The new National Archives of Canada building is a testament to contemporary technology and architecture. Indeed, the choice of materials, including stainless steel and solid concrete, enabled the creation of a lasting shelter for the National Archives. As such, the building’s lifespan is expected to be a minimum of 200 years.
Built for Public Works Canada, the building has impressive dimensions with a length of 100 metres, a width of 90 metres and a height of 57 metres, with a total surface area of 31,000 m². The core of the building is a huge 4-storey reinforced concrete block. All slabs have been pre-stressed to eliminate cracks. The roof, as well as a long-span glass façade, form an elegant and light envelope around the central core. The façade glazing is supported by arched trusses without diagonals, a very light and transparent structure for large glass surfaces.
For this project, NCK provided complete structural engineering consulting services.
