ONroute Service Centres
The designs for all three sizes of highway service centres are of the same “family”, incorporating three distinctive and readily recognizable components: a glass atrium with sloped glass walls covered by a sloped metal roof; traditional indigenous stone walls that anchor the buildings to the ground; and wood trellises and canopies. The glass atrium acts as the visual focus of the centres from both the exterior and interior. The large expanse of energy-effi cient glazing allows for natural light to infuse both the customer seating areas and the interior areas of the structures, allowing less artifi cial lighting to be used during the day. At night, the light of the atrium acts as a beacon for travelers. The stone veneer walls tie the design back to the historic roots of the province while the natural stone acts as a visual anchor and counterweight to the lightness of the glass walls. Wood trellises and canopies exude a warm and welcoming feel at a human scale, while providing a measure of protection from the sun and from inclement weather.
Interior fi nishes were selected to be durable and easy to clean. Floor fi nishes and coverings are tiles in a simple pattern, which are safe when wet. Ceilings are a combination of exposed structure with suspended panels as features and suspended ceiling systems for more fi nished areas.
The centres feature several sustainable elements, including: upgraded insulation in the walls and roof; energy-effi cient artifi cial lighting and mechanical systems; local materials and products incorporated into the facilities; low-fl ow and motion-activated plumbing fi xtures and fi ttings; and interior fi nishes to limit VOC off-gassing and improve indoor air quality. To reduce water consumption at the sites, touchless fi xtures (automatic fl ushometer, soap and paper dispenser and hand dryers) and waterless urinals were installed in the washrooms. The centres also feature water-effi cient landscaping utilizing drought-resistant plants. The facilities showcase a long-term commitment to conservation, pollution prevention and reduced consumption of natural resources to the traveling public.
All of the new centres meet the stringent guidelines to enhance the experience of persons with disabilities to use and enjoy the facilities. Quadrangle incorporated numerous accessibility and universal design measures into the building design, such as: fully accessible entrances, including gently rising curb ramps; ample turning space and larger than normal corridors in all areas of the centres for those in wheelchairs, with scooters or other assistive devices; barrier-free washrooms,
including urinals and water closets; visual and textural variations in pattern to alert visitors to changes in surface; and a large, lockable family washroom that includes a motorized adult change table. The centres were designed to last at least 50 years, thereby making them functional now and adaptable to the needs of travelers in the future.
