LNG Operations Camp and Support Buildings

Oil & Gas | British Columbia, Canada

This extraordinary project was born of great vision and leadership on the client side, and goes well beyond a single control building to incorporate an entire camp of buildings that comprise a remote processing facility. This world-class LNG “megaproject” located on the northern shores of British Columbia provides an excellent example of BAW Architecture’s unsurpassed master planning expertise.

The client challenged BAW Architecture to design a complex that would not only meet the goals established in their Operational Excellence program, but serve to attract and retain the highest quality professional personnel from around the globe. BAW was tapped for our ability to envision a project of great scale then design a complete operational complex—calling on a level of expertise that has propelled us to the forefront of our industry over the last 30 years. We rose to the challenge and set to work.

The camp is located in an area of the Canadian wilderness, in proximity to the area’s rich natural resources and destination markets. It is so remote that workers spend a month on site followed by a month at home. It was therefore crucial to create an environment that was highly functional, aesthetically appealing and technologically cutting-edge, to inspire a sense of pride and to attract and retain the best talent available. BAW had to do all this while being ever mindful of process and personal safety, health considerations, and careful stewardship of finances within the existing budget.

Master planning asks the fundamental question on behalf of the client, “What do they really need?” It all starts with understanding how people will actually work and live in the complex. Everything about this project evolved from there. The solution included not only the siting and design of the control building but also that of the administration, security, emergency services, cafeteria, housing, laboratory, and fitness center, resulting in a fully integrated remote processing facility.

Facility siting posed unusual challenges and opportunities. The complex is on land that is considered sacred to indigenous tribal peoples, and as such we felt a compelling responsibility to incorporate native elements in its architectural design, drawing aesthetic inspiration from the culturally rich heritage of these native cultures. The BAW team exercised great sensitivity and care while pursuing the goal of integrating historically significant elements customary to the indigenous peoples of the region, such as the totem and thunderbird, into the overall master plan design.

The buildings are not islands—they interface and are organized such that they enjoy a synergy in their combined functionality and efficiency. The architectural result is intelligent, and leverages the potential of each disparate unit into a whole, the sum of which is greater than its parts. It is a once-in-a-generation solution, a camp comprised of fit-for-purpose buildings that will positively impact safety, quality of life, and the bottom line for decades to come.

Client

We respect the confidentiality of this client

Size

240,000 sf / 22,297 sm

Market

Oil & Gas

Location

British Columbia, Canada

Date

Projected build date TBD

Services

Life Safety
Mechanical Engineering
Electrial Engineering
Lab
Structural Engineering
Construction Cost Estimating
Blast Resistant Design

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Thanks a lot for the continued commitment and support from the BAW team. Meeting deadlines are important, and I truly appreciate when organizations live up to their commitment.
Project Manager

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SAFETY IN DESIGN

Unusual as it may sound, bears were a major safety concern. A notable grizzly bear population had to be considered, and this informed quite a few aspects of the design of the project. Snow load also had to be taken into account—individual snow fall events of up to 6 feet (2 meters) are common in the area. Seismic activity is also a factor that was addressed in the architectural and structural integrity of the buildings.

BLAST RESISTANCE

A quantitative risk analysis determined that the support facilities adjacent to the plant were within low-level long duration blast pressure regions and the buildings were designed for blast pressures. Nonetheless, the facilities look like a beautiful commercial property, not like a concrete blast resistant bunker-looking building often found at petrochemical facilities. Standoff distances and building orientation also played a role in overall facility siting.

RESULTS

This has been one of the most satisfying projects ever undertaken by the team at BAW. It is the kind of project that we seek out, due to the multidimensional challenges and integration expertise required. Our expertise in facility siting, architectural planning, interior design and human factors engineering were all brought to bear. The resulting design delivered tremendous value for the client, who were delighted with the end result.

And the original challenge posed by the client raises an important point: leadership means taking on risk. Opportunities must be recognized and seized. On this particular project the client exercised true leadership by weighing first cost vs. life cycle cost. This acknowledges the need to be good stewards of capital—quality is always cheaper in the end because it endures—but transcends mere amortization tables to execute a vision, one where humanity is at the fore of the human-machine interface. This type of leadership leaves a legacy of quantifiable results, as the timeless functionality of the complex is acknowledged for decades to come. Contact us to learn more about what our team can do for you.