Embedded Files
Ground Zero:
Explore how we kicked off construction in a tight urban setting, tackled tricky micropile installation through existing footings, and overcame early surprises like buried oil tanks and unreinforced concrete.
Smart sequencing and seismic foresight set the tone for everything that followed.
Explore how we kicked off construction in a tight urban setting, tackled tricky micropile installation through existing footings, and overcame early surprises like buried oil tanks and unreinforced concrete.
Smart sequencing and seismic foresight set the tone for everything that followed.
Reimagining Foundations:
Micropile Innovation at 837 Beatty
Reimagining Foundations:
Micropile Innovation at 837 Beatty
Challenge:
To support the weight of a new four-storey mass timber addition, we needed to structurally reinforce the existing brick-and-beam warehouse. The original plan? Install four 40-foot-deep micropiles at each column footing—one at each corner—then connect them with a large concrete cap footing to transfer the load.
But there was a catch.
This layout left no room for critical mechanical infrastructure, which also needed to run through the same zone. The proposed cap footing meant digging down 14 feet in already tight conditions, conflicting directly with service routes. Simply put, the design didn’t work.
Challenge:
To support the weight of a new four-storey mass timber addition, we needed to structurally reinforce the existing brick-and-beam warehouse. The original plan? Install four 40-foot-deep micropiles at each column footing—one at each corner—then connect them with a large concrete cap footing to transfer the load.
But there was a catch.
This layout left no room for critical mechanical infrastructure, which also needed to run through the same zone. The proposed cap footing meant digging down 14 feet in already tight conditions, conflicting directly with service routes. Simply put, the design didn’t work.
Solution:
We brought the team to the table—Fast + Epp, structural, mechanical, and field crews—and rethought the strategy. Fast + Epp proposed a bold workaround: instead of building around the footings, we’d drill directly through them, installing micropiles closer to the column cores.
Next came a custom-fabricated steel bracket system—described on-site as a “steel monstrosity”—which grabbed onto the micropiles and connected to the columns, transferring load without the need for the massive concrete cap.
Solution:
We brought the team to the table—Fast + Epp, structural, mechanical, and field crews—and rethought the strategy. Fast + Epp proposed a bold workaround: instead of building around the footings, we’d drill directly through them, installing micropiles closer to the column cores.
Next came a custom-fabricated steel bracket system—described on-site as a “steel monstrosity”—which grabbed onto the micropiles and connected to the columns, transferring load without the need for the massive concrete cap.
This creative approach provided several advantages:
This creative approach provided several advantages:
- Freed up space for mechanical lines and future services.
- Eliminated deep excavation in sensitive, space-constrained areas.
- Accelerated the schedule by allowing micropile and mechanical scopes to proceed in parallel.
By reworking the structural logic beneath the surface, we kept the project moving forward—without sacrificing performance or flexibility.
By reworking the structural logic beneath the surface, we kept the project moving forward—without sacrificing performance or flexibility.
Perimeter Challenges Beneath a Historic Façade
Perimeter Challenges Beneath a Historic Façade
Challenge:
At the front of 837 Beatty, the building sits flush with the sidewalk along Main Street. Beneath that sidewalk? A hidden layer of complexity—old areaways. These below-grade spaces once housed mechanical equipment and utilities for the building, granted by the city generations ago. Over time, however, the City of Vancouver reclaimed ownership of that space and required them to be completely infilled as part of our foundation scope.
Challenge:
At the front of 837 Beatty, the building sits flush with the sidewalk along Main Street. Beneath that sidewalk? A hidden layer of complexity—old areaways. These below-grade spaces once housed mechanical equipment and utilities for the building, granted by the city generations ago. Over time, however, the City of Vancouver reclaimed ownership of that space and required them to be completely infilled as part of our foundation scope.
But this wasn’t just a matter of pouring concrete. These areaways had historical quirks—irregular voids, tight clearances, and awkward geometry that made them difficult to access and even harder to reinforce. Adding to the challenge, the perimeter of the existing structure was fragile and had to be protected throughout.
But this wasn’t just a matter of pouring concrete. These areaways had historical quirks—irregular voids, tight clearances, and awkward geometry that made them difficult to access and even harder to reinforce. Adding to the challenge, the perimeter of the existing structure was fragile and had to be protected throughout.
Solution:
To safely and structurally infill these spaces, we used low-slump shotcrete—a thick, high-strength concrete spray that could be applied in tight, confined areas. This was layered over a reinforcing steel mesh, forming a bonded structural fill that stabilized the sidewalk and supported upgrades to the building's perimeter footings.
Solution:
To safely and structurally infill these spaces, we used low-slump shotcrete—a thick, high-strength concrete spray that could be applied in tight, confined areas. This was layered over a reinforcing steel mesh, forming a bonded structural fill that stabilized the sidewalk and supported upgrades to the building's perimeter footings.
We also had to rethink the schedule. Originally, installation of the BC Hydro duct bank was slated for later in the project—but we knew delays with utilities could be costly. Instead, we flipped the sequence, completed the shotcrete infill, demolished the sidewalk from above, and installed the duct bank early, well before the new core was even in place. This proactive approach avoided future shutdowns and kept us in control of the timeline.
We also had to rethink the schedule. Originally, installation of the BC Hydro duct bank was slated for later in the project—but we knew delays with utilities could be costly. Instead, we flipped the sequence, completed the shotcrete infill, demolished the sidewalk from above, and installed the duct bank early, well before the new core was even in place. This proactive approach avoided future shutdowns and kept us in control of the timeline.
This entire perimeter operation required:
This entire perimeter operation required:
- Careful coordination with city engineering and heritage requirements
- Precision concrete placement in tight underground voids
- Strategic re-sequencing of major utilities
- And a deep respect for the existing structure above
In the end, we successfully stabilized the sidewalk, modernized the perimeter structure, and cleared the way for future services—all while preserving the architectural character of the building’s historic Beatty Street frontage.
In the end, we successfully stabilized the sidewalk, modernized the perimeter structure, and cleared the way for future services—all while preserving the architectural character of the building’s historic Beatty Street frontage.
Overview of Foundation Work (Spring 2024)
Overview of Foundation Work (Spring 2024)
Overview of the underground system for the transformer room and end of trip facilities being installed (October 2024)
Overview of the underground system for the transformer room and end of trip facilities being installed (October 2024)
Page updated
Report abuse