Description of Historic Place

Building 86, also known as the Base Headquarters, is located on a large, open, grassed site, and is a flat-roofed, L-shaped brick building designed in the modern style with elements borrowed from the International Style. It features low, horizontal massing, a flat roof, horizontal bands of windows and the absence of decoration. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 86, or Base Headquarters is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Building 86 is associated with the expansion of the Canadian military force during the Cold War and the accompanying construction program undertaken during the late 1940s and early 1950s to provide training, administration and high-quality accommodation facilities for this expanded force. Building 86 is also associated with the development of the Royal Canadian Armed Forces (RCAF) Station Winnipeg which became the largest aircrew training center in the RCAF during the 1950s, operating air observer and navigation schools at the airbase.

Architectural Value
Building 86 is a good example of the modern style with elements borrowed from the International Style. The composition consists of many elements arranged in a traditional symmetrical plan. It was one of many standard designs commissioned from Canadian architects under the supervision of the Department of National Defence.

Environmental Value
Building 86 reinforces the 1950s character of its military base setting. The building is familiar to those who live and work in the area.

Sources:
Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report, 96-075 INF; Heritage Character Statement, 96-075.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Building 86 should be respected.
Its modern styling, for example: the low, horizontal massing, flat roof, horizontal bands of windows, flat, projecting porticos, and absence of decoration.

The manner in which the building reinforces the 1950s character of its military base setting and is a well-known building at the base, as evidenced by: its low, horizontal massing and flat roof, which complement adjacent buildings of similar design; its role as the headquarters at the base, which makes it familiar to those who work and live there.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

Building 86 is a “Recognized” Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values:

Historical value
Building 86 is associated with the expansion of the Canadian military force during the Cold War and the accompanying construction program undertaken during the late 1 940s and early 1 950s to provide permanent, high-quality accommodation for this expanded force. Building 86 was one of many standard designs commissioned from Canadian architects under the supervision of the Department of National Defence. Building 86 is also associated with the development of RCAF Station Winnipeg (now CFB Winnipeg) after the Second World War. The base became the largest aircrew training centre in the RCAF during the 1950s, operating air observer and navigation schools at the Winnipeg airbase. Building 86 was part of the 1950s building program to provide training, administration and accommodation facilities for these schools.

Architectural value
Building 86 is a good example of conservative modern style with elements borrowed from the International Style. The two storey building includes features such as low, horizontal massing; a flat roof, horizontal bands of windows; flat, projecting porticos; and overall absence of decoration. The composition is fairly conservative, with many elements arranged symmetrically. The building was designed by the. Department of Defence.

Environmental value
Building 86 reinforces the 1950s character of the setting and is located on a large, grassed, open site, bounded by access roads and a parking lot. It is situated at the eastern edge of the base, adjacent to the airfield, and is surrounded by buildings of similar age and style. It would be familiar to base residents because of its function as base headquarters.

Character-Defining Elements
The following character-defining elements of Building 86 should be respected:
Its role as an illustration of the expansion of the Canadian military and the 1950s construction program is reflected in:
- its conformity to a standard design. Its modern styling as manifested in:
- the low, horizontal massing; flat roof; horizontal bands of windows; flat, projecting porticos; and absence of decoration.

The manner in which it reinforces the 1 950s character of the setting as evidenced in:
- its location on a large, open, grassed site, surrounded by curving access roads and buildings of similar age.