Cost Effective Strategies to Retrofit the Building Envelopes of Aging Commercial Buildings

The majority of the commercial buildings in Canada are at an age where significant renewal of the façade must be considered. Once a decision has been made to retrofit a commercial building, there are many factors that determine the...

The majority of the commercial buildings in Canada are at an age where significant renewal of the façade must be considered. Once a decision has been made to retrofit a commercial building, there are many factors that determine the best method of retrofit. Case studies highlight the main approaches to retrofit and the challenges of planning, designing, and implementing the renewal on an occupied commercial building. Different methods, including refurbishment of the existing system, overcladding, and removal and replacement are discussed. The relative advantage and disadvantages, and technical considerations for each method are reviewed. Case studies include retrofits at Toronto City Hall, The Zurich Building (400 University), and other towers across Canada.