• Introduction
  

• Site features - energy
  

• Waste and water management
  

• Features cont'd
  

• Importance of green design
  

• References
  

Introduction:

The Winnipeg Humane Society is a registered charity dedicated to protecting animals from suffering and to promoting their welfare and dignity. They are a non-profit, volunteer-based organization funded primarily by donations, memberships and bequests.  Recently, they have moved from their location at 5 Kent Street to a brand new facility in Winnipeg’s south end at 45 Hurst Way, and Waverley Street.

The new Winnipeg Humane Society building is the first animal shelter in Canada, developed to meet the Gold LEED standard. Achieving this standard is pending (as of December 2007) awaiting approval following submission.  The project was made possible through municipal and federal funding, as well as several corporate and many individual donations.  The building was designed by the Number Ten Architecture Group, with Doug Hanna the lead architect for the project.  “The ‘green’ design framework of LEED took on an extra level of complexity in considering the human and animal resident interaction within the building. The Winnipeg Humane Society along with the design team of Number Ten Architectural Group of Winnipeg and George Miers and Associates collaborated in the design process of the facility.  “It was of fundamental importance that throughout the integrated design process, the primary consideration for every discipline be the comfort and well being of the animals. Concern for disease control, behaviour management and the overall physical and emotional health of the animals were issues that drove many of the design decisions” (Doug Hanna). 
The site of the Humane Society is 8 acres. The building is 42,775 ft². The building cost was approximately $213 /ft² = a $9,111,075 building, and the overall project cost approximately $14 million.

The project was 8 years in the making.  In April, 2000 number 10 architects were approached about the project.  Later that year in November the site for which it was to be built was selected.  The majority of the time was then spent on planning and fundraising from private donors, though the city and province both contributed to the project.  In October 2007, the building was completed and opened.  The site is not only an animal shelter, but also a place for education, a vet, and a spay and neuter clinic.  The animals are provided with a much more healthy and humane environment than their previous location.

In developing a sustainable building several energy saving and waste reduction features were incorporated into the process.  Also, by following the LEED guidelines for development, the use of local products, and innovative design were encouraged.  Local products were used in the building, such as Tyndall stone, and the strawboard panels were intended to be brought in from Elie Manitoba, however the factory had shut down, forcing the building team to look elsewhere.  They were able to find another supplier in Mankato Minnesota which falls within the 800 km. radius for local products.  Also the carpet, countertops, and millwork were all made from recycled products.

Because of the unique situation considering design for animals and humans many of the design features went beyond that which LEED requires.  For example the air systems in the building run on 100% outdoor air, and there is no mixing of air streams, which effectively protects animals and humans from the spread of disease.  Also the natural lighting was designed in a way that accounts for both animals and humans, which overall contributes to reduced stress and sickness for the animals and workers, and stimulates health.  Making the Humane Society “a happy place to be” (Vicky Burns).