The Municipal Building, designed and constructed for the Township of Beckwith in Carleton Place, serves as a post-disaster, net-zero facility. It functions not only as the Township’s municipal office and council chambers but also as a vibrant community hub, offering both indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. The post-disaster designation, combined with the use of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) for the exterior walls, presented Cavanagh General Contracting with several unique construction challenges. Additional engineering requirements were incorporated into the foundation, structural systems, and roof framing, while the mechanical system was designed with a closed-loop geothermal system to provide efficient heating and cooling.
The building features a 10,700-square-foot walk-out lower level and a 10,700-square-foot suspended slab main floor, both equipped with in-floor radiant heating. Key features supporting its net-zero performance include photovoltaic solar panels, the ICF building envelope, and a Kawneer 1600 UT System 1 triple-pane curtain wall system. Additional building components include a 130,000-litre fire protection water tank, a 100 kW backup generator, RFID access control, and a custom records storage system. The exterior is finished with Hardie® panels, natural stone, and a standing-seam steel roof.
The client placed a strong emphasis on utilizing local products and trades, and Cavanagh General Contracting proudly met that objective by partnering with numerous local contractors and suppliers. Working alongside a local interior designer and timber framer, we incorporated distinctive custom features into the building, including bespoke council chamber furniture and a signature barn door feature.
