Designing power systems in taxing climates

Fish Lake Power Plant

As part of Yukon's Green Energy Infrastructure plan, ATCO Yukon Electric hired us to design the new Fish Lake hydro facility.

Part of the requirements for the new facility was provision of an efficient, sustainable turbine plant that could be quickly erected to ensure continuous power generation.

We designed a pre-engineered structure, which offers numerous benefits such as greater design flexibility, earlier occupancy, and lower maintenance costs. The structure also allowed the remainder of the work to be done within an enclosed space, mitigating the Yukon weather’s threat to construction.

The trapezoidal shape tucks the building into its natural surroundings and the use of strong, angular lines draws the viewers’ attention towards the large glazed aperture on the front of the building. When approaching the facility, the striking front elevation and significant window shows the ‘light’ of the generator and provides a snapshot of the building’s function. On a cold Yukon winter’s night one might find himself drawn to this beacon while traveling the dark, windy road.

Through this design project, we transformed the functionality and performance of producing power into a transparent, educational facility.