2021 / Edmonton, AB

This year-round public washroom is a gender neutral facility for park users. The washroom is located toward the west end of Laurier Park along the north edge, situated along an existing paved path that connects vehicle parking areas for the park and Valley Zoo. An open recreational field is located to the south of the washroom. Toilet stalls and service spaces line one side, with a freestanding vanity on the opposite side. The public circulation area has a large transparent enclosure to harvest daylight and provide a sense of security with open lines of sight to the exterior.

Exterior materials consist of dark anodized aluminum windows, prefinished corrugated siding and cladding with a wood expression. The corrugated siding defines the “l” shaped back and roof form, with smaller areas of the wood are oriented to the north and south park areas. The canopy has wood soffits that extend to the interior ceiling, with recessed down lights at both exterior and interior areas. Interior finishes consist of steel troweled sealed concrete floors, clear sealed concrete block partitions, stainless steel toilet partitions and vanity. Plumbing fixtures and washroom accessories are stainless steel. Materials are selected both to allow the natural appearance of the materials to be expressed and to provide a sense of permanence, lending validity to the gender neutral functional program.

2019 / Edmonton, AB

A front entrance lobby addition and related exterior renovations provided a needed update to the existing post-modern façade dating from the 1980s. The mass of the lobby addition, along with its extended forms, effectively hides the disparate sloped roof forms of the facility behind, and unifies its front with a composition of stucco, wood, and aluminum window areas.

Canopy protection is also provided at the entrance, along with illuminated signage identifying the building function from the vehicle access road. To deter access to its rooftop mechanical equipment, perimeter fencing was erected at the top of the sloped roof around the flat roof area.

Addition + Renovation
2008 / Edmonton, AB

The 45-year-old branch library was completely renovated and enlarged with addition of a new Program room. The renovations updated functionality to accommodate current trends for media display, automated collection/sorting and new public/staff washrooms.

A variety of spaces are provided to meet needs of different user groups, including a children’s area with caban de sucre to acknowledge the French heritage of many users in the surrounding community. A central kiosk facilitates visual monitoring and public access for information. 

Administrative rooms were relocated from the basement, and enlarged barrier-free washrooms provide needed improvements for staff and visitors. New entrance trellis and signage along with expanded exterior glazing where the word “library” is sandblasted in several languages, invite passers-by while expressing the nature of activities contained.

Addition + Renovation
2003 / Edmonton, AB

Work to the original 45-year old building involved a renovation to re-organize and modernize the interior, provide a welcoming barrier-free entrance, and an addition to provide multi-use program area.

The project maximizes usable space on the site and retains existing building elements in good condition as a cost-saving measure. Functions are organized around the circulation system, which invites users from the street with a curved semi-transparent wall, past the central media check that radiates outward to the book stacks and reading areas, and to the program room at the back. The functional program, design approach, and selection of building components were informed by the multi-cultural and youthful user demographic as well as the inner-city context.

The addition respects and integrates with the original modernist vocabulary in terms of expression, utilizing salvaged bricks and new aluminum curtain wall windows and spandrel panels. A spruce tree motif was designed into the front entrance ramp guard rail, providing a colourful sense of movement unique to this library branch.

1992 / Elk Point, AB

Located on the bank of the North Saskatchewan River on the original fur trading site, the building acts as the entry point to the archaeological remains / future re-created fort, and houses interpretive displays, gift shop, administration, and public washrooms.

Public spaces open onto a panoramic vista of the river valley. Materials and colours on the exterior and interior complement the natural environment and indoor displays, while respecting the need for long-term durability and low-maintenance.

1992 / Elk Island National Park, AB

The facility provides support for recreational activities in the park during fair-weather months. Features of the facility include large ground and clerestory level windows to bring views and natural light to the public area, a large covered outdoor seating area, and sliding barn-door panels to cover windows when the building is closed.

Consistent with its natural park setting, exterior materials consist of stained cedar siding roof shingles, doors and windows.

1983 / Elk Island National Park, AB

The year-round facility includes a 175 seat multi-use theatre, indoor-outdoor observation gallery, lobby / exhibit area, public washrooms, and basement storage and workshop space.

The plan welcomes visitors through a low-key entrance defined by splayed concrete retaining wall, leading through a skylit display lobby, into the circular tiered theatre, and exits onto the trellised observation area. The sloped roof, extended walls and natural materials serve to integrate with and complement the natural setting along Astotin Lake.