Designing facilities for Canada’s northern and remote communities demands ingenuity, meticulous planning, and resilience. From extreme weather conditions to complex logistical challenges, each project requires innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of these regions.
In this blog, we explore the complexities of designing for remote areas, highlighting the importance of reliable systems, sustainable technologies, and creative strategies to overcome logistical and environmental limitations. These facilities are more than just buildings - they’re essential resources for the communities that depend on them, and we take this responsibility seriously.
Overcoming Unique Challenges
Remote communities, whether in the North or other isolated regions, are often accessible only by ice road, barge, or air. This creates logistical complexities that demand precision and foresight. Planning must align with the availability of winter roads or seasonal barges, which are shrinking due to global warming. Timelines are non-negotiable, and meticulous coordination is essential to ensure that materials and equipment reach their destinations on time.
Mother Nature plays a significant role in projects. Sudden weather shifts, unpredictable freeze-thaw cycles, and shorter ice road seasons require proactive planning and innovative solutions to keep projects moving forward. Each challenge demands creative problem-solving to maintain progress and meet critical deadlines.
At the Igloolik Community Centre in Nunavut, for example, our team successfully navigated significant logistical hurdles. With only one annual sea lift available for transporting materials, every detail of the project’s planning and execution had to be meticulously coordinated.
Keeping It Simple and Reliable
In remote regions, simplicity is a necessity. Our designs prioritize straightforward, off-the-shelf systems that are reliable, easy to source, and simple to maintain. This reduces the reliance on specialized parts or expertise, which are often unavailable in isolated locations.
Training local operators is equally important. By providing clear instructions, detailed operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals, and recorded training sessions, we ensure that communities are equipped to manage their facilities independently. Maintenance challenges can be significant when the nearest service centre is hundreds of kilometres away, making self-reliance essential.
At the Ahgwahbuush Memorial School, located in Poplar Hill First Nation, NW Ontario, we applied this philosophy by designing mechanical and electrical systems that prioritized ease of maintenance, ensuring long-term reliability for the community.
Smart Systems and Remote Troubleshooting
Modern building control systems offer significant advantages for remote facilities. Centralized computers featuring intuitive interfaces enable on-site personnel to diagnose and address issues efficiently. Additionally, remote access capabilities allow experts to provide real-time assistance without the need for travel, minimizing downtime and costs.
Redundancy for Reliability
In harsh climates, system failures can have serious consequences. To ensure uninterrupted operations, we incorporate redundancy into critical systems like heating, cooling and power. This design approach guarantees that facilities remain functional, even if a primary system fails.
At God’s Lake Nursing Station, we implemented parallel redundant mechanical systems for the emergency department, supported by a backup generator to maintain functionality during utility outages. This approach ensures the facility’s functionality under all conditions, ensuring the comfort and safety of its occupants.
Sustainability for the Landscape
While simplicity is key, we also prioritize sustainability to reduce environmental impact and operating costs. Technologies such as solar panels, LED lighting, and high-efficiency heat recovery systems help minimize energy consumption. For communities that rely on costly diesel fuel, these measures provide significant savings while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
At the Attawapiskat Youth Centre located in Northern Ontario, solar panels paired with a
high-efficiency heat pump system provide sustainable energy solutions, cutting costs and emissions.
Similarly, the Third & Hawkins residential building in Whitehorse, YT, incorporates
sustainable systems that thrive in the demanding northern climate while optimizing energy efficiency.
As global warming continues to reshape the northern landscape – with shorter ice road seasons and more extreme weather, energy-efficient, resilient designs are more important than ever.
Designing for the Future
Designing for Canada’s North and remote communities goes beyond technical expertise. It’s about addressing logistical, environmental, and cultural challenges to create facilities that are functional, reliable, and sustainable.
Each project drives us to think creatively, adapt to unique demands, and ensure long-term resilience. From meticulous planning to robust system designs, we’re proud to contribute to the sustainability and vitality of these communities. By confronting challenges head-on, we’re creating infrastructure that not only withstands the test of time – but also the elements.