Architectural drama comes to Winnipeg

Construction is under way at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, with first caissons and pilings due to go in over the next few weeks. The $265-million institution is the first national museum to be built outside Ottawa. Though it is now being run by a crown corporation, the project was spearheaded by the Asper Foundation.

Like other recently completed cultural buildings in Canada, the Winnipeg structure is designed by an international “star” architect and has a dramatic architectural form.

It is located at the historic Forks area and has been designed by Antoine Predock as a tower of Hope” at 1,000 metres with a surrounding “Cloud” at 50 metres.

Halcrow Yolles is the structural engineer, Mulvey & Banani is electrical engineer, and TMP is mechanical engineer. The total area of the building is 24,500 square metres and it is expected to be completed by 2012.

The exhibitions will explore the subject of human rights and it will be a centre of learning where people can “engage in discussion and commit to taking action against hate and oppression.”