The Leaf At Assiniboine Park
THE LEAF AT ASSINIBOINE PARK
Architecture49, Kpmb Architects
ARCHITECTS
Architecture49, Kpmb Architects
DESIGN TEAM
Mitchell Hall, Glenn Macmullin
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Htfc Planning & Design
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Bird Construction
ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > ACOUSTIC
Aercoustics Engineering Ltd
MANUFACTURERS
Mulvey & Banani Lighting Inc.
ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > CIVIL
Kgs Group
ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > ELECTRICAL
Sms Engineering
ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > MECHANICAL
Integral Group
ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > STRUCTURAL
Blackwell
ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > OTHER
Transsolar, Vector Foiltec, Soberman Engineering, Lri Engineering, Mulvey & Banani International, Lord Cultural Resources, Dew, Altus
PHOTOGRAPHS
Ema Peter Photography, Tom Arban, Richard Seck
AREA
84400 ft²
YEAR
2022
LOCATION
Winnipeg, Canada
CATEGORY
Landscape Architecture, Cultural Architecture
English description provided by the architects.
A Horticultural Sanctuary for the 21st Century - Guided by the ambition to celebrate Canada's cultural diversity, The Leaf is a new botanical sanctuary located in Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park.
LEED Gold Certified, the conservatory will capture the imaginations of new generations while promoting a greater understanding and love for the botanical world. The Leaf will play a critical role in shaping how communities perceive, interact with, and understand nature and sustainability.
KPMB's design stems from nature and the Fibonacci sequence, specifically nautilus shells and sunflowers.
The organic form of the conservatory echoes the simplicity and complexity of the many plant species that will be housed within. The array of flora and fauna symbolizes the rich medley of cultures that exist within Canada.
Glass windows provide expansive views in and out, and welcome locals and international visitors to explore the space and reflect on the beauty and wonder of the natural ecosystem.
The roof unfurls around the conservatory with the grace and elegance of a blossoming flower. Unique in form, the roof also contributes to sustainability goals through the use of Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene (or ETFE), a low-weight material high in translucency.
ETFE is an ideal choice of material for a botanical garden housing plant species that require sunlight. The new exterior gardens and landscaping will complement the interior design elements, connect the building to the outdoors, and provide opportunities for social and community interaction.
THE LEAF
Canada's Diversity Gardens will be a crown jewel attraction of Assiniboine Park.
It will be a signature piece of architecture that generates awareness and a presence in the park, an interactive destination that focuses on the interrelationships of plants and people, and a sustainable precedent focusing on horticulture, plants, and the environment.
The welcoming design will spark curiosity and encourage visitors to discover nature in the surrounding 400 acres of parkland.
