National Bank Place, Building Engineer and Consultant

Soaring to over 200 metres, National Bank’s new head office in Montréal is a bold 40-storey project that marries cutting-edge design with eco-friendly principles. Located in the historic and rapidly transforming Saint-Jacques district of downtown Montréal, the building aims to redefine urban architecture while embodying the bank’s values of modernity, flexibility and environmental responsibility. It meets rigorous standards for sustainable development and climate and seismic resilience, and it provides a space tailored for hybrid work. Carried out between May 2018 and June 2023, the project masterfully overcame numerous technical challenges, earning it the 2024 Award of Excellence from the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of Canada (ACEC).

Location

Montréal, Canada

Client

National Bank of Canada

Project Status

Complete

Harnessing structural engineering expertise

One of our key contributions to this project lies in its structural engineering. In particular, we had to manage the constraints of construction below the water table. Combining technical expertise and innovative thinking, we designed deep slurry wall foundations. Given that greater Montréal is in one of North America’s most earthquake-prone regions, building design load was a major consideration. To improve the site’s seismic classification, we optimized the mass of its structural elements and extended its foundation down to bedrock. Using advanced modelling, we designed around the site’s unique geological conditions to ensure a perfect soil-foundation interface.

Optimized energy and environmental performance

WSP is a leader in the design of environmentally friendly buildings. With an aim to secure LEED and WELL^TM v2 Silver certifications, we selected locally sourced low carbon footprint materials and designed for maximum energy efficiency. To promote rainwater infiltration and on-site retention, we integrated green spaces into the design, including a green roof. In addition, a 4,000 m² outdoor green park between the two buildings creates a calming natural space that underscores the project’s commitment to enhancing quality of life. WSP’s structural engineering team worked in close collaboration with all project professionals to fine-tune every facet of the building’s energy efficiency, ensuring a durable structure and a healthy workspace for its occupants.

Innovative solutions and seamless integration into the architectural landscape

Wind tunnel testing was another key factor in the project’s success. Modelling wind interaction with the tower and its environment helped refine the design and ensure building stability in extreme climatic conditions. It also allowed us to predict the effects of wind on building occupants and design ventilation systems for optimum comfort of everyone downtown. The sloping curtain wall façade of the head office’s first 22 floors gives the building a distinctive architectural identity. It also helped showcase our expertise in managing complex constraints. The building’s long spans and height presented major technical challenges, and we made multiple adjustments during construction to account for the building’s successive deformations resulting from its asymmetry.

The success of this project hinged on carefully managing technical challenges, particularly in seismic analysis and foundation design. Our expertise in structural and geotechnical engineering played a vital role in ensuring the building’s stability and overall performance.

Philippe Beaudoin Director, Project Office

Philippe Beaudoin Director, Project Office

Navigating logistical hurdles

Project management played a vital role in coordinating the multidisciplinary team of engineers, architects and subcontractors. The project’s complexity demanded careful oversight of resources and timelines, especially when it came to integrating the below-grade construction with the simultaneous raising of the tower. We established a rigorous planning strategy and employed cutting-edge project management tools to keep every phase perfectly in sync. During the pandemic, work was paused for 33 days. Nevertheless, thanks to a well-executed acceleration plan, effective communication and proactive coordination, we successfully made up for lost time, meeting the initial deadline while addressing the client’s specific needs.

Social and economic benefits for the region

The new head office is not just a technical achievement. It also generated significant economic spinoffs for the region. The $1.2 billion project created 7,000 jobs and strengthened the local economy. In addition to incorporating a daycare to support parents, the building now boasts 400 bicycle parking spots and a link to the underground city for easy public transit access to enhance mobility options and help reduce the carbon footprints of its occupants.

National Bank Place embodies the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. Its design not only fosters economic growth but also enriches the lives of the people working there and the downtown Montréal community as a whole.