Construction Management Project Delivery Method: A Case Study of the Centre Block Rehabilitation Project

Abstract

Buildings are no longer solely designed and the building of them overseen by architects during their construction. In a slow evolution over decades, the overall building process has transformed into a collaborative design system that engages construction management companies and consultants who work together (along with their clients) in a true integrated process. Such a comprehensive process is most applicable when it comes to heritage restoration projects. Heritage buildings typically have an extra layer of regulation since they have an underlying site and historical value that creates limitations during construction even when they are kept and restored or renovated. Such buildings, most of which are comprised of layered histories, must eventually function effectively to allow for the building’s new intended use. During a historical project rehabilitation, conflicting decisions are often made to balance the historical built fabric with the modern building’s requirements. The historical value and its intended use – combined with the complexity of today’s building expectations and program logistics – influence and deeply underlie the overall building design process. This thesis intends to explore this modern process of integrated design on a specific heritage rehabilitation project: the Canadian Parliament Precinct’s Centre Block. Located in the capital city of Ottawa, Centre Block is a national historical building and icon which is part of the Canadian parliamentary complex on Parliament Hill and one of the three buildings which forms the famous Parliamentary Triad. The focus of this thesis is on how modern construction methodology, typically through a construction management contract of some form, has redefined the role of the architect and the process of design development for large complex projects like Centre Block, as well as all of the building in the Parliamentary Precinct. Buildings, and especially historic buildings, in today’s society must incorporate multi-disciplined modern building and functional specifications that work together in harmony with the historical value of the building to form a concise design vision and, very importantly, one that can be implemented effectively and on budget.