Case Study

Co-operators

Location :

Guelph, ON

Design-Assist Delivery of a State-of-the-Art Office Building

The Ask :

Support the construction of an 1,800 ton, three-storey office building through a design-assist approach, collaborating with the architect and engineer to refine and finalize structural details for both the shell and internal framework.

What is Design-Assist?
Design-assist is a collaborative project delivery method where the fabricator works alongside the design team early in the process with the goal of optimizing constructability, reducing costs, and streamlining the transition from design to fabrication and installation.

The Problem :

Pandemic-related restrictions created significant supply chain constraints in the availability of structural steel. These disruptions posed a risk to the project schedule and delivery commitments.

The Team:

TSWL’s in-house team, including structural engineers, procurement specialists, and project managers, worked in close coordination with the client’s architectural and engineering teams to ensure design integrity and material availability.

The Solution :

TSWL leveraged its mill-purchasing capabilities to:

Secure all major steel components despite widespread supply shortages.
Maintain the project schedule by ensuring timely delivery of critical materials.
Provide design refinement support, contributing to efficient and buildable structural solutions.

This award-winning project highlights TSWL’s role as a full solutions provider, not only in fabrication and logistics but also in collaborative design and strategic procurement—ensuring project success even under challenging conditions.