ROYAL CANADIAN MINT - Winnipeg, Manitoba

A striking sight with its triangular form soaring above the flat prairie, the Royal Canadian Mint is one of Gaboury's most prominent buildings. A landmark since its completion in 1975, the glazed walls give the office tower the appearance of a crystalline prism, its mirror reflection in the surrounding moat inviting awe and excitement from those passing on the highways. Gaboury's design for the mint is the apex of the high-tech style he brought to many of his government commissions, forgoing simple nationalistic display in favour of a concept which artistically reflects the essential nature of the particular building and the functions performed within.

The mint is consciously designed to reflect its innate fortress quality, a high security building which must be and appear to be impenetrable. The walls are massive with very few apertures, all windows placed either very high or over water. These security considerations are tempered by accommodations made to the public's interest in the facility. A landscaped garden provides a park-like environment for the visiting public, leading into the touring route of the facility. The route is designed to keep visitor and internal traffic separate at all times while maximizing the visibility of the mint's operations. Following a circuit over bridges and through courtyards, the public is able to obtain a ground-level view of all the production and key support areas of the mint, culminating in a view of the coin vault through the glazed walls.

Note: E. Gaboury was Design Architect; Number Ten Architectural Group was Project Architect.

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