One pavilion I found myself liking a fair bit is the
CentrePlace Manitoba located in downtown "live site".
It is a prefabricated structure by
Cibinel Architects. Besides the obvious effort to make it look like a considered piece of architecture but being a little rough around the edges, it had both a strong overall concept and some fun detailing. Although it is built with budget materials, it makes a tonne of impact - and it does not do so at the expense of pavilion's exhibition content.
Certain elements are worth pointing out in case the pictures are not easy to read:
- solid wood benches in the front creating a much needed rest/waiting area that doubles as a ramp
- tall pivot door that seemed to make the pavilion quite open to the outside
- the rotating projections on the translucent wall worked wall with its curve
- translucent walls were a great choice - the lighting was great
- reclaimed wood and recyclable translucent panels
Another notable fact - it cost $2.3 million. While that seems like a fair bit, compare it to others - Saskatchewan's 4.1 million(a sphere and a tent), Aboriginal Pavilion's six million(a sphere and a building), Canada's $10.4 million (neither tent nor building - something in between). Of course, just a part of cost of each went towards the buildings that house the content. It is certainly interesting to see who chooses to let architecture play a role in the representation of their province/region/culture/etc. and how large a role that is.
And to continue the train of thought from the previous pavilion - this one embodies the typology of "pavilion" quite well. Simple, special, light, prefabricate/temporary, etc.
Some pictures:
The back room is has an exhibit on the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Here is the model:
These are rendering and construction photos - all via
Cibinel Architects website:
In the evening the pavilion comes fairly close to the rendering.
Overall, great job of a pavilion - kudos to letting architecture be part of your exhibit both outside and inside!
Of all pavilions my favorite was Ontario House, located at Concord Place. Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects of Toronto, this $4.65 million (design and construction only) building was by far the most inspired and striking. Its signature was the open air enclosure created with 42 km of cut white and blue rope chosen to evoke Niagara Falls. To hear one of the designers speak about the design, check out this link here. Apparently, kids loved the ropes!
The inner enclosed portion of the pavilion was functional, although had great content otherwise - technology, food, music, etc.
