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Floor
Plans
First
Nation Participation
Green
Design
National
Showcase
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This four-storey
building has a raised stone foundation, exterior load-bearing brick
walls, and an internal frame of square wooden posts and beams. Its
brick finish has been painted. Initially, the structure was only
two storeys high, but in 1900 it was extended upward another two
levels and westward along McDermot Avenue by some 21.3 metres (70
feet). The interior was rebuilt after a 1916 fire. In recent times,
some work has been done to upgrade basic electrical, plumbing, heating
and fire safety systems, mostly in the basement and on the main
and second floors. (Click in picture for larger view).
The building's
foundation is sound, but the roof, exterior walls, parapet, windows,
and architectural appointments have mostly been repaired
or replaced. Having been 60% vacant for quite a number of years,
the interior underwent a substantial retrofit and renovation.
As the anchor tenant, on the third and fourth floors (11,000 square
feet), the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) played a very important role in this renovation.
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First Nation
Participation
It is both symbolic
and substantive that there be significant First Nation participation
in the revitalisation of the downtown core. First Nations, as the
original peoples of this area and preeminent participants in the
history of Winnipeg and Manitoba, are vital to both the cultural
flavour and economic evolution of the core area.
Through it's relocation
to the core area and involvement in the restoration of this historic
building, CIER is building parnerships and, in doing so, helping
to secure a vital role for First Nations in the future. These partnerships
(between CIER and it's landlord; between CIER and Western Economic
Diversification; and between CEIR and the core area community) are
a key element of continued First Nation participation in the Winnipeg
community.
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Green Design
CIER used this opportunity to, not only assist with the restoration
of an historic building and the revitalization of Winnipeg's Exchange
District but, create a space representative of CIER's inherent respect
for the earth. CIER developed its space to provide an example of green
design along with historical restoration.
CIER worked
closely with a local design firm to incorporate green design elements
and to ensure the use of environmentally responsible materials -
where feasible. One of the most exciting examples of this process
is the incorporation of a composting toilet system on both the third
and fourth floors of the building. The particular system selected
by CIER has consistantly proven to be an effective means of transforming
human waste into a benign resource.
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National Showcase
Relocation of
CIER to the Kay Building will have the effect of showcasing Winnipeg
- and in particular the redevelopment of it's core area - as a national
centre for excellence regarding a broad scope of aboriginal environmental
services. Having brought together First Nations perspectives and
green design in Winnipeg for the first time, CIER intends to offer
it's office space to the community as a demonstration project. However,
although a national demonstration site, this space is ultimately
a place for CIER to carry out it's many services.
CIER's aboriginal
environmental services include education and training, environmental
consulting services, and research and policy development. We house
a one-of-a-kind in Canada library dealing with First Nation environmental
issues from legal, scientific, technical, policy, and First Nation
community-based (also known as traditional or indigenous knowledge)
perspectives. CIER employees represent a diversity of perspectives, and, as a national
organisation, we draw upon all of Canada for our Board of Directors,
students, instructors, and clientele.
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