Prairie Biologics Accelerator

sustainability 
LEED® Silver target

location 
124 Dysart Rd.
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA

client 
University of Manitoba

contractor 
Bockstael Construction

consultants 
S / Crosier Kilgour
M / KGS Group
E / KGS Group
C / KGS Group
L / Scatliff + Miller + Murray

area 
59,698

cost 
undisclosed

status
In Construction

The University of Manitoba, in collaboration with the Universities of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Calgary, has secured funding from the Canadian government to advance vaccine and biomanufacturing research. This investment will facilitate the construction of a new facility at the Fort Garry campus, enhancing Canada’s capacity to produce vaccines and respond to future pandemic threats. The funding, announced on May 6, 2024, comes from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Canadian Biomedical Research Fund and is intended to bolster domestic health preparedness and research capabilities. This state-of-the-art, 59,698 square foot research facility will bring together scientists and engineers to develop new vaccines and improve biomanufacturing processes.

Prairie Architects was engaged along with mcCallumSather and the team of consultants to provide base building and CL2 Lab design of the 21,000 sf of research floors, with 3 floors for the science faculty teaching offerings for Anatomy & Physiology, and Biochemistry. The design focuses on flexible and adaptable spaces to accommodate evolving research needs.

The project began with the analysis of 3 sites to determine the best location for the new building. The new building will be situated adjacent to the Parker Chemistry Building and Allen Physics building, and the Manitoba Institute of Materials on the Fort Garry campus integrated with the City’s green transportation network, and will be designed to meet a LEED Silver standard at a minimum, with a focus on low carbon, and energy and water efficiency.