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Tell everyone at (Dynamic Structures) that it was a privilege to work with them. The equipment is high quality and the speed with which you were able to deliver it was incredible."

Stephen Rowe
Ride Technical Manager, Universal Creative (Japan)

The Art Gallery of Alberta - Edmonton, AB

Empire Iron Works Ltd. (EIW) of Edmonton was proud to contribute steel detailing and fabrication for The Art Gallery of Alberta – a fantastic $88-million, steel and glass structure consisting of 85,000 sq. ft of gallery, public and classroom space, including a 5,000 sq. ft atrium. Designed by Randall Stout Architects, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA, the building was a complete refit of an existing building on the same location.

The complex structure is highlighted by the aurora borealis – a stainless steel ribbon winding endlessly in and out of the building to a height of 31 metres and wrapping itself around the building’s irregular-shaped exterior. The fluid nature of the steel and glass were a challenge for EIW. "You have to make sure all the members are in the right place to ensure none poke out of the skin," explained Thorsten Gaul, Vice President of EIW.

EIW utilized electronic data from the architect combined with their own software programs to digitally define all locations. The Art Gallery was reportedly the first project in Edmonton to be completed entirely without paper drawings. All data was generated and transmitted electronically, posing a huge learning curve for construction management, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers and the sub-trades. However, it also helped the team avoid problems virtually rather than having to fix them in the physical world as they were all able to see the complex geometry of the building. This project will be used in the future to train NAIT and University of Alberta students.

The Art Gallery of Alberta required:

• - 220 tons of reinforcing steel
• - 880 metric tons of structural steel
• - 450,000 man-hours of work
• - 3,500 cu. metres of concrete
• - 80% of the steel was recycled

Due to the complex geometries, steel was the clear choice for structural support, as it could be bent and curved into the required forms while minimizing the impact on the existing structure below, minimizing loads at the foundation level, and providing a column-free interior within the new gallery. The entire addition is supported by only six columns threaded down through the existing structure to bear on pile caps supported by 40-ton screw piles in the basement. One-story-deep trusses span and cantilever past the columns to provide support for W33 and W36 beams that span across the space. The resulting gallery addition is completely unimpeded with structure in order to maximize curatorial flexibility.

The unique form of the borealis was created using wide-flange members, hollow structural sections, and custom box shapes comprised of 1½” plates. Strict geometric limitations defined the surface of the borealis, so careful consideration had to be given to connection of these elements, including the transfer of large torsion forces at critical locations.

Working intimately with the various construction partners, advanced computer models and traditional fabrication processes, EIW’s contribution ensured the Art Gallery of Alberta was an unqualified success in all regards.
 

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