Wonderful Waterloo Awards

[Urbanomicon]

It sounds like a good idea to me. The winners of the various catagories could be decided with polls conducted at the beginning or end of the year.

[RangersFan]

Great idea, Could we included project phases? Since projects like the Basillie school of international affaris and the Barrel Yards will be completed in phases over a number of years.

[Brenden]

Great idea, Could we included project phases? Since projects like the Basillie school of international affaris and the Barrel Yards will be completed in phases over a number of years.

Great idea

[UrbanWaterloo]

I really like this idea and think it could be a lot of fun. In terms of a timeline, we could vote for the categories during the month of January, and then announce the winners at the February 2011 Meet-Up. We'll send out an invite to the winners to accept their award. Here are the proposed categories so far, but we still have 8 months to add any which we think are worthwhile.

Wonderful Waterloo Awards 2010
Best Completed Development
Best Proposal
Best Community Initiative
Best Government Project

Wonderful Waterloo "Razzies" 2010
Worst Completed Development
Worst Proposal
Biggest Government Waste

[IEFBR14]

Wonderful Waterloo "Razzies" 2010

Or maybe, "Not so Wonderful Waterloo"

[Shawn]

Or maybe, "Not so Wonderful Waterloo"

I agree. Since we have a member named Razzie, perhaps "Not so Wonderful Waterloo" would be better, but I also like this idea. If spun properly this could be a news worthy event picked up by the local media which in turn could promote Wonderful Waterloo.

[mpd618]

Worst Completed Development

How about another one for a development that is taking absolutely far too long to get anywhere?

[Spokes]

This is a great idea Brenden!! I think it's also something that could get some attention from the press.

How about another one for a development that is taking absolutely far too long to get anywhere?

Did you have something in mind

[mpd618]

Did you have something in mind

Arrow, Barrel Yards, X Flats, etc.

[Razzie]

I don't mind if you use my handle, but I have a better idea anyways to name worst development of the year. Either we all vote on the worst development ever in Waterloo Region (Market Square I'm looking in your direction) or the worst in the world (Ryugyong Hotel maybe?) and name it after that. If we name it after something local, maybe - just maybe - they'd improve it too due to bad press.

[taylortbb]

I think Razzie was just a reference to the Golden Raspberry Award, a rather famous award for bad movies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Raspberry_Award

Doubt UrbanWaterloo even realized that was a Razzie user on these forums.

[Razzie]

It was referring to those awards - they're handed out every year around the same time as the Oscars if I remember correctly.

[Greg Moore]

I would like to propose the creation of the 2010 Wonderful Waterloo awards. The hope is to recognize amazing developments within Waterloo Region, and end to give our thumbs up to future development plans. There could be several awards, an award for the best new development of 2010 (completed), best proposal for development, best community initiative, best government project, etc. On the flipside we could also recognize horrible developments within the region. For instance: worst development of 2010 (completed), worst proposal for development, biggest government waste, etc.
Although I would rather encourage positive behavior, awards for horrible developments are also fun. I believe that this could bring awareness to our website and our community, and is relatively inexpensive to operate.
I am interested to see what you guys think.

I think it would be better if we didn't recognize anything negatively. Other than that, I think it's a fantastic idea.

I'd also like a category to recognize accessibility.

[Spokes]

That's a good point kwliving (both of them)

I'd hate to give any more attention to a bad development, as they say, even bad publicity is publicity.

[IEFBR14]

I think it would be better if we didn't recognize anything negatively.

That's why I suggested "Not-so-wonderful Waterloo" categories. It's a bit softer than "Worst." It can also be used to recognize a less than brilliant aspect of an otherwise good development. In the same vein I'd like to see a category that recognizes a brilliant or innovative aspect of a development that didn't otherwise deserve a "Best" win.

I'd also like a category to recognize accessibility.

Ditto. Great idea.

[UrbanWaterloo]

I agree, "Not so Wonderful Waterloo" is a better term, as it's been mentioned i was just referencing the Golden Raspberry Awards. Delayed & Accessibility are good categories too.

I'll move this post to an "Industry Awards" thread later, but for now I thought it might be of interest in here...

Grand Valley Construction Association awards salute excellence
Industry accolades | PATRICIA WILLIAMS, staff writer
April 27, 2010 | http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id38592


THE WALTER FEDY PARTNERSHIP | A special GVCA leadership award was given to The Walter Fedy Partnership for the Masonry Training Centre at Conestoga College’s Waterloo campus.

Eleven local construction firms proved they have the right stuff at the Grand Valley Construction Association’s (GVCA) 2010 Building Excellence Awards.
These firms divided up close to two dozen awards of excellence and merit at the association’s semi-annual event, which honours the best in construction in multiple categories.
“It’s important that the construction industry takes the time to recognize their accomplishments and their contribution to our community,” says GVCA president Martha George.
“Construction is a pillar of our economy and it’s obvious by the quality and complexity of these winning buildings that the GVCA members are world class and can easily compete on any level.”
Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. was the big winner of the night taking home five awards, closely followed by Ball Construction with four awards.
A special GVCA leadership award was given to The Walter Fedy Partnership as well as all the participating builders and trades who contributed labour, materials and financial support to the construction of the Masonry Training Centre at Conestoga College’s Waterloo campus.

Awards of Excellence were presented for the following projects:

Commercial Less than $750,000: Oracare Dental (RHC Design-Build). Highly specialized interior fittings were required in the Guelph dental office. The office is “a haven” of excellent design, modern finishes and quality workmanship.

Institutional Less than $750,000: Renison University College Accessibility Upgrades. (Gateman-Milloy Inc.) The project integrated a variety of architectural styles in an existing building while paying painstaking attention to the technical aspects.

Commercial $750,000-$2,000,000: 260 King Street Exterior Façade. (Collaborative Structures Ltd.) The project transformed a “tired” downtown Kitchener commercial structure into a modern and bright building. It was completed under “exceptionally tight” deadlines.

Industrial $750,000-$2,000,000: Flynn Canada corporate headquarters. (Ball Construction Ltd.). The project was delivered on a design-build basis by Ball which was responsible for securing necessary approvals as well as a building permit.

Industrial $2,000,000-$10,000,000: Flanagan Foodservice – Freezer Addition. (Collaborative Structures Ltd.) The massive 70,000-square-foot freezer, cool dock and cooler addition made use of innovative freezer technology never before used in North America.

Commercial $2,000,000-$10,000,000: MHBC Planning Consultants corporate headquarters. (Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc.) The building combines “unique” design elements that make “bold and adventurous” use of clay brick, galvanized siding and glazed curtainwall.

Institutional $2,000,000-$10,000,000: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Canada on Strasburg Road. (Nith Valley Construction (2008) Ltd.) The 24,000-square-foot church includes a chapel, 311-seat rostrum, a cultural hall that accommodates 600 as well as classroom, offices and an outdoor recreational pavilion. The building was constructed to withstand floods, tornados and earthquakes.


BALL CONSTRUCTION LTD. | The University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy Building won an award for institutional construction in the over-$10 million category.

Institutional more than $10,000,000: University of Waterloo Health Sciences “A” School of Pharmacy. (Ball Construction Ltd.). The highly innovative, 120,000-square-foot, eight-storey building has “created a stir” as a result of its stunning design and leading-edge lab facilities. The signature curtainwall features artwork of plants that form the basis of many of today’s pharmacological drugs.

Commercial More than $10,000,000: Upper Canada College, William P. Wilder Arena & Sports Complex. (Ball Construction Ltd.) The “thoroughly modern building” that was built with a classical architectural style includes both Olympic and NHL size ice surfaces as well as a lounge and other community spaces.

In the restoration and conversion category, an Award of Excellence went to The Frank Hasenfratz Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing. The project incorporated advanced energy saving design as well as many recycled materials. Two living walls of vegetation act as a bio-filter. Contractor was Kiwi-Newton Construction Ltd.

In the category of environmental achievement, two Awards of Excellence were presented.


MELLOUL-BLAMEY CONSTRUCTION INC.

Native trees and plants prevent hillside erosion at Enermodal Engineering Ltd.’s Kitchener headquarters. The LEED Platinum project won an environmental achievement award from the Grand Valley Construction Association.

The first went to A Grander View, the headquarters of Enermodal Engineering Ltd., Canada’s largest green building consulting firm. Considered a showcase for the ultimate in environmental design and energy efficiency, the triple LEED Platinum building uses 82 per cent less energy than a conventional office building. Contractor was Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc.

The second went to the Farm Mutual Reinsurance Plan Inc. headquarters. The LEED Gold project was built amidst a protected wetland. A total of 80,000 linear feet of geothermal piping was incorporated in the project. In all, 88 per cent of all construction waste was diverted from landfill. Contractor was Nith Valley Construction (2008) Ltd.

The Building Excellence Awards recognize everyone associated with the project from the suppliers to the individual trades. They were presented at a recent gala in Kitchener.



Grand Valley Construction Association salutes contributors to Conestoga College masonry centre
PATRICIA WILLIAMS, staff writer | May 3, 2010 | http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id38680


WALTER FEDY PARTNERSHIP | As seen both during construction and in interior details.

The group of companies that contributed labour, materials and financial support for construction of a masonry training centre at Conestoga College has been saluted by the Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA).

“This was truly a team effort,” the association said. “This design-build project was a direct result of our industry working together in unique and collaborative ways to achieve a goal.”

The project netted The Walter Fedy Partnership as well as close to 30 participating builders and trades an inaugural leadership award in the association’s 2010 Building Excellence Awards.

“This project has become a dynamic part of our local construction industry, providing much-needed education and training for a vital sector of our construction industry,” the association said.

A partnership between Conestoga and the Ontario Masonry Contractors’ Association, the 10,000-square-foot facility officially opened last May. The total cost was estimated at close to $3 million.


The design of the Conestoga College masonry training centre showcases innovative masonry techniques and materials.

Conestoga currently offers a number of training programs at the centre, including fundamental instruction in masonry and construction techniques as well as a full apprenticeship program in brick and stone masonry.

As the scope and activities grow to meet the industry’s need for skilled tradespeople, instruction will be provided in all three of the major masonry areas: industrial, commercial, institutional, residential and heritage.

“More than just being a technical trade, masonry is an art,” the Walter Fedy Partnership said in its submission to the awards program.

“And more than just being a teaching space, the masonry training centre was envisaged as a teaching tool and a showcase for the masonry profession.”

The Walter Fedy Partnership acted as construction manager as well as prime consultant on the project, providing architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and civil consulting services.

Among various masonry products, the one-storey, barrier-free building combines palettes of brick, architectural block and glass block, “making use of simple forms and natural lighting to produce dramatic effects” throughout the facility.

The structure was left exposed at various locations, enabling the facility itself to be used as a learning tool.

In line with Conestoga’s belief that training should simulate typical industry work, the facility provides students with a “real-world” experience.

The 4,000-square-foot south wing provides exhibition and administration areas, while the 6,000-square-foot north wing includes a training shop, mixing stations, outdoor work areas and student lounge.

The workshop “stays true” to real-world construction conditions, accommodating multiple levels of scaffolding. An outdoor classroom, complete with swing stage, allows students to construct in all weather conditions.

The Waterloo facility complements existing training centres in Mississauga and Ottawa.

“A key contributor to Conestoga’s centre of excellence in construction trades, the centre provides students with an interactive learning environment, preparing them for a long-term career in the masonry trade,” said Tim Schill, Conestoga’s manager of plant operations and construction.

The main part of the facility has been named the Gerhard (Dick) Kappeler Training Hall, in recognition of the efforts of retired master mason Dick Kappeler who volunteered his services as a project manager.

Kappeler, founder of Kappeler Masonry Corp., passed down old-world masonry techniques to a crew of apprentices, who then incorporated them into the facility. The award was presented at a recent event in Kitchener

[DKsan]

Arrow, Barrel Yards, X Flats, etc.

I, and pretty much everyone at UW, would probably put Quantum-Nano up there. xD

[mpd618]

I, and pretty much everyone at UW, would probably put Quantum-Nano up there. xD

Dunno. The construction has been a pain for a long time, but in terms of progress on the development itself it's been okay, I think.

[Spokes]

So it looks like the City of Kitchener hasn't done their Urban Design Awards since 2006. Their site (http://www.kitchener.ca/award_prog/u..._noplayer.html) is worth a read and we could use some of their info to help build what we're trying to do.