The EHS Fleet Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada is not fancy, but it incorporates some non-standard features that enhance both its appearance and energy efficiency.

The 16,380 sq. ft. building, completed in July 2008, was designed by Custom Design of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia using a metal building system and components from Robertson Building Systems, headquartered in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. Joneljim Concrete Construction (1994) Ltd., Sydney, was the Robertson Builder and general contractor. Timberlake Construction, Millville, Nova Scotia, erected the building.

The building’s primary aesthetic upgrade was an exterior insulation and finish system across the front. And in the performance department, the building’s roof and walls carry R-40 thermal resistance ratings. The roof rating was achieved by using 12” of blanket insulation. To get an R-40 wall rating, the designer wrapped the building perimeter from the footer to the roof line with insulated concrete forms. On the three sides of the building without the exterior insulation and finish system, the metal wall panels were attached directly to the form panels, eliminating the need for girts and bracing.

The wall panels picked for the building were Robertson’s 26-guage Dura-Rib™ panels in an Ash Gray color. Dura-Rib panels were also used as interior liner panels. The roof system is StarShield standing seam. The panels are Polar White and installed on a 1:12 pitch.

The total exterior was Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). The forms were then strapped and clad with the Robertson wall panels (no bracing or girts were needed). The design stipulated post-disaster and has in-floor radiant heat. There’s R-40 insulation in the roof and walls.