WINNIPEG, Manitoba 5/29/12 (PennWell) — Manitoba Hydro’s headquarters has been recognized by the Canada Green Building Council for its sustainable and environmentally-friendly design.
Manitoba Hydro says it originally hoped its 22-story building, located in downtown Winnipeg, would qualify for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “Gold” status, but instead, the three-year old building was given LEED’s highest rating, “Platinum.”
“In order to meet such a high standard, the design team had to take the extra step and look at innovative design and construction strategies,” says Canada Green Building Council President Thomas Mueller. “This resulted in exceptional energy performance.”
The utility says that its records show the 700,000 square foot office uses about 30% the amount of electricity consumed by similarly sized buildings, resulting in annual savings of about US$500,000.
“The building has become a beacon that attracts visitors from around the world,” says Tom Akerstream, Manitoba Hydro’s Energy Advisor and Manager of Head Office Facilities. “Our main intent was to demonstrate that creating the most energy efficient, sustainable building also meant providing the highest quality of space.”
The building was designed by a consortium that included Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects, Smith Carter Architects and Transsolar, and has since won numerous design and innovation awards.
HydroWorld.com reported in February that Scott A. Thomson had been named the president and chief executive officer for Manitoba Hydro.
LEED’S rating system is the North American standard for assessing green-building design. The organization’s ranking levels include certified, silver, gold and platinum.
