St. Marks Church
The historic Church at the corner of Bay and Hunter Streets, originally erected in 1870 by the Anglican Diocese, stands as a testament to adaptive reuse and community revitalization. Under the stewardship of the City of Hamilton’s Tourism and Cultural Department, this architectural gem underwent a transformative two-phase development. Collaborating with the Architects,The two phased development renovated the existing chapel and designed an addition for amenity spaces.
Phase I: Mantecon Partners Inc. marked a significant milestone in preserving heritage while infusing modern functionality to the church. In the realm of civil engineering, our team meticulously designed and installed new domestic and fire water services, ensuring seamless water distribution throughout the premises to meet both daily needs and emergency contingencies. Additionally, a new sanitary sewer system was implemented, aligning with regulatory standards and enhancing waste management efficiency. The grading design associated with the renovations was executed with precision, considering the site’s historical significance and topographical features, thus seamlessly integrating the old with the new while facilitating construction activities.
Simultaneously, our Electrical team engineered and installed a new incoming power service, ensuring a reliable and robust power supply to support the modern amenities seamlessly integrated into the historical structure. Our Structural team executed essential tasks to fortify the structural integrity of the church. Excavation around the entire perimeter was conducted to stabilize foundations, providing a solid base for the renovated structure. Trusses were meticulously stabilized, and masonry walls buttressed to ensure their strength and durability for years to come, marrying historical preservation with contemporary engineering practices.
Phase II: Continuing our commitment to enhancing the church’s infrastructure, Mantecon Partners Inc. embarked on Phase II, addressing critical aspects of civil, structural,electrical and mechanical engineering to further elevate the site’s functionality and aesthetics.
Our Structural team undertook the intricate task of designing the church’s expansion, which included a basement configured to accommodate tight site constraints and the adjacent neighboring parking garage. Through meticulous planning and innovative design, the addition seamlessly integrated with the existing structure, maximizing usable space while adhering to stringent engineering standards.
In the domain of Mechanical engineering, customized solutions were tailored to meet the church’s unique heating, cooling, and plumbing requirements. A custom air handling unit was engineered, combining DX cooling with gas heating to provide optimal climate control for the renovated spaces. Air distribution ductwork, featuring architectural diffusers, was carefully designed to ensure efficient airflow while complementing the aesthetic ambiance of the interior. Plumbing design considerations encompassed the addition of new domestic hot water systems and a sump pit for basement sanitary systems, guaranteeing reliable and efficient water distribution throughout the premises.
Phase II exemplifies our unwavering dedication to blending innovation with heritage preservation, culminating in a harmonious fusion of modern functionality and timeless elegance within the church’s sacred space.