Central Energy Plant

With the numerous buildings being erected between 1911 and 1913 on the new site of the Manitoba Agricultral College it was more efficient and economical to have a centralized heating source for all of them. The campus architects Samuel Hooper and V. W. H orwood were responsible for the design of the Powerhouse with all the other original buildings. Although the function of the building did not necessarily preclude a Georgian slipcover, its size in that style would have made it appear more important to th e academic community than was warranted. Furthermore, the height of the smokestacks would have created stylistic problems.

The architects chose to visually integrate the building into the campus plan through the use of the same building materials, salmon-red brick and limestone, and a modest amount of detailing. The use of a basilica roofline is the result of the need for a high centre space running the length of the rectangular building.

In 1965, a desperately needed addition to the south was completed. Modern in style, it is united to the original building by the use of similar building materials.