PROJECT RATIONALE
In this design we have addressed a number of issues that pertain to the exiting site and its use as an amenity space. The current speed skating area is conducive to an intensity of use that is not compatible with slower paced family and recreational skating. We plan to increase the number of user groups that will see this as a primary skating destination by addressing this issue. We also plan to increase the summer engagement of the amenity space by providing shading and seasonal plantings that will draw visitors to this urban river valley park. The new Victoria Park Recreation Pavilion plays a prominent role within an existing network of activity spaces that include picnic sites, hiking and bike trails, a ball diamond, horseshoe pits, and a cricket pitch. Most significantly the Pavilion bridges over a newly formed passage between the existing outdoor speed skating rink to the south and a new casual skating rink to the north. While specifically addressing the programmatic needs of the Edmonton Speed Skating Association, the new Pavilion serves as a hub for amenities accessible to a broad user base while formally connecting existing trails on the site to the parking area located directly to the south. Cross-country skiers, hikers, and casual observers are offered expansive views of the park while traversing the Pavilion's roof, while ice skaters move unencumbered between the two rinks and Pavilion facilities below.
PROGRAMME - BUILDING
The new pavilion is divided into three programme modules that form the structural understory of the bridge above. The Public Amenities are centered between the two landscaped berms, providing a central footing for the bridge above that can be constructed as an initial unit. The second and third blocks, along with the Zamboni Garage, fill in the space between the Public Amenities and the eastern berm, providing a direct connection to the southern parking area for both pedestrian access and park servicing vehicles. The Pavilion's central corridor is day lit and provides internal access to the service spaces from the Skate Change Room. These service rooms are also accessible from the exterior, allowing them to be day lit and service users on both the north and south faces of the building. The Indoor Skate Change Area is a full height glazed pavilion space with a panoramic view of both skating areas. It is thought of as an urban street corner with views of the busy crossing between the skating areas and the activity on the bridge above.
PROGRAMME - BRIDGE
Heavily planted earth berms and a traversable green roof mark the significant landscape gesture that forms the bridge. A simple palette of species is deployed strategically across the span;Trembling Aspens are planted in clusters and layered to facilitate the trapping of snow on the western side, while drifts of Red Twig Dogwoods line the eastern edge. The pathway itself consists of native grasses including switch grass and blue stem intended to blend seamlessly into the adjacent landscape. In the summer the overpass is a lush and wild zone for the urban explorer filled with tall grass, trees, birds, and insects. In winter, it is an uninterrupted path that skiers and snow shoe trekkers can use to cross the infrastructure below.
PROGRAMME - OVALS AND UNDERPASS
When developing this building proposition, we noticed that the site was a collection of green "rooms" demarcated by rings of conifers. The bridge and underpass articulate a crossing point between these green areas that can be used in all seasons. The underpass is a shaded area, connected to the parking lot by a boardwalk and filled with picnic tables that have a view of the two large green spaces to the north and south. In the winter, the green spaces are flooded to form the skate rinks. By alleviating the recreational skating from the speed skating area, the competition oval can be increased and formalized to allow for an Olympic size oval that can be the home of world class speed skating competitions. The underpass is the cross walk between the two skating areas allowing movement and flow between them.
SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES
Design elements of the new park pavilion contributing to a silver or better LEED rating include:
-A low-profile building that blends into the landscape with a 370 sm green roof
-Conserving excavated soil for use as back fill
-Providing as many passive systems as possible, such as providing southern shading with large overhangs
-Day lighting all the spaces with natural light
-Selecting energy-efficient heating, ventilation and plumbing systems and using sensor controlled lighting
-Carefully selecting materials that are recycled and locally produced.
-Reducing the building footprint. This will allow a better built building and landscape and demand fewer resources to heat and maintain.
1% FOR ART
The Pavilion has a heavily programmed façade on both the north and south facades. The functionality of the skating also prevents free standing work in the underpass portion of the project. There is ample area on the bridge for art that will be highly visible in the winter and 'discovered' in the summer months. There is also the opportunity for mural based work on the wall facing the skating pavilion.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS
Creating the site for this project, building the landscaped berms and bridge, requires that a much larger percentage of funding must be dedicated to site work. To ensure that this is a feasible option, we have reduced the building area by 12% and are dedicating that savings to the creation of our site. It is important to note that all the net space requirements have been met.
BUILDING
The retaining walls, bridge structure, and building structure will all be concrete. The pavilion and remaining openings will be glazed with a combination of clear and translucent glass. Wood exterior cladding, protected by deep overhangs, will provide warmth to the building exteriors. Wood decking and benches will provide warmth underfoot.
SYSTEMS
The key to heating efficiency is making a building that is as passive as possible. By having a large thermal mass for the floor and primary walls, we plan to capture heat from the sun. Supplementary heat will come from floor warming. This building will require a lot of fresh air. We have found in buildings without mechanical cooling that routing the fresh air below the slab helps to cool it prior to entering the programmed spaces (and warm it in the winter). This technique will work well in the new park pavilion. The stale air can be exchanged through an ERV.
(Competitor's text)
The jury felt that this was one of the most poetic of the submissions and very well suited to the site. They liked the trail over the top and the skating under the extended roof. This project would likely exceed the budget in order to construct these features. The graphics were very nicely presented.
(From jury report)
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