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MTE Consultants Acquires RIZZ Engineering, Strengthening Expertise in Structural Design and Precast Concrete

Manulife Head Office Renovations
Commercial & Retail

Manulife Head Office

Partners

DEI & Associates, Marant Construction, Martin Simmons Sweers Architects, Moser Landscape Group

Key personnel

Kurt Ruhland, P.Eng.

Project overview

Manulife Canada set out to enhance collaboration and workplace flexibility through a renovation of their head office in Waterloo. To bring this vision to life, a team of design and construction professionals—led by Martin Simmons Sweers Architects—transformed each floor of the five-storey building into a modern, functional workspace.

MTE's Involvement

Outside, the site was revitalized with significant upgrades, including a new staff drop-off area, improved sidewalk and driveway infrastructure, enhanced parking and planters, and a striking new terrace featuring pathways and gathering spaces—setting a new standard for outdoor office amenities in the region.

MTE was proud to contribute to this transformative project by providing topographical surveying services, along with structural engineering and design expertise for the exterior renovations.

One of the most complex aspects of the project involved designing the terrace and elevated walkway, which span over a dry stormwater management pond and adjacent natural area. To preserve the surrounding environment and avoid major excavation near sensitive inlet and outlet structures, MTE designed the support system using helical (screw pile) foundations—an innovative, low-impact solution.

The walkway and gathering pods are constructed from a custom steel frame, finished with individually shaped Ipe wood planks to achieve their distinctive curvilinear forms. Once construction was complete, the landscape was restored and enhanced with native plantings selected for their resilience in both wet and dry conditions, supporting long-term ecological sustainability.