ecociao ! better builds
Take a tour of some of the city ’ s most eye-catching and environmentally sustainable buildings .
Around the world , eco-friendly living is becoming more than a trend . Sustainability is critical for the future of our buildings , cities and our planet .
Sustainable architecture not only benefits the environment , but saves money long-term . Once primarily focused on energy efficiency , sustainable building design has evolved to include consideration of factors like construction waste , recycled and local material use , water conservation , even air quality . The industry is also shifting from focusing solely on upfront
By Joelle Kidd
costs to considering the costs ( monetary and environmental ) the building will incur over its entire life cycle . These metrics and more are weighed by globally-recognized certifications like LEED , Green Globe , or Boma .
In Winnipeg , this growing movement has produced hundreds of sustainably designed buildings in the past 15 years . We asked local architecture firms for the inside scoop on what went into the planning of some of the city ’ s most recognizable , greenest buildings .
Manitoba Hydro Place | Architecture 49 , Completed 2009 | When designing the headquarters of Manitoba ’ s energy utility company , it was only fitting that energy impact be a key concern . The original goal of the tower was efficiency : to create a building that spectacularly reduced energy consumption that also had an impactful exterior design and a meaningful connection to nature . A series of three atria draw in outside air , a 24-metre waterfall feature naturally regulates the humidity of the space , and a solar chimney releases the hot air that naturally rises through the building . The building also boasts the province ’ s largest closed-loop geothermal system . All of this together means the building uses more than 70 % less energy than the average North American office tower . 360 Portage Ave
Bill and Helen Norrie Library | LM Architectural Group , Completed 2021 | This new Winnipeg Public Library branch , situated next to the Pan Am Pool , has a unique design inspiration . Architects drew on the look of the houses of Rooster Town , a Métis community that stood on the site until it was displaced when Winnipeg expanded in the 1960s . The library ’ s unique wood roof recalls the gabled roof of a Rooster Town ‘ big house .’ The project achieved 3 Green Globe certifications with its focus on recycled material content , site ecology preservation , and energy efficiency . It also boasts a multi-purpose room outfitted with smartglass windows that can be dimmed to desired opacity . 15 Poseidon Bay
Amber Trails Community School | Prairie Architects , Completed 2015 | This birth to grade eight school serves a new neighbourhood in the north of the city , and was designed in collaboration with Seven Oaks School Board . The welcoming building , with its homey furnishings , large entrance , and large windows , is open to the public as well as students , providing library and gym access to a neighbourhood lacking those facilities . Care was taken to maximize efficiency with a rainwater reuse system , an HVAC energy system , and connection to walking and biking trails . Along with these design considerations , the building itself acts as an educational tool . A clear panel showing radiant piping , views into the mechanical room , labeled pipes and beams , and more help teachers connect the students with the built environment . 1575 Templeton Ave
ciao ! / may / jun / two thousand twenty-two 7