Eco Buildings
MANITOBA HYDRO HEADQUARTERS
- Introduction
Prepared by Thomas Young
Introduction:
When the City of Winnipeg agreed to the sale of Winnipeg Hydro to the provincial power utility Manitoba Hydro, in February of 2002, it placed an unusual condition on the sale. In order to purchase the smaller, city-owned utility, Manitoba Hydro would have to agree to consolidate its operations by constructing a new headquarters building in downtown Winnipeg. The building was to have a minimum of 400,000 square feet of office space, and it was hoped that the construction of such a building would add significantly to the CityÕs attempt to revitalise downtown.
The first downtown office tower to be built in Winnipeg in Òover a decadeÓ (Winnipeg Free Press, July 31, 2003), the Manitoba Hydro proposal is generating considerable discussion and interest. Manitoba Hydro requires its future headquarters to have Òstate-of-the-art energy efficiency, toÉembody [its] commitment to sustainable development and to have a positive impact on downtown WinnipegÓ (ibid.). Tim Sale, minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro stated that the new building Òwill also set a bold example of corporate responsibility for Kyoto targets and be a global leader in energy conservation and green building designÓ.
ÒWe recognize our new head office building is an important investment in the future of Manitoba Hydro and the future of downtown Winnipeg,Ó said Bob Brennan, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro in a March 6, 2003 press release. ÒWe are looking for a ÔsignatureÕ design that speaks to Manitoba HydroÕs commitment to sustainable development, our important role in the provincial economy and the exciting future of Winnipeg and Manitoba.Ó
As of April 2004, some important parts of the planning process had been completed: site chosen; required design principles laid out by Manitoba Hydro; architect chosen
