Winnipeg’s Pumphouse Named One of The Top Five Buildings in The Americas

Winnipeg’s architectural landscape is making waves on the global stage as Pumphouse, designed by 5468796 Architecture, has been named one of the top five buildings in the Americas by the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP) 2024.

Celebrated as one of the world’s most prestigious architectural awards, MCHAP—organized by the Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Architecture in Chicago—recognizes groundbreaking projects that redefine design excellence, innovation, and social impact across North, Central and South America. Unlike traditional architecture awards, MCHAP nominees are handpicked by a distinguished network of leading architects, scholars, and critics, with a jury conducting in-person visits to all shortlisted projects before selecting the five finalists.

A Bold Reinvention of Winnipeg’s Historic James Avenue Pumping Station
Pumphouse stands out as an unexpected yet powerful contender. Overcoming challenges of budget constraints, Winnipeg’s extreme climate, and a site that had seen 14 failed redevelopment attempts, 5468796 Architecture turned a once-forgotten industrial landmark into a dynamic, mixed-use hub that breathes new life into the city’s Exchange District.

Rather than erasing history, the architects embraced the site’s industrial past, integrating two striking mid-rise rental housing buildings that float on slender columns, framing the historic early 20th-century pumphouse while preserving public access and sightlines. Inside, massive historic pumping equipment is dramatically showcased behind a glass-wrapped ground floor, anchoring the space as a vibrant urban focal point. The project’s 93 light-filled rental units and public spaces contribute to Winnipeg’s evolving urban fabric, offering a model for sustainable, adaptive reuse.

5468796 Architecture: A Legacy of Innovation
This marks the third time that 5468796 Architecture has been recognized by MCHAP, having been previously shortlisted for OZ Condominiums (2016) and the OMS Stage (2014).

“We are absolutely thrilled to see Pumphouse recognized as an MCHAP finalist,” said Sasa Radulovic of 5468796 Architecture. “It’s an honor to be named alongside such extraordinary projects, and to have our work highlighted in a program that champions architecture’s power to shape cities, communities, and culture in meaningful ways.”

What’s Next?
The final winner of MCHAP 2024 will be announced at a prestigious ceremony in Chicago on May 5, 2025, where top architects, scholars, and critics will gather to celebrate the most transformative works of contemporary architecture.

For more information about Pumphouse and 5468796 Architecture, visit 5468796.ca.

About 5468796 Architecture
5468796 Architecture is a Winnipeg-based, full-service architecture studio founded in 2007. The practice questions the status quo through new architectural propositions and specializes in projects that require design innovation. 546 seeks projects that explore the potential for density, affordability, sustainability achieved through non-traditional means and a dynamic design approach.

Instagram: @546arch

Media Contact:
Matias Bessai
Kriss Communications
matias@krisscommunications.com
(416) 532-5454

Matias Bessai