The idea of a pavilion at
rare was first conjured up some years ago. As with many projects of this nature, the project's place and form, and the means that would bring it into being, followed gradually.
The pavilion was substantially designed by two master's seminar classes held at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, led by Andrew Hunter and Farid Noufaily.
I recently chatted about the early pavilion days with Liam, a participant in the first architecture seminar. As I understand, the seminar was exciting, explorative, and an intense effort. The work produced stands as testament; only a fraction is presented here.
The drawings investigate a deep relationship between the building and the landscape: where structure, flora, fauna, seasons, light and wind are embedded and intertwined.
Below is one sample of the many "cyclical plant evolution" studies that were produced to consider the seasonal textures and habitats of the surrounding landscape.
It was also during this seminar that the pavilion's siting was established: on a high point of land that affords an impressive and didactic view over the diverse land uses that sprawl below. This wasn’t the site anticipated originally, but at closer range, the site will also be an excellent place to view wildlife in the restored fields and hedgerows nearby. Care was taken to consult various people and groups – the staff team of rare, the organizations Environmental Advisory Committee, archaeologists, educators, and so on, provided input into the consideration and study which ensured that no habitats, rare plants, or cultural history would be disturbed by the construction process. It also affords incredible additions to the programs run at Springbank. Teachers loved the walking journey students would take up to the pavilion!
A list of seminar participants can be found in the "Pavilion Team" description in the right sidebar.
All seminar images copyright University of Waterloo School of Architecture 2009.
The pavilion was lifted off the ground and storage was incorporated; an impermeable roof was added. Alongside these changes came a formal evolution. The slatted structure and notion of a changing section remained, but the structure was broken into two interweaving elements: a rectilinear frame, and an articulated frame inserted into it like clasped fingers. (Apart from a few small changes, the finished pavilion will look a lot like these perspectives.)
This seminar class also considered details and engineering, and produced preliminary working drawings and a project budget.
You can best understand the pavilion from its cross-section (above). A plan and some details follow.
A list of seminar participants can be found in the "Pavilion Team" description in the right sidebar. All seminar images copyright University of Waterloo School of Architecture 2009.
