Addiction Treatment Centre, Lethbridge

Award Criteria

Architectural Excellence

The Fresh Start Recovery Centre is a 50-bed treatment centre providing holistic residential treatment for Albertans with addiction and mental health challenges. The project is a province-wide initiative to introduce a new type of intensive addiction treatment through Alberta’s Recovery Plan. The facility has an expert staff of clinicians, medical professionals, indigenous liaison and counsellors. MPE Engineering spearheaded the design with ROC Modular as the modular supplier. The project included 55-modules and the 33,852 sq ft facility contains 50 treatment beds, along with long-term residential treatment that focus on supporting people who are pursuing recovery. The exterior design has a modern, contemporary aesthetic and uses mixed styles of cladding and elevated roof lines to accent the finish of the building and promotes modern style with black and white contrasts. Outside of the building has an attractive amenity/gathering area, promoting community and social togetherness.

Technical Innovation & Sustainability

The project achieved exceptional ratings for energy efficiency and environmental design, and included several thermal performance upgrades. A Persist Building Envelope reduced the potential for heat loss or gain, and triple-glazed windows with PVC frames provides an additional layer of insulation, reducing heat transfer and improving thermal performance. The Roof is a PVC membrane Heat Island reduction, with a white roof to provide high solar reflectance and minimize heat absorption. Vacancy sensors are used to enhance energy efficiency by automatically controlling lighting and HVAC systems based on occupancy, and low-flow fixtures were implemented to significantly reduce water consumption. The building was designed for extreme cold weather and includes a number of features designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. Utilizing a modular construction process allowed for a faster schedule while minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

Cost Effectiveness

The project’s innovative modular design was led by the team at MPE Engineering, focusing on standardized modules, allowing for rapid production at scale and streamlining the design, procurement, and construction phases. By prioritizing offsite modular factory production at the ROC Modular facility, the project achieved notable time and labor cost savings. Key elements included spacious meeting areas and open vaulted roofs, all constructed with durable finishes and fixtures to reduce operating and maintenance costs, lowering the overall life cycle expenses for the operator. Following site preparation by the general contractor, the modular units were delivered and installed with cranes, the project achieved notable time and labor cost savings. The scalable and repeatable initiative is a modern modular solution to Alberta’s drug-recovery and mental health needs, delivered safely and efficiently, that is set to provide the best treatment and support for years to come.