The new Oak Ridges Community Centre represents an architectural threshold at the crest of a rolling hill. The Centre’s 57,000 square feet house a six-lane swimming pool, leisure pool and slide splash pool, as well as a gymnasium, fitness center, eco center and multipurpose program rooms. Inventive stacking and orientation place the aquatic components on the lower level and the remaining components on the upper part of the hillside. Four entry points are centrally controlled by a readily visible welcome desk, complemented by a public lounge overlooking Lake Wilcox.
The natural setting inspired the design team to draw upon memories of lodges, cabins and cottages. Wood construction with stone walls and wood paneling set the tone. Crisp white panels, floating white ceilings and bright green tiles counter the natural palette.
The building integrates with the landscape through a series of linear terraces running in a north-south direction that descend from the site entry toward the shores of the lake. Key beams follow the lines of the terraces, while timber purlins and wood decking cantilever beyond the building envelope to create sun shading. The signature feature is a generous westerly facing deck under a sloping wood-framed green roof canopy.
Judge's Comments
Wonderful inside-outside relationships. Scale, materials and siting are all terrific.
— David Bock
This project really takes advantage of its site and enhances the park setting. The primary building section really drives a creative and simple massing solution.
— Mark Hentze
Oak Ridge's site relationship and the way it is nestled into the hill gives the building such a thoughtful presence in the landscape.
— Lindsey Peckinpaugh
