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Architecture for culture, research, sport or leisure | Building | Discovery Center

competition

Children's Discovery Center City of Winnipeg Assiniboine Zoo

Stage 1

Smith Carter Architects and Engineers (Winner)

Smith Carter Architects and Engineers (Second Prize)

Architectural Group (Third Prize)

Stechesen Katz Architects (Honourable mention)

L. M. Architectural Group (Honourable mention)

G. B. R. Associates Architectes Engineers (Honourable mention)

J. R. D. Turner

Louie Plotkin + David J Kressack

Ozdemir Erginsav

Giovanni Geremia + Robert W. Martin

R. John Weselake + Headingiy + Smith Carter

Michael Bacon + E. J. Faraci & Associates

M. M. P. Architects

Catherine Green + Bill Williams + Bilyk Technologies + Dan Wolfrom & Associates

Andrew Wach

Courtnage & Company

John M. Venables

Boyle F. Schaeffer

winner

Smith Carter Architects and Engineers

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE COMPETITION

Year	1986
Location	2595 Roblin Blvd Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Stage	One stage
Competitors	18

Surface area (m²)	743 m²
Initial project cost	1,000,000 $
Price by stage	The winner receives $12,500, second place $6,000 and third place $4,000

Professional advisor	A. W. (Fred) Trimble
Doc. level	50%

Description

The objective of the program is to design and erect a year round support facility including the provision of interesting and exciting animal exhibits and displays with allowance for complementary graphic materials for the ongoing educational program in the Zoo, which will foster interest in the Zoo, (especially children) and become an appealing place of visit for residents of the city and visitors alike. The development of character of the facility is proposed to illustrate the growing awareness in society of the existence in nature of" an integrated set of relationships as well as between humans and nature. The introduction of the proposed structure is to be supportive and demonstrative of the ongoing vitality and significance of the Winnipeg Zoo, by promoting increased appreciation or awareness of the interaction of humanity with nature and their integration and interdependence.

The building design shall provide for it progressive flow of visitor travel through series of displays, exhibits and associated graphics. This travel pattern is to commence with an orientation center immediately adjacent to the entrance. The travel is then to be directed through a series of habitat the displays· water, forest floor, grass]and, cave, air, utilization by humans and domestication, thence to exit. The domestication unit is also considered to include a farm segment, which shall have an outdoor element during summer months.

The design of the exhibits is intended to promote visitor involvement, and will involve live animal enclosures, static displays, hands "on demonstrations and suitable graphics to supplement or explain the significance of the zone or specifies display/exhibit . Common sense, visitor safety, animal welfare, are basic criteria for design of display or exhibit components.

Of the Vitruvian design attributes, -FIRMNESS, COMMODITY, DELIGHT-delight is the instance design quality touchstone. Structural Integrity and sufficiency satisfies firmness, and accommodation of function is a sufficiency of commodity. The nature of the site and the quality of the surrounding naturel and built park element will dictate ta the sensitivity of the designer the architectural criteria for the project. The facility must attract interest. inform. and inspire people of all ages - particularly children and their family group. While the design is required to appeal to the sensory (touch. sight, sound, smell ) perceptions of the visitor and in particular children, this does not impute that "cute" caricature or nursery rhyme themes are design considerations. Cliches and stylistic solutions must instead be waived in favor of honestly and authenticity of solution reflecting an holistic attitude providing meaningful experience for the visitor with sympathetic maintenance of the dignity of the animals the exhibits.

(Competition brief excerpt)

Jury comments

The Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg, The Zoological Society of Manitoba and The City of Winnipeg and i ts employees are to be congratulated on their decision to hold an architectural competition for the new Children's Zoo in Assiniboine Park.

The entries are extremely high in quality which in my opinion amply justified the faith of the sponsors and should encourage even more architectural competitions in the future. In this regard the Manitoba Association of Architects should also be commended for their encouragement and guidance in making the process successful. Competitions are important for many human activities and particularly architecture because they help both professionals and the public they serve to achieve excellence in a profoundly important part of community life.

My best wishes for the successful completion of the winning project.

Peter Hemingway

(Excerpt from the jury's comments)

List of Competitors

Competition staff and jury

Jury	Gustavo da Roza, Architecte
	Gerry Goodman,
	Peter Hemingway, Architecte
	Fred Pritchard, Architecte
	Clive Roots, Directeur de zoo

Calendar

Invitation: November 28 1986
Close of Registration: December 16, 4:30p.m.
End of Question Period: January 5 1987 5:00 p.m 1987
Distribution of Answers: January 9
Competition Ends: February 2, 12 noon
Pre jury Review: February 3/4
Jury Review: February 5/6
Jury Announcement: February 7

(Competition brief excerpt)

Press Review

Spector, David, Assiniboine Park : designing and developing a people's playground, 2019

List of general documents

(not accessible)

Programme
Rapport du jury (global)

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