Description of Historic Place

Building 84, also known as the Air Navigation School, is located on a large, open, grassed site. It is a long, flat-roofed, z-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 84 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Building 84 is associated with the expansion of the Canadian military forces 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. It is also associated with the development of Royal Canadian Armed Force (RCAF) Station Winnipeg, which became the largest aircrew training center in the RCAF during the 1950s, operating air observer and navigation schools at the Winnipeg airbase.

Architectural Value
Building 84 is a good example of modern styling, 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 84 reinforces the 1950s character of its military base setting. The building is familiar to those who live and work in the area.

Sources: Building 84, Air Navigation School, CFB Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report, 96-075 INF; Building 84, Air Navigation School, CFB Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Heritage Character Statement, 96-075.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of Building 84 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 a school which makes it familiar to people who train 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 84 is a “Recognized” Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values:

Historical value
Building 84 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 84 was one of many standard designs commissioned from Canadian architects under the supervision of the Department of National Defence. Building 84 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 84 was part of the 1 950s building program to provide training, administration and accommodation facilities for these schools.

Architectural value
Building 84 is a good example of modern styling, with some International Style influence. Features on this two storey building include 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 in a traditional symmetrical plan. The building was designed by the Winnipeg architectural firm of Moody and Moore, under the supervision of the Department of Defence.

Environmental value
Building 84 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 a school.

Character-Defining Elements
The following character-defining elements of Building 84 should be respected:

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.