1. DESIGN INTENT
1.1. Design solutions
The design responds to the surrounding landscape by, in effect, burrowing beneath the ground and creating three landscaped mounds to be used as community and recreational gathering spaces. This intervention into the landscape creates and defines new and interesting exterior spaces, to be enjoyed by the park users throughout the year. The main approach to the facility along the path leading up from the North Saskatchewan River, presents a view of raised landscaped mounds that will shelter the users and wildlife, and provide a gateway to the park, much as the river valley cuts through the city and creates unique habitats and microclimates. The exterior courtyard becomes an extension of the interior spaces in the summer, when the glazed facades can open up creating opportunities for passive ventilation through the facility. The Victoria Park pavilion as designed satisfies the Edmonton Design Committee principles by being a sustainable building that is well integrated into both the adjacent neighbourhood and wider city contexts. The building will act as a gathering node for the users of the park, and neighbouring amenities and communities. It will tie into the existing multi use trails and provide a rest stop for cyclists, skiers, pedestrians and joggers. The design of the building creates an interior and exterior community landscape to be experienced and defined by the community in numerous ways.
The form of the building provides an active public face to the trails through the park and helps to define them. In using native vegetation that harbours urban wildlife, and taking advantage of the changes in sun position and prevailing wind direction, the design is responsive to and embraces the differences in seasons.
The unique organic form of the Victoria Park pavilion follows in the tradition of Peter Hemingway Fitness and Leisure Centre in enhancing Edmonton's recreational areas with an innovative forward looking design. The glulam structure provides an efficient structure that will use otherwise left over material to create an interesting form using state of the art production techniques.
1.2. Form
In addition to the dynamic spaces created by the multiple structures, the building arrangement allows for the city funded portion of the project to be completed in the southwest structure, while the remaining two structures can be built at a later date. The form of the building creates a dynamic entrance to the park and once the park user is close to the building, the form frames views around the site. The breaking apart of the building into three distinct functional components allows for a reduction in floor area, a unique exterior space and a greater connection to the outdoors. Using rammed earth and soil to create a very large thermal mass, the design of the building provides for a sustainable, functional and elegant response to the program brief.
1.3. Circulation
Circulation around the facility is centered on the courtyard. The entrances to the three structures are all located there, and it is meant to serve as a community gathering space. Skiers, joggers and cyclists will pass through this space on the way to other trails or use this space as a spot to enjoy the natural environment protected from the elements.
1.4. Public art
Our proposal for the Victoria Park Pavilion would provide space for artwork framed by our pavilion at the entrance to our site. While leaving the final interpretation to the artists submitting proposals for this facility, as this location would be one of the few locations of public art in the river valley to be interacted with by active recreation participants, our intent is for artwork that would critically examine the character of Edmonton's River Valley as one of North America's most unique urban parks.
2. PROJECT FEASIBILITY
2.1. Sustainability
Over and above the minimum requirements for LEED NC 2009, the project will educate the building users. Native planting will be used to enhance biodiversity, and reduce energy and water use from maintenance. The facility will provide space for educational information to enhance the knowledge of urban wildlife and river systems in Edmonton. This project will meet the LEED requirements by addressing the points in ways that are integrated into the overall building concept, as sustainability will be one important element of a fully conceived project. Acknowledging that some credits may not be achievable once the project proceeds, we have designed the building to achieve LEED Silver by gaining credits in each category as follows:
Sustainable Sites
Water Efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials & Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation in Design
Regional Priority
2.2. Building code compliance
The Victoria Park pavilion will comply with the 2006 edition of the Alberta Building Code (ABC). It falls under 3.2.2.28. Group A, Division 2, One Storey and will not require sprinkle ring. The facility will meet all requirements of Part 3.8 of the ABC, as well as the City of Edmonton's checklist for Accessibility & Universal Design in Architecture to ensure that that all potential facility users can have full enjoyment of the facility and the surrounding park.
2.3. Zoning
The Victoria Park pavilion will meet all requirements of the Edmonton Zoning Bylaw within zone A Metropolitan Recreation Zone. There are no variances foreseen with this development. As described in section 1, the building will satisfy the Edmonton Design Committee Principles by creating an innovative design that enhances the local communities and the environment.
2.4. Building systems
The structural system will consist of reinforced rammed earth and concrete walls supporting glue laminated wood beams using wood from pine beetle killed forests. This structure will support a living roof consisting of native grasses. The HVAC system will consist of a geothermal heat pump and in slab heating. A ventilation system including a heat recovery ventilator would be provided. In the summer months, the facility will be able to take advantage of passive ventilation.
2.5. Landscaping
The landscaping will consist of native drought tolerant grasses such as copper wheat and golden foxtail millet. These grasses provide a changing habitat and landscape throughout the year.
(From competitor's text)
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- Presentation Panel
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- Site Plan
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- Axonometric Drawing
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