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The second busiest cross-border bridge between the U.S. And Canada, the Peace Bridge carries over one million commercial vehicles each year. The demands on the Peace Bridge Commercial Centre are equally daunting: 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, a steady stream of truckers passes through the offices of Canada Customs and private brokers for processing, at times unloading entire trucks full of goods for inspection. The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority needed a complete reorganization of its site as well as the consolidation of its commercial customs operations under one roof. Drive aisles, parking areas, and queue lanes were relocated and reconfigured to reduce traffic back-up on the bridge. The building's exposed green frame echoes that of the Peace Bridge. Corrugated steel cladding reinforces the image of strength and durability. The site has an archeological history that stretches back 4,000 years. Raising the building on caissons 1.2 meters above grade lessened the need for excavation and minimized the impact of foundations on archeological artifacts. Archeologist Dr. Ronald Williamson and his crew removed a cubic meter of soil at the location of each of 90 caissons before the contractor began work. All the soil was screened and artifacts recorded and photo-documented. Similarly, to avoid disturbing the existing soil during landscaping, berms were created on the eastern edge of the site and densely planted with trees and shrubs. The building's interior is intended to lend dignity and comfort to customs procedures. Truckers enter from the parking lot into a two-storey-high, light-filled reception area topped by a curved metal roof and with a view through the building to a curved glass wall overlooking the Niagara River. Materials and finishes are simple and maintenance-free. Beech wood cladding on upper walls adds warmth. Links:
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