Building Z, Red River College

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In 2008 Red River College's Notre Dame campus received a new addition: the large, two storey Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre (also known as HETC, or Building Z). On its south and east façades, this 6,039 square metre building continues the use of black metal panelling found on the neighbouring, older, campus Buildings J and M. The dominant cladding on Building Z, however, takes the form of silvery grey, insulated metal panels with a rippled texture, as well as glass.

Altogether the building represents a neo-modernist approach and aesthetic. The structure was constructed in order to house a previously off-site program involving the use of large vehicles. To accommodate this need, the interior is airy and mostly open, with sizeable skylights and clerestory windows providing ample natural light. This openness creates an extensive and reconfigurable lab space and allows easy vehicle movement, as well as room to manoeuvre a ten-tonne crane. This structure also plays host to a student lounge, faculty offices and classrooms. A matching skywalk connects to Building M and subsequently to the main campus complex. A ground source pump provides some of the heat and cooling capacity.