This is the first carbon-neutral building dedicated to archival preservation in North America. Featuring six vaults that house the treasures of Canadian history and an automated storage and retrieval system, the new Gatineau Preservation Center is the first federal building constructed in accordance with the "Canada's Greening Government Strategy."
Connected to the existing operational preservation center (Gatineau 1) by a closed pedestrian corridor, this state-of-the-art building was created under a Public-Private Partnership (P3) agreement that covers the design and construction of the new building, the optimization of the existing facility, and overall maintenance. Under this contract, Equans Services is responsible for the comprehensive facility management, including energy performance work and lifecycle rehabilitation.
- LEED® Gold Certified
High-tech, optimal preservation conditions, net-zero carbon... The new preservation center built in Gatineau has it all! Certified LEED® Gold and BOMA Best Gold®, it houses prestigious archival documents and numerous photographic films in multi-story vaults. With extensive international experience in controlled environments for sensitive spaces like the Louvre Museum in Paris, it’s no surprise that Equans Services is part of the consortium (Plenary Properties Gatineau) selected by Library and Archives Canada to carry out this project.
- XXL Robot
Construction began in August 2019 by our partner PCL Construction and was completed in June 2022. At that time, our teams took over what is known as the commissioning phase.
Geneviève Horlings, Facility Manager at Equans Services, explains: «What makes Gatineau 2 unique is that it is the largest preservation facility in the world equipped with an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) for archival collections. During the commissioning of this robot, an adaptation period is essential. Our job is to create maintenance modes and routines to ensure that this tool and all the equipment operate at their best.»
- Responsiveness
10°C and 40% relative humidity in vaults 1 to 5... To ensure the preservation of the archives housed in the building, precise temperature and humidity settings are essential. This is why the six vaults of the new storage space are surrounded on all sides by a buffer zone, effectively creating a building within a building. « In the event of an alarm regarding the temperature of a vault, for example, we are committed to resolving the issue within two hours," adds Geneviève Horlings. "Our teams are therefore ready to respond 24/7.»
- Long Lasting Maintenance
Air handling units, heating, cooling, fire detection system... Equans Services is responsible for the maintenance of all equipment in Gatineau 1 and 2. « Since the beginning of construction of this new site, we have also been managing the facilities of Gatineau 1», says Geneviève Horlings. This building has 48 smaller vaults, and operations there are conducted manually. « The building dates back to 1996. In addition to replacing some equipment with more efficient solutions like LED lighting and variable frequency pumps, Equans Services plans to review the entire energy system of the building.»
- Rehabilitation Work
From the installation of a cogeneration unit to the implementation of smaller chillers, our teams will carry out a complete redesign of the electromechanical and electrical systems of Gatineau 1. The plan includes electrifying everything possible (thanks to hydroelectric power, Quebec has one of the cleanest energy sources in the world), selecting smaller and more agile equipment, and installing a building automation system based on digital controls rather than pneumatic ones.
The goal?
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and make the building less dependent on fossil fuels. To optimize storage capacity, our teams are also reconfiguring certain vaults, making significant changes in nine of them.
- For 100 Years and Beyond
This project will enable Library and Archives Canada to increase its capacity to better accommodate its growing collection. Aligning with the Government of Canada's priorities for investment in sustainable federal infrastructure, the new Gatineau Preservation Center is designed to last over 100 years.
To ensure that Canada's archives are preserved under the best possible conditions, Equans Services will oversee the maintenance and lifecycle renewal of all facilities. With a team of about ten permanent staff members present in the buildings, Canada's historical memory is in good hands...