Vivo for Healthier Generations Calgary, ALB.

Project Description:

Northeast Calgary is growing quickly, and with growth comes a new demand for family recreation spaces. Vivo’s original facility was built to serve 80,000, but upon completion, was already at capacity. Granted new funding by all three levels of government and the community, Vivo partnered with artchitects on expansion plans.

Vivo means “live” in Latin, and the architectural language of the expansion challenges the notion of a traditional recreation center. The indoor park, market plaza, community garden, hub, youth areas, community courtyard and preschool connect with different audiences. Pivotal moments of experience highlight Alberta’s assets, such as the prairie blue sky, the snowy winter climate and the natural light. And because this facility was designed during the COVID-19 pandemic, air circulation can be compartmentalized, and spaces are flexible and convertible.

The most innovative aspect is the indoor park — a literal moving indoors of all physical and social activities one would participate in outdoors. The social program drove the park planning requirements (instead of the reverse, which is more typical), resulting in a sport underlay.

This space is the heart of the architectural response. The expression of curved, floor-to-ceiling glass stands in contrast to the existing enclosed structured boxes to create a unique interplay of elements and activity. A biophilic approach was taken to enhance the wellbeing of the community, and this space is all about “spontaneous play.”