PAGE OCR B6 – DECEMBER 2013 – The Ontario Construction Report Contractor, architect collaborate to complete $1.4 million Dundas Museum renovation STAFF WRITER – The Ontario Construction Report Special Feature The Dundas Museum near Hamilton has been renovated, doubling its size with im- proved accessibility. The $1.4 million proj- ect, completed in the summer of 2013, has received positive reviews and has been warmly welcomed by the community. Collaborative Structures Ltd. (CSL) worked on the museum and the adjacent 138-year-old Pirie House, following Mc- Callum Sather Architects (MSA)’s designs. The home, acquired 40 years ago, has been integrated with the museum’s main building. An elevator now connects the home and the museum, addressing accessi- bility needs and providing staff with better ability to move historic pieces. MSA principal Drew Hauser said one of the project’s challenges was connecting several buildings, built through different historical eras, into an accessible and seam- less complex. “We used materials reflective of the industrial heritage of the area like heavy timber and exposed metal detailing but refined versions,” he said. “We layered natural materials in the new entry which connects the two existing buildings in a light-filled gallery. It is very tactile and beautiful.” “There are beautiful gardens in the area so we have carried the traditional landscap- ing of the neighbourhood to the museum, creating a procession from the sidewalk to the building and created an intimate gath- ering space,” he said. Clippings from orig- inal gardens in the area will be used to create new garden spaces with historic character and charm. The new design included three exterior parking spaces, one of which is accessible, where none existed before. Meanwhile, walls were removed within the museum to create new open gallery and office spaces. In the Pirie House, the con- tractor provided fire-rated walls and ceil- ings bringing the building up to current standards, creating new storage space and moving existing functions into new areas. “There is now a room dedicated to public research,” he said. “The education centre and meeting room has been moved to the main floor into a space filled with natural light and fully equipped for wifi and pres- entation capabilities.” Hauser says the new design also allows for transparency. Visitors to the museum can see staff at work on various projects. CSL project manager Garth Cressman says with any existing structure, expecting the unexpected is part of the job. In this case, structural issues delayed work by about a month and required co-ordination with the architect to resolve. “On a project of this type it can be chal- lenging to maintain the original design and vision as issues arise,” he said. “In this case though we were successful in delivering what was expected through close collabo- ration with the architect and regular on-site meetings to address issues as they came up.” Cressman says this is his company’s first project with MSA and that a mutual re- spect developed. “We were able to bring ideas to the table to offer different solutions and options and leaned heavily on MSA to maintain the vision and the end result is one the client can be proud of.” Hauser agrees that the finished product meets the vision. “We’re always open to considering options that don’t sacrifice quality. CSL was great at working through challenges and communicating both with us and the client.” Several trades from the Kitchener-Wa- terloo and Hamilton areas participated in the project. However, tragedy struck the team’s electrical contractor and a new com- pany had to be brought in half-way through the work. “The new company was willing to hire the electrician and project manager who had already been involved with the project which allowed for a seamless transition and avoided what could have been additional delays,” says Cressman. The museum, with a collection includ- ing furniture, clothes, historical medical equipment and original storefront signage from the area, officially opened with a visit from Ontario’s lieutenant governor David Onley. Hauser says Onley’s ability to tour the facility demonstrated the success in making the site accessible. The lieutenant governor, with post-polio syndrome following a childhood infection, could use his assistive device to see everything.