Constructed with Intention. Adapted for the Future.
For over 30 years, EllisDon has been proud to partner with Calgary International Airport (YYC) to deliver some of the most innovative infrastructure projects in Canadian aviation. From initial collaborations in 1989, EllisDon has built a solid foundation for a lasting relationship with YYC that has carried through on several projects including the International Facilities Project (IFP) - Terminal Expansion. Building off their strong partnership EllisDon has been instrumental in helping YYC evolve into a world-class aviation hub.
Project Overview
The first Canadian LEED certified airport
The IFP was led by EllisDon as the Construction Manager to meet a significant demand required for international and trans-border travel. Project highlights include:
- Terminal building doubling in size in addition to 22 bridge positions – and room to expand.
- Extension of the then current departures roadway, parallel curbside roadway, new waste handling facility
- 70+ new shops and services inside the terminal, and a podium structure for the airside hotel.
- A 4.27 km runway, taxiways, high-speed exits, aircraft parking – and more – were developed in tandem with the terminal expansion.
The sustainability-focused design alongside DIALOG and executed by EllisDon on the 2.4M sq. ft. facility achieved LEED Gold certification in 2017, making it the first Canadian LEED certified airport.
Sustainability & Technology Meet
Construction Building Practices
The IFP combined advanced technology and premium sustainable building construction practices, design, and materials. EllisDon managed lengthy concrete scopes of work, including cast-in-place, formwork, placing/finishing, and extensive MEIT scopes. Commissioning, training, and testing for various complex building and airport systems, extensive excavation, and utility tie-in work, were all seamlessly managed by EllisDon through multiple partners.
Sustainability features include:
- Zero-Carbon Designs: Developing a welcoming ambience with 53,800 sq. ft. of skylights
- Heating & Regeneration: 2.1M sq. ft. of in-floor radiant heating tubes, and almost 600 geothermal wells. The facility now captures and recycles 10 million litres of rainwater annually to cogenerate 27% of IFP’s energy requirements.
- Reusing Material: All excavation material, totalling 470,000 m³ was reused in the YYC Runway Development Project.
- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The design of the project is photovoltaic-ready with an inclusion of a central heating plant and geoexchange systems.
- Enhancing Productivity: Utilizing EllisDon’s in-house developed F360 formwork system – and strong yet lightweight aluminum system offering the highest adjustable range and load capacity. Lastly, The IFP concourse now includes a baggage-handling system – the first of its kind in North America. The baggage tray conveyor system consists of approximately 8.7 km of conveyor with 8,800 variable frequency drive motors and up to 11 scanning devices. The use of the multiple small motors ensures the baggage routes more energy-efficient, using only 25% of the energy consumption compared to the previous system.
Adaptability at New Heights
Quality Control, Flexibility, and Prioritizing Safety
The IFP used full-scale mock-ups, to guarantee constructability and inform crucial decisions, in addition to aligning with various stakeholders. Bringing in decades of combined construction expertise, EllisDon conceptualized an adaptable space that would enable future expansion plans in the Terminal’s evolution.
With safety at the forefront of EllisDon, new safety practices were implemented for rebar installation, including personal fall protection systems and embeds within concrete columns for tie-offs. A clamp scaffolding system was installed for enclosed spaces to mitigate workers having to climb scissor lifts. Additionally, to avoid debris, all materials and tools were secured to prevent them from being carried into airplane engines on site.
Landmark Project for the Skies
Pushing the boundaries since 1951
Our ability to think outside-the-box is what keeps our clients coming back every single time. From conception to completion, we take great pride in every project.
The Calgary International Airport International Facilities Project, Terminal Expansion stands as a hallmark example of EllisDon’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collaborative approach. Now serving as a world-class hub for trans-border and international travel for millions of people, EllisDon is proud to have worked alongside with countless contractors, designers, and partners to execute this project and know our longstanding relationship with YYC strengthened the success and outcome.
Connectivity Corridor - As part of the Calgary International Airport – International Facilities Project Terminal Expansion, EllisDon completed the Connectivity Corridor. This project involved the construction of an addition connecting the IFP with the Airport Terminal Building (ATB). The Connections Corridor offers passengers greater facility of movement with a continuous and secure link between the IFP and Concourse D within the airport.
Air Terminal Building Redevelopment - EllisDon delivered a multifaceted final product with the Air Terminal Building Redevelopment. The Redevelopment project included the Courtyard Infill Renovations and the expansion of Concourse D. Components of this project included a demolition and remodel of the current baggage facility as well as an expanded domestic baggage claim facility.
