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AUGUST 2018 | 81 Aurora Project – TELUS World of Science – Edmonton RENDERINGS COURTESY TELUS WORLD OF SCIENCE – EDMONTON Aurora Project – TELUS World of Science – Edmonton by SUSAN PEDERSON W hen TELUS World of Science Edmonton's (TWOSE) new plan- etarium (the Zeidler Dome) opened on August 3, it became a world leader in planetariums. This seems only appropriate, since the origi- nal incarnation at this location was Canada's first public planetarium, orig- inally opened in 1960. Connecting scientific research with computerization and 10k resolution, the new theatre (complete with a brand new overhead screen) brings cutting- edge projection technology into a space now 600-square-feet larger. But TWOSE is about so much more than its planetarium. The overhaul – called the Aurora Project – will update aging science displays and expand the 34-year-old building to 130,000 square feet from the current 110,000 square feet. The revamp also includes new lighting and HVAC systems, refreshed exhibition design and layouts, and new information technology equipment. The entrance to TWOSE will also be refreshed, so pedestrians can walk alongside garden space leading to the front door, and the gift shop will double in size. "The Aurora Project is all about inspi- ration and light, and about the north. It connects our astronomy roots, our northern roots and our desire to inspire," says president and CEO Alan Nursall. "The centrepiece of the Aurora Project is the Arctic Gallery, a large 10,000-square-foot gallery, our larg- est gallery, celebrating the uniqueness of this environment, its inhabitants, and the technology used to survive and thrive there," adds Annie Prudhomme- Genereux, VP of science. Not only will visitors experience the frozen north on the inside display, but the exterior of the building is designed to visually capture the essence of this area as well. Radiating lines extend out from the building and fold down to the ground, and "are designed to look like ice shards, allowing crevasses to form, allowing light into the building, and also creating waterways," Donna Clare, the Dialog architect in charge of the project, told the media. "The imagery for the building is about glacier and ice formations . . . we're bringing water off the roof and allowing it to eventually form icicles. The building is designed so the science centre can collect precipitation off the roof, using it to feed wetland ponds and plant life beside the building. You'll be able to understand the freeze-thaw cycle and how it relates to nature," Clare added. "It brings an awareness, I think, of how important water is as a source of life on this planet." Jeff Juravinski, project manager from Chandos Construction, is enjoy- ing creative applications like this take shape, and is glad to be part of the proj- ect, as he remembers fondly many childhood fieldtrips – and his first date with his wife – at TWOSE. "We just installed a huge light fix- ture over the main feature staircase, with metal panels wrapping around the stairs designed to look like the gal- axy, and it's been a real challenge for me and my team to figure out how to do that, because it is such a unique application . . . seeing the planning pro- cess behind the scenes that goes into the exhibits has been really interest- ing, both as a former kid seeing the displays and now as someone helping to create them." Juravinski says connecting the new systems with the old has been a unique challenge as well. While the new plan- etarium had to have a state-of-the-art electrical, computer, and projection system installed for the 10k resolution experience, Juravinski and his team were charged with ensuring older sys- tems were brought up to current safety regulations as the newer systems were being installed. "The older building was on a com- pletely different fire rating system, with an old grandfathered code. It was a unique challenge to maintain proper separation, while still tying the build- ings together and bringing everything up to todays' safety code." Examples include the new fire safety system with its protective rolling shutter system that will be activated in the event of fire. This required a new exit to be installed in the stairwell. In addition, the lining of the stairs was eight inches above the existing floor, so a sloped entrance was installed to make up the difference. As Juravinski can attest, TWOSE has been making science fun for decades, fuelling the movement away from sci- ence being only for nerds, to science being cool. CuriousCity allows visi- tors under eight years of age to literally explore in miniature form iconic destina- tions in Edmonton, from the river valley to the high-level bridge to Fort Edmonton Park. One of the signature experiences at TWOSE is the ExploraLab, a wet lab that allows visitors to extract and examine their own DNA, or test the sugar content of breakfast cereals. "In the Hole Family Gallery, visi- tors will be welcomed to TWOSE's own Science Garage, a community-based hub with access to technology, ingenu- ity, and leaders in the tech field. The gallery will be a lightning rod, direct- ing the exploration of technology, robotics, coding, and artificial-intel- ligence happening in Edmonton and Northern Alberta," adds Nursall. It may be hard to believe that it all began with some serious star-gazing 60 years ago, with a planetarium designed to bring curious minds together to cel- ebrate the universe, back when that seemed like a very lofty notion. "Space is our DNA. This science centre has a history grounded in astronomy, having been founded as Canada's first public planetarium. The new S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, the new Zeidler Dome, the observatory, and the digi- tal interactive cosmology experience will all celebrate our roots and make people excited about space," sums up Prudhomme-Genereux. A LOCATION 11211-142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta OWNER/DEVELOPER TELUS World of Science – Edmonton ARCHITECT/ STRUCTURAL/MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT DIALOG GENERAL CONTRACTOR Chandos Construction (Phase 2) TOTAL SIZE 20,000 square foot TOTAL COST $40 million (approx.) 8:17 AM 2:55 PM

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