a major public artwork installation, and a new Teaching, Learning, Sharing, and Healing space.
Our scope also included a full technical audit and inventory report to document all infrastructure and equipment impacted by the project; power supply for new landscape and other LED lighting fixtures; connection of new area drainage to existing storm systems in the parking level; mechanical and electrical services for the new 450 ft2 Teaching Lodge; and design of security systems for public spaces and the Teaching Lodge.
The exposed wood structure of the Teaching Lodge required exceptionally close coordination between the structural consultant and our mechanical and electrical teams, as service penetrations could not be modified after fabrication. The Teaching Lodge uses pre-formed laminated ash glulam timber and laminated spruce sheathing, both sustainably sourced, to create a resilient and expressive structure.
HH Angus also developed and prepared a commissioning plan for all mechanical and electrical equipment being installed during the project.
One of the interesting challenges of this project was working with multiple interested parties to ensure the collaborative vision of all rights holders for the project was achieved.
The Spirit Garden was delivered through sustained and respectful collaboration with Indigenous communities, ensuring that cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and lived experience were central to the project’s design and execution. Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists, and community representatives were engaged by the City of Toronto and the design team throughout the planning and design process to guide the project’s cultural vision, symbolism, and spatial organization.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | IMIT design | Security Design | Commissioning
PROJECT FEATURES
Heritage site | Teaching lodge | New landscaping | Surface and parking improvements | Upgraded existing exterior infrastructure
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Technical audit | Inventory Report | Power supply | Connection to drainage area in underground parking level | M&E services for new teaching lodge | Security systems design
Toronto Public Library
Wychwood BranchThe Wychwood Library is one of Toronto’s oldest libraries, built in 1915/16 and listed among Toronto's designated Heritage Properties.
HH Angus provided mechanical and electrical engineering for the renovation and expansion of the Wychwood Branch of the Toronto Public Library. Following a feasibility study that identified the desired expansion was possible, the facility expanding from 6,381 ft2 to 15,000 ft2, with mechanical and electrical systems replaced throughout the facility, including new incoming electrical and communication services.
The project included interior and exterior renovations to building structure, mechanical and electrical systems and a complete redesign of the floor space. Necessary facility upgrades included replacing flooring, millwork, furniture, elevator and heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems and equipment, building systems, and building envelope repairs.
The redesign of this heritage facility created room for approximately 2000 ft2 of seniors’ program space as well as innovative space for youth, both of which were needed in the community.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Lighting Design
PROJECT FEATURES
Heritage building | Green roof on expansion | Completed 2022
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Interior and exterior renovation | 2-storey expansion | Mechanical and electrical systems replaced throughout | New incoming electrical and communication services
Celebrating heritage
Key features of the original building were maintained and highlighted through the lighting design, which emphasized the brick exterior and vaulted ceilings in the Great Hall.
Header image credits: Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd.
Art Gallery of Ontario
AGO Transformation
HH Angus has been providing consulting engineering services to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) since 1925. Today, the AGO is the 10th largest art gallery in North America.
World-renowned architect Frank O. Gehry designed AGO’s transformation. The project was both an addition (97,763 ft2) and renovation (187,000 ft2), and represented the final phase of a three-phase expansion. Innovative design features were implemented during the phased construction, installation, and commissioning, as well as in the integration of new and existing spaces.
Three main challenges were proposed by the client and the architectural team:
- construction would have to be phased in order to provide ongoing service to galleries
- sophisticated mechanical systems were needed to meet the specific requirements of each gallery, and these would have to be physically remote from the galleries for aesthetics
- integration challenges would have to be overcome in connecting new systems to existing base systems.
The AGO is divided into 70 zones, with each gallery space fitted with dedicated sensors controlling the individual equipment in remote rooms. The mechanical systems were designed to be virtually invisible. The normal paraphernalia of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems within the gallery viewing areas are not visible to visitors. Reducing fresh air intake during off-peak hours simplified the HVAC system control, and reduced the influence of fluctuations in outside temperature and humidity, providing more stable environmental conditions for the artwork.
The integration of new mechanical systems with existing systems made the already complicated assignment even more complex. The form and arrangement of the new and renovated spaces resulted in an irregularly-connected multi-level project. Interconnected atrium spaces required careful attention to ensure that mechanical services were concealed and that service access routes were maintained. The prediction of temperature- and pressure-induced airflow patterns, and arrangements to segregate returns for balancing return air to individual air handling units, required complex analysis.
In order to avoid the risk of water leakage, which would be a serious issue for the AGO’s collection, all mechanical rooms were located in no-impact areas away from gallery spaces. There is no equipment housed above gallery ceilings for the same reason.
The vertical transportation system includes three passenger elevators, one high capacity freight elevator, two material lifts, and two platform lifts to accommodate persons with physical disabilities. All elevators are of the “traction” type, with special design features to accommodate both large groups and the travel distances required.
We’re very proud to have been involved in the transformation of the AGO – one of Toronto's most important cultural venues.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Vertical Transportation
PROJECT FEATURES
Size: 486,000 ft2 | Status: Completed 2007
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Phasing to permit ongoing operations | Sophisticated mechanical systems physically remote from galleries | Integration of new and old building systems | 3 passenger elevators, 1 high capacity freight elevator, 2 material lifts and 2 platform lifts | Complex analysis required to study temperature and pressure-induced airflow patterns and arrangements