gh3*
gh3* is a Toronto-based architecture and planning firm founded in 2005 by Pat Hanson. The firm has designed and completed a number of projects including public parks, landscapes, residential housing, commercial buildings, and infrastructure in Canada.
gh3* | |
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Practice information | |
Key architects | Pat Hanson (Founding Partner and Principal) Raymond Chow (Principal) |
Founded | 2006 |
Location | Toronto ON. Canada |
Significant works and honors | |
Projects | Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool Borden Park Pavilion |
History
Principal architect Pat Hanson is a founding partner of gh3*. She serves on the Toronto Waterfront Design Review Panel, and also lectures on her firm's past projects at the University of Toronto and University of Waterloo.[1]
gh3* is known for its minimalist aesthetic and public space designs that strive to incorporate architecture, landscape, and urbanism.[2] The firm also works to highlight sustainability.[3]
In 2020, gh3* was chosen by Fast Company for their Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool project.[4][5] The same project received the RAIC Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture, and City of Edmonton Urban Design Award of Excellence in 2019.[6][7] Other significant projects include Borden Park Pavilion, which received the 2018 Governor General's Medal in Architecture, and Windermere Fire Station #31 that received the Canadian Architect Award of Excellence in 2019.[8][9]
Notable projects
Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool
Located within the Borden Park, Edmonton AB, it was the first chemical-free public outdoor pool built in Canada. It replaced an existing pool with a new 400 swimmer capacity venue during the summer season. To fit to Canadian guidelines for public pools, the filtration system was divided into two systems; a biological-mechanical system with wetland and gravel filter, and a situ system where zooplankton were used.[10] The technical demands of the filtration system drove this project's concept towards a material oriented concept and the gabion basket stone walls visually connect with the filtration systems. The limestone used within the gabion basket stone walls are locally sourced and define the steel cage, illustrating a visual connection as porous, filter-like façade. The simple flat roof enhances the openness of the pool parameters and create a sense of an open beach. This project embraces planar landscape that is defined by minimalist detailing which creates seamless connection between the pool, the wood decking, and the beach.[10] The Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool was rewarded the 2014 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence and 2019 RAIC Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture.[6][11]
Borden Park Pavilion
![Borden Park Pavilion](../I/Borden_Park_Pavilion.jpg.webp)
Borden Park Pavilion, awarded by the City of Edmonton, offers an homage to an early 20th century amusement park.
"Play" was the key concept of the project and the pavilion's form echoes the concept with toy drums and merry-go-rounds. By utilizing seamlessly integrated curtain wall façade, the pavilion consists of a floor to ceiling opening that allows for a panoramic view from the interior.[12] It also blurs the boundaries of interior and exterior whilst capturing the dynamic seasonal changes all year long. Amenities are confined to the core of the pavilion and the promenade continues all the way around, which allows for a complete view of the park.[12] The Borden Park Pavilion was designed to revive the liveliness of the park as a Sunday attraction and provide a public space for community engagement and play. This project was rewarded the Governor General's Medal in Architecture in 2018.[12]
Windermere Fire Station #31
Located by the North Saskatchewan River and the Whitemud Creek Ravine, the Windermere Fire Station features a pitched roof, large fire truck doors, and solid load-bearing walls. The City of Edmonton focused on sustainability for this project with a list of requirements for the design.[13]
- Obtain LEED silver certification
- Require renewable energy equal to 1% of total building energy needs
- 40% better energy efficiency than NECB 2011
- 40% better Green House Gas emissions than the base line using NECB 2011
- 80 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year for heating needs
The Southern face of the pitched roof was cladded with photo voltaic cells for optimal solar energy generation which also finalized the shape of the roof form.[13] Other elements added included natural light to reduce energy load, a geothermal heating and cooling, and storm water management landscape to maximize the site potential for sustainability. The dark ironspot brick used in the project visually strengthens brings character to the facade. The Windermere Fire Station is an innovative and sustainable architecture that represents the trusted civic presence.[13] This project was reward the Canadian Architect Award of Excellence in 2018.[10]
![Canadian Museum of Inuit Art](../I/Inuit30.jpg.webp)
![Trinity College Quadrangle](../I/Trinity_college_toronto_quad.jpg.webp)
Awards and honors
gh3* has been awarded four Governor General's Medal in Architecture, six Canadian Architect Award of Excellence and Merit, 4 OAA Awards, and an honorable mention. Hanson was honorably mentioned by ArcVision Prize for Women in Architecture in 2016[14] and the firm was selected as World's Most Innovative Companies of 2020 in Architecture by Fast Company.[15]
External links
References
- "gh3* — Firm Profile". gh3*. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
- "Interview: Pat Hanson". Canadian Architect. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- "Winners". Canadian Architect. 59 (12): 14–17. December 2014.
- "Governor General's Medal Winner: Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool". Canadian Architect. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- "The world's most innovative companies of 2020 in architecture". Fast Company. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- "RAIC Awards of Excellence 2019 Recipient". raic.org. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- Edmonton, City of (24 March 2020). "2019 Urban Design Awards Winners". www.edmonton.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- "RAIC Governor General's Medals in Architecture 2018 Recipient". raic.org. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- "Windermere Fire Station 31". Canadian Architect. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- "Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool". Canadian Architect. 64 (10): 20–21. October 2019.
- "Borden Park Natural Swimming Experience". Canadian Architect. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- "Borden Park Pavilion". Canadian Architect. 63 (5): 60–62. May 2018.
- "Windermere Fire Station 31". Canadian Architect. 63 (12): 18–20. December 2018.
- "Pat Hanson - gh3*". Spreaker. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- "gh3* — Awards". gh3*. Retrieved 6 April 2020.