The smartest building in downtown Williams Lake
WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Kane Fraser took modernizing to a new level, made a hearty investment in downtown Williams Lake, and certainly changed the face of a portion of the main street. “The cost was substantial,” Kane admits, adding renovations cost almost as much as the purchase price of the building. But, in the long run, those renovations will save the company money, optimize performance, efficiency, and comfort for the people inside, while leaving a lighter eco-footprint.
Kane bought the building in October of 2017 with the intention of moving his accounting firm to that location. Focus was placed on the evolution of the workplace and improved overall operating efficiency for long-term performance of both the office space and workflow. Renovations began in January of 2018, demolition alone, took two months, and then the project endured lengthy delays due to a bottleneck of building material demands internationally. Contractors removed all of the walls, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The concrete building is almost entirely automated and energy-efficient now. “Everything is new — every switch, every wire,” Kane explains, adding that he and Office Manager, Will Hill, were heavily involved in the layout.
On September 1, FBB Chartered Professional Accountants LLP (FBB) moved in to the new space just two short weeks after the work was complete.
Some of the conveniences include being able to manage the security system, heating and ventilation, and various security cameras through their smart phones from any location. On the eco-friendly side, lit entirely with LED lights that have a life-span of approximately 11 years, if they ran then 24 hours a day, they use far less power than conventional light sources. Even the exterior lights are energy-conserving dusk-to-dawn LED lights. Reflective film has been added to the windows, which helps keep the sun out and air conditioning off in the summer. “Even the parking lot is eco-friendly,” Kane smiled. “It’s 40-year old concrete, and will last forever.” The building is also protected by steel tube shutters for additional security.