Revitalizing Downtown Ottawa

Complex renovations of existing buildings to address commercial vacancies

AS SEEN ACROSS major Canadian cities, there has been a rise in commercial building vacancy here in Ottawa, especially in federal office buildings. According to CBRE’s Canadian office figures, Downtown Ottawa has reached its highest commercial vacancy rate ever at 15.1 per cent.

Attention to underused office space has grown alongside concerns around housing supply and affordability, as well as a renewed focus on cleaner, more efficient buildings. Canada’s Greening Government Strategy seeks to transition to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations, achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Underused buildings pose financial challenges for owners, planning challenges for the city, and uncertainty for Ottawa’s business community.

However, for Entuitive, the leading structural engineering and sustainable performance consultants, these vacancies represent an opportunity for complex renovation of existing buildings.

“Since opening our newest office in Ottawa last year, we’ve had an eye on transforming the city’s vacant commercial buildings into vibrant, sustainable buildings,” says Megan Rhind, Senior Associate and Ottawa Lead at Entuitive. “Our Structural and Building Envelope experts work with our Sustainable Performance Group, to update older, staid buildings to ensure they have a place in Canada’s green future.”

Revitalization and Strategic Energy Conservation:

Recognizing the environmental impact of buildings, which contribute to 40 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Entuitive advocates for the renovation and repurposing of existing buildings. Its existing buildings portfolio includes commercial-toresidential conversions and building retrofits across Canada.

By leveraging their expertise in energy modelling and lifecycle carbon analysis, Entuitive’s team guides the financial analysis behind building decarbonization, ensuring a sustainable and economically viable approach to a structure’s second life.

Entuitive’s process begins with the creation of a baseline scenario, where energy models are utilized to identify optimal energy conservation efforts. By conducting thorough lifecycle carbon analysis and financial assessments, they can select measure that help maximize the net present value of a property.

This meticulous approach allows building owners to make informed decisions regarding cost-effective and energy conservation measures, striking a balance between environmental impact and financial feasibility.

The retrofitted MacKimmie Complex at the University of Calgary required early-stage investigation and analysis from Entuitive and its construction partners.

Decarbonization Strategies from Structural Experts

In the realm of building decarbonization, a paradigm shift has occurred, where more calculated planning and a push for low-carbon solutions prevails.

“The traditional approach of evaluating energy efficiency based on payback through energy cost savings has limitations, as it often overlooks long-term financial and environmental benefits,” says Paul Carter, Building Envelope and Conversion Specialist at Entuitive. “Instead, we’re encouraging a more comprehensive approach by comparing net present value against a businessas- usual baseline. The industry now values energy projects by their long-term worth, not just quick paybacks.”

This nuanced approach enables building owners to make strategic decisions about retaining original equipment for its service life. This can minimize costs while maximizing energy efficiency and, eventually, lead to a low-carbon option.

Entuitive was the Prime Consultant, Structural Engineer, and Building Envelope team behind Neoma, a commercial to residential conversion resulting in 82 affordable housing units in downtown Calgary.

Entuitive’s expertise in structural analysis also plays a pivotal role in the conversion process.

For instance, since Ottawa is a moderate seismic area, major changes of use can trigger expensive seismic upgrade requirements. Entuitive’s proficiency in seismic evaluations, including advanced performancebased techniques, take advantage of the existing strength of the structure. This can significantly reduce the scope and cost of the upgrades, providing cost-effective options to give the building a second-life.

The Path to a Revitalized Downtown:

As Downtown Ottawa continues to see more leasable space become available, building owners and the community alike must consider the second life potential of these buildings. Through building upgrades and complex renovation of existing buildings, Entuitive is excited to contribute to the re-shaping of the downtown core, while setting a precedent for sustainable urban development.

Through their expertise, dedication, and innovative approach, Entuitive is paving the way for a greener, more vibrant, and economically robust future for Ottawa’s downtown area.