Building Envelope Engineering

New 4-storey, 60,320-square-foot medical office building. As the Building Envelope Engineering Consultant, our scope of work encompassed Construction Documents, Schematic Design, Design Development, Shop Drawing Review, and Building Envelope Construction Monitoring.

45 Parliament Street is a next-generation, 225,000-sf data centre and the first of its kind in downtown Toronto. It is 5 storeys in height and clad entirely in a combination of smooth and ribbed terracotta panels and set upon a clear glass base, patterned façades. In addition to typical new construction design assist services, our scope of service included the development of the exterior wall and roofing technical performance, and thermal modeling of cladding connection system to ensure building code requirements were achieved. 

A detailed investigation evaluated aluminum windows and precast concrete panels for water penetration, insulation issues, and air leakage. The project involved preparing bid documents, specs, drawings, and providing contract administration for window replacement and wall rehabilitation. Air leakage testing before and after installation helped estimate resulting energy savings.

This 1.2 million-square-foot, 11-storey healthcare facility is the country’s first “smart” hospital, featuring fully integrated smart technology systems and devices that communicate directly with each other to enhance patient care. The hospital includes a state-of-the-art emergency department, advanced diagnostic imaging, specialized ambulatory clinics, intensive care beds, single acute-care patient rooms designed for infection control, and modern surgical services with advanced operating rooms. The facility was designed to achieve LEED Silver certification.

A phased IGU replacement program was developed following a detailed window assessment that included drawing reviews, field investigations, exploratory openings, infrared scans, and thermal modeling. Design and contract administration began in early 2020 for approximately 40,000 sf of glazing over three years, targeting energy-efficient retrofits that preserved the original appearance. The selected solution aligned with York Region’s carbon-neutral goals, improving window performance by 20% while retaining existing frames to reduce costs and disruptions.

This new 7-storey, 600,000 square-foot hospital, connected to a 145-bed long-term care facility, includes 164 beds and expanded cancer care services. Building envelope scope included 3D thermal modeling, drawing and glazing fabrication reviews, construction monitoring, performance verification testing, and LEED v4 Building Envelope Commissioning. 

This new 73,750-square-foot community centre located in St. John’s, features a 6-lane, 25-meter pool, a separate leisure pool, gymnasium, youth centre, seniors centre, fitness studio, and multi-purpose rooms.

Building envelope consulting services were provided during the design phase, conducted periodic site visits during construction, and performed field verification testing for the windows and curtain wall. The high-humidity interior presented unique challenges, necessitating specialized detailing around window anchors and exterior soffits.

This 3-storey, 43,000-square-foot building serves as a key orientation point for students and visitors. Designed and built to achieve at least LEED Silver Certification, the project focused on enhancing the quality and performance of the building envelope. Our role involved field review services during construction and the development of a building durability plan. Key services included architectural and shop drawing reviews, field reviews, building envelope commissioning, and the creation of a comprehensive commissioning plan.

This Class A office tower in downtown Toronto underwent a comprehensive envelope restoration to preserve its condition and heritage elements. A swing-stage façade assessment informed a 10-year capital plan. Restoration work included curtain wall gasket replacement, sealant renewal, localized granite repairs, and masonry restoration (limestone, brick, sandstone). Bid documents were prepared for a competitive tender, with heritage approvals secured from the City of Toronto. Construction administration services supported project execution.

Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services Campus includes a main building serving as the headquarters for police, paramedic, fire, and emergency services, and a separate vehicle maintenance building. The project was delivered using an Integrated Project Delivery model. As Building Envelope Consultant our scope of work included schematic design, design development, thermal modeling, construction document review, mock-up review, shop drawing review, and site reviews. 

As Building Envelope Prime Engineer, we led window and wall restorations at 96 Spadina Avenue with a focus on heritage preservation. Scope included historic wood window replacement, concrete wall repairs, and enhanced water management using metal flashing with drip edges. All work followed heritage standards and included water testing for quality assurance and long-term performance.

Located at 20 York Street in Toronto, the Canadian National Express Building is part of the York Teamway and originally served as a goods delivery terminus for Union Station. Completed between 1913 and 1927, this structure now functions as a pedestrian passageway within Toronto’s PATH system and is situated in a designated heritage district.  As the Prime Consultant for the limestone façade assessment and repair, the scope included investigating deteriorated stone masonry, re-anchoring stone cladding due to failed anchors, repairing spalled cornices, and cleaning the stone masonry. 

A comprehensive building envelope upgrade enhanced thermal performance, durability, and structural integrity, aligning with the college’s sustainability goals. The project included a full roof replacement with a 4-ply built-up system for durability and thermal resistance, addressing ponding and odor sensitivity with a hot-applied asphaltic system. Exterior walls were upgraded with overcladding, EIFS bands, and sealant replacements. Skylight curbs were adjusted for new insulation, and polycarbonate glazing was replaced with high-performance curtain walls, improving energy efficiency and sustainability for the Centre for Skilled Trades.

Building envelope consulting services were provided for the 8-storey McCain Complex and the 7-storey Crisis and Critical Care Building, totaling 622,000 square feet. The project included multiple cladding systems—primarily aluminum curtain wall—and both conventional and green roofing assemblies. Scope included thermal modeling, design reviews, mock-up and shop drawing reviews, site inspections, and envelope commissioning for enhanced performance across 650,000 square feet of new clinical space.

For over a decade, Engineering Link has supported Colliers with the annual glass replacement program at Royal Bank Plaza. We developed a glass purchasing program based on failure trends, provide technical guidance for reglazing and spandrel panel refurbishment, and conduct site inspections during replacement. Our role has expanded to include investigations and repair detailing for curtain wall leaks.