The exterior of Nanaimo’s conference centre hotel will be put together like puzzle pieces, which will have positive impacts on sustainability and project timelines, says the developer.
According to a press release, PEG Developments is partnering with Nexii Building Solutions Inc., which will produce 140 structural panels at their facility in Squamish for the Courtyard by Marriott being built on Gordon Street in Nanaimo.
The panels are made with a “sustainable alternative to concrete” and “are able to fit together like jigsaw pieces onsite to create an airtight building envelope, improving the building’s energy efficiency and significantly lowering energy costs for ongoing building operation,” noted the release.
Robert Schmidt, president of PEG’s development division, said the “innovative” Nexii system will create efficiencies.
“Given the size of this project and its location on Vancouver Island, the cost and time to install a traditional exterior system was prohibitive,” Schmidt said in the release. “Nexii overcame that challenge and, even better than that, the product has increased the project’s thermal properties, which contributes to a more sustainable outcome.”
Gregor Robertson, former mayor of Vancouver, is Nexii’s executive vice-president of strategy and partnerships and said his company is proud to partner on projects that solve construction challenges and limit environmental impacts.
“Buildings and construction are the No. 1 source of climate pollution and municipal waste, but essential to our way of life,” Robertson said in the release. “We need to ensure that all new construction is smart green construction to keep our planet healthy and livable.”
The release suggests PEG’s construction timeline will be accelerated by 8-10 weeks. Bill Corsan, city director of community development, said as far as the city knows, the hotel is still slated for a spring or summer opening in 2022.
READ ALSO: City of Nanaimo satisfied with construction, waives right to buy back hotel property
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter