The approach to the Victoria Park pavilion centres around creating a year round destination for Edmontonians that serves ail recreation activities that occur on the site. Minimizing the environmental impact of the building is integrated into each step of the design. The vision for the building is framed in the context of the existing pavilion structures that not only continue to be used on a daily basis, but contribute to the list of outstanding architectural projects in Edmonton.
Victoria Park serves a wide range of activities throughout all seasons of the year. The first design mandate was to ensure that the pavilion responded to all uses that currently occur in the park. It also needs to be flexible enough to allow for new activities as the building continues to be used in the decades to come. Next, the building must have a strong visual presence, the existing structures are hidden from the parking lot to the south and an opportunity to pull passer-bys is missed. The new building needs to shine through the trees to river valley road and the multi-use trail to not only drawn in new people, but to act as a reminder of one of the many public park destinations within Edmonton. This should also occur from the top of the north bank of the river valley, looking south where the roof of the pavilion will be visible. Third, the pavilion must have simple layout that opens into the park and fosters integration between the various users. Although there are some private spaces within the building, there should still be views and circulation opportunities that allow people to meet and mingle. Fourth, the pavilion will serve Edmonton for decades and must be constructed from durable materials and systems. As this is a public institution, these components need to push the boundaries of sustainability to promote such environ mental conscious buildings throughout ail of Edmonton.
RATIONALE
The rationale behind ail the design decisions was one of simplicity. This building must have an uncomplicated floor plan, built from plain materials, function trouble-free and have an unpretentious atmosphere that allows connections to the park.
The main building elements are two rammed earth walls and a curved roof. These two features established the rhythm of the building and its functional patterns. The rammed earth walls establish a west - east circulation that connections both main entrances to the building. By moving through the earthen walls all the programmatic components are found. The south facing components are reserved for larger, more public spaces and the north facing rooms fulfill the service spaces. The roof is split east to west creating an elevation change that is resolved with south facing clerestory glazing to provide sunlight in the building throughout the day. This solar energy is absorbed in the rammed earth walls to be released in cooler times. In hotter months, operable clerestory windows will allow hot air to escape through stack effect. The high R-value metal clad roof with serve the building for decades and help minimize the energy requirements for the HVAC equipment. These durable building elements ensure the pavilion will serve Edmonton for years to come.
The south facing glazing will be the key consideration in creating a visual presence from River Valley road and the multi-use trail to the south. With the high use during evenings and winter months where sunlight is sparse, the building will shine through the trees and help draw people into the park. When the sun is shining, the larger form of the building, in particular the 5 metre high rammed-earth wall framed by the clerestory glazing and roof, will stand out from the green environment created by the evergreens. From the top of the river valley the copper coloured metal roof panels will be a strong visual cue of the pavilion.
The layout of the pavilion was formed to open out into the entire park. The main entrance connects to the existing foot path, the skate-change area has a direct connection to the ice rink, the learning centre opens out to the east clearing and the east entrance serves cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and summer activities. A solid pre-cast wall on the north of the building was designed without much fenestration to maintain a sustainable structure, but insulating the north face and providing a barrier to the predominantly north-western winds. Service to the building will be met through the east entrance where service vehicles can park outside on a gravel road from the service parking lot to the north. Benches around the structure have been placed to further assist with integration into the entire park.
In addition to the above mentioned sustainable systems and design approaches; some of the other sustainable features include: locally produced glulam beams, concrete floor to act as a solar collector, solar collector tubing to pre-heat water, use of the existing trees to shade the higher summer sun, roof overhangs that provide shade during the summer months.
PUBLIC ART
Public art will be integrated into the project by celebrating the rammed-earth walls. An artist will design formwork to create a series of relief patterns that will carry through on the south face of the north rammed-earth wall. As light falls on this wall through the above clerestory glazing the wall will take on a dynamic element.
SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
Many EDC guidelines were addressed in this project. For example, this project has sustainability as an integral component, it celebrates Edmonton as a winter city, it uses durable, permanent materials, the use of rammed-earth is innovative and it contributes to the quality of Victoria Park.
Technically the building is designed to operate with minimal HVAC requirements. This is accomplished through passive heating and ventilation, solar collectors to pre heat water offsetting the tankless hot water demand, amply natural sunlight reducing the energy for artificial light and an efficient formed building envelope that will both withstand north-westerly winds and retain heat captured within the pavilion. The materials chosen: rammed earth, concrete and wood are ail durable materials that will provide minimal maintenance and allow simple cleaning techniques.
COSTS
The designed area of the pavilion is approximately 700 m2, which assuming a budget of 2.31 million dollars results in a square metre value of $3300 per m2 (306 per ff2). Using a convention al metal panel roof system will provide years of use with a reasonable price. The rammed-earth walls are also affordable when compared to other materials such as concrete. Glazing will be an important factor for cost as the pavilion uses it for east, south and west facades to increase visibility, light penetration and solar gain into the building. The glulam structure is another expansive element, but it is offset by being a locally fabricated system that comes from a renewable material.
THE LIVING PAVILION
Iconic imagery
Wooden snow side and cross country skies, classic speed skates refer to the traditions of winter sport to be staged from this pavilion.
Slatted wood cladding inspired by this tradition.
The form of the volume over the entry is that of the curvature of a ski tip or toboggan. It elegantly takes a turn just as the skater speeds into their turn. Velodrome/ track shape is a space where the community gathers ta share in the social interaction involved in sport. It is a space where the social interaction of teaching occurs in the space above.
Panoramic sightlines Solar panels as shades and learning devices.
Learning about the pavilion occurs behind solar collectors arranged as sun shades From the high summer sun, allowing the warm winter sun into the space while viewing a race.
Economy of means.
Material palette of recycles wood offcuts for slatted cladding, Iowa thermal glass, recycled glass clerestory shades for daylighting, concrete as heat sink and recycled metal fascia.
Economy of site usage.
- Use the gently higher ground ta rest the 'team' wing.
- Main central gathering space positioned to allow best panoramic view of the ice track.
- 'Public amenities' wing directly connected ta allow convenience to parking, walk-in traffic.
- ESSA wing allows undisturbed outdoor link ta skate change area, maintains panoramic viewing from upper gallery/teaching space.
- Landscape consists of streamlined concrete retaining walls embedded with building rubble from local demolitions, sidewalks and roads
- Plaza at front entry acts as amphitheatre with pavilion as the backdrop. The public art inclusions and will recall the tradition of the alpine towns where winter athletes gather.
- Informal plaza on trackside acts as staging area for skaters, skiers, and bikers.
Economy of means.
Material palette of recycles wood offcuts for slatted cladding. low-e thermal glass, recycled glass clerestory shades for daylighting, concrete as heat sink and recycled metal fascia.
Ramp and stair.
Access ta the upper teaching room is gained via the open riser stair or the ramp. The ramp allows full handicapped accessibility to all spaces and serves the bike and ski storage/waxing rooms. It has the potential ta become the preferred pathway ta the upper floor for its passage through the workings between the 'Team' and ESSA programmed elements.
Zamboni on display.
It is the machinery that makes the quality ice that every aspiring skater deserves. The Zamboni is housed gathering/skate changing space. Another learning opportunity that makes this a living pavilion.
(Competitor's text)
11 scanned / 10 viewable
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Perspective
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- Perspective
- Site Plan
- Plan
- Section
- Elevation
- Axonometric Drawing
