Award

AUGUST 2018 | 59 True North Square – Tower 1 RENDERINGS COURTESY TRUE NORTH REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT LIMITED True North Square – Tower 1 by JESSICA KIRBY T rue North Square has a rich and honourable mission as a stunning mixed-use project in downtown Winnipeg: repair, revitalize, and cele- brate the city's culture and diversity. The 17-storey project's original inspiration was based on the trend noticeable in many cities, including L.A. Live, Toronto's Maple Leaf Square, and Edmonton Ice District, of creating mixed-use developments in and around sports and entertainment complexes. "True North was inspired to create something similar in Winnipeg that could be a driver of growth and devel- opment for downtown, and the city in general," says Jim Ludlow, president, True North Real Estate Development. Winnipeg's arena, Bell MTS Place, was located immediately adjacent to a surface parking lot the size of a city block. The decision was made to rede- velop it into something that would help to create a dynamic neighbourhood, promote urbanism, and improve the health of the city core, adds Ludlow. "Given the proximity to our arena, part of the vision was also to cre- ate a gathering place for sports and entertainment fans, as well as for the general public," he says. The project's design was also deeply personal and inspired to express downtown Winnipeg's unique cul- ture. "We recognized an opportunity to design and construct a development that was for and of Winnipeg – one that drew on inspiration from the natural and existing fabric of the city," he adds. Architects Perkins+Will won a design competition for this project because they saw the client's figurative and literal vision, as well as how the project would be a civic gift to the citizens of Winnipeg. "The vision we saw centred around creating a major public space," says Ryan Bragg, principal in charge with Perkins+Will. "The plaza is a public place that allows people to gather and becomes the social heart of the SHED [sports, hos- pitality, and entertainment district]." The plaza, located between the proj- ect's first two towers, is designed such that the curve of both towers envelops the plaza to protect it from winter winds and optimize the exposure to sunlight. The building's exterior features a curved and cantilevered triple-glazed curtain wall that steps forward on one plane and back on another, which means it literally twists, says Bragg, and creates the appearance of constant movement. Sunshading is provided by vertical fins on the outside that provide character and texture to the facade, and denote where the carving around the plaza occurs. "The client wanted to push the glazing and balance it with insulated areas," says Bragg. "It has a frit within the spandrel, which creates a building that looks more transparent than it is." Another essential feature was the promotion of connectivity and urban- ism throughout the development. "Ultimately, we envision that more than 3,000 people will live and work at True North Square," says Ludlow. "For the old adage 'live, work, play' to be real- istic, it is important that the design empowers people to live this lifestyle." The tower implements a Plus 15, or skywalk, that was a deliberate design choice with an important rule – when- ever pedestrians are in the glazed walkway, they must be able to see where they came from and where they are going, and understand where they are in the city. "Instead of linking buildings in an ad hoc manner, the skywalk is a sin- gle, arcing curve that intentionally 8:48 AM

• Cover