Vancouver General Hospital
Vancouver, BC

The exterior Cladding Panel contract for the VGH addition was the largest architectural precast job ever built in BC. The exterior panel faces were cast using white cement and coloured granite aggregates. The exterior surface was machine ground and polished to produce a hard, dense, highly reflective finish.

Precast concrete was chosen over granite because of economy, appearance and durability. "We were very pleased with the quality of the precast concrete wall panels", says Alex Shepherd, Architect, Hemmingway Nelson Architects. "The required dimensioning and consistency of colour and face finish demanded complete cooperation from the manufacturing plant and the installation on the site. We got that cooperation as evidenced by the fact that not one panel was rejected because of poor workmanship or quality of finish."

Walter C. Mackenkie Health Sciences Centre
Edmonton, AB

Attractive as the project is, it is more than just a pretty face. "It is probably the most energy efficient facility of its kind in North America", says Mr. Al Mohler, Director of Physical Plant at the University of Alberta Hospitals for this project.

"This hospital uses around 80 kwh/sq. ft/year compared with the 139 kwh/sq. ft/year consumed by the average hospital with greater than 500 beds." This consumption is even more remarkable considering the hospital is unique in having a heart and lung transplant unit and a laboratory which requires 10 air changes per hour and tight temperature and humidity controls.

The precast exterior spandrels incorporate a brick face, an air gap, rigid insulation and the interior precast concrete whythe. The performance of this state-of-the-art system has been excellent. "No evidence of condensation or air leakage associated with the precast wall section have appeared in Phase I, completed in 1978, or Phase II, completed in 1985 and they have been virtually maintenance-free".

Good looks and superior performance made this system an excellent choice. Why not consider precast? Contact your local CPCI members to discuss your next project.