Successful parks, like buildings and cities, are ones that are able to adapt, evolve and mature as the world changes. A century has passed since the arrival of Borden Park and over the years it has had an illustrious history of re-definition: it began as a youthful and exuberant playground, experienced a natural decline through the I930s and 40s, and enjoyed a renaissance (or "mid-life-crisis"?) in the l950s with the addition of the pool facility. Today the Park is tired, but not dead. It has a rich history, and a mature layering of vegetation, pathways and physical infrastructure.
The proposed Pavilion will replace an existing building that has played a modest role in the overall composition of the Park over the years. This facility is not a roller coaster, or tunnel of love, and it will not radically affect the way the Park is used. Its primary function is a service facility for local residents and occasional use by the broader community during events. On this basis, we interpret the following to be the fundamental Design Problems and Opportunities related to this Design Competition:
The title, ln Decent Exposure suggests an inversion of the negative connotations associated with public washroom facilities. When in use, the building is designed to "expose" itself and welcome visitors in. When closed, the building politely "conceals" itself and arts as an elegant backdrop to passive park use.
The building has a dual personality: extroverted when open, introverted when closed. The introvert is quiet and reassuring, while the extrovert is expressive, colourful and engaging.
The Modes of Communication: "Exposed" and "Concealed"
Given the rudimentary programming, we envision the new pavilion as a space that uses these two modes of communication to accommodate six distinct scenarios:
1. Fully Concealed: AII facilities locked-down; alter hours secure mode;
2. Modest Exposure: Casual Day Use; No specific programmatic function(s) occurring on the site; Concession and Multi-purpose space closed; Washrooms open;
3. Partially Exposed, Exterior: Multipurpose Space closed; Washrooms and Concession accessible from the exterior only;
4. Partially Exposed, Interior: Concession closed; Washrooms and Multipurpose Space open;
5. Mostly Exposed: Concession accessible from the interior only; Multipurpose Space and Washrooms open;
6. Fully Exposed: AII facilities are open, interior and exterior.
The simplicity of the square plan accommodates the program with economy and utility. The circular geometry of the four pivoting screens is used to break open the rigidity of the plan and dynamically engage with the surrounding landscape. By varying the size, shape and orientation of the screens, the building responds directly to the unusual shape of the site in both its "concealed" and "exposed" configurations. In its "exposed", or open state, the monochromatic square form explodes into a series of colourful, interconnected interior and exterior spaces. In its "concealed", or closed state, the residual landscape elements provide a playful mediation between the building and the broader network of forma) paths and adjacent facilities.
(From competitor's text)
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