Situated in the middle of a greenfield site in a suburban park, the opportunities for design inspiration for this pavilion were remarkably rich and diverse, perhaps even more surprising in light of the utilitarian requirements of the functional programme.
In response to the storage needs of several community groups as well as for the provision of public washrooms and City of Edmonton service and maintenance space, the pavilion consists of four sheds, connected in series. The shed form, iconic and deeply rooted in the built vernacular of rural Alberta, was historically favoured for its economy, durability and constructability - traits readily transferable to an urban park site. The human scale of the massing and regularity of the spacing between the proposed sheds reflects the development pattern of the suburban neighbourhood around the site, and anticipates additional phased construction of similar modules in the future.
The red and grey colour scheme of the building is not unlike that of the adjacent recreational facilities, however in the pavilion the red is used to identify the public City of Edmonton facility, whereas the grey sheds support the storage needs of independent community organizations. This strategy is strengthened through the use of coloured concrete pavers which create a "connect-the dots" path from the parking lot and playing fields to the building itself.
Given the primarily utilitarian purpose of the building, the identification of opportunities for useful and inviting outdoor spaces was carefully considered. Defined by the connection between two sheds, a courtyard was created as a conveniently located meeting place for visitors and a venue for small group functions. Bike parking is provided for patrons, and community gardens situated at each end of the development offer further possibilities for public use, including educational opportunities for nearby daycare children to learn about nature and participate in composting and urban gardening programs.
Further eco-educational tools are inherent in the design of the pavilion. A simple metal skin, steel structure and concrete base efficiently utilize a simple material palette to create a durable and highly recyclable building shell. Sloped roof surfaces collect water and direct it to underground storage for later washroom and irrigation use, while flat green roof areas and living walls replace some of the vegetative ground cover displaced by the building footprint. Additionally, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels will meet the electrical needs of the facility and are supported by clerestory and window glazing to maximize natural light in occupied spaces.
(From competitor's text)
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