The Mackintosh Depot Replacement in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a landmark municipal infrastructure initiative led by the City of Halifax. The project aimed to replace and demolish the aging Mackintosh Facility with a modern, multi-functional depot, consolidating four city departments into a single, efficient facility.
Originally designed as a two-level, 4,149 m² building, the scope was expanded to include a third-floor office level, increasing the total area to 4,695 m². This expansion accommodated a fourth Halifax Group and introduced additional complexity to the design and construction phases. Despite challenges such as site changes, geotechnical investigations and funding adjustments, the project was completed successfully over a two-year period.
EXP’s multidisciplinary team worked in close collaboration with Halifax stakeholders to deliver a facility that merges the operational needs of Halifax Transportation & Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Finance and Asset Management. The design features a drive-thru layout, vehicle bays, functional storage and office space, all tailored to support the city’s evolving infrastructure needs. Notably, the project repurposed elements of the existing Mackintosh Depot to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Designed for sustainability and functionality
The Mackintosh Depot was designed with sustainability and functionality at its core. It features concrete tilt-up and steel construction, in-floor heating powered by natural gas boilers, as well as built-in exterior solar shades. The facility includes 85 foot locally sourced trusses and a rooftop photovoltaic system with 148 solar panels.
The building incorporates numerous energy-efficient and inclusive design elements, such as barrier-free access and CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles, gender-neutral washrooms, universal locker rooms, bicycle storage, kitchen area, three electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and a natural gas emergency generator.
These innovations contribute to the building’s energy performance, which is 29.5% more efficient than the standards set by the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECCB) 2017 and NBCC 2020.
The Mackintosh Depot was officially certified LEED v4 BD+C New Construction Gold, making it the first building in Nova Scotia to achieve Gold status under this rigorous sustainability standard.
Collaborative design and execution
The project’s success is attributed to a highly collaborative design process involving four Halifax client stakeholder groups, with regular consensus-building meetings. EXP led the project from concept through construction administration, delivering a facility that not only meets operational needs but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable municipal infrastructure in Atlantic Canada.
The Mackintosh Depot stands as a proud achievement for Halifax and EXP, representing a forward-thinking approach to municipal infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
Services
Architecture, Structural, Civil, Geotechnical