Whistler Conference Centre Renovation Case Study: Using EcoSmart Concrete in a Renovation Project

This report details the first time use of EcoSmart concrete by the project team members in renovating the Whistler Conference Centre a concrete building located in Whistler British Columbia. The re-construction included the use of EcoSmart concrete in slab on grade at the 35% cement replacement level increasing to 40%replacement level in suspended slab once the project team gained more confidence in working with EcoSmart concrete. The Conference Centre project is registered with LEED™ -in Energy and Environmental Design- and the team’s goal was to achieve a “Gold” certified status for the project. High on the priority list was to reconstruct the building with as many types of materials that were either salvaged from other areas or building products that contained a high recycled content of materials recovered from consumer or industrial waste streams. Initial concerns with using EcoSmart concrete included cool construction temperatures permeability of the concrete in vertical elements and pumpability and workability of the concrete in slabs. Overall the team’s experience with EcoSmart concrete was very positive and project members were pleased with the concrete’s strength development workability finishability appearance and cost.

Case Study Report Author: Susan Hildebrand