Award

Devonian Gardens by Stacey Carefoot COURTESY JANET ROSENBERG & STUDIO algary is one of those Canadian cities that arguably experiences only two seasons, winter and not winter. For more than 30 years, Calgary's Devonian Gardens offered downtown residents and visitors a tropical respite from the cold climate and a serene getaway from the downtown buzz. Calgarians have missed their little piece of the tropics since its closure in 2008. The newly renovated gardens will welcome visitors back this summer just in time to coincide with the hundredth anniversary of the Calgary Stampede. Located on the fourth level of TD Square adjacent to The Core Shopping Centre on 8th Avenue and 2nd Street SW, Devonian Gardens was originally built in 1977 at a cost of nine million dollars. The indoor garden was open seven days a week and quickly became a provincial icon. (While 20 Vic Management Inc. owns The Core property, The City of Calgary maintains and operates the Devonian Gardens park as part of a 99-year lease agreement.) In the early part of this decade, as Calgary's downtown area began to experience a revitalization movement, The Core's retail space underwent a multi-block renovation which included adding a massive skylight and cutting an opening in the loor of Devonian Gardens. When the redevelopment began, it became apparent that Devonian Gardens needed more than a minor facelift. As funding was secured, more renovations were approved and the project turned into a $37-million complete redo – which was less than expected. "The garden was tired, the soil was no longer supportive of the existing plants," says City of Calgary manager of parks planning and development services Kyle Ripley. "The planters were leaking and light conditions in the garden changed as of ice towers were built to the south." These conditions forced the city to replace the plants on a routine basis and also caused the irrigation system to become ineffective – making watering impossible. One of the greatest changes visitors will notice after the two-year renovation closure will be the contemporary feel and open concept of the park. Previously closed off from the rest of the complex by a series of glass walls, the garden area now has a seamless connection to the enhanced retail space, and falls under the expansive skylight that spans 750 feet long and 86 feet wide (three city blocks). This incredible glass roof covers an approximate area of 70,000 square feet. New glass curtain wall on all sides of Devonian Gardens provide additional natural light and solar heat. Another major addition is the inclusion of a new restaurant space. Taking advantage of previously underused space, C Devonian Gardens p.74-75Devonian Gardens.indd 75 the tri-level eatery will attract both the lunchtime crowd as well provide a dynamic, upscale downtown destination in the evenings. "The gardens will be a unique backdrop for the restaurant," says Ripley. At the time of writing, the city was in the process of securing a tenant. With a design process that began seven years ago, the Devonian Gardens renovation brought together a design team of iconic players from across North America including landscape architects Janet Rosenberg & Studio, local architectural studios Eleven Eleven Architects Inc. and McKinley Burkart. The team was instrumental in developing a harmonious indoor park for residents and visitors in an unusual environment. "We always wanted the garden to be about extreme horticulture," says Janet Rosenberg, who journeyed from her of ice in Toronto to Calgary as the LOCATION 8th Avenue and 2nd Street SW Calgary, Alberta OWNER/DEVELOPER City of Calgary – Parks Department LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Janet Rosenberg & Studio ARCHITECT McKinley Burkart/Eleven Eleven Architects Inc. GENERAL CONTRACTOR EllisDon Construction Services Inc. STRUCTURAL ENGINEER/ WATERPROOFING Halcrow Yolles MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Hidi Rae Consulting Engineers Inc. WATER ARCHITECT Dan Euser Waterarchitecture Inc. TOTAL AREA 107,000 square feet CONSTRUCTION COST $37 million irst of hundreds of tropical trees arrived for planting in the garden this spring. "The development of Devonian Gardens is a model for parks everywhere," says Rosenberg, referring to the collaboration between the designers and the Calgary parks crew in developing and understanding an achievable maintenance plan. This process will better ensure the lifetime of the tropical plants, which truly elevate the park. Trees and plants were handpicked and transported to Calgary from Florida and Hawaii. The plant life will establish roots in the custom-engineered fertile soil – of which there are more than 800 tonnes. City of Calgary parks department employees travelled to Florida to choose the plants, and to learn hands-on maintenance techniques from Fred Briese at Plantmasters Inc. Upwards of two kilometres of porcelain-tile walking paths meander through the numerous planters illed with lush greenery and water features. Improved lighting that helps support the plant life has been installed throughout the park, while more effective use of air movement reduces the humidity required to maintain plant life. Visitors can also expect to see the return of the popular koi ish featured in the original gardens. A water wall will animate the largest of the three water features in the garden designed by world-renowned Dan Euser of Dan Euser Waterarchitecture Inc. The construction team assembled by EllisDon Construction came across a few challenges of its own, but none were insurmountable, according to senior site superintendent Tim Kastner. "It was logistically tough to get materials into the space," he says. "Doing work inside an open and functioning shopping centre caused some tension." Despite the challenges, Kastner is quick to point out the ef iciency of the trades involved and the cooperation between stakeholders. "The trades have really stepped up and we're proud to be part of such an interesting project." The technical team also included structural engineer Halcrow Yolles, who ensured the open concept could be achieved; mechanical engineer Hidi Rae Consulting Engineers Inc., whose input made the lush environment in such a cold climate possible; and Agroponics Industries Ltd., who advised the team about irrigation and humidifying systems required to support the plant material. As the city prepares to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the Calgary Stampede in July, it will also be focusing on the re-opening of this legendary indoor attraction and rejuvenated landmark. ■ JUNE 2012 /75 5/25/12 1:02:56 PM

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