DESIGN PROBLEMS
Listed as Landscape Resources on the Edmonton Historic Resource Inventory, Victoria Park has adiverse and significant history. Contributions to such landmark sites require design sensitivity and careful execution in order to extend the experience of both the building and the site. The following is a list of the challenges addressed in the design of the Victoria Park Pavilion:
- Respect and celebrate Victoria Park through innovative design
- Meet and exceed the budget and program requirements as outlined in the Competition Guidelines
- Provide a facility that can be the cornerstone for community programs, festivals and sporting activities
- Design for LEED Silver rating with a high standard for environmental consciousness
- Provide interior and exterior spaces that promote and nurture social interaction
- Define and unify spatial relationships throughout the site
- Design a safe environment using CPTED principles for both day and night use
- Design accessible solutions using Accessible & Universal Design standards
- Place a high priority on public art
- Specify sustainable and durable materials that limit maintenance costs
- Creating interior spatial relationships to allow for construction phasing
- Allow existing maintenance building to remain operational through construction
DESIGN RATIONALE
The fire pit, both symbolically and pragmatically, has been prevalent throughout history; it is an ancient tool. Initially, fire was a symbol of religion and kept sacred, while tribal rituals focused around its strength and power. As religious and spiritual significance gradually lessened with time, the fire pit became a communal and family center, with the lure of fire remaining one of the strongest instincts of the human race. Today, the primary function of the fire pit remains the same: it is a fundamental provider of warmth and is the nucleus for human gathering.
The design for the Victoria Park Pavilion is inspired from these simple ideas of the fire pit. A single sweeping arch gives form to the pavilion, which focuses around a communal hearth and "fire sculpture" providing an outdoor warming station in the winter months. The fire pit is also designed as a space for social interaction in all seasons and suggests that, in essence, the people of the community are the hearth of the pavilion.
The sculptural curved form is sited along the north section of the permitted building area. This location maximizes solar exposure to the building and also allows for the existing park maintenance buildings to remain operational throughout the first phase of construction. The interior layout of the pavilion is designed to accommodate the phasing of construction.
DESIGN SOLUTION
Public Art
Public art has the power to energize public spaces, arouse our thinking, and transform the environment into more welcoming and beautiful spaces that invite interaction. It helps define a community's identity and can reveal the unique character of a specific neighborhood. The proposed public art location the pavilion is significant; it is within the hearth. The design intention is to integrate the art fixture into the fire pit, thus becoming a symbol and focal point of both the inward-facing pavilion and the site as a whole.
Sustainability
The design of the pavilion attempts to harmonize sustainability on both a social and environmental level. Rather than focus on active (mechanical) means to control the extreme climate, the building is designed on passive design standards that balance the supply and management of energy, water, wastewater, building materials and maintenance of the pavilion. Passive design features include:
- Extensive Green Roof
- Natural Ventilation
- Natural Lighting & Sun Control
- Storm Water Retention
- Evaporative Cooling
- Thermal Massing
- Pervious Concrete Paving
- High Recycle Content & Renewable Materials
- High Durability & Low Maintenance
- Touch-less Washrooms & Water-Conserving Fixtures
- Low VOC Finishes
- Well-insulated building envelope with a focus on minimizing thermal bridging
- Operable interior and exterior windows
LEED Evaluation
Focusing on passive environmental design strategies, the design targets a LEED Silver rating. The simple form of the pavilion coupled with sustainable materials and building techniques, maximizes the solar exposure and natural ventilation within each space of the building. The following is an overview of the LEED initiatives this project will be exploring:
Water Efficiency
The proposed storm water retention pool provides multiple environmental benefits. It allows for water storage during heavy rainfall so as to limit the burden of water discharge on the surrounding environment, allows for evaporative cooling during the hot summer months, and also provides a visual amenity to the landscape. Drought-tolerant indigenous landscaping suitable to the Edmonton climate will be specified to limit irrigation requirements, while pervious concrete will allow for groundwater recharge. In addition, the incorporation of low-flow mechanical fixtures will significantly reduce the typical potable water demand.
Energy & Atmosphere
The building envelope will be designed for high-energy performance with double glazed low-E glass, as well as increased thermal insulation, and windows designs that incorporate passive solar design principles. Energy performance will be optimized through the integration of carefully selected mechanical and electrical equipment, further reducing the energy footprint. Best practice commissioning will also be incorporated into the project to ensure the finished project achieves a high-energy performance. All exterior light fixtures will be designed to limit light pollution.
Materials & Resources
Proper construction waste management as well as the inclusion of high recycle content building materials will promote the re-use of existing consumable by-products while limiting waste from entering existing landfills. Indoor air quality management coupled with durable building materials and assembly concepts will further the livability and long term success of the pavilion, Reduction of energy and material waste will also be incorporated through the use of regionally fabricated materials and systems, such as engineered wood and rammed-earth construction.
Indoor Environmental Quality
Daylight control systems include passive sunshades, such as overhangs, for south exposed facades coupled with borrowed light for northern exposed facades. Occupants will have daylight and views from all occupied spaces within the pavilion while providing a reduction in energy use. Operable windows will also provide natural ventilation to all occupied spaces. The selection of low voe materials, as well as sustainable assembly practices will ensure high indoor air quality.
Innovation & Design Process
The rammed earth wall is an innovative and sustainable design process, which creates a feature wall for the pavilion and also forms the basis for giving order to the floor plan. In addition to this essential design element, the project team will also consist of a LEED Accredited Professional.
(From competitor's text)
10 scanned / 9 viewable
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- Presentation Panel
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- Site Plan
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- Axonometric Drawing
