Manitoba Hydro Place - A model for extreme climate responsive design
KPMB/Smith Carter/Transsolar Winnipeg Project Winner of 'Best Tall Building in the Americas'
Recently, the design also has gained world attention with the prestigious "Best Tall Building in the Americas Award" granted by the CTBUH, the world's leading body dedicated to the field of tall buildings and urban habitat. In October, the project will be one of four contenders for the "Best in the World" prize competing against international projects in
"Manitoba Hydro's vision to consolidate 2,000 employees from 15 different offices in the suburbs into one location in downtown
Manitoba Hydro set ambitious goals for a supportive workplace, urban regeneration, and signature architecture, inclusive of 60%* less than Canada's Model National Energy Code for Buildings in an extreme climate that fluctuates from -35 degrees C in the winter to +35 degrees C in the summer. To meet these, Manitoba Hydro mandated a formal Integrated Design Process developed by National Resources
"Paradoxically, a glass tower in the extreme weather proved to be the most energy efficient. When it is extremely cold it is also very sunny in
The architects drew inspiration from natural and man-made power sources in Canada's North including hydro-powered dams, boreal forests, and vast expanses of sky and land to reinforce Manitoba Hydro's identity in the city. One of the distinguishing features of the design is the towering 115 metre high Solar Chimney clad in aluminum panels in bronze and shades of blue, applied in a random pattern to evoke air and water, Hydro's primary power source. The mass, scale and materiality -primarily exposed concrete, stone, glass, metal and accents of wood - resonates a bold and enduring quality.
"The building is like a living organism," says
Climate-responsive highlights include a high performance building envelope and the province's largest geothermal system (280 boreholes, 125 metres deep). Three south facing six-storey high 'wintergardens' act as the 'lungs' of the building. Each one features a spectacular 24 metre tall 'waterfall' that humidifies or dehumidifies air as it enters the building. A series of green roofs on the podium also feature sweet grass, a sacred plant of the Aboriginal people.
"The energy savings and sustainable design are ultimately an investment in Manitoba Hydro's greatest asset - its staff." reports Tom Akerstream, Manager of Facilities and energy advisor to the project. "Employees are delighted with their daylight-filled offices and ability to control their personal environment. A few individuals who intended to retire have decided to stay on!"
"As one of three major projects in Winnipeg's urban renewal vision, and the first to be built, Manitoba Hydro is already having a major impact. Restaurants are reporting an exponential increase in revenues and the building is attracting visitors from across
* As of September 2009, the Building is achieving 65% energy savings, exceeding the original goal of a 60% reduction of energy consumption below MNECB
New Consortium Announcement
Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (
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For further information: and/or visuals, please contact: KPMB Architects, Amanda Sebris, (416) 977-5104 ext 291 or (647) 299-2042, [email protected], www.kpmbarchitects.com; Smith Carter Architects and Engineers, Sheila Merrick, (204) 477-1260 ext. 257, [email protected] or Gill Giles, (204) 477-1260 ext. 270, [email protected], www.smithcarter.com; Transsolar Climate Engineers, Thomas Auer, [email protected], www.transsolar.com
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