Congebec - Frozen storage

Led by Milyausha Gabdrakhmanova, Associate and Project Director at GKC, the project team drew on its extensive experience designing refrigerated and frozen warehouses to meet the client’s specifications. This included three freezing chambers with temperatures ranging from -18°C to -25°C, along with a “swing” chamber that can alternate between freezing and refrigeration depending on operational needs. “For this type of cold room, it is essential to choose materials that retain their sealing properties despite variations in temperature and humidity,” explains Milyausha. In line with Congebec’s sustainability objectives, the facility also had to deliver optimal energy performance.

To ensure consistent performance across all cold zones, the team selected 5- and 6-inch insulated metal panels (IMPs) from Norbec, a North American leader in building envelope solutions. In addition, CO2 was chosen as the refrigerant over ammonia or ammonia-CO2 blends, not only for its lower environmental impact, but also for its superior energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency was central to the technical and technological choices made by the team. A state-of-the-art centralized control system manages the temperature in all cold chambers, while heating for the offices, mechanical room, and inspection and reconditioning areas is provided by an energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system. The recovered heat is also used to defrost evaporators and to supply radiant floor heating in the cold rooms. All interior and exterior lighting is provided by high-efficiency LED fixtures.

To minimize thermal exchange between indoor and outdoor environments, the 30 loading dock doors were designed to align seamlessly with truck trailers, ensuring optimal sealing. Access to the freezer zones is provided by high-speed, insulated Rytec double doors that reduce cold air loss during operation.

Given the building's high visibility from nearby roads, particular care was given to the exterior cladding. The main façade, which faces Avenue de la Gare, features curtain walls installed over insulated metal panels – which enhance the building’s appearance and create visual continuity with the highly glazed office spaces. Vertical two-tone bands, some concealing downspouts, add visual interest and break up the linearity of the façade. The side facing Highway 640 East follows the same design principles and includes a series of protruding cubic volumes that conceal sprinkler systems and add architectural rhythm.

In addition, trees have been planted around the building to reduce heat island effects, and part of the land has been landscaped to accommodate a future stormwater retention basin