PSPC Public Services and Procurement Canada retained TRACE architectures to design and implement renovations and rehabilitation to the Connaught Building, an 8-storey, heritage office building on Sussex Drive – a FHBRO Classified Building and National Historic Site of Canada. These renovations included modern upgrades to interior spaces that improve the working conditions associated with the base facilities, while harmonizing with the heritage character of the building,

A unique set of project characteristics created challenges for the project team.  For example, the existing washroom spaces were extremely tight, creating constructability challenges with very limited staging areas. This required careful consideration of spatial layout to ensure space was used as efficiently as possible.  This was necessary as the space could not be enlarged due to structural concerns.  Extensive stakeholder consultation was conducted, including barrier-free analysis, client-side groups, tenant groups and heritage groups (FHBRO).  In order to minimize disruption to the tenant, construction was staged affecting only every second floor at one time. 

The final design provides barrier-free, bright, durable facilities with clean, sophisticated finishes. Design detailing lends the subtle character that gives these spaces their appeal and harmony with the existing.