Located over 200 feet below the
Screen House, at the bottom of the
Niagara Gorge, on the edge of the
Niagara River, the Power House project consisted of the adaptive reuse of industrial storage and maintenance space, built in the 1920’s for the Hydro Electric Power Company of Ontario, into administrative offices for local Niagara Plant staff. The 5 story renovation included the complete replacement of mechanical and electrical systems, installation of new doors and windows, the introduction of a new exit stair tower, washrooms and locker rooms and the provision of architectural finishes in a building that had been originally constructed to function as a power plant.
The most significant design challenge was the provision of a new stair that would permit safe evacuation of the building in case of fire. Two options were explored:
(1) Cut a core through the middle of the building within the existing building envelope, or,
(2) Provide a stair that climbed the exterior of the building placing doors at existing window openings to avoid having to cut through the 24" of concrete wall that protects the in habitants.
The decision to design an external stair provided for greater office floor area and an opportunity for architectural expression in the design of a steel framed stair tower with glass extending up five stories from the ground looking up the length of the river. Because the building facade steps back at the two upper most floors, the stair transitions into a roof top lobby and encourages use of the roof surface for break-time activities.
