A BUILDING THAT ORGANIZES THE SITE
The strong linear form of the building, and the extension of its primary axis by a path and future shelters/viewing platforms, creates an armature for broader spatial organization within the park. Inspired by the pattern of a Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) blanket, the east-west datum acts as a staging and orientation zone for the diverse users who occupy the site. The iconography of the design evokes Edmonton's historic trading post roots in its coloured bands, with green and red bands denoting entry points into the building, while yellow and black bands denote future shelters/viewing platforms. Taken as a whole, the pattern helps give structure and a strong graphic identity to the park.
A BUILDING THAT IS MODULAR AND FLEXIBLE
The building is organized into a punctuated horizontal bar. The CDRS and NEMFA storage components are housed in the east module of the building. These storage areas are accessed through a bright green entry niche; this coloured band creates a portal through the building, uniting the open spaces to the north and south while creating sheltered access to stored equipment. Further to the west, a second portal offers entry to the remaining program spaces: this vibrant red portal is glazed, allowing views through the building while providing enclosed circulation space for the washrooms, office and maintenance areas of Phase 1, as well as the user-funded programs of Phase 2. By arranging program components into modules around shared portals, the design allows for flexible access, phasing and growth.
A BUILDING THAT AMPLIFIES THE ENERGY OF THE PARK
The building is clad in a composite stainless steel cladding system. The skin's reflective facets mirror the surrounding park, its users, and the changing conditions of the days and seasons. Public washrooms, often bereft of natural light, are glazed with one-way mirrored glass, allowing for both abundant daylight and privacy. Building materials are selected for their dura-bility as well as their appearance: concrete floors will have a retro plate finish, public partitions will be constructed in painted concrete block, and the cladding will be impact- and vandal-proof.
A LANDSCAPE THAT ORDERS AND UNIFIES
The path along the north side of the building extends across the breadth of the park. The path is interspersed by the coloured bands of the iconic HBC blanket at each entry point to the building as well as at the locations of future shelters/viewing platforms to its west. Indigenous trees are planted alongside the path to further delineate its presence, and to offer respite from the sun and channel cooling breezes on summer days. Similarly, public art installations will be concentrated 0within the spine, and should have an interactive or dy¬namic component that echoes the energetic activities of the park.
A BUILDING THAT TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY
The building uses both passive and active strategies to address the challenge of sustainable design. Multiple skylights ensure uninter¬rupted daylight in winter months and rain harvesting capabilities address stormwater requirements. Features such as roof-mounted solar panels, and an on-site biofilter system for reusing grey water help reduce the building's resource demands. Materials like post-industrial recycled stainless steel and fly-ash concrete help ensure the building's environmental footprint is further decreased.
(From competitor's text)
The presentation of this submission was very appealing. The solution is quite simple and it can be implemented incrementally. This proposal is pure function. The building will be a colourful landmark in the open fields of this district park. There is an "impossible thinness" to the horizontal roofline, so very careful attention must be paid to the detailing and the selection of materials. The jury wondered about the lack of shelter that is offered by this submission, given the volatile summer weather in Edmonton. Perhaps this can be addressed in the next stage of design.
(From jury report)
25 scanned / 10 viewable
- Presentation Panel
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- Perspective
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