120 King St.

Building Tour – 120 King St (Sep 16th, 2009)

Today we had the opportunity to tour the King's Head Pub downtown. We were shown around by an engineer, Russ, who was extremely helpful in identifying and explaining the different systems that exist within the building.

The pub is located in a heritage building. Built in the late 1800's, the building began as a fur-trading site and later functioned as a printing press, general office for Canadian Pacific Airlines, and Sparling Sales (radio and television wholesaler) before becoming the pub it is today.

We began in the basement, where Russ showed us what was formerly the boiler room. Before the creation of HVAC systems buildings were heated by steam, which was supplied by a boiler and released through various radiators throughout the structure. When HVAC was introduced to this particular building the boiler was no longer required, and was removed. The room now acts as the site of the structure's electrical panel box. It was interesting to examine the HVAC system that now exists throughout the pub, and observation was easy due to the fact that it remained fully exposed; all systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC were left exposed). Ventilation on the main floor was achieved through 2 systems: diffusion and forced air. One system used a large pipe with small holes cut into it to allow air to "overflow" out and passively enter the room. Alongside, the main system used a system of diffusers to force the air down into the area.

Various code requirements were pointed out during our tour. In the basement we were shown the kitchen, which requires all surfaces to be wipeable in order to maintain sterilization. This includes the ceiling, which I did not previously know. This is why HVAC, plumbing, electrical etc. systems are covered up by a smooth, hard dropped ceiling in the kitchen area. We also discovered that exhaust plumbing has to allow for a drop of 1 inch : 100 feet in order to allow for gravity to remove the waste. Other codes include: the need for at least 2 fire exits per room, a methane exhaust system for washrooms which is separate from other ventilation, and wire-mesh in windows in order to create a fire-separation between neighboring buildings.

We questioned the lack of sprinklers in the building, and were told that there had been insurance issues with the printing press that had occupied the building previously. In addition, some code requirements seem to differ due to the heritage status of the building.

A key point mentioned during the tour was that the moment any significant changes (function, structure etc.) were made, the building had be brought up to current code requirements. Always thinking of studio, the first issue that came to our mind when viewing the building was its non-accessibility. The three-story building is not accessible to people requiring the use of a wheelchair, or even a cart if one was needed by staff. This will prove to be a challenge when designing our studio project, which involves placing a creative environment project for kids 10-18 within the building. The absence of sprinklers will also have to be dealt with, as well as any other issues that will almost surely arise.

Again thinking of studio, we were concerned with utilizing new technology that would help us make use of the roof/rainwater. Collected rainwater can be used as gray water, and may be used for gardening, cleaning, or flushing the toilets. In one of the “void spaces” within the building we may be able to build a water tank; perhaps something like the Raintrap offered by www.watertanksonline.co.uk/all_products.asp (first image) or something more creative like CISTA project developed by architects MOSS SUND and industrial designers figforty (second image below)

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/05/cista-rainwater-cachement-by-moss-sund-and-figforty/) or a combination of two.

Other possible sustainable innovations may include solar collection, geothermal heating, or advanced heat exchange systems.