new energy efficient manitoba hydro building

today my dad invited me to the opening ceremonies and a tour of the new manitoba hydro building in downtown winnipeg.

at the opening ceremonies - manitoba's premier gary doer (left) with my dad vic schroeder chair of manitoba hydro board of directors

i loved it.  everything about this building is exciting.  it shows how brilliant we can be, and how when we put imagination and ingenuity in the lead, we can create anything.  we can set new standards for sustainability and healthy buildings.  it is proof of what i have always believed – we are smarter than our behaviour up to now would indicate, but we can turn that around, we can make ourselves, our workplaces, our cities and our countries sustainable and healthy.

the building looks beautiful and feels happy.  i felt like i wished i could work there.

this sculpture was the first thing i noticed when getting off the elevator on the top floor.  our tourguide explained that manitoba hydro sought our emerging manitoba artists for all of the art in the building.

sculpture by local artist

and look at the colour on this wall! it’s so happy. i smiled every time i came across it during the tour.

amazing wall

the atriums are completely gorgeous.  they also bring in fresh air for the whole building.  and they do it in such a way that they don’t lose any heat (or cool, in summer).   i would love a space like this for coffee breaks:

atrium

(note the waterfall on the left, which controls humidity levels.)

this is in a boardroom, i love how there is great original art everywhere.

boardroom

the workstations are flexible and designed to be easy to move or re-arrange.  i thought this workstation looked interesting and i love love love how they can open up their windows (windows in offices that open are unheard of in winnipeg):

workstation

this is the solar chimney as seen from the 22nd floor:

solar chimney

this is exciting.  i look forward to a time when sustainable design and healthy buildings are the norm.

public tours are available, contact hydro for more info.

andrea schroeder creates creativity workshops, downloadable creativity kits and guided meditations to support you in knowing and remembering that you are a creative being and you can create anything. you can do it. let’s make some magic.

join in on her free creative journaling workshop now and learn how to use an art journal as a tool for healing, happiness and self-discovery.

Tagged as: environment, manitoba hydro building, sustainable design