Feature Walters was involved in the process early on conducting various design assist meetings to finalize the size of each section, height from grade, and engineer the connections required to withstand forces at play with such a large free-standing structure.

Our team also provided stamped engineering drawings that were required with the city application to attain a permit for erecting the structure on site.

Based on the finalized design, Feature Walters then completed all fabrication, surface preparation and painting to make it ready for installation on sight.

• The large gateway sign (letter ‘F’) is 8.3 meters tall and spans 6.5 meters wide
• The letters which spell “FRASER MILLS” are nearly one meter tall and span 5.4 meters wide
• The entire sculpture weighs more than 11 tonnes

Coordinating required calculations relative to the weight of the structure and base made it mandatory for our team to carefully consider the soil conditions in the area.

Additionally, the criteria stipulation was “no visible bolted connections”. Due to the cantilever-type design and significant loading on connections, an alternative method of joining each of the sections together needed to be found. Using pin connections to join each section of the structure together, gave the appearance of a seamless free-standing gateway sign.  Feature Walters had to develop an engineered solution that made the architect’s original pin connection design work. This was no easy task as the forces between sections was significant, but we needed to maintain the original design intent.

The criteria requirements also meant no visible reinforcing, as such all reinforcements needed to remain “concealed within the outer skin.”  It was an interesting challenge that our team overcame to satisfy all stakeholders involved.

Tri-City News: Huge ‘F’ goes up at entrance to Coquitlam’s Fraser Mills