Group2 News

INNISFAIL PUBLIC LIBRARY NEARS COMPLETION

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:28:37 GMT

The new Innisfail Public Library is a hub of activity now as construction workers complete finishing touches on the project and crews are moving equipment and furnishings into the building.

One of the most powerful aspects of the facility is its connection with nature. Design elements include slanted columns that mimic the exterior trees, glazing which allows a number of view points to the stunning treed setting outside the building, and full walls of windows ensure people within the space have the perfect backdrop for quiet and reflection. The form of the roof is reminiscent of a tent structure that is pitched in the middle of nature.

A double sided concrete fireplace situated in the ‘living room’ space serves as a dynamic element in the central gathering space, between the library and the Senior’s Centre that invites you to discuss, visit and plan. The library will serve as a show piece and important facility in the Town of Innisfail for many years to come.

The library is expected to open to the public in February 2012.

Group2 Saskatoon Studio Featured in the Star Phoenix

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:20:46 GMT

Troy Smith and Laura Plosz were interviewed and featured in the Business Section of the Star Phoenix as part of the series, 'New Faces, New Places'. The article captures their commitment to sustainability in both business and family life and the reasons for setting up an office in the Saskatchewan market.

A Tasty Solution to Urban Sprawl

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:19:58 GMT

The Saskatoon Studio was featured in the Star Phoenix Business Section for their first place tie in the sWheat Gingerbread Competition. Troy Smith, one of the Principals leading this studio, was interviewed to provide insight into the design and considerations behind their laneway house entry titled, "Santa's Green Belt". The photo also includes gingerbread team members, Laura Plosz, Principal, and April Hiebert, Intern Architect.

GROUP2 SASKATOON 2011 WINNER SWHEAT PRAIRIE GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:36:54 GMT

The Group2 Saskatoon Studio has tied for first place in the 2011 sWHEAT Prairie Gingerbread House competition. The house design called 'Santa's Green Belt' was cited by jury member Colin Neufeld from 546879 architecture as "Loved the Belt. Found it the most 'formal' response that tied in sustainability, 'backyard', transition between dwellings and Christmas theme..." The house will be featured in a upcoming article in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix newspaper - stay tuned!!

GROUP2 MAKES MOVEMBER MEANINGFUL WITH $3,600 DONATION

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:37:45 GMT

From handlebars, to goatees, to a good old fashioned bushy moustache....nine individuals at Group2 took up the challenge this past November, to sprout some extra facial hair for a good cause. The nine raised $3,671 during “Movember”.
Movember encourages fundraising worldwide for men’s health issues. In Canada the monies go towards researching Canada’s number one male cancer: prostate cancer. Movember also seeks to raise awareness. Group2 is proud of the participating moustache groomers (a.k.a. fundraisers):
Dave Cheetham, Troy Smith, Ryan Bultena, Brad Watson, Cailey Gray, Craig Clarke, James Reid, Jon Gulayets, and Robert Oldford (from top left to right)

GROUP2 RECEIVES 2011 EDMONTON URBAN DESIGN AWARD OF MERIT

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:11:14 GMT

Group2, with Perkins & Will of Vancouver, has received an Urban Design Award of Merit for the City Centre Airport Lands Masterplan.

City of Edmonton Comments: Edmonton is a vibrant and growing metropolitan centre. We have a City Vision and a Municipal Development Plan that seek to make our city more compact and sustainable through world-class urban design.

The City Centre Redevelopment project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a new community in the heart of the city. Perkins+Will Canada was chosen from three international finalists to help transform the City Centre Airport lands into a sustainable, transit-oriented, family-friendly community. The City Centre Redevelopment master plan – called Connecticity – creates a world class sustainable community for 30,000 residents.

2011 ROW4KIDS FUNDRAISER ANOTHER SUCCESS!

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:16:32 GMT

Congratulations again to our Row4Kids team, who this year raised $5454.00 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation! We had perfect weather for the final race day at Telford Lake in Leduc, Alberta, on Sept.10, and even rowed to victory in our last heat against 2 other crews, winning by several boat lengths! A big thank you goes out to everyone on the team for their hard work, and to everyone who sponsored us this year. A great effort all around, and we look forward to next year!

SASKATOON STUDIO TAKING SHAPE!!

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:13:50 GMT

The renovation to the Group2 Saskatoon Studio is progressing along with painting almost completed. Flooring install begins next week and furniture and workstations will be set up on September 15th.

Group2 Co-Presenting at Canada BIM Council

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:44:07 GMT

Group2 is pleased to have been selected to co-present at the Canada BIM Council Regional Session in Edmonton on September 15th. Ryan Mislan of Group2 along with Scott Cameron of Supreme Group will be sharing their experiences with integrated structural delivery and building information modeling during design, fabrication and construction. Check out the link for more information.

MEADOWS RECREATION CENTRE IN THE NEWS

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:02:40 GMT

The Edmonton Journal has started a summer series of articles on its website called 'Living on the Edge.' One of the current posts is related to the City constructing 2 new Recreation Centres this summer including our Meadows Recreation Centre and Library. Check out the link below.

QUEEN ELIZABETH POOL OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:33:44 GMT

The Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool is open for business. Substantial completion was received last week with a few minor components - installation of the dive boards and slide and finishing off of the spray park still to come.

PINNIPED EXHIBIT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:36:58 GMT

Construction of the Pinniped Exhibit at the Valley Zoo continues to tick along. Glass has gone into the curtain wall of the Winter Retreat and you can finally see how the natural light animates the day room space. Artificial rock work continues and the cobbles are now placed along the back of the main pool. Substantial completion is scheduled for September 2011.

GROUP2 TO LEAD UPGRADE TO ENMAX CENTRIUM

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:54:02 GMT

Group2 is pleased to be working with Westerner Park on the ENMAX Centrium Expansion. The $3.5 million project includes 14 more luxury suites, the addition of 1,000 seats to bring the facility’s capacity to 6,000. Construction is set to start in May of 2012 and be complete by October 2012. Group2 recognizes the Centrium’s significant impact in Central Alberta, and anticipates the opportunity to ensure it is well prepared to serve the community well into the future.

EDMONTON CITY CENTRE AIRPORT LANDS - BREAKING NEWS!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:04:05 GMT

We won! Perkins + Will Canada with Group2 have been officially selected as the winning team for the Master Plan for the ECCA Lands. More later!

VALLEY ZOO PINNIPED EXHIBIT IN THE NEWS

Mon, 09 May 2011 17:13:57 GMT

The Valley Zoo Pinniped Exhibit, one of Group2 Edmonton Studio\\\'s current projects was featured in the Edmonton Journal article on May 5 regarding the Valley Zoo\\\'s new plans. Click on the llink below to view the article.

GROUP2 SUBMISSION FOR THE CITY OF EDMONTON PARK PAVILION COMPETITION

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:20:34 GMT

The City of Edmonton recently hosted a Architectural Competition for the design of pavilions for parks within the city. Hosting this competition reinforces The City’s Commitment to Design Excellence. Link to the City of Edmonton's competition is posted below.

Group2's submission was for one of the five sites, Victoria Park in the river valley adjacent to the skating oval. The proposed River Valley Pavilion in Victoria Park is nestled within the trees with an expansive view of the activities beyond. The short walk from the parking lot provides a transition from city to nature. The tree line opens up as the path turns the corner to expose views of the ice surface and views across the river to the University of Alberta and the High Level Bridge beyond. The pavilion is a celebration of winter in Edmonton and provides a place to play and connect with nature, family and friends.

NEW ASSOCIATE AT GROUP2

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:33:19 GMT

Group2 is pleased to announce Gareth Leach as an Associate. Gareth is a welcome addition to the management team of Principals, Associates and Executive Directors. He shares in Group2’s commitment to Integrated Practice and Integrated Delivery. Gareth’s experience with Building Information Modeling and his participation in the Canada BIM Council Technical Advisory Committee adds to Group2’s implementation and collaboration capabilities. Gareth will continue to provide service & support to all Group2 endeavours from the Edmonton studio.

GROUP2 FINALIST AT 2011 CISC STEEL DESIGN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:22:49 GMT

The 2011 Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) Steel Design Awards of Excellence in Alberta showcased 45 project submissions. Of the ten finalists, two were projects submitted by Group2. The finalists vie for Awards in four categories – Architectural, Engineering, Industrial, and Sustainability – plus a special 2011 Steel Edge Award recognizing innovation in steel.

The two projects Group2 submitted were the Inland Concrete Pipe Manufacturing Facility located in Calgary, Alberta and Red Deer College Building Communities Through Learning, Component 1 located in Red Deer, Alberta.

“These Awards celebrate the exceptional talent and tremendous ingenuity in Alberta’s steel construction industry in addressing unique design, resource and application challenges,” said Kevin Guile, Planning Committee Chair, CISC 2011 Alberta Steel Design Awards of Excellence.

Click to view YouTube videos of Inland Concrete Pipe Manufacturing Facility (please select category Industrial) and Red Deer College BCTL, Component 1 (please select category Sustainability).

STRUCTURAL STEEL UP AT THE INNISFAIL PUBLIC LIBRARY

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:30:00 GMT

Progress continues at the new Innisfail Public Library in Innisfail AB. After a cold winter of erecting Structural Steel, the Exterior Masonry Walls are now in place, ready for the impressive curtain wall framing installation. Currently, the Roofing Contractor has mobilized and began installation of the Green Roofing Membranes which is expected to take approximately 6 weeks, at which time the building should be fully enclosed to continue with interior finishes.

CITY CENTRE AIRPORT LANDS REDEVELOPMENT SUBMISSION ON DISPLAY FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:33:47 GMT

Perkins & Will (Vancouver) with Group2 (Edmonton) is the only Canadian team competing against an international short list for the Edmonton City Centre Airport Lands Masterplan Redevelopment. The team’s concept for a future mixed use sustainable community for 30,000 residents incorporates deep well geothermal and biomass technologies to provide up to 20MW of renewable energy to service the site plus several other institutional buildings around the downtown in a district heating system that takes the development beyond carbon neutral, with a total non reliance on fossil fuels.

Concepts include 50% open space and a regional park completing a 20 km river to river loop around Edmonton, a working lake, and urban agriculture on a large scale amidst a transit oriented development, a new town centre with retail and cultural amenities and critically important NAIT expansion. Over-arching these strategies, the living memory of Blatchford Field as the first registered air harbor in the Commonwealth is celebrated by preserving and re-purposing 3 existing heritage hangars and the airport control tower, organizing the plan around the existing runways and using the names of distinguished air pioneers to name all public open spaces, parks, festival plazas, streets and neighborhoods. Follow the links at www.edmonton.ca/ccr to see the five submissions.

TRIFFO HALL ON ARCHDAILY

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:08:06 GMT

Triffo Hall at the University of Alberta was posted on one of the world's biggest architecture blogs - ArchDaily. Check out the link to the post.

U OF A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & WELLNESS CENTRE IN DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:58:13 GMT

The PAW (Physical Activity and Wellness) Centre at the University of Alberta is heading into Design Development. The project is sited beside the Universiade Pavilion (a.k.a the Butterdome) and will provide a significant marker for this gateway to the north campus. The centre will provide a new fitness centre, climbing wall, and more fitness studio spaces. It will include an interior street that will be activated with student lounge spaces, meeting rooms, food service and quiet study spaces. The Alberta Institute for Physical Activity and Health and The Steadward Centre, both are research components within the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, will also be provided with consolidated accommodation. The project was featured in the Edmonton Journal.

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS AT THE VALLEY ZOO PINNIPED EXHIBIT

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:48:36 GMT

Construction progresses at Edmonton Valley Zoo’s Pinniped Exhibit. This week the roof membrane for the Winter Retreat building is being installed, and reinforcing is being placed in preparation of pouring the concrete slabs around the indoor pools. Mechanical piping and equipment is also being installed in the Filtration Building. When completed, the equipment in this building will be responsible for keeping the water in the outdoor and indoor pools clean and clear.

10 Edmontonians That Lead the Way into 2011

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:48:11 GMT

The article includes Troy Smith as one of 10 Edmontonians leading the way into 2011 for his work on the Meadows Community Recreation Centre and Edmonton Public Library.

Valley Zoo Pinniped Exhibit Construction Update

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:00:39 GMT

Glulam beam and purlin erection is ongoing at the Pinniped Exhibit at the Valley Zoo. The size of the Glulam beams is hard to read from the photographs but the largest beam at the corner of the exhibit is about 2m in height!!

Group2 Saskatoon Entry for sWHEAT Competition complete!!

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:41:07 GMT

The Saskatoon Studio has completed its entry for the sWHEAT Gingerbread Architecture Competition. The entry is called 'The Christmas Chapel' - The gingerbread model depicts the Silton Summer Chapel (1969) by Clifford Wiens, nestled into the hillside of the Qu’Appelle Valley and overlooking Last Mountain Lake. The chapel is an open-air building, with the hip roof supported by glue-laminated beams at the centre points of the roof structure rather than the corners. Weathered shakes and raw concrete connect the structure to the place. Awarded a Massey Medal for architecture - now the Governor General’s Award, Canada’s highest accolade for architecture - it is a fundamental component of Saskatchewan’s heritage. The building and site are currently at risk due to development pressures.

The competition judging will take place on Friday December 17th 2010. Please see the sWHEAT website for more details and judging results.

Saskatoon Studio participating in the sWHEAT Gingerbread Architecture Competition

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:01:16 GMT

Led by Principals Troy Smith and Laura Plosz the Saskatoon Studio will be participating in the 2010 sWHEAT Prairie Architecture Gingerbread Competition. The competition is organized by 2 Saskatoon intern architects is intended to engage the local architecture community in Saskatoon.. Check out the website below for more details on the competition.

Group2 Saskatoon Studio Shortlisted for Fire Hall

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:09:18 GMT

The Saskatoon Studio is pleased to be selected for the shortlist to provide prime consulting services for Prince Albert's second fire hall. This represents a continuation of Group2's success in designing contemporary fire halls for municipal clients throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.

GROUP2'S TEAM OF ARCHITECTS CONTINUES TO GROW

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:06:56 GMT

Janice Kong of the Group2 Red Deer Studio was officially recognized as a registered architect in Alberta on November 30, 2010. She is the newest member of our strong team of architects, totaling 16 across the province.

GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE GRANDE PRAIRIE WEST FIRE HALL

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:26:58 GMT

Members of Group2 design team attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Grande Prairie West Fire Hall on November 29, 2010. The fire hall is scheduled for completion in Spring 2012.

INNIFAIL LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:47:49 GMT

Construction is progressing along on the Innisfail Library with structural steel almost complete and exterior envelope beginning - check out the latest photographs.

SASKATOON STUDIO NOW OPEN!

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:58:56 GMT

Group2 is proud to announce the opening of a studio in Saskatoon in order to serve institutional and commercial clients throughout Saskatchewan. With a history of providing client-driven solutions for the last 25 years through our other studios, our commitment is to provide your team and project with the same client-focused and creative service which is the basis for our reputation and success. Led by Principals, Laura Plosz, Architect and LEED® AP, and Troy Smith, also an Architect and LEED® AP, the studio is poised to leverage their extensive experience and professional recognition for quality of service developed while leading the Edmonton studio over the last five years.

Laura Plosz and Troy Smith are partners in both architectural practice and marriage and have chosen to return to their home-province of Saskatchewan for reasons relating to both family and career. As professionals with a young family they are pleased to be re-establishing connections to the people and places that have always defined home. Laura grew up near the Hamlet of Silton, just 50km northwest of Regina and during her university studies was able to return to Saskatchewan to work within the architectural and landscape architectural professions. Troy was raised in the City of Saskatoon and completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Saskatchewan before moving on to achieve a Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary. The return to Saskatchewan realizes their desire to raise a family in a strong, vibrant and community-focused setting and to build a business which contributes to a robust and diverse economic environment.

FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION AT INNISFAIL PUBLIC LIBRARY

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:56:39 GMT

Construction is progressing at the Innisfail Public Library site. The newly cast concrete fireplace is in place and glulam column and structural steel erection is underway. Site work continues as well with the asphalt parking lot completed just last week.

PINNIPED EXHIBIT CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:31:56 GMT

Construction on the Valley Zoo Pinniped Exhibit is progressing along quickly with the shell of the Filtration Building complete and the foundation/shell of the Winter Retreat building well underway. The shotcrete and rebar for the outdoor pool basin are also taking shape.

QUEEN ELIZABETH OUTDOOR POOL CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:53:52 GMT

The Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool Construction is progressing nicely with exterior ground face block enclosures of the pool houses and the cast in place concrete pool tank complete with painting, clerestory metal screen installation, mechanical, pool deck and retaining walls all ongoing. Check out the latest construction photographs.

MEADOWS COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTRE & EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY THROUGH DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:50:11 GMT

The design development phase of the Meadows project is almost complete! This new facility in the south-east of Edmonton includes a twin-pad ice arena (one ice sheet fully accessible for sledge hockey), public library, aquatics centre, fitness centre, gymnasium, and community rooms. Complimentary outdoor elements include a spray park, leisure skate area, reading garden, and a multi-purpose basketball court. A playground, skate park, and community garden are other potential components. Updated renderings and images can be found at the City of Edmonton’s website.

ROTARY RECREATION PARK PUBLIC PRESENTATION

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:29:35 GMT

A public presentation was held for the City of Red Deer Rotary Recreation Park concept plan on August 10 2010. Check out the link to the Red Deer Advocate article on the project.

GROUP2 PART OF SHORTLISTED TEAM FOR EDMONTON CITY CENTRE AIRPORT REDEVLOPMENT

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:09:01 GMT

Group2 is excited to be part of the multi-disciplinary design team led by Perkins + Will of Vancouver as one of five finalists for the Edmonton City Centre Airport Lands Master Plan design competition.

GH DAWE COMMUNITY CENTRE NOW OPEN!!

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:49:28 GMT

Check out the article and You Tube video from the Red Deer Advocate website on the just completed GH Dawe Community Centre and Library.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT RED DEER STUDIO

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:36:50 GMT

Serve it up!
The Red Deer Studio social committee hosted a pancake breakfast on Wednesday, July 21 for Group2 employees and their families to kick off Westerner Days! Westerner Days Fair & Exposition is central Alberta’s largest summer celebration. Those who came to enjoy the breakfast were also able to watch the annual parade. The parade route snakes through downtown Red Deer and passes right in front of the Group2 studio. The weather was great, the entertainment exciting and mountains of pancakes served up!

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS AT QUEEN ELIZABETH POOL

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:32:51 GMT

Construction on Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool is coming along and it is looking great. The concrete block walls are going up fast and they have the mechanical room essentially completed so installation of the mechanical equipment can begin. Half of the pool slabs are poured and the final pool slab pour is scheduled for this Wednesday. Over the next few weeks, if the rain stays away, there should continue to be major changes as the pool walls and remainder of building walls are completed.

NEWEST ARCHITECT TO GROUP2

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:26:22 GMT

On July 14, 2010, Deanna Shewchuk of the Group2 Calgary Studio was officially recognized as a registered architect in Alberta. She is the newest member of our strong team of architects, totaling 13 across the province.

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS AT THE VALLEY ZOO

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:22:36 GMT

Construction of the Pinniped Exhibit at the Edmonton Valley Zoo began in May. Currently, foundations are underway for both buildings. Shown here are the slabs for the indoor pools with excavation for the outdoor pool beyond.

G.H. DAWE COMMUNITY CENTRE OPENING SOON

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:53:40 GMT

The Group2 project, G.H. Dawe Community Centre, will reopen on Red Deer’s northwest side on Aug. 3 after undergoing nearly $29.9 M worth of renovations and an addition. The project includes an aquatic centre, community library, ice arena, gymnasium, as well as multipurpose rooms and administration area.

TRIFFO HALL RECEIVES 2009 CISC NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:50:29 GMT

Triffo Hall, a LEED Gold Certified renovation project for the University of Alberta has recently received the 2009 National Sustainability Award from the CISC.

The approach to sustainable strategies focused upon utilizing the existing structure and natural daylighting opportunities. The exterior masonry walls were simply re-pointed as necessary, but remained uninsulated to minimize changes in the breathability of the envelope. All glazing was replaced with energy efficient systems and a new roof was installed to improve insulation values and reduce the heat island effect.

On the interior, sustainable design strategies include heating and cooling of the spaces through radiation panels and ventilation through floor level, low velocity diffusers. Roof rainwater is collected in cisterns and redeployed as grey-water for toilets and landscape irrigation. Waterless urinals and low flow fixtures are also utilized throughout to meet requirements for exemplary water conservation.

Pinniped Exhibit Ground Breaking

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:33:10 GMT

On June 10th the ground breaking ceremony was held for the next phase of development at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, the Polar Extremes, Arctic Shores. This project was designed by the Edmonton studio of Group2 Architecture Engineering Ltd. in association with the zoo specialists Studio Hanson/Roberts and is expected to open in 2011.

MEADOWS COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTRE & EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE

Tue, 25 May 2010 21:01:40 GMT

On May 31st from 2 - 8pm an open house will be held at the Woodvale Facility, Located on the Mill Woods Golf Course - 4540-50 Street in the Hillview Room for the Meadows CRCEPL project. Schematic Design for the project is complete and the team will be moving into Design Development in the next few weeks.

JERRY FORBES CENTRE IN THE NEWS

Tue, 25 May 2010 20:54:56 GMT

The Jerry Forbes Centre for Community Spirit was featured in the Edmonton Examiner - check out the link to the article.

EDMONTON PRINCIPAL DOUG RAMSEY NEW AAA PRESIDENT

Wed, 05 May 2010 22:40:30 GMT

Group2 Edmonton studio Principal Doug Ramsey is the new Alberta Association of Architects President. Red Deer studio Principal Craig Webber now becomes immediate Past President as his term ended at the 2010 AGM held in Banff on April 16th 2010.

GLUELAMS ARE COMPLETE!!

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:07:52 GMT

The glue laminated wood roof structure is now up at the Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool. The project uses beetle kill wood for the beams and purlins which diverts the wood from becoming waste. The use of beetle kill wood is another sustainable alternative to using wood beyond specifying FSC Certified wood products. Check out the link below for a recent article on new innovative uses for beetle kill wood beyond buildings.

INNISFAIL LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:26:42 GMT

The Town of Innisfail Library construction has begun with the concrete foundation work almost complete. Pentagon Structures is the General Contractor for the project and is also working on the Town of Olds Library with Group2.

QUEEN ELIZABETH POOL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:06:18 GMT

Construction is well underway at the Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool site - the piles and grade beams for the pool house are poured and all of the steel columns have been erected. The next phase of construction will be the installation of the the beetle kill lodge pole pine glue laminated beams and purlins as well as the ground face concrete block.

AGA CHILDRENS GALLERY NOW OPEN!!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:19:23 GMT

The BMO World of Creativity is now open at the newly renovated Art Gallery of Alberta. Designed by Troy Smith and Laura Plosz of Group2 in conjunction with Shafraaz Kaba of Manasic Isaac Architects the new gallery focusses on the interaction between architecture and kids.

NEWS RELEASE: JOHN KULBA AWARD FOR GROUP2

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:33:24 GMT

During the Council of Educational Facility Planners (CEFPI) Alberta Chapter’s three day (March 12-14) Spring Conference and Annual General Meeting in Jasper, Alberta, Group2 Architecture Engineering Ltd. (Group2) was presented the Alberta Chapter Architectural Award. Group2 along with Red Deer Catholic Regional Division No. 39, Red Deer Public School District No. 104 and Chinook’s Edge School Division No. 73 also received the John Kulba Award.

The John Kulba Award is the most prestigious award presented by the CEFPI Alberta Chapter. Evaluation criteria were based on the planning process, space utilization and program delivery, facility planning and resource management. Group2, with the three school boards, submitted Joint Planning Study and Capital Plan Review for this award. The joint study project was completed for the three school boards all operating in overlapping areas in central Alberta. The study was completed in 2006.

“The guiding principle of this study was that enhanced educational opportunities would be available for all students in all overlapping areas of the respective jurisdictions if efficient, appropriate sized and upgraded facilities are provided. On behalf of the three school boards and Group2, we are pleased to receive this prestigious award” states Craig Webber, Principal at Group2.

The River Valley School located in Sundre, Alberta (Chinook’s Edge School Division No. 73) received the Alberta Chapter Architectural Award in the Outstanding Design for Educational Environment (Modernization Category). The modernization project, completed in the fall of 2006, fuses curriculum and architecture to permanently transform the school building into a learning opportunity. Several unique learning opportunities can be found in the school including a floor pattern representing the solar system and exposing building systems to the students.

For photos and/or additional information, contact:
Kerstin Heuer
Marketing Coordinator
E: kerstinh@group2.ab.ca
T: 403.340.2200

GRAND OPENING OF JOHNSTONE CROSSING

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:33:19 GMT

Red Deer Johnstone Crossing Community Health Centre (David Thompson Health Region) held its grand opening Friday, June 20, 2008. Group2 is the Prime Consultant for this project and is proud to have been a part of this exciting event. The function was well attended and included special guest Red Deer Mayor Moris Flewwelling among others.

The new Community Health Centre provides residents, living in and around north Red Deer with better access to Public Health and Community Care services. It also helps relieve overcrowding at the Bremner Avenue Community Helath Centre. Craig Webber (Project Architect), Nancy Vruwink (Project Manager) and RJ Murdoch (Designer) from Group2 Architecture attended the Grand Opening and conducted a tour thru the new facility. It facility has been designed to incorporate DTHR’s corporate policy of open office work spaces for staff, and universal style treatment rooms for patient care with an understanding of the ever evolving standards in patient care delivery. This facility has also addressed the emerging needs of the community in the event of a pandemic.

The new building, which is about 2,900m2, provides a full range of community based health services such as immunization clinics, international gravel clinic, pre-natal classes, communicable disease control, nutrition consultation, dental health, food permit program and safe food handling courses, health promotion programs, public health nurses and maternal/child drop ins.

The Johnstone Crossing Community Health Centre is a two-storey building capable of accommodating up to 112 employees. It features purpose-built space designed specifically for delivering health-promotion and injury/illness prevention programs. Approximately 109 employees have moved into the new two storey building in the spring of 2008. This facility is well situated to respond to the City’s growth and expanding programs, with ability to expand both the building and the parking in the future.