CASE STUDY

Research by: Samantha Miller

Edited by: Nicole Brekelmans

Case study compiled in 2019

 

 

Project: Manitoba Hydro Place & Green Roof 

Type of Urban Strategy: Smart Cities, Permaculture, Sustainable Design

Type of Project: High Rise Sustainability

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Date Designed/Planned: 2005

Construction Completed: 2009

Designer: Landscape Architecture: HTFC, PFS Studio

Building Design Architect: KPMB, Prairie Architects

 

Manitoba Hydro Place, located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, is an internationally recognized project that models extreme climate responsive design. Every aspect of the design was intended to achieve 60% energy savings through its use of passive strategies, and human comfort strategies. The building falls in line with the revitalization strategy for Winnipeg, with its response to the urban streetscape and economic development tactic. The use of winter gardens, green roofs and urban landscape design allows the building to benefit from passive heating, cooling and air ventilation systems while helping to green the city. The site analysis portion of the design process was focused on where to place the building to maximize its position within the natural elements such as sun and wind and its position amongst the public transit networks that exist in downtown Winnipeg. There is a beautifully landscaped plaza that hosts public functions and farmer’s markets and provides employees and pedestrians with a green rest stop and walkway. This project is significant and an excellent case study in smart cities, permaculture, and green strategies, because it uses intelligent landscape design and vegetation to activate the urban streetscape and improve employee satisfaction, and its iconic design adds a new element in the Winnipeg skyline.

 

“To achieve design innovation at such scale and ambition, an exceptional client is needed. Manitoba Hydro had a clear vision and understanding of the implications for design, construction, and management. The result is a testament to a committed client, an integrated design and construction team, and skillful project management… By investing in the future health of its employees and citizens of Winnipeg, Manitoba Hydro sets a precedent for environmentally responsive large scale building design and city building” (Kuwabara, Auer, Gouldsborough, Akerstream & Klym, 2009).