Future plan of the Calgary Japanese Community Centre – Legacy Project
The community centre’s sculptural form refers to the Japanese concept of ma, or balancing solid and void.
Story behind the Legacy project
The Calgary Japanese Community Association currently resides in two adjacent buildings: an aging four-plex from the 1970s, and a mid-century community centre that has undergone many ad hoc renovations. To optimize the use of its property and reverse its declining membership, the Association’s board set out to create a new contemporary cultural centre and community hub for Japanese immigrants in Calgary.
The Concept
Through their research, the architects learned about the notion of kakehashi, which translates literally as “bridge” or “bridge-building.” They harnessed this concept to develop a widely inclusive program that goes beyond regular cultural, social, and educational functions to also include a daycare and eight affordable senior’s housing units.
A mobius-strip-like roof responds to the sun’s path, and yields a dynamic variety of interior spaces.
The Design
The building’s irregular form and asymmetry invoke the Japanese concepts of wabi-sabi, or appreciating imperfection, and ma, the balancing of solid and void. A discontinuous oval volume holds the diverse programs and surrounds a void space. During the schematic design process, the void developed into a contemporary interpretation of engawa—the traditional threshold between structure and garden. This threshold provides an auxiliary space and access point for the various programs. It also frames a traditional Japanese garden that is carefully relocated from the existing complex into the new courtyard.
The main hall opens on to a traditional garden in the central courtyard.
The massing incorporates passive solar and sustainable design principles. The traveling ridgeline of the structure’s Möbius-strip-like roof responds to Calgary’s sun path, funneling natural light into the courtyard and interior. Generous overhangs control glare and heat gain. Stormwater collected from the roof surface is used for the building’s gray water needs and for garden irrigation.
The entire building will be clad with cedar shingles treated with the Japanese technique of shou-sugi-ban, a charring process that creates natural resistance to weather, fire, rot and insects, avoiding the need for toxic finishes. The project’s overall sustainability is enhanced by the use of local wood and mass timber.
Legacy project updates
Please find the updates on Legacy project from news& update for the latest information.