1922 – Emergency Building Extension, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg

A quickly needed expansion building for the original downtown University of Manitoba campus in Winnipeg. The work was carried out on day work by the provincial government under the direct superintendence of the Department of Public Works.

“The building consists of a two-storey wing without basement. The foundation walls are taken down below frost, line, and have concrete footings and foundation walls of rubble stone to grade level. Above grade the outside and corridor walls are of ‘brick. Steel beams set 10 feet on centres carry the second storey floor joists over a 24 foot span. The outer walls are finished on the outside with roughcast, and on the inside with strapping, wire lath, and plaster. The flat roofs are covered with tar and gravel roofing, and the sloping portions of the roof have red asbestos shingles.

Inside the building the accommodation consists of class rooms, men’s common room, lecture rooms, and locker rooms. All the rooms open off a main corridor running the full length of the building, connecting at the west end with the present science annex. Two staircases are provided, one at the east end immediately adjoining the main entrance, and the other connecting the two floors at the west end. The stairs are of wood, treads being covered with linoleum with metal nosings. All the floors are of maple and the men’s room, locker rooms and corridors are covered with linoleum. All trim inside the building is of fir, stained to a dark color with dull finish. The windows are wood sash, with storm sash hung inside. All the rooms and corridors are well lighted, and a pleasing effect has been obtained by tinting the walls in two shades of buff. The vestibules have tile floors and tile dados.

The accommodation includes a lecture hall on the second floor, with seating capacity for 150 students. This room is 56 feet hy 30 feet, and has a large top light in addition to windows along one of the side walls. There is a small office adjoining. Class rooms varying in size, range along either side of the main corridors on both floors, the largest of these class rooms being 34 feet by 26 feet and occupying the front portions of the building. Some of the class rooms have offices adjoining. Two separate locker rooms for male and female students are provided on each floor fitted with up-to-date lockers. These locker rooms are placed convenient to the main entrance and staircase. A large men’s common room is provided on the ground floor, this room is entered from the men’s locker room in the science annex. Additional lockers have been installed here, and a new locker room provided. There is also a staff cloak loom and a janitors’ room with wash-up sink.

Ample radiation has been provided for all rooms built in 1919-20. The cost of the completed building was in the neighborhood of $80,000 exclusive of the furnishings.”
Engineering and Contract Record, March 28 1923

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