A new benchmark for sustainable civic engineering
This prestigious recognition from the Institution of Structural Engineers is a defining moment for our team, validating years of dedication to pushing the boundaries of timber construction and sustainable design. The project represents more than just a municipal office; it is a statement about the future of public infrastructure—one that prioritises low carbon footprints, energy efficiency, and community well-being.
A visionary project at the Gateway of Gatineau
Located directly across from the entrance to Gatineau Park in Québec, the new Town Hall serves a community of 8,600 residents. From the outset, the municipal administration sought to create a forward-thinking building that would stand as a model of environmental responsibility.
The goal was ambitious: to construct a two-story, all-wood building that achieved Passivhaus certification—the first institutional building in Eastern Canada to do so. The design was inspired by the region’s rich history of covered bridges, particularly the "Town Truss" models of the late 19th century. Our structural response was to interpret this vernacular using modern mass timber technologies, creating a building that feels both familiar and fiercely innovative.
Engineering the "folded" roof
The defining feature of the Town Hall is its striking saw-toothed roof. To achieve the open, flexible spaces required for the second floor, we engineered a roof structure composed entirely of 5-ply Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels. By utilizing the bidirectional strength of CLT, we created a folded-plate system capable of spanning 18 meters without any intermediate supports or longitudinal joints, while carrying Quebec's substantial snow loads. This geometry is not merely aesthetic; it is a structural workhorse. The 22 pitches of the roof improve acoustics through natural sound diffusion and maximize the strength-to-weight ratio of the wood system, reducing the overall volume of material required.
However, executing this design required precise engineering. A critical challenge was ensuring the stability of the folded system. To prevent the roof from flattening or "opening up" under heavy snow or wind loads, we integrated discreet stainless-steel horizontal struts into each bay. Furthermore, the connections at the valleys -where the panels meet at a sharp angle - had to be meticulously detailed. We developed a slotted, bolted connection with a shear key to transfer forces into the edge beams, ensuring the structure could resist gravity and seismic loads while maintaining the clean, exposed timber aesthetic that the client desired.
Conquering the cold
Designing for Passivhaus standards in Québec’s harsh climate imposed rigorous constraints on the structural engineering. The standard demands an ultra-high-performance envelope that reduces heating and cooling needs by up to 80%. For the structural team, this meant eliminating thermal bridges and ensuring a continuous insulation layer around the entire building volume.
This requirement fundamentally changed how we approached the foundations. Traditional deep foundations would have punctured the insulation layer, creating thermal leaks. Instead, we utilized a 400mm thick reinforced concrete raft foundation. This shallow foundation sits entirely above the frost line, "floating" on a layer of insulation that wraps continuously around the slab. Because the foundation does not extend down to the frost-protected depth typical of the region (1.5m – 2.1m), the raft had to be heavily reinforced to resist substantial uplift and seismic forces. This solution was a significant departure from standard practice in Québec but was essential for meeting the project's energy goals.
A legacy of sustainability
The La Pêche Town Hall stands as a powerful argument for the use of timber in public buildings. By prioritizing wood for the structure, insulation, partitions, and cladding, we achieved a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to a conventional concrete or steel alternative. The building acts as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon and supporting Canada’s 2050 neutrality goals.
Winning the Award is a celebration of this "Planet First" approach. It acknowledges that structural engineering is about more than force and resistance; it is about resilience, resourcefulness, and responsibility. We are incredibly proud to have contributed to a building that will serve the community of La Pêche for the next 150 years, offering a warm, welcoming space that stands in harmony with its environment.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Municipality of La Pêche and our close collaborators BGLA (architecture), Pageau Morel (HVAC), wood suppliers Ambiance Bois and Nordic, and the Institution of Structural Engineers for this incredible honor.