Electronic Arts

The high tech firm, Electronic Arts in Burnaby, B.C., recently moved into a purpose-built building on a campus site. The company is a global leader in developing gaming software for computers and for proprietary systems such as Nintendo.

The building is planned for future expansion, security and flexibility. Among many features, it has a raised floor system and expandable electrical services. Except on the north face, offices and workstations are kept away from the window walls to reduce glare and heat build up.

The communications system has an EIA/TIA compliant structured wiring system, and a backbone of single-mode and multi-mode fibres connecting 13 satellite communications rooms to the main server room and telephone room. The infrastructure is ready for a “fibre-to-the desk” with “plug and go” solution. However, the infrastructure is designed so that in the future a central communications room will serve the whole complex (collapsible backbone design). The primary power service is high voltage to remove the power limitation of secondary services and increase the power quality.

Besides a software development area, the facility includes video conference rooms, a sound studio, movie studio, lecture theatre, cafeteria, fitness room, and — the most popular amenity — a lit soccer field.

Reid Crowther & Partners was the electrical and communications engineering consultant on the project. Musson Cattell Mackey was the architect.