It could soon earn the distinction of best tall building in the world for 2009, and Manitoba Hydro Place is not even fully operational.
The 22-storey building has been awarded the best tall building of 2009 for North America by the Council on Tall buildings and Urban Habitat.
Now the new downtown Hydro building will go up against entries from Beijing, London, and Dona, Qatar for the bragging rights that come with title of 2009 Best Tall Building in the World.
That award will be presented in Chicago later this year.
The unique environmental features of the building are largely responsible for its good showing.
The award comes on the heals on another honour as designers Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg were honoured for their work with a 2006 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence.
Key Building features
- Large contiguous column-less floor plates and raised flooring provide flexibility in utilization of space, a reduction in churn costs and improved air quality via a displacement ventilation system
- Dorth and south atria with staircases are active part of the work environment, encouraging vertical circulation of employees and creating vertical neighborhoods which keep business units and divisions together, meet adjacency requirements, support internal communications and minimize travel distances
- Double fa�ade allows for operable windows which personalizes control of natural ventilation and protects the building's thermal mass, providing excellent comfort with minimal temperature swing at all work stations
- High floor to floor heights with floor to ceiling windows in combination with narrower floor plates allow for maximum daylight penetration throughout the workspace, creating a reduced need for artificial light and a healthier work environment, contributing to improved productivity;
Accessible rooftop terraces and a south atrium space can be used seasonally as meeting places.
