A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex

Located at 638 Princess Avenue in downtown Brandon, the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex consisted of a renovation to an existing commercial building to consolidate the various branches of the City of Brandon’s Department of Engineering, Planning and Community Services. The renovation also accommodated a back-up 911 Call Centre and a new youth/cultural centre.
This conversion involved exterior improvements, such as a new entrance canopy, floor-to-ceiling windows, building signage, landscaping and paint scheme. It also involved extensive interior modifications including a complete reconfiguration of interior partitions, new washrooms, millwork, finishes throughout, and a complete rework of the mechanical and electrical systems.
The design of the new facility takes maximum advantage of existing window openings through careful arrangement of open office areas. Light coloured finishes and ample lighting, combined with natural wood provide a bright and pleasant environment. Materials were selected for their durability in a heavy-use institutional environment.
The multi-use nature of the facility involved extensive consultation with the various stakeholders and required creative space planning to accommodate the different programs. The renovation consolidates staff from a variety of the City’s Development Services Division, including those from Engineering, Property, and Planning & Building Safety, along with staff members from the Brandon and Area Planning District, allowing them to finally work alongside each other. It also features a much-needed space for the delivery of a community-based youth and cultural program.
Client: City of Brandon
Type: Institutional, Cultural
Construction Value: $2.9M
Date of Completion: October 2014
Area: 30,000 sq.ft. (2,800 s.m.)
Consultant Team
Prime Consultant: 1x1 architecture inc.
Structural: Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd.
Mechanical: Alliance Engineering Services
Electrical: A.J. Dunsmore Engineering
Photography: Lisa Stinner-Kun, 1x1 architecture inc.
Filed under Institutional Cultural
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