Project history
A building with a distinctive architectural treatment on an unusual site with a spectacular topography.
Across from the castle-style pumping station of the McTavish underground reservoir, between the Wong and Ferrier buildings, a new building has been added to the McGill University campus to accommodate a trio of 1.5 MW emergency generators.
The building consists of a glass volume set on a limestone podium at the Doctor Penfield Avenue level, while a storage area for street furniture is located on the lower level. Two new generators, powered by natural gas, replace the diesel-powered mobile generator (Ferrier and James). In emergencies and during peak consumption periods, this power station protects research activities and supplies electricity to a dozen buildings in the lower part of the campus.
The green rooftop (mosaic planting, with species specially selected for this project) enlivens this surface exposed to overhanging views.
