Our staff
Corporate Indentification
Equilibrium Consulting Inc. is a full-service, award-winning consulting firm specialized in building structures. The firm is recognized for its creative approach, cost effective designs and commitment to the development of architecturally integrated detailing. The firm is located in Vancouver and practices mostly in British Columbia, but is involved in work in the United States, Eastern Canada, Asia and Europe.
Equilibrium was founded early 1998. We have since been successfully involved in over 500 projects, including a significant number of award-winning designs, quickly establishing ourselves as the NEXT GENERATION on the stage of top BC design firms. We have gained the confidence of many well-established clients in the area, and have acquired a strong professional presence in the local community and abroad. The firm’s award winners include the innovative and eight-time award-winning Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt, Prince George Airport Expansion Phase I and II (five awards) and the recently completed Nk’Mip Desert Heritage Centre (five awards).
The firm currently consists of an experienced and talented staff of twelve, including eight engineers, an architect/sustainable design expert, two CAD technicians and an office manager. Equilibrium also uses several regular, competent additional engineering and drafting staff as required to meet scheduling needs.
All members of the Equilibrium design team make it their professional responsibility to find structural solutions to meet each client’s functional and aesthetic needs in a practical and economical manner. The principals’ knowledge of budgetary considerations has been refined through their involvement in hundreds of public and private sector projects, and through years of pro-active cooperation with contractors and cost consultants.
The firm has a broad field of expertise and successful experience, including renovation work, upgrades and new construction, on projects with very limited budgets as well as high profile architecturally oriented public projects, large and small. Current work of note includes the Art Galley of Ontario glulam façade wall design with Frank Gehry Architect, the widely anticipated Squamish Lil’Wat Community Centre in Whistler and the BC Ferries Departure Bay Terminal in Nanaimo.
Sustainable Design
In addition to our broad experience in the design of timber structures, our experience includes several projects with sustainable design objectives. Many of our designs have included the use of recycled and environmentally friendly materials with an emphasis on the more efficient use of new materials, and the use of local, sustainable materials.
Our latest LEED registered project, the Vancouver Aquarium Discovery Centre, is the first aquarium/zoo facility to achieve a LEED Gold rating in North America. The project features high fly-ash concrete throughout. The project also includes a rainwater harvesting and re-cycling system, which uses one of the aquarium’s original abandoned water storage tanks. A living green wall helps insulate the building and uses runoff water from the roof. A sea-water exchange radiant heat/cooling system has been incorporated into the cast-in-place slabs.
The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt was featured at the Oslo Green Building International Challenge in 2002 and is often used as a case study in the field of modern green design technology. The project's green design strategy was largely and quite literally inspired by traditional native construction practices. Nestled into the site and featuring sodden roofs, with a tall central atrium providing for natural ventilation, and timber columns supporting thick concrete suspended slabs providing thermal mass, the green design strategy for this modern structure is surprisingly akin to the simple technological wisdom embodied in the traditional pit house of the interior.
Current projects anticipated for LEED registration include the Hesquiaht, Tachek and Saanich Schools, First Peoples’ House at the University of Victoria, the new BC Ferries Departure Bay Terminal and Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. The firm includes LEED registered staff.
Internationally recognized leader
While we are well versed in design with all common building materials, Equilibrium is recognized as a leader in timber engineering in North America. We strive to integrate the best of North American and European timber technology and design. The firm has provided ongoing timber engineering expertise for important industry players such as Trus Joist Macmillan and Structurlam Products, BC’s largest and most distinctive glulam supplier.
Over the past few years, Equilibrium has pioneered the use of proven, state-of-the-art timber technologies in BC, and has helped raise the local industry’s awareness and sophistication through the execution of a string of innovative and architecturally notable timber structures.
Technologies such as polyurethane glue glulam, five-axis CNC shaping, state-of-the-art connection systems and cutting edge 3D analysis and CAD modelling, as well as the innovative use of local conventional systems such as gang nailed trusses and wood I-joists are a few examples. The partners are regularly requested to share their timber expertise at conferences and universities, in Canada and Europe. The partners, Robert and Eric, are often invited to make technical presentations at conferences and universities in Canada and Europe, and are regular nationwide lecturers for the Canadian Wood Council Woodworks! Program. They have also contributed to magazines such as Wood Design & Building. Robert is a member of the Canadian Timber Code Technical Committee (Engineering Design in Wood: O86.1), as well as several code sub-committees.
Resources
Equilibrium uses state-of-the-art software including the German 3D structural analysis program RSTAB, and the full line of Dubal analysis software products including finite elements analysis, dynamic analysis and many others. The firm also uses the sophisticated Swiss 3D timber detailing software package CadWork. CadWork is designed to link to CNC (computer numerically controlled) wood cutting equipment. This technology offers unprecedented design and economic opportunities and places Equilibrium at the forefront of the newly emerging market for precision design and fabrication in timber engineering. The firm also uses top of the line hardware, including a 1200 x 1200 dpi Hewlett Packard 1050C Plus colour plotter, which can be used for high quality presentation work.
Ultrasound Testing
Equilibrium is a leader in the assessment and rehabilitation of old timber structures. We are the only firm in Canada equipped with the state-of-the-art “Sylvatest Duo” ultrasound in-situ grading equipment from Switzerland. This technology allows us to assess and salvage old timber structures, which may otherwise be considered inadequate. The technology is particularly useful to grade recycled timber, and to increase reliability and refine the design when new materials are used. The firm also offers the latest in European timber rehabilitation techniques and concealed reinforcing components.
The Sylvatest portable timber grading system was used on several landmark projects in Europe including the Hanover 2000 Expo Canopies.