Evik Diagnostics, Medical Manufacturing, Ottawa - Canada

Project details

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Pharmaceutical

Technologies

Desiccant dehumidification

Ensuring Precision in Biotechnology Manufacturing with Condair Dehumidification

Architect Douglas Cardinal from Red Deer Alberta designed the distinctive building, working with Michel Languedoc from the Montreal architectural firm of Tetreault, Parent, Languedoc and Associates Inc. Mr. Cardinal, who has Métis ancestry, is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Architecture. Cardinal’s buildings include the Edmonton Space Sciences Center in Canada and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, which opened in September of 2004. Cardinal’s designs are easily recognizable for their curving forms with very few straight lines. His design statement is to “speak of the emergence of this continent, its forms sculptured by the winds, the rivers, the glaciers.”

Over 400 people work at the museum as curators, designers, conservators, exhibit planners, model makers, carpenters, archivists, catalogers or actors, to name a few.

The museum owns over 3.5 million artifacts and receives over 1.3 million visitors annually. This stunning building also houses the Canadian Postal Museum, the Canadian Children’s’ Museum, and an IMAX theater. With so many venues and varying artifacts it was not possible to design a single central humidification system for the complex.

The best fit for the museum in 1989 and still today is individual units to meet the specific requirements of each area and each type of artifacts being conserved.

When the building was originally opened in 1989 it was designed with electrode steam electric humidifiers. As with most projects of this size the complex was built in phases, with several manufacturers supplying varying versions of electrode steam humidifiers as each phase was completed. This did not make it easy going for maintenance staff. After 17 years of continuous use the Museum decided to upgrade the humidification system.

This time they were interested in resistive element humidifiers and specified that the project needed to be supplied by one manufacturer with the same product throughout the complex.

Condair worked closely with the local consulting engineer on the project. The Condair NHDI resistive element humidifier is the leading product in this area offering a packaged product for easy installation and maintenance, the tight humidity control required by museums, and the ability to communicate with standard building management systems.

Condair won the bid for this exciting project and began working with an Ottawa based contractor on the first installation phase of 56 units. Phase two included another 68 resistive humidifiers.

Condair RS resistive steam humidifiers help the Canadian Museum of Civilization protect millions of artifacts with precise humidity control across 124 units.

Condair in Action

Projects and references

Columbus Museum of Modern Art, USA

The Columbus Museum of Art needed precise humidity control to protect priceless artworks and ensure visitor comfort. Condair installed its RS steam humidifiers, integrated with the museum‚ HVAC system, delivering consistent humidity in the ideal 50 ± 5 % RH range. The system‚ design allows rapid response to seasonal and daily fluctuations, ensuring paintings, sculptures, and historic artifacts are safeguarded against cracking, warping, or other moisture-related damage. Easy to operate and maintain, the RS units provide reliable, energy-efficient performance while blending unobtrusively into the museum‚ infrastructure. By maintaining stable indoor humidity, Condair helps preserve the integrity of the collection, supports optimal conditions for visitors, and provides curators with confidence that their environment meets stringent conservation standards.

Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established 1636. Its history, influence and wealth have made it one of the most prestigious universities in the world.Condair RS steam humidifiers are helping maintain the ideal indoor humidity at Harvard University.

Peninsula Gardens

Peninsula Gardens is a premium cannabis cultivator. They specialize in producing top level cannabis flower through state of the art facilities, cutting edge technology, passionate growers, and superior genetics.

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is probably the best-known university in Switzerland and secures one of the top positions in the global ranking of universities on a regular basis. Founded in 1855 as the Swiss Federal Polytechnic, ETH is primarily dedicated to the technical, mathematical and scientific fields. Condair steam humidifiers ensure healthy and comfortable air humidity in the labs and classrooms.