Construction has been underway on the PAW project and a time lapse video has been made by the Faculty of Physical Education to document the progress. Check back to see new footage at a future date as well. [ CLOSE ]

Despite the snow and cold weather, construction has been moving ahead on the Meadows Recreation Centre and Library on the northeast corner of 17th Street and 23rd Avenue in Edmonton. You can see finish elements, such as the wood ceilings, emerge as the interior spaces become protected by the expansive roofs. [ CLOSE ]

Using grasshopper + Rhino for unique design under tight cost constraints.

With an original concept of a 'site responsive' aurora borealis, the design grew with a desire to create a unique piece that could serve as a landmark in the concourse of the Edmonton International Airport.

After exploring numerous materials to create the lit panels, we settled on an edge lit, scored acrylic panel. By using a local CNC operator to fabricate the piece, the labor and cost was kept to a minimum, while still allowing a unique piece.

Using a combination of Rhino with Grasshopper also allowed a significant time savings over an all 'manual' approach. Grasshopper is a plugin for Rhino, a 3d modelling software that started as an industrial design tool. It happens to be a fantastic fabrication tool as a result.

In this case, the process is extremely simple – using grasshopper, the cut lines were generated from segmenting an organizing curve into sections of randomized length. Those points were then used as start points for the cut lines - giving them a vector (y) and a randomized start and finish length. This allowed the entire design to be easily parametric; when the height of the panels changed, all the score lines could be adjusted by simply moving the curve to fit the new size.

The file was then transferred to the fabricator (Plastics Plus) who cut the panels and shipped them to have vinyl applied for the cityscape on the bottom (laser cut vinyl).

The fabrication process was an extremely simple application of grasshopper+Rhino, but resulted in a unique and interesting final product, achieved within a reasonable budget.
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The Toronto contingent from Perkins + Will has been in Edmonton recently – remaining involved in the regular reviews of the rapidly expanding structure on the south side of Edmonton. After some early challenges due to significant water presence on site, construction on the Meadows rec centre continues to move swiftly.

The exciting activity recently has been centred on lifting one of the main scuppers into place. Three cranes performed a precise ballet, coordinating to install the giant prefabricated piece and its supporting structure. The scupper, 18,000lbs, and large enough to stand in, will collect and direct all of the water from the green roof over the library.

All of the Glulam beams (laminated wood) are wrapped in white tarpaulin to protect them against damage and weather, but they will eventually be exposed, and will be visible to the interior as a visible expression of the structure.
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