Ontario College of Art & Design University

Professional Gallery

The OCAD Gallery is the flagship professional gallery for the Ontario College of Art and Design, Canada’s largest and oldest educational institution for art and design. It serves as an experimental curatorial platform for art, design and new media.

HH Angus was tasked with the mechanical, electrical and lighting design for this 755 m2/8,200 ft2 facility. It includes gallery space, a media lounge, permanent art collection and storage, administration support services and shipping and receiving areas.

This project provided interesting design challenges to protect the art from potential water leakage from the tenants on the floor above. The ceiling is covered in a white waterproof membrane, which made recessed luminaires impractical.

The ceiling beams have a dual purpose – to support the track luminaires and to create an artistic industrial feel for the space. The track is two circuit to allow for maximum flexibility. LED track heads are 3500K with a CRI above 93 to enhance the colour of artwork in the exhibits. The track heads were chosen to allow for multiple and varied beams spreads, to enhance each exhibit and to provide flexibility by accommodating different lensing and media. Suspended linear LED luminaires were used in non-gallery spaces. Various power and data systems were used throughout the premises.

The heating and ventilation systems were designed to meet the mechanical requirements for a Class ‘A’ Art Gallery. The mechanical requirements for the Gallery consist of controlled humidification levels and temperature range. To achieve the requirements, a separate dedicated standalone mechanical air conditioning/humidification system was designed for the space. An indoor dry cooler and a series of heat pumps are located throughout the facility. Each heat pump has an associated electric humidifier and associated condensate pumps.

SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Lighting Design

PROJECT FEATURES
Size: 8,200 ft2 | Status: Completed 2017

LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario

KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Water leakage mitigation | LED luminaires | Power and data systems | Controlled humidification | Heating and ventilation systems for Class A Art Gallery standard

Meeting Project Goals

The OCAD project was delivered under budget and met LEED certification requirements.

Custom Lighting Requirements

A central dimmable lighting control system was incorporated. The lighting control was divided into multiple zones to satisfy the custom needs of the Gallery.

Carlu Corporation, College Park

The Carlu

After sitting shuttered, run down and neglected for almost 25 years, this landmark venue underwent a comprehensive two-year renovation that brought the entire seventh floor back from the brink. Now designated a National Historic Site, the former Eaton’s store on College Street in Toronto boasts an event venue fully restored to its 1930s splendour, and worthy of the original vision of Lady Eaton.

Renamed in honour of the original architect, Jacques Carlu, the Art Moderne facility, which includes a grand foyer, auditorium and the Round Room restaurant, was in desperate need of refurbishment and renovation. The historical significance of the space was not lost on the new leaseholders, or the Toronto Historical Society.

HH Angus’ role as mechanical, electrical and communication engineers and lighting designers, was coordinated through our Tenant Engineering group. The project differed significantly from a typical renovation. HH Angus worked diligently to preserve and re-create the appearance of the 1930s interior. Mechanical and electrical systems were modernized and seamlessly integrated into the facility without detriment to its timeless charm.

The almost century-old façade now conceals new air handling, cabling, communications and sanitation systems. The Carlu has been transformed from a derelict relic of Toronto’s past into an up-to-date venue with historically accurate fixtures and fittings, new kitchen facilities, full climate-control and state-of-the-art audio, visual and wireless networked capabilities.

HH Angus’ creative engineering solutions overcame significant challenges posed by architectural constraints and complicated scheduling issues. Design sensitivity and engineering skill applied to this historical renovation helped make possible the rebirth of the stunning Carlu.

SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Communications Design

PROJECT FEATURES
Status: Completed 2003

LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario

KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Heritage property renovations | New air handling, cabling, communications and sanitation systems | Innovative lighting approaches to ensure historical accuracy

Adding Drama

Angus Lighting’s dramatic designs for this stunning venue included replacing incandescent downlights with state-of-the-art halogen and fluorescent lamps to enhance the ambience in the main Rotunda.

Respecting the vision

Track lighting accentuates art and art forms, and dimmer systems were replaced. To ensure historical accuracy, existing wall sconces were completely refurbished and revamped.

Canadian Museum Construction Corp.

National Art Gallery of Canada

We are very proud of our contribution to Canada’s National Gallery, one of the country’s landmark institutions.

This project consisted of two buildings: the Gallery building of 549,000 ft2 and an administration building of ~54,000 ft2. The Gallery building houses Canada’s national art collection in state-of-the-art environmental conditions, with close control of temperature, humidity and high efficiency air filtration.

Each gallery has individual control of its environment, and high levels of humidity are maintained year round. Air with low of humidity levels is supplied to public circulation areas, such as the colonnade, galleria and Great Hall, to prevent migration of humidity from the art display galleries. Such migration could cause condensation on the large areas of exterior glass that enclose the building during the cold Ottawa winters.

In addition to the public galleries, administration offices and cafeteria, there are restoration workshops, authenticity and verification laboratories, paint and varnish shops, photograph storage, and fine art storage areas. A 200-car underground parking garage and loading dock were also incorporated.

The low-rise design of this gallery involved stairways and ramps as features, which eased the requirements for passenger elevators. Freight requirements, on the other hand, required large units for the movement of exhibits, with the doors of these elevators measuring up to 12’8” wide by 12’0” high.

SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Vertical Transportation

PROJECT FEATURES
Size: 550,000 ft2 | Status: Completed 1989

LOCATION
Ottawa, Ontario