Nestled in Sydney’s downtown overlooking the beautiful harbour the new NSCC Waterfront Campus, was planned and developed as a central part of the re-vitalization of Sydney’s (Cape Breton) downtown and Esplanade.
Completed and open in September 2024, this campus includes 4 buildings connected by a series of pedways and with its location exposed to harsh and ever-changing maritime climate required close attention to detail to the external structure and facades of the 4 buildings. EA’s longstanding experience and expertise in the design of high performing, thermally efficient RVRS cladding systems and façade materials was invaluable to the project. Technical excellence was achieved through the application of the EA Certified Series program. This program provides a pathway to sustainability through engineering, training and system installation management. Transparency and due diligence are key principles within the program in ensuring system integrity is achieved and warranty requirements are met. TONALITY ceramic tiles were chosen as the primary cladding material given their resistance to extreme climatic conditions, including ease of installation, to provide a durable and maintenance free façade for decades to come.

In 2022, Hurricane Fiona’s impact in this region couldn’t be ignored. With the project mid-way through construction, a true real-life test was about to unfold. The Hurricane was approaching and the construction crews were forced to pause their work, take cover, and could only watch with baited breath to see how the half completed rainscreen substructure and ceramic façade would hold up the category four hurricane. One of the primary concerns of the design team of Moriyama Teshima/Barrie Langille was choosing a material that was environmentally responsible, esthetically relevant and could manage the unforgiving weather and deliver a maintenance free façade with extended serviceability and serviceable lifespan. The structural integrity of the entire campus, notwithstanding the Ceramic façade system, make it a worthy contender for the climatic unforgiveness of this part of our continent.

Winner of the prestigious 2024 RAiNA Award in the “New Construction” category.
https://rainscreenassociation.org/raina-awards/

Photos © Bob Flute