The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is a socially important national museum located in the historic Forks area of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Designed by world-renowned architect Antoine Predock, it is Canada’s first national museum outside the Ottawa region. CMHR is the first large-scale, complex project in Canada to use virtual design and construction universally across all consultant and contractor teams, an effort that spans 40 companies located in Canada, the United States and Germany.

The building’s design incorporated large-scale irregular and free-form surfaces to represent organic elements such as stone roots, glass clouds and a basalt plug. The iconic and complex design did not allow for the use of typical, repetitive construction techniques. In response, the project team used virtual design and construction to solve construction challenges by using collaborative 3D software. The team conducted comprehensive analysis on the surfaces identified as the most complex which included 3D model coordination and clash detection between several different building elements and trade contractor scopes of work. This detailed coordination and meticulous planning saved schedule time and prevented costly changes.

Over more than a quarter of a million square feet and 12 levels of unique and iconic design, the museum houses exhibits and stories that make a difference to the understanding of human rights. It is a destination for all interested in taking action against oppression.