Castle Downs pavilion is composed of a set of nested configurations of building and landforms that define partial courtyards opening up to the surrounding recreational fields. The courtyards and building wings have variable degrees of enclosure that create an equilibrium of indoor and outdoor rooms. Key to the siting of the Castle Downs pavilion is its surface, which defines outdoor rooms, internal programmes, landforms and extensions into the larger body of the park. Castle Downs Sports Park is currently differentiated only by sports fields; the new pavilion suggests a larger order of both panoramic and directional relationships to the distant edges of the open space that converges in a tableau of both inferred and designed rooms.
The surface is the instrument that defines the siting of programme areas, landform and outdoor rooms. At the base of the largest outdoor room, a defining surface bounds the space with a generous raised landscape plinth. The surface of the built wings follows the directionality and character of this primary landform to create two built wings. The more public rooms of washrooms and covered outdoor terrace face directly onto the largest outdoor court. The sheltered open space is defined by a long low sitting wall directly adjacent to a series of layered screens of metal, wood and glass with large pivoting doors, open for full exposure to weather, and pivoting shut for protection from wind and rain. This `middle space' that leads into entrances for public washrooms allows the small area of built programme to be recognizable from large distances and provides a 'middle space' between the interior and exterior. The sheltered surface can accommodate large groupings of tables for picnic, and is large enough to accommodate several teams and spectators during a sudden downpour.
The surface further defines an extension of the `L' shape with another branch that leads into formally planted lines of trees, to define another partially defined lawn leading out into the park. A second branched surface from the washroom wing creates a passage and vine covered trellis to the second wing that provides the Castle Downs Recreation Society and Seahawks Football Club meeting room, office and storage areas. The trellis becomes a shady place to gather in the summer and marks an entrance into the second court. This second 'L' of building defines a second longer court marked by a single deciduous tree that opens onto the larger court making a space ideal for a meeting of teams and smaller groups, and will encourage other impromptu uses, such as bocce ball or tai chi as these spaces become appropriated by a growing diverse community.
The surfaces are marked by the low colourful and moving screens that form layered walls of both interior and exterior spaces of the pavilions. This thickened horizontal fine - illuminated at night, bright during the day - provides a landmark of spaces not points, equally defined by strategically planted double fines of trees directing fines into the courtyards and moving out into the larger park landscape.
The roofscapes of the two wings mirror the dimension and function of the raised mound - sculpted and enfolding exterior spaces. The ability of the surface, screens, landform and roofscapes to form building wings, open terraces, courts and lawns will provide a fertile siting for public art. AII manner of installations are possible - landform constructions, focal points in courtyards, or suspended works in trellises and shelters, or installations placed beyond the courts, marking a further extension into the larger park. The ability of the artist to appropriate any number of sites within the pavilion composition mirrors the ability of the public to make these spaces into gathering spots, bocce courts, impromptu games of catch, a place to read a book while waiting for a game to begin, or a space for a family reunion.
(From competitor's text)
10 scanned / 6 viewable
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
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- Plan
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