Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool

Replacing the existing public pool at Borden Park in Edmonton, AB, Borden Park Natural Swimming pool is the first chemical-free public outdoor pool in Canada. The project included the creation of a central pool with a 400-swimmer capacity, as well as a single-storey building housing changing rooms and bathrooms, a kiddy pool, and a landscaped area with sandy beaches. ^[10] The filtration process happens in two stages. First, the outflow water is sprayed over a bed of plants that absorb micro organisms, and is then drained through 2.5 metres of granite gravel, filtering out other particles. Next, the water runs into a pond filled with zooplankton, which consume any remaining microorganisms in the water before it is pumped back into the pool^[11]. The building's exterior is made up of gabion basket walls filled with dark Alberta limestone, illustrating a visual connection to the pool as a porous, filter-like façade^[12] while the simple flat roof creates a sense of an open beach. Overall, the project is defined by minimalist detailing which creates seamless connections between the pool, the wood decking, and the beach.^[13] The Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool was awarded the 2014 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence and 2019 RAIC Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture.^[6][14]

Borden Park Pavilion

Borden Park Pavilion | Edmonton AB

Selected by the City of Edmonton after a 2011 design competition^[15], gh3*'s concept for the Borden Park Pavilion sought to reinstate the park as the community destination it has been historically. Recalling the site's history as an amusement park in the early 20th century, as well as its classical layout of curving pathways^[16], gh3* delivered a single-storey cylindrical structure to house the park's amenities. On the exterior, the pavilion is clad with triangular sheets of curtainwall glazing with a highly reflective surface^[17]. Inside, the same triangular configuration is expressed by the building's timber frame. Amenities are confined to the core of the pavilion while a promenade continues all the way around, allowing for a complete view of the park.^[18] The project was awarded the Governor General's Medal in Architecture in 2018.^[18]

Windermere Fire Station #31

Located by the North Saskatchewan River and the Whitemud Creek Ravine, the Windermere Fire Station features a pitched roof, large fire truck doors, and solid load-bearing walls. The City of Edmonton focused on sustainability for this project with a list of requirements for the design.^[19]

• Obtain LEED silver certification
• Require renewable energy equal to 1% of total building energy needs
• 40% better energy efficiency than NECB 2011
• 40% better Green House Gas emissions than the base line using NECB 2011
• 80 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year for heating needs

The Southern face of the pitched roof was cladded with photo voltaic cells for optimal solar energy generation which also finalized the shape of the roof form.^[19] Other elements added included natural light to reduce energy load, a geothermal heating and cooling, and storm water management landscape to maximize the site potential for sustainability. The dark ironspot brick used in the project visually strengthens brings character to the facade. The Windermere Fire Station is an innovative and sustainable architecture that represents the trusted civic presence.^[19] This project was reward the Canadian Architect Award of Excellence in 2018.^[13]

Canadian Museum of Inuit Art | Toronto ON

Trinity College Quadrangle | Toronto ON