The Building Renews the Memory and Heritage of Borden Park Pavilion

The building renews the memory and heritage of Borden Park by reﬂecting its roots in the traditional English landscape park, and its history as a primary cultural and recreational destination with the city. This project played a role in the Revitalization Plan of this 20 hectare park, whose intention is to ensure the continuation of Borden Park’s legacy in the City.

Referencing the historic carousel that once stood in the park, the design of the new pavilion and landscape builds on the historic uses and vernaculars of Borden Park while imbuing it with a distinctive contemporary presence, connecting the vital history of the neighbourhood with a progressive and community-centred vision of its present and future. It provides a new and memorable gathering space in Borden Park, encouraging community activities that will strengthen the social fabric and identity of the neighbourhood.

Borden Park’s pedestrian design comprises axial and curving paths that merge into circuses at key points in the park. The circular geometry of the pavilion ampliﬁes this pattern while also engaging in a formal relationship with park buildings from the past and the present, like the bandshell and carousel. The highly transparent structure of the building allows users to intimately experience the park at all times of day and seasons, encouraging greater year-round use of the park and, by increasing visibility and informal surveillance, enhancing security and social connection in the park. From the outside, the pavilion is clad with triangulated, highly reﬂective glass panels, effectively dissolving into its surroundings.

Project Information

Owner: City of Edmonton

Architect: gh3 Architecture

Landscape Architect: gh3 Architecture

Project Location: Borden Park, 7715 Borden Park Road