Completed in 2011, the 1,000 square meter facility was constructed in a natural clearing on the edge of the forest to mitigate cutting down trees, while those trees that were felled were used for the interior floors. The soffits were constructed with diseased elm trees salvaged locally and the vegetated roof features only indigenous species.
The zinc fascia will patina to a soft grey while the building’s weathered steel cladding will also change as time wears on. There’s a double-sided limestone fireplace inside, a kind of central rendevouz spot for the center, along with a restaurant, multi-purpose room and a children’s activity room. All of these were very specifically designed to inspire visitors to take stock of their magnificent urban park!
Number TEN Architectural is deeply committed to building contemporary but sustainable buildings that harmonize with nature, and the Qualico Family Center in Winnipeg does just that. A renovation of a century-old building, the new center offers visitors to one of the city’s most cherished parks a range of facilities that they didn’t previous have. It is topped with a green roof planted with local grasses, so that it becomes an elevated extension of the surrounding forest.
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This beautiful new 1,000 square foot Qualico Family Center lies at the end of the forest in the Assinioboine Park of Winnipeg
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The center replaces a century-old space that had none of the requisite facilities for a decent visitor center
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The center was placed in a natural clearing to mitigate tree-felling
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Those trees that were felled was used for the interior flooring
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There’s a central double-sided fireplace made of limestone sourced locally
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The children’s activity center is a beautiful, brightly lit space
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The soffits were constructed using salvaged diseased elm trees
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The whole project is designed to weather over time
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