Governor General's Medals in Architecture - 2020 Recipient | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

Governor General's Medals in Architecture - 2020 Recipient

The Springdale Library & Komagata Maru Park
Brampton,
ON
Award Category: 
Governor General’s Medals in Architecture

RDH Architects (RDHA)

Lead design architect(s): 

Tyler Sharp, RDH Architects (RDHA)

Occupancy: July 30, 2019
Construction Budget: $16,670,000

The Springdale Library and Komagata Maru Park aspires to create an inclusive gathering place, a progressive architectural expression in the suburbs, and a point of pride for the city. The concept for this project is to establish a new type of suburban landscape through the organically shaped perimeter of the building; the creation of an undulating topography of fluid ceilings and mountainous green roof; and the sectional variation of the ground plane. The new Springdale branch provides Brampton with an emboldened organic presence and a sustainable public resource for the community.

Jury Comment(s): 

“The jury lauded the element of joyful surprise in this suburban library. Outside, visitors can appreciate the thoughtful attention to refined details: the slenderness of the columns, the thinness of the roof. The three courtyards orchestrate strategies for echoing the landscaping inside and capturing different types of experience. Inside offers an unexpected encounter with the oculi, and magical views across the interior. This confident and competent design is not shy about celebrating the suburbs, making a civic contribution the local authorities in Brampton should be proud of.”

Jury members

Click for full version: 
Dusk perspective illustrating the southwest corner of the building at the main intersection adjacent to Bramalea.

PHOTO: Nic Lehoux

Detail view illustrating the shade structure and one of the large scale letters found within the children’s play equipment areas of the park.

PHOTO: Nic Lehoux

Exterior view illustrating the formal relationship between the undulating green roof, parkscape, and interior ceiling geometries.

PHOTO: Nic Lehoux

Exterior view illustrating the contemplative gardens with terraced reflecting pools, the undulating façade and the smooth compound curvature of the extensive green roof.

PHOTO: Nic Lehoux

View illustrating the complex curvature of the soaring central atrium space

PHOTO: Nic Lehoux

Exterior view from above illustrating the fluid composition of organic geometries in both the architecture and the parkscape.

PHOTO: Nic Lehoux