Supreme Steel (formerly known as Canron) bid the project in 2005 to the BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), in conjunction with Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project Ltd. (VCCEP Ltd.) the tendered expansion of Vancouver’s existing downtown convention centre. Supreme bid the project and was successful in being awarded the supply, fabrication and erection of 18,000 tonnes of structural steel. Later, the supply and erection of the steel deck and a 90 meter long covered walkway, connecting the existing convention centre with the new addition, was added to the Contract.
The VCCEP represents Supreme Steel’s capability, to execute a large scale architectural project with pressing timelines. The project covers over 1.2 million square feet of commercial/retail space, has multiple complex folded plate geometry to express the “living” roof and contains numerous architecturally exposed structural steel elements that required special attention to detail including smooth fire protection painted finishes. The project was awarded well before detailed design was completed based on the confidence that through value engineering, proper management of the electronic building models and efficient management of staged construction, that the Supreme Steel would deliver a world class facility on time for use during Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics as the central media centre.
The weight of some of the fabricated sections, the limited space for crane movement, and being near water posed some challenges. However, the complex nature of the project was no problem for Supreme’s field erection crew.
The Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project was classified as a LEED Platinum Building. This project became the world’s first LEED Platinum Certified convention centre, which has the largest “green roof” in North America.
