Maple Avenue Tower is a 17-storey Condo (with a 4-storey precast concrete parking garage and a composite transfer slabs at the 5th floor) and Mixed Retail (Total Precast Building) in Barrie, Ontario. The building features 169 residential units and 247 parking spaces. Precast construction’s added value comprises engineering design and detailing of the precast components, as well as forming, reinforcing, casting, transportation and erection. However, the best added value benefit may be the speed of installation and year-round construction. 

For this project the precast concrete panel system also provides the exterior architectural finish, creating a subtle stained colour palette look with flat accent areas. An innovative framing method created by the design team allows the wall system to be staggered, providing a look that breaks up the mass of the structure and incorporates the aboveground parking structure into the overall design. The precast concrete erection took only 8 months to complete which accelerated the whole construction schedule.

Accelerated Building Construction (ABC) such as modular and prefabricated precast concrete components (also known as Total Precast Concrete Building Systems) are becoming a popular choice for many construction projects. Architectural and structural precast concrete elements as well as prestressed concrete components can be combined to create the entire building.

ABC provides a streamlined approach to every project where the advantages of manufacturing in a permanent facility improves quality control and saves money for clients who need to maintain strict deadlines.

Developers who use precast concrete building systems say precast concrete plays a big role in shortening the project timetable when compared with other traditional construction methods. Saving time during construction is crucial when delivering a new building into a competitive mar¬ketplace or in meeting tight deadlines to ensure that the building is ready for occupancy as soon as possible. Precast concrete building systems can help developers achieve these goals while also providing a resilient and durable solution that can withstand harsh climates for decades to come. 

Photos courtesy of Stubbe’s Precast