Government House Centennial pROJECT QUEEN ELIZABETH II ADDITION AND RENOVATION

Regina, SK

Saskatchewan Architectural Heritage Society Award

Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan Heritage Architecture Excellence Award for New Design - Sensitive Infill

City of Regina Municipal Heritage Award - New Design/Sensitive Addition

Our firm was commissioned by Saskatchewan Property Management Commission (now Ministry of Central Services) to provide a design for a new Visitor Centre and Administration Building at Government House. Government House was originally constructed in 1891 to replace the prefabricated wood structure that had served as the residence of the Lieutenant Governors of the North West Territories. It is one of the pre-eminent heritage buildings in Saskatchewan. This addition was officially dedicated by the Queen and has been named Queen Elizabeth II Wing.

The design of the addition is a blend of modern with a heritage theme that borrows from the original 1891 Government House.  It primarily serves as a reception area and houses administration offices.  It also includes display space for the ceremonial Landau and Cutter.  Service areas include a relocated commercial kitchen, workshop, and storage areas, mechanical and electrical service rooms, as well as servery areas for the ballroom and new multi-purpose space.  Renovations included an interactive, interpretive display on the upper floor above the 1921 ballroom.

The building was designed to be as energy efficient as possible and it subsequently achieved a rating of 35.6% better than the former Model National Energy Code for Buildings.

Accessibility is provided by two hydraulic elevators to access all levels, and through a new doorway opening that was created at one of the existing arched window openings into the Ballroom. 

Rehabilitation of the Edwardian gardens was also part of our team’s scope of work.