Case Study: The Sir John A MacDonald Building
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About Project
AMBICO Limited, a leading manufacturer of engineered and decorative door and frame products, had the privilege to contribute to the $1 billion retrofit project of the Parliamentary Precinct in Ottawa, Canada. The project focused on restoring the iconic Sir John A. Macdonald Building, a historic structure located at the heart of the Parliamentary Precinct. This prestigious renovation aimed to transform the building into a distinguished venue for parliamentary meetings, international gatherings, special ceremonies, and state events. AMBICO’s renowned expertise in historic restoration projects made them the natural choice to supply door and frame assemblies that seamlessly blend with the building’s architectural heritage.
Our Client’s Challenge
The restoration of the Sir John A. Macdonald Building presented AMBICO with various challenges. The project required the design and manufacturing of different door types, including acoustic and bullet-resistant steel doors and frames, stone-clad doors and frames, acoustic steel doors, acoustic and bullet-resistant walnut veneer doors, and acoustic fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP) clad doors. Each door type demanded meticulous attention to detail, such as custom frame profiles to match the heritage building, integration with existing frames, meeting stringent acoustic and bullet resistance ratings, and ensuring compatibility with the building’s decorative elements. Furthermore, the weight of the doors and the preservation of historical aesthetics added complexity to the project.
Our Approach And Solution
AMBICO’s dedicated engineering and design team rose to the occasion, devising innovative solutions for each door type. They crafted custom frame profiles that precisely replicated those found in the heritage building, and engineered doors clad with marble or granite to meet modern security requirements. The team expertly incorporated acoustic performance criteria into the door panels, seamlessly integrating them with heritage architectural hardware. Additionally, they skillfully designed and positioned heavy-duty hardware, essential for the successful installation of the door assemblies into existing openings and frames. The team’s expertise extended to the design of door and frame assemblies that seamlessly integrated existing marble, slate, and stone facades while meeting strict acoustic and bullet resistance ratings. For the FRP doors, AMBICO collaborated with composite manufacturers, successfully testing and integrating new STC products to achieve the desired impact resistance and acoustic performance. The design of wood veneer doors received meticulous attention, ensuring they met challenging acoustic specifications and seamlessly blended with the surrounding features. Through their meticulous efforts, AMBICO achieved a flawless integration of door and frame assemblies, respecting the building’s historical context while providing exceptional functionality for its diverse range of uses.
Overall, the project exemplified AMBICO’s collaborative spirit with architects, engineering and construction professionals, distribution partners, and experienced manufacturing personnel. Their combined precision and expertise led to the successful restoration of this prestigious heritage property, creating remarkable and distinct openings that seamlessly merge with the building’s architectural elements.
