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SPOTLIGHT

DESIGN FIT FOR ALL

Canadian firm GEC Architecture has created
a first-class health and fitness center with
sustainability at its heart.

estled into the rolling foothills of northwest Calgary, the Shane
Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge is an impressive addition to the
Norganization best known around the globe for promoting health
and wellness in local communities. Inaugurated in 2017, the sprawling
27,600-square-meter complex is currently the largest YMCA structure in
the world and a stellar addition to the association’s Canadian branch which
today counts some 1,700 locations stretching from British Columbia to Nova
Scotia.

Designed by Canadian practice GEC Architecture, the centerpiece of the
newly constructed building is the impressive unifying curved timber roof
– the largest roof of its kind in North America – that links each section
of the complex, which is home to a host of activities including a hockey
arena, climbing wall, aquatic center and theater. The choice of wood by the
architects was due to its structural, aesthetic and sustainable qualities. The
material lends a natural warmth to the interior as well as allowing for the
geometric complexity of the overall form that can be appreciated from both
the inside and outside.
“The design of the building fits in superbly with the rolling foothills of
Calgary, which are the gateway to the Rockies,” says Keith Day, Vice President
Operations of YMCA Calgary. “The interior, with its high ceilings and open
vestibules, gives a feeling of a welcoming environment with an adaptive and
free flowing image. The contours remind one of a meandering river.”
In addition to opting for wood, the design team at GEC inserted Corian®
Solid Surface into highly trafficked areas of the complex, including reception
areas and changing rooms, in order to provide a sharp visual contrast with
the material’s white color. “There is a blend of old and new [in the design]
which impacts the diverse generations of residents in Calgary, and which is
extremely visually appealing.”
For GEC, the goal from the outset of the Shane Homes YMCA project was
to focus on limiting the building’s environmental impact. Situated between
Calgary’s prairies and foothills, the building is sensitively placed to bridge the
rolling hills and urban area. The site features extensive elevation changes with

OPPOSITE: Reception area of Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge in Calgary with counters
in Corian® (Glacier White color).

42 Corian® Design / ISSUE TWO