As the largest public gardens project in North America, Canada’s Diversity Gardens is comprised of The Indigenous Peoples’ Garden, The Cultural Mosaic Gardens, outdoor event spaces and courtyards, a viewing terrace wrapping the upper floor with access from event related spaces, a toboggan hill, and arboretum at Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Leaf is the new 84,000 sq. ft. botanical conservatory within the gardens which contains four distinct environments housing plants from around the world, each having diverse environmental requirements. The interior environmental separations between Biome spaces are glass and single layer ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) roof cable system. This extremely complex and unique design is a first worldwide.

The project includes event spaces, retail, office and support spaces, classrooms with outdoor teaching area, and a restaurant with a kitchen and Butterfly Biome space which is home to butterflies from as far away as Costa Rica.

Sustainable design is featured throughout including recycled glass and reclaimed wood from the existing site utilized in the architectural finishes. The tallest waterfall in Canada, reaching approximately six stories in height, enhances visitor experience while also contributing to the Biome’s mechanical systems by providing humidification.

McCaine Electric (Member of the Canem Group) was responsible for the complete electrical, fire alarm, security and data components of the project.