DESIGN PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED
Below is a list of the key design problems that our team has identified as part of our design processes. This list represents challenges that need to be addressed and opportunities that can be capitalized on.
- Minimize disturbance to the existing tree line that boarders and defines the ice surface/playing field.
- Strengthen connections to ice surface during winter and provide connections to playing field in summer.
- Provide a connection with the picnic areas and other recreational facilities during the summer and greater Victoria parkland during the winter.
- Function as a service building and a meeting place for the nearby trail system.
- Maximize the pavilions access to natural light.
- Maximize views from public spaces out into the landscape.
- Design a flexible floor plan that provides functional spaces at different times of the day and year.
- Integrate a location to showcase the public art commissioned through the Percent for Art Policy.
- Provide a sustainable building that meets or exceeds the City of Edmonton's Sustainable Design Policy.
RATIONALE FOR RESOLUTION OF THE DESIGN PROBLEMS
Below is a series of brief explanations for how our proposed design addresses and resolves the identified opportunities and challenges.
- The first step in our design process was to develop a relationship diagram that focused on how each programmatic element engaged either the ice surface/ playing field or the greater parkland. Each focus area has different activities associated with it that occur through the year. For example, the parkland is used for picnickers and golfers during the summer and switches to a cross country skiers and snoshoers in the winter. Understanding how each programmatic element relates to the activities of the park has allowed our design to integrate more fully into the parks current and future uses.
- To minimize the impact on the existing tree line that boarders the ice surface and to maximize the pavilions access to natural light we have located it in an existing natural clearing. An opening in the tree line between the existing public washrooms and skate change area allows natural light into the provided site area while still maintaining a direct connection to the ice surface/playing field.
- To further maximize the pavilions access to natural light the design does not fill the void of the clearing but rather surrounds it. Building on three sides of the clearing allows each programmatic wing access to natural light.
- The resulting central courtyard will help strengthen the connections to the ice surface/playing fields. This provides a sheltered green space in the summer and allows the ice surface to engage the pavilion in the winter. The new central courtyard can become a children's skate area. The skate change area opens directly out onto the courtyard for easy access and provides a separation of program flows. This allows the pavilion to interact with the ice surface without encroaching on the required speed skating oval.
- The service wing on the north side of the pavilion shelters the courtyard from the northwest winter winds while providing a new concession's deck and connects the public washrooms to the remainder of the park. The service wing has been designed such that it can remain open when the main skate change area is closed. Similarly, the speed skating wing has a private entrance so it can function independent of the public spaces. This allows for a flexible solution that can be open or closed while still meeting the needs of the pavilions varied user groups.
- The central courtyard will also provide a showcase space for the artwork commissioned through the percentage for art policy.
- Good solar practices have been employed in the design. Openings are minimized on the north facade of the pavilion to minimize heat lose during the winter. Conversely, the south facade is mainly glazed with large overhangs to shade summer sun and let in low winter sun to naturally heat the space.
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
The parti diagram of the pavilion is a series of simple wooden clad programmatic boxes sandwiched between two floating planes. The floor plane rises and depresses based on programmatic requirements. It gently slopes to allow barrier free access at the main entry, courtyard and Zamboni storage areas. The slab also depressed to create the skate change area and rises to create an interior landscape piece for additional seating and viewing spaces. The continuous podium allows for impromptu seating around the edge of the entire pavilion turning the building into a large piece of street furniture. The roof is simpler creating a constant datum line between the changing floor and ground plane. The exterior and interior of the programmatic boxes are clad in a vertically oriented Douglas fir siding; however, the finish treatment of the siding provides definition and connection to use. The exterior siding is charred using a traditional Japanese technique called shou-sugi-ban, which naturally preserves the wood. The exterior contrasts the winter snow and recedes into the dark greens of summer. The interior public spaces are clear sealed preserving and expressing the natural wood grain and color. This provides a warm counterpoint to the exterior finish. The ceilings are also clad in Douglas fir but again the finish changes to suit the use. The ceilings will be washed with a white semi-transparent stain, increasing its reflectance to help bounce the natural light deeper into the space. A single programmatic box extends horizontally past the roof and floor planes and helps define the main entry to the pavilion.
SUSTAINABLE PRINCIPLES
Several sustainable strategies have been incorporated into the design of the pavilion to help ensure that it will meet the City's policy target of LEED silver. Highlights include:
- Good solar practices have been employed in the design. Openings are minimized on the north facade of the pavilion to minimize heat lose during the winter. Conversely, the south facade is mainly glazed with large overhangs to shade summer sun and let in low winter sun to naturally heat the space.
- The main floor slab will have radiant heating throughout providing heat were users need it most. The thermal mass of the slab will also help passively mediate the temperature of the space. The slab overhangs will also be heated to minimize the need for snow removal at entry ways and ensure easy access to the ice surface.
Existing soil conditions will be tested during the design development phase of the project to see if they will support a geothermal strategy for the radiant heating.
- Operable windows have been provided in the multi-purpose room and speed skating wing to allow for uses to help naturally ventilate and cool their spaces.
- Ultra-low flow toilets and fixtures will be used throughout the pavilion to minimize water usage.
- A green roof of native vegetation has been proposed to help mitigate the heat island effect, provide storage of rain water, increase our insulating values and provide habitat for local wildlife.
- A low velocity ventilation system will provide make up air to the spaces. The duct work will be hidden within sculpted areas of the ceiling plane.
- The ceiling will house recessed low-voltage LED lighting.
- The pavilion will provided with the infrastructure for the future implementation of solar hot water and solar electric panels.
- Low VOC materials will be employed throughout the building ensuring indoor environmental quality.
- The structure will be made of high-recycled content steel. A steel structure will provide a flexible structural system for future space reconfigurations and allow for prefabrication off site minimizing construction time in Victoria Park.
PERCENTAGE FOR ART
The design on the pavilion's courtyard provides a natural location to showcase the percentage for art commission. In constant view from any location within the building the artwork will take center stage in the design. The artwork will provide an anchor and point of interest to the courtyard. With the courtyard's varied uses and seasonal changes there is an opportunity for an art piece that is interactive and engaging. We look forward to working with the Edmonton Arts Council to explore the opportunities of the space.
EDMONTON DESIGN COMMITTEE PRINCIPLES
Two key areas for the EDC is the celebration of our winter city and the need to create. Humanistic built environments. Our proposed pavilion with its full engagement with the skating program will help to enhance an already well used facility within our City. The incorporation of the ice surface into our pavilion and around our skate up fire pit provides an engaging and porous connection to the outside, which is often limited to buildings in warmer climates. The pavilion's design, of opening to the south and closing to the north, works with the climatic conditions of Edmonton. The incorporation of natural materials like Douglas fir gives the building a human quality and the gently sloping floor plate allows for easy barrier-free access without segregating entry to a back of house ramp. The pavilion functions at different levels providing amenity to both active and passive users. From a distance, on the top of bank, any view of the pavilion will be masked by the green roof blending the structure into the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Approached from the parking lot the pavilion is an object in the landscape easily identifiable and welcoming to visitors of Victoria Park. The extensive glazing and open public spaces provide a safe environment for all users. The sculpted floor slab provides casual seating for passive users but also doubles as barrier-free access to the pavilion. The slab overhangs are lit from below providing an even low level light around the entire pavilion. Additional lighting will be provided in the roof overhang to ensure safety around the entries and building corners. Because all lighting will be under an overhang the pavilion will not add any light pollution to the North Saskatchewan River Valley.
(From competitor's text)
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