Project Overview
Location:
VANCOUVER
Timeline:
1 month
Project Cost:
$40,000
Client’s Goals
The client had previously completed a bathroom renovation, but the former contractor had cut into a structural shear wall—a critical component of the building’s seismic system. This issue went unnoticed until a leak from the bathtub/shower installation spread into the unit below. During the strata’s investigation, their structural engineer identified the compromised wall and issued a serious warning:
“The lack of shear wall at the 2nd floor, coupled with the shear wall remaining at the 1st and 3rd floor, is the worst-case scenario for the seismic capacity of this portion of the building, putting virtually all of the stress into one floor of unsheathed 2x4 stud wall. There is risk of collapse during an earthquake as a result.”
With the structural integrity of the building at risk, the client needed the space opened, repaired, and fully reinstated to engineered specifications—all within an existing, finished unit. Roka was hired to restore the damaged shear wall and rebuild the bathtub/shower area properly, ensuring the home was safe, compliant, and structurally sound moving forward.
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge: Rebuilding a Shear Wall Inside a Finished Unit
Reinstating a structural shear wall inside an already finished unit—and doing so without significant disruption to adjacent rooms or neighbouring units—was extremely challenging. The available space was tight, access was limited, and the work required precision to meet the structural engineer’s exact specifications.
Solution:
We collaborated closely with the structural engineer to develop a step-by-step method that allowed the shear wall to be rebuilt safely within the confined space. The process was detailed and time-consuming, but through careful planning, sequencing, and execution, we were able to fully reinstate the wall to engineered requirements while keeping the impact to surrounding areas minimal.
