1015 E Hastings St. Affordable Housing Complex & Shelter, Vancouver

HGC Engineering is the acoustical consultant for a new Indigenous-run, mixed-use, affordable housing complex and shelter in Downtown Eastside, Vancouver. The project is a partnership between the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society (VAFCS), BC Housing and the City of Vancouver. Two mixed-use buildings (13 & 14 storeys) connected at the base will house a variety of residential options along with social support services. Of the 163 units in the building, 85 will be for affordable non-market housing, 53 will be market rental housing, and 25 units will be transitional housing. There will also be space for 80 permanent shelter beds.

A Day Centre in the building will include a dining room, kitchen serving two meals daily to residents; a day lounge; library; meeting space; art studio; counselling spaces; and a cultural gathering and ceremony space.

HGC Engineering services included completing a Road/Rail Traffic Noise and Vibration Assessment, as the CN Burrard Inlet Spur is immediately adjacent to the site ; a detailed rail vibration propagation study; a detailed building study to address mechanical equipment and sound separations between uses ; and a detailed study of the exterior building envelope to meet CN’s brick façade requirement

Acoustical Engineering Services to be delivered include:

• Building Services Noise and Vibration control (HVAC Systems, Pumps, Compactors, Generators, etc)
• Acoustical Privacy Between Suites
• Noise and Vibration Control of Amenity Spaces
• Façade and Glazing Specification
• Shop Drawing Review
• Road/Rail Traffic Noise and Vibration Assessment
• Detailed Rail Vibration Propagation Study