OakWood and PCL: Building Commercial Projects Together in Ottawa
Commercial construction projects demand experience, disciplined planning, technical expertise, and the capacity to coordinate complex requirements from early design through occupancy. The OakWood-PCL Team brings together two established organizations to provide Ottawa building owners, architects, and designers with a comprehensive approach to commercial project delivery.
Together, OakWood and PCL combine local Design-Build expertise with extensive construction capabilities, providing comprehensive commercial construction services for projects ranging from commercial buildings to specialized and high-performance facilities.
How the OakWood and PCL Team Began
OakWood and PCL became a Team in 2018 to provide Ottawa’s commercial sector with greater depth of construction expertise and an end-to-end approach to project delivery.
On selected projects, the OakWood-PCL team combines complementary expertise, proven processes and project-specific resources. PCL contributes extensive experience in complex and large-scale construction, while OakWood brings over seven decades of expertise in residential design-build, custom millwork and cabinetry. Together, they provide clients with a coordinated approach to design, planning, procurement, construction, commissioning and operational readiness, tailored to the scope, priorities and requirements of each project.
Over 160 Years of Combined Construction Experience
OakWood was established in 1956 and has grown through four generations of family leadership. Its experience encompasses residential and commercial Design-Build projects, supported by decades of work in the National Capital Region.
PCL traces its operations back to 1906 and has grown into a group of independent construction companies operating across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and Australia.
Together, the organizations bring more than 160 years of combined construction experience to Ottawa commercial projects.
A Complete End-to-End Design-Build Solution
The OakWood-PCL Team provides services across the entire project lifecycle, enabling solutions to be tailored to each client’s building, operational, and investment requirements.
Capabilities include:
- General contracting
- Architectural and interior design
- Procurement
- Project and construction management
- Material selection
- Project financing
- Commissioning
- Start-up, commissioning, and training
- Contract administration
- Risk assessment and feasibility analysis
- Project cost estimates
- Operation of facilities
- Value analysis and economic studies
- Schedule planning and control
- High-performance building solutions
- Process equipment installation
This breadth of capability creates continuity between early project decisions and construction delivery while providing clients with clear accountability.
The OakWood-PCL Advantage
The combination of OakWood’s established Design-Build experience in Ottawa with PCL’s extensive general contracting capabilities and broad construction expertise.
Clients benefit from experience, innovation, quality-focused processes, and access to sophisticated construction resources. Design, materials, technologies, estimating, procurement, scheduling, and construction can be considered as interconnected parts of the project rather than isolated activities.
This coordinated approach supports informed decision-making while helping complex commercial projects move efficiently from concept into construction.
Construction Standards That Exceed the Ontario Building Code
OakWood-PCL applies construction standards designed to exceed minimum Ontario Building Code requirements, from foundation work through framing and finishing.
Projects can also be designed and built to pursue demanding LEED standards where this aligns with client objectives. Material selection, construction methods, trade coordination, and quality control are considered throughout project delivery.
Environmental considerations can include responsible construction methods and the recycling of building materials. Experienced project professionals support critical areas such as architectural technology, interior design, estimating, scheduling, material coordination, and project management.
Expanded Delivery Through Construction Management and General Contracting
The OakWood-PCL Team provides flexibility in how commercial projects are delivered. Available delivery methods include Construction Management, Design-Build, Engineer Procurement Construction, General Contracting, and Private-Public Partnerships.
Supporting capabilities include preconstruction services, scheduling, global procurement, quantity takeoff, estimating systems, project document controls, and the supply of experienced labour and construction equipment.
This range allows the project team to select an approach suited to the building type, scope, schedule, procurement requirements, and client’s preferred level of involvement.
Government Compliance and Heavy Industrial Capability
Complex projects can involve requirements that extend well beyond those of conventional commercial construction. Through the partnership, clients can access capabilities in government compliance, financial and bonding capacity, safety management, sustainable construction, and heavy industrial modular construction.
PCL’s broader market expertise also includes agribusiness, food services and manufacturing, renewable energy, and special projects. These capabilities strengthen the partnership’s ability to respond to specialized project requirements and demanding operating environmen
Commercial Building Types We Deliver Together
The OakWood-PCL Team is structured to support a diverse range of mid- to large-scale commercial construction projects in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
The OakWood-PCL combined capabilities can be applied across a range of commercial projects requiring sophisticated architectural and interior design, construction, high-performance building strategies, specialized procurement, or complex project management.
Explore OakWood’s commercial project gallery for examples of completed commercial spaces and building projects.
Building a Relationship You Can Trust
The strength of OakWood-PCL comes from two established organizations contributing complementary experience and resources to a shared project objective. OakWood’s approach to working with experienced industry partners helps bring specialized knowledge and capabilities together around the requirements of each project.
About OakWood Designers & Builders
Established in 1956, OakWood is a fourth-generation, family-run Design-Build business with decades of experience in residential and commercial construction in Ottawa. Its role within the OakWood-PCL Team brings local market knowledge, integrated design expertise, material coordination, and a long-standing commitment to detailed project delivery.
About PCL Construction
PCL began operations in 1906 and has grown into a group of independent construction companies working across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and Australia. Its experience spans civil infrastructure, heavy industrial construction, and buildings, backed by extensive capabilities in construction management, technology, procurement, safety, and project delivery.
Delivering High-Performance Buildings in Four Areas
OakWood-PCL high-performance solutions focus on four areas of commercial building construction where thoughtful planning can influence operating performance and the experience of building occupants.
Energy Efficiency
Building systems, materials, and design strategies can be evaluated to reduce energy consumption, operating costs, and the building’s carbon footprint.
Technology Enablement
Smart-building technologies and intelligent building automation integrated with AI can be incorporated where appropriate to improve control, monitoring, and building performance.
Healthy Environments
Design and construction decisions can support healthier environments for the people who live, work, and spend time within the completed building.
Sustainable Building Practices
Sustainable construction strategies and environmentally responsible practices can be integrated into the project’s broader design and performance objectives.
Together, these considerations inform a customized approach to high-performance commercial construction.
Real Homeowners, Real Results
Homeowners building custom homes in Kanata value a Design-Build process that is organized, transparent, and centred on thoughtful planning. Their experiences reflect the confidence that comes from working with a coordinated team committed to delivering exceptional results from concept through completion.
We’re dedicated to providing a client experience that’s second to none. Every member of our team brings passion to your project, from the initial meeting to the final walk-through.
John Liptak
CEO & President
Patricia Liptak-Satov
COO
Angela Mallon
CPA, CMA, CFO
Locations
Ottawa East – HQ
OakWood Design Centre
Ottawa, Ontario K4A 0Z9 Canada
Hours
Ottawa Central – Glebe
New Design Studio
OakWood Design Studio
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5L7 Canada
Hours
Ottawa West – Kanata
OakWood Trade Partner
Ottawa, Ontario K2H 8S1 Canada
Hours
The additional scale and capabilities available through PCL complement the coordinated service and accountability clients expect when working with OakWood.
OakWood remains focused on understanding project requirements, coordinating design and construction decisions, and maintaining clear communication throughout delivery. Clients benefit from OakWood’s Ottawa experience while gaining access to broader resources and specialized expertise when their project requires them.
The result is a commercial construction relationship designed to bring the right people, processes, and capabilities together around the needs of each project.
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