The Canadian headquarters campus for AstraZeneca, a global pharmaceutical company, includes manufacturing, administrative and distribution warehouse facilities. To plan for projected growth, a comprehensive site master plan was developed to transform the existing campus into a unified and cohesive site with a plan for future development.

Phase 1 of the campus project involved the consolidation and expansion of in-house administrative operations into a new, five-story office building with a full height atrium. The new building is attached to an existing single-story building by a glazed, wedge-shaped visitor center with a full-length skylight. The office building is also linked to the existing manufacturing facility by a curved, glazed circulation link, which also serves as a weather protected walkway. The reinforced concrete structure is clad with curtainwall consisting of prefinished aluminum spandrel panels. 

Phase 2 consisted of a 47,500 square-foot, two-story, slab-on-grade building with a concrete and steel superstructure. The building is tied into the existing manufacturing facility at both levels. The exterior envelope is composed of metal paneling with strip windows, topped with a series of multi-level flat roofs and is highlighted by a curved curtainwall facade facing The Queensway to the south. The structure houses a 450-seat cafeteria, a large fitness center and a multi-purpose court located on the second floor, in addition to numerous meeting and training rooms. The building also houses a 200-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art audio-visual components for broadcasting and communication capabilities. 

Several challenges and obstacles were encountered during the campus project, but were tackled with determination and creativity. The project operated with a tight, 14-month schedule on an occupied campus, had to adhere to strict campus rules with timely deliveries and was managed with heightened safety and operating procedures. The team prioritized collaboration, coordination and communication to ensure a swift and on time delivery. Despite the complexity and fast pace of the project, AstraZeneca remained fully operational throughout construction.

An unexpected obstacle emerged when a blackout occurred in Ontario just a few days before substantial completion, which could have impacted the project's schedule and the client's move-in plans. The team demonstrated outstanding collaboration and problem-solving skills. The effects of the blackout were swiftly assessed, and the schedule was proactively adjusted to mitigate its impact, ensuring a successful and on-time completion of the project.