NFIRAOS Building - Thirty Meter Telescope

The Opportunity

The TMT International Observatory  was designing and constructing a new thirty-metre telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, to allow astronomers to see deeper into space and observe objects with a higher level of clarity.  As part of the project, an adaptive optics system known as NFIRAOS (Narrow Field Infra-Red Adaptive Optics System) was proposed to be constructed at the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics in the District of Saanich; the construction of which required a dedicated building with minimal tolerances for vibrations and temperature fluctuations.

The Approach

Westbrook Consulting was engaged as the civil engineering consultant for the construction of the NFIRAOS building and delivered services including site selection, preparation of base drawings, a topographic survey, a ground penetrating radar survey, and the detailed design of site servicing to the building (including the relocation of existing infrastructure outside of the building footprint).

Given that the site is located adjacent to a sensitive Garry oak ecosystem, a sharp tailed snake habitat, and camas meadows, Westbrook Consulting, the project architect, and the Federal Government’s environmental consultant collaborated to determine best ways to adapt the design to minimize any negative impact.

The Result

The project was completed in spring 2019.