The historic waterfront building had to be raised up by updating the foundation with galvanized steel pile extensions to meet the surrounding neighborhood street level. For the rehabilitation of the shell, more than 75% of the existing building envelope was reused and retrofitted. The heavy timber truss system inside was also restored and upgraded to insure its structural integrity. Skylights in the top of the roof let natural daylight stream down through the rafters and natural ventilation keeps the space cool when necessary. A high efficiency mechanical and heating system ensures energy efficient operation. Heating is actually supplied via a radiant floor heating system that draws energy from a neighborhood energy utility that reclaims heat from sewage wastewater.
During construction, 98% of construction waste was diverted from the landfills. Upon completion of the historic renovation, the Salt Building was used frequently during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics as a event space. The city had hopes that it would become a entertainment space and be converted to include a number of restaurants. The building is currently for lease as a “prime restaurant/retail/service space”. Seems like a red hot and green space to have a pretty swanky farm-to-table restaurant, right?
Via ArchDaily
Images ©Acton Ostry Architects
