IKOY Office Building
Winnipeg, MB
The practice, even today, is one of working principals and members who interact to develop an architectural philosophy of high speed economic assemblage and construction reflective of today’s technologically driven society.
The office is situated on a narrow urban river lot in a mixed residential/office neighbourhood, and provides an environment conducive to the practice’s architectural approach. Constructed in just 90 days, the mirror clad building has a north/south orientation looking towards the nearby river and tress.
Structure
The walls are precast concrete sandwich panels – lower level panels are 12ft high, upper panels 8ft wide, 24ft high and 13 inches thick. The panels were factory made with steel plates, which were then welded together on site. The first floor is constructed from hollow core planks resting on cast-in-place grade beams supported on piles. The second floor is constructed from double steel Ts resting on a sandwich panel bearing wall. Exposed, cross-tied steel tube wind braces give the end walls rigidity.
Skin
Curtain glazing at each end of the office between the concrete wall flanks provide abundant natural daylight and excellent view to the surrounding areas.
Mechanical
Four roof mounted plug in HVAC units blow air down from the roof
Electrical
The standard electrical system is left exposed. All wiring is accessible from suspended cable troughs. Made from upturned metal scaffolding planks.
Fitments
All of the furniture within the building is assembled from industrial slotted shelving angles. Masonite panels and scaffold planks are attached to them. The column and beam structure of the mezzanine is bolted wide flange sections connected with S sections. It can be unbolted and removed. The tempered glass panels and doors are clipped to the mezzanine beams.
Action Strategies
The working style of the office is that of a studio rather than a corporate office. Studios are more economical to build than executive offices. These savings allowed the design of a 23′ high space with mezzanine. On top of the mezzanine are a steam room and locker room, showers, kitchen, billiard table, sit down chairs and a view overlooking the river. Outside, to the rear, is an in-ground swimming pool. The billiard table and pool are to help prevent the costly loss of talent, and are used by workers, and their families when loved ones toil on their designs in the evenings and weekends.
Key Information
Completed
1978
Project Cost
$375K (1978 US)
Building Area
1020 m² / 11,000 ft²
Awards
RAIC Millenium Award 2000
Governor General’s Medal 1982
Key Publications
Canadian Architect, 1982, 1995
Modern Canadian Architecture, 1983
Architectural Record, 1983
IKOY Office Building
Winnipeg, MB
The practice, even today, is one of working principals and members who interact to develop an architectural philosophy of high speed economic assemblage and construction reflective of today’s technologically driven society.
The office is situated on a narrow urban river lot in a mixed residential/office neighbourhood, and provides an environment conducive to the practice’s architectural approach. Constructed in just 90 days, the mirror clad building has a north/south orientation looking towards the nearby river and tress.
Structure
The walls are precast concrete sandwich panels – lower level panels are 12ft high, upper panels 8ft wide, 24ft high and 13 inches thick. The panels were factory made with steel plates, which were then welded together on site. The first floor is constructed from hollow core planks resting on cast-in-place grade beams supported on piles. The second floor is constructed from double steel Ts resting on a sandwich panel bearing wall. Exposed, cross-tied steel tube wind braces give the end walls rigidity.
Skin
Curtain glazing at each end of the office between the concrete wall flanks provide abundant natural daylight and excellent view to the surrounding areas.
Mechanical
Four roof mounted plug in HVAC units blow air down from the roof
Electrical
The standard electrical system is left exposed. All wiring is accessible from suspended cable troughs. Made from upturned metal scaffolding planks.
Fitments
All of the furniture within the building is assembled from industrial slotted shelving angles. Masonite panels and scaffold planks are attached to them. The column and beam structure of the mezzanine is bolted wide flange sections connected with S sections. It can be unbolted and removed. The tempered glass panels and doors are clipped to the mezzanine beams.
Action Strategies
The working style of the office is that of a studio rather than a corporate office. Studios are more economical to build than executive offices. These savings allowed the design of a 23′ high space with mezzanine. On top of the mezzanine are a steam room and locker room, showers, kitchen, billiard table, sit down chairs and a view overlooking the river. Outside, to the rear, is an in-ground swimming pool. The billiard table and pool are to help prevent the costly loss of talent, and are used by workers, and their families when loved ones toil on their designs in the evenings and weekends.
Key Information
Completed
1978
Project Cost
$375K (1978 US)
Building Area
1020 m² / 11,000 ft²
Awards
RAIC Millenium Award 2000
Governor General’s Medal 1982
Key Publications
Canadian Architect, 1982, 1995
Modern Canadian Architecture, 1983
Architectural Record, 1983
