Mawiomi - a gathering place and gathering of people. This is where feasting, pow wows, ceremonies and visiting happens. No other art space exists that began from Mi'kmaw ways of knowing; a space that breaks away from a square box. Our starting point is rooted within Mi'kmaw knowledge and culture which is universal wisdom and knowledge regarding all living beings in harmony with one another on Mother Earth here on Turtle Island. Our design responds to the call for 'New Ways of Thinking': a catalyst for changing how we build sustainable, inclusive spaces for future generations. - Jordan Bennett
We are proposing a sinuous building surrounded by regenerative gardens that will signal this as a radical new beginning for the AGNS, the waterfront, for all people in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the world of art. We want people to experience art in a great setting. We want people to feel welcome and at home. We believe we have created a place for everyone. - Bruce Kuwabra
The site of the new AGNS is designed to support local culture and economy by weaving together landscape and architecture to truly make a vital arts district for Halifax and all of her people. The site design expands the experience of the waterfront past the boardwalk to embrace the scale and geometry of the Harbour. The landscape of Salter Block is regenerated with a diversity of ecologies familiar to all Nova Scotians, and is inviting to all through all seasons.
The landscape design expands and contracts, flexing seasonally from the human-scaled, intimate gathering spaces at the heart of Salter Block to a large gathering space at the scale of K'jipuktuk, the Great Harbour. The new AGNS offers an array of accessible experiences for all senses, and at all scales.
The body of Kat (Katew), or eel, inspired the design, emerging from and returning to K'jipuktuk, the Great Harbour. The eel, a universal measure of the health of the environment, is also significant to the culture, knowledge, and sustainable practices of the Mi'kmaq. The sinuous form allows the building to flow across the site, outside of the colonial grid and connecting to the movement and rhythms of ocean waves. The sheen of its greyish-blue terracotta canted walls aid in regulating light, air and temperature within the AGNS.
This space is a presence - not in the traditional sense of imposing or aggressive, but rather it demonstrates the power of culture, unity, and positivity in the most respectful and creative way possible. This scheme demonstrates the marriage between internal, external, land and water.
(From competitor's text)
It is the DNA of the proposed design, its sensitivity to people, public space, and its incredible ambition to deliver on the brief's many aspirations and criteria for the Project, which lead to a unanimous recommendation by this jury. In the KPMB led submission, the design is wholly inspired by Mi'kmaw culture. The project is being led by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Develop Nova Scotia, and the Government of Nova Scotia. It is not being led by a Mi'kmaw organization and therefore presents the conundrum: is it appropriate? The jury would like to see that as part of its first steps working together, the owner and the winning team engage with Mi'kmaw leadership.
The jury has confidence that the team of KPMB Architects with Omar Gandhi Architect, Jordan Bennett Studio, Elder Lorraine Whitman (NWAC), Public Work and Transsolar team and all of their partners can make something beautiful, together with Nova Scotians, and for all Nova Scotians.
1. Overall quality of proposed design
The design used beautiful forms and materiality to create a seamless integration from building to landscape. "There seems to be an elegance". The team made "a beautiful beacon on the shores of Halifax." The design answers the request to be local, "even though shape may well change....[the design] will be attractive to the eye, people will want to know what that is, and they will want to go to it." The scale, use of wood, and the light is compelling. It has a rapport with the street that is open and on cue with the landscape, while finding its place in the urban setting.
This design has the most potential for people to engage with it in a compelling way. The forms are free-flowing, organic, where the space outside of the art spaces, has no start and stop. The design is unique and takes its inspiration from natural phenomenon. The design team understands the issue of the site and the context.
2. Capacity of the proposed design to achieve the objectives for the New Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and public space as part of a Waterfront Arts District as described in the design brief
One of the important objectives for both the AGNS and Develop Nova Scotia is for the Project to be welcoming to all Nova Scotians, and those who visit the Arts District. The design by the KPMB team is "interesting in its welcome". "Welcoming has to do with the concept of being of this place in the world. It is not a physical attribute that is separate." It was, however, identified that the design needs to go further to welcome a diversity of cultures.
Though it needs further development, the design has potential to deliver on the "Art is Everywhere" goal. It is positive that the design centres on people, but there are places where art is entirely missing.
"The design is complex, ambitious and...that's good for people in the Province". The jury felt that the design best addressed the seasonality of the site and the building. The landscape design delivered on the challenge of being designed to accommodate a few thousand people amongst an authentic shoreline while introducing elements of being unique, where one can be alone (e.g. single rock at the entrance).
It was identified that the shipping/receiving and back-of-house requires a major overhaul. The relationship between the galleries, the location of the paywall, and some critical program elements such as the lecture theatre need revisions. Careful attention will need to be paid to these areas with the guidance of the AGNS team. The AGNS wants to focus on contemporary art, and the jury felt that further development of the design could introduce flexibility and planning to achieve its exhibition goals. Though the back of house requires re-work, the placement of the loading further within the site appropriately prioritizes the urban realm on Lower Water Street.
The design interferes with view plane #6 under the municipal planning bylaws. The jury would recommend that the design be amended to address what is an unnecessary approval challenge for the project.
3. Capacity of the proposed design to achieve the technical and performance targets identified
The design team presented a "living, breathing building." The design excelled in meeting Natural Ventilation, and Indoor Air Quality targets, featuring a demand-controlled and occupant-controlled hybrid ventilation strategy. The design has the capacity for excellent energy efficiency and management of GHG emissions. The sizeable use of wood provides considerable embodied carbon reductions. The design has the capacity for improvement by developing a more thermally resilient building enclosure and developing more comprehensive strategies for enhanced durability and adaptability.
4. Capacity of the proposed design to meet the construction budget, and cost effectiveness of the proposal
The suggested capital cost of the proposal was assessed to be above the identified project construction budget, based on the information provided by the team, and reviewed by the Technical Review Cost Consultant. The jury felt that the project design has the capacity to maintain its fundamental approach, and achieve a beautiful, functional design within the maximum construction budget. The jury saw the design as "over-programmed" and recommends that the team look at ways to work with the owner team to design a more compact building to help with costs, sustainability and operations moving forward.
The jury understands that the construction budget outlined in the brief is an absolute maximum for this project, and recommends that the design team work closely with the Province, and once procured the Construction Manager, to design the project and rethink the program to align to the maximum construction budget. They acknowledge this may take some "re-prioritizing of program, ...belt tightening and maybe eyesight sharpening."
(From jury report)
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